Megahouse Layzner and Zakarl Mini Figure Previews!!!

Those too cool toy guys Zinc Panic really know their stuff and report on Megahouse's new upcoming Layzner and Zakarl mini figures. From Darren Pierce, Toy Master Extraordinaire:

"Megahouse is offering two SPT Layzner action figures in August. The Layzner and Zakarl toys are ABS & PVC based, and only 4 inches tall. Retail is ¥2,600 each. The toys are in the "Real Action Robot" line, as distinguished from Gigabrain's "Real Action Robo" line."

Who or what the hell is Layzner?? I dunno either so I looked it up. Looks very much like the Cyclone Mecha armor from Mospeada, doesn't it? See below for a comparison. Apparently Layzner is a mecha anime from the 80's. Hey, I was into anime in the 80's but I don't remember this series! Luckily for you, there is a box DVD set with all the episodes. Check out the review from the Otakus at AnimeOnDVD They write:

"Heralded as outstanding anime immediately after its 1985 TV broadcast, the stellar achievement of Takahashi Ryousuke's masterpiece SPT Layzner was only outdone by the series' colossal failure. Cited as too dark and depressing, the series was not popular and was reduced from a planned year's worth of episodes, then canceled at episode 38, forcing the conclusion to the story to be told in the new-for-the-time OVA format. Back in 2001 Bandai Entertainment licensed Layzner for US distribution and even translated the whole series, only to indefinitely delay the release because Bandai received damaged masters from Japan and is seemingly unable to obtain usable source material. Then their license expired. And that is such a pity it's a crime, because I can say without any reservation that Layzner is the best mecha anime of the 1980s and the best mecha anime, period, until Evangelion came along." Whoa! That's pretty serious talk there! As for me, i'm not into retro 80's anime. I'm too spoiled with high production anime like GiTS, Appleseed and Samurai Champloo.

Soul of Chogokin Spec SPT Layzner Release!!!

After a very long wait, the SOC Spec SPT Layzner die-cast action figure is finally released! From the looks of these pics, it came