Transformable Assault Galient Action Figure

When I first saw this toy, I thought it was the same Galient Action figure I purchased not too long ago (see below). Upon further inspection, I saw that this version from CM's Corporation actually transforms into the space ship and a "walking" version of the spaceship as well! Pretty cool! As you can see, it comes complete with a nice variety of weapons including sword, shield, whip, blaster, etc. The paint job is not as nice and metallic looking as the pure action figure version I have, but the extra weapons and the fact that it transforms goes a long way! A very interesting and "non-Gundam" mecha that transforms! Get it for $45 from Japanese Toy Link

Final Fantasy: Advent Children DVD REVIEW

Just so you know, I'm not a Final Fantasy fan at all. I've never even played ANY of the video games ever. I'm not into RPG's. I'm not against them, but i've never been attracted to them. I've always found them a bit boring and lacking in the action department. But I am into anime and CG movies. When the first Final Fantasy movie "Spirits Within" came out, I saw it in the theatre and bought the DVD. While I was not particularly fond of the storyline, the graphics were amazing. The same can be said for "Advent Children". Not only are the graphics amazing, I was completely blown away with the fight sequences. Only in CG could you see such unbelievable, heart-pounding, gravity-defying, physics-ignoring fight scenes. There are several truly mind-blowing fight sequences including two on the very cool Fenrir motorcyles that are completely worth the price of admission alone. The storyline is Final Fantasy. What more can I say? It's been said that you won't appreciate the movie unless you're a die-hard FF fan which might be true if you want to completely understand the story line. I didn't fully appreciate all the character nuances and background plotlines, etc. because I never played any of the games, but you don't have to be a FF fan to appreciate the amazing graphics and the truly insane fight sequences. As far as CG action, Advent Children is some of the best I've ever seen. I got my copy on eBay for a very reasonable $14 so it's quite a bargain if you ask me. Highly recommended. Go get it!

Since I just finished the movie, the FF Advent Children toys being released below are a bit more meaningful. I've already pre-ordered my Cloud and Fenrir motorcycle set for $59. The rest of the toys below can be found readily at most online stores or eBay from $22 for the action figures to $30-$40 for the ship above and monsters.

Get the DVD and then check out the toys!!!

Spotlight on Studio HalfEye

Led by Mr. Hajime Takashima who is perhaps THE best engineer in the toy industry, Studio HalfEye is a little known, garage toy company that produces some of the most amazing, intricate, and expensive toys on the market today. Studio HalfEye is known for it's $500 transforming die-cast Getter Robots. I have posted a couple of their fantastic feats of engineering marvel before including their stupendous transforming Go Dannar Robot. They should also be known for what they bill as the "smallest fully transforming robots" including the tiny four (4) inch Getter Robot below. Yikes! That's like a transforming mini figure! I like it! I even abandoned my thoughts of getting all three Soul of Chogokin Getter Robots in favor of the mini transforming Getter Dragon shown here. If you consider the total transformation of the robots, I think the engineering puts your run-of-the-mill Transformers to shame!

This kind of toy engineering is not cheap either: On the average of $250 upwards to $500 for each piece of artwork. They recently decided to make smaller robot versions - around 4-5 inches for less than $100. I think it's completely worth the investment. I would rather spend $75 on a fully transforming 5" inch figure you see above than a non-transforming 7" inch Soul of Chogokin figure which does nothing.

Text and pictures courtesy of Hobby Link Japan:

"Studio HalfEye's engineering in making Getter Robo's transformation a 3-D reality is second to none--but such precision work doesn't come cheap, with their masterpiece sets usually priced at over 25,000 yen. Now Studio HalfEye comes through with a transformation of a different sort: a line of mass-produced, more affordably priced Getter Robo sets! This entry in the line is the transformable 11cm Getter Dragon, formed by combining the Dragon, Raiga, and Poseidon vehicles. Add the included two Getter Tomahawks, and Getter Dragon is ready for action!"
5 inch transforming Getter Dragon above for $73 not including overseas shipping.

"This entry in the line is the Getter Robo 1 Last Battle Version, featuring a fully transformable Getter 1 (about 10cm, or 4 inches, high) with serious battle damage and missing one arm. Includes one Getter Tomahawk (the packaging has a space for a second one, but this set comes with a single Tomahawk), and a Getter energy generator unit that is either gray or clear yellow. The yellow variation is the rarer of the two, but they are packed randomly, and we cannot see which version is in the package. We cannot promise customers exactly which version they will receive. Please place your order for this item only if you are willing to receive either type."
Getter Robo 1 Last Battle Version above for around $70 not including overseas shipping.

Studio HalfEye's Takashima-san has long been demonstrating that he is probably the best model engineer in Japan who's not working for one of the major firms. His Perfect Change Compact Version Shin Getter continues that tradition. This completed model transforms from the component sections - Shin Eagle, Shin Jaguar and Shin Bear into Shin Getter 1. The transformation is amazing. Comes with a 15 page manual on the inner workings of the model plus very detailed. Step-by-step photos and instructions on doing the transformation. Even includes a small screwdriver so you can tighten the joints if necessary. One incredible feat of engineering. Perfect Change Compact Version Shin Getter above for around $225 not including overseas shipping.

More superb hand-held transformable fun from Studio HalfEye! This time the God Gravion gets the mini treatment, at a whopping 12 cm tall! That's about five inches, for those of you who aren't metrified! The set contains the Grankaiser, G-Attacker, G-Driller (two -- one becomes the left arm, one the right), and G-Shadow. Put them all together to form God Gravion, and arm him with his Gravitonne Sword and Gravity Crescent, both included! All parts are resin and pre-painted. Pose him wherever you need a miniature giant robot to protect you! Five Inch Transforming God Gravion above for around $142 not including overseas shipping.

More superb hand-held transformable fun from Studio HalfEye! This time the Sol Sigma Gravion gets the mini treatment, at a whopping 12 cm tall! That's about five inches, for those of you who aren't metrified! Due to be released in December, this new addition to the Studio HalfEye Line-up will sure to please the die-hard fans! Five Inch Transforming Sol Sigma Gravion right for around $208 not including overseas shipping.

Beautiful full-action transformable model of "Dan of Thursday" ("Dann", according to the box) can be transformed between Sword Mode and (humanoid) Robot Mode. Superbly constructed, as is to be expected from Studio Half-Eye. Step by step transformation instructions are included; the text is in Japanese but photographs accompany each step to make it easier. Non-scale; in Sword Mode, it measures 18 cm long. Six Inch Transforming Dan of Thursday above for around $79 not including overseas shipping.



Fully Transformable Getter Robo above for around $479 not including overseas shipping. Everything you see here is included.

This gorgeous, mostly-completed piece from Studio Half-Eye requires some construction (a screwdriver is included to allow you to change the armour parts). Everything you see in the photos is included in the box. Fully Transformable GoDannar above for around $434 not including overseas shipping.

There you have it mecha fans! Studio HalfEye: the most innovative, highly engineered transforming toys on the planet. Spend the big bucks and get the GoDannar for $500 or be like me and spend $75 on a mini transforming nugget of Getter Dragon!

Gundam Ultimate Operation Plus 2 Mini Figures Coming!!!

So I'm admiring Flickr buddy QuattroVageena's cool toy photography the other day and I see a picture of a Dom Tropen that I have never seen before (left). Not that i'm a hardcore Gundam guy and know every single figure out there, but it was interesting because the way Quattro shot the picture, It was hard to tell if it was a model or toy. Upon further inspection, you could tell it was a figure and not a model. It looked pretty cool as it was fairly detailed and it had a nice paint job. Quattro's photography makes all toys look
particularly interesting. I then saw the blister pack that the toys came in. I had never seen this line of Gundam figures called "Fusion Works". Again, although I'm not an authority on Gundam, nor claim to be one, I did think that I had at the least seen all the Gundam action figure lines. Interested to learn more, I searched for Fusion Works and discovered that the line is actually called "Gundam Ultimate Operation". I also learned that they have been making these damn things for years and have several versions and somehow they all managed to escape me. Amazing what you learn on the internet. I found this set of six from Jbox out of Japan (below left) for $40 which seems reasonable considering other online stores wanted $12 each for these little buggers. As you can see, they are pretty detailed, fully painted, around 3 inches tall, come with weapons and have a fine selection of my favorite Gundam robots. They apprear to have limited articulation but feature these dynamic "going to kick your ass" poses.

In the buying mood and hungry for more Gundam UO, I went over to Hobby Link Japan and purchased another two sets. The first set is called "Gundam Ultimate Operation Best" which is a collection of the most popular Gundam robots. You can see the two versions that Quattro has are part of this set. I thought it was a bargain at $20 for five (5) figures (right).


I was also pleased to learn that Bandai is coming out with a new set called Gundam Ultimate Operation Plus 2 which should be shipping in December for around $33 not including overseas shipping. Check out the weapons below left!

So just like that in the blink of an eye, the power of Quattro's toy photography, the global reach of the internet and a couple of online stores, I now will be receiving three sets totaling nineteen (19) tasty Gundam mini figures for less than a hundy. That comes to around $5 each which is not bad!

Thanks Quattro for beginning my Ultimate Operation Collection!!

Hot off the Presses: Soul Calibur III and Tekken 5 Mini Figures Coming!!!!

From David Karlin from 1Up.com:

"If there's one thing Japan loves besides videogames, it's collecting videogame figures. Walking down a street, you'll often find "gashapon" machines, small contraptions you drop quarters in and random figures enclosed in a plastic bubble roll out.

In Japan, the figures are much cooler than ours and, instead of a quarter, it's $3-5. Additionally, traditional action figures and models are released in the thousands each year and game districts will often have every type of figure lining the shelves.




Joining the ranks of these figures is Namco's "Game Character Goods Collection," featuring both Tekken 5 and Soul Calibur III. The Tekken 5 figures will be released in January at $6 each
accompanied by a variety of accessories such as alternate costumes. The lineup consists of Nina, Yoshimitsu, Ling, Jin, Heihachi, and Raven.


A month later, Soul Calibur III follows, complete with multiple weapon types equipable on each character to replicate the feel of the game. Kilik, Cassandra, Voldo, Tira, Taki, and Mitsurugi make up the lineup for this set.

If you're bummed about Japan getting all the cool stuff, you shouldn't worry too much. Japanese figures are often released in the US a few months after, so there's a good chance these figures will show up at your local game or anime stores next year.





SPECIAL thanks goes to Degenki Online for the pictures."

Oh my, oh my. So beautiful, so detailed, so much mini figure yumminess....I'm so there! Can you believe the extra weapons sets included with the Soul Calibur figures??? Crazy!! How about the extra funny accessories for the Tekken crowd?? I love it!

Can you say "pre-order"? Do it now! ToyWiz is taking pre-orders for the full set of six Soul Calibur figures for $45. They are supposed to arrive in March 2006. Or you can buy a sealed case of twelve figures from Hobby Link Japan for $60 not including overseas shipping. The lazy guy will just get the set from ToyWiz and pay the premium. The toy entrepreneur will buy the case from HLJ and sell the duplicates on eBay. Which one will I be? hmmmmm....

Mighty McFarlane Mecha Madness!!!!

Mighty McFarlane is at it again with one of their better series to come out lately: Series 28 Regenerated Action Figures. Todd takes his most beloved characters and completely re-designs them from the ground up. It's fresh, yet familiar and totally cool. I'm trying to find the new Mandarin Spawn at a decent price but I did manage to pick up the Regenerated "Cyber" Spawn 2. As always, the sculpting is top drawer and the red metallic flake paint sparkles under the lights! My only complaint is that it didn't come with any weapsons whatsoever! What's up with that?? McFarlane is known for all the cool weapons and accessories! While this is supposed to be the regenerated Cyber Spawn, I thought it looked more like the original "Manga" Spawn which was also Red in color. The Manga Spawn shown here is actually one of my very first adult toy purchases that started it all. I got the silver re-paint version with the rare Kanji characters on the included sword.

No More Toys Allowed!!!

I've been on bit of a toy buying spree lately. I think it's this damn blog. As i'm looking for new stories and ideas online, when I come across something totally cool, I want to buy it and then take pictures of it, and then write about it! It's a vicious circle I tell ya. If I could find out a way to actually make any money doing this, I might be able to at least fund the toy purchases. But alas, this does not seem to be in the cards yet. All the online stores which provide the cool banners on the right keep sending me emails asking if they can help in some way. They noticed I put up these banners weeks ago, yet no one is clicking through and buying anything. I don't blame you guys, I never click through banners and when I do, I rarely buy. Other than that, traffic is not terribly high yet either. I will say it's growing a rapid pace which is totally cool! So send the link to your buddies without shame as they will think you're totally hip because Japanese toys are so IN these days. Remember, it's the uber hip that collect toys now.

Here is a pic of some recent packages that have arrived that I haven't completely had the chance to open up and shoot. My wife scolded me that I'm buying too many toys and that I'm not allowed anymore including Christmas. Ack! What she doesn't know is that more packages will be arriving through the New Year. I've got pre-orders stacked on top of pre-orders. I'm a toy buying junkie. I purchased 3 sets of the Gundam Ultimate Collection mini-figures last night alone. A lot of stuff I purchased from Japan weeks and weeks ago hasn't even shown up yet. It's slightly embarrassing when guests ask if all these toys packages are for my 19 month old daughter and I have to tell them: "ummmm, not really. these toys are for me!" I tell 'em it's in the name of research for my blog. Then they say: "you have a blog about toys?" I reply: "yeah, it's a blog about mostly imported Japanese toys".

Then they say: "oh...ok....so what's for dinner?"

Dusty Old Toy Find: Votoms Kubricks

Remember me posting something about stumbling into an old dusty Japanese book store a couple of weeks ago? Well, besides the Hajime Katoki photo book on the Fix Figuration line which is hard to find and the PSP Movie "Blood", I also picked up a couple of sets of old and dusty Kubricks. You can still find them on eBay so it's not like they are terribly hard to find, but they were cheap at like $12 each set. One of the sets that I purchased is this Votoms Scopedog and Chirico Kubricks. More detailed than many of the Kubricks they are releasing today with more accessories and a nice matte finish.

Multi Color MSiA Blaze Zaku Phantoms!!!

I'm going to admit being a bit of a toy snob. Until just recently, I thought Bandai's MSiA line was beneath me and my penchant for only the higher quality and more expensive Fix Figuration and Zeonography line. I stand before you a converted man! I was attracted to the MSiA Blaze Zaku Phantom figure due to the interesting design with the massive dual spiked shields on each shoulder. Let's face it, toys in cool poses sell! I can never figure out why any online toy store would only show a lame picture of the box or package without showing what the figure looks like in a cool pose. When I saw the black Blaze Zaku Phantom in the pose replicated here, I had to have it. I have to admit this was my first MSiA figure. My perception was that the MSiA line was cheaper, lower quality and less articulated than the more sophisticated Fix Figuration and Zeonography line. While the MSiA figures are certainly cheaper ($15-$20 each on average compared to the $35-$50 for Fix or Zeonography), they are not bad in terms of quality, materials, paint and articulation. Not bad at all! MSiA figures are not as detailed and the plastic is a little cheaper, but well worth the money and considering that there are far more models and figures to choose from, I would have to say i've been wrong about the entire MSiA line.

Here today, we have a multi-color mosh pit of MSiA Blaze Zaku Phantoms to choose from. Essentially, they come in a few different flavors including Black, Orange, Blue and White. Some of the weapons vary from version to version so I would encourage you to get them all. Check out the nice selection at PlaJapan.com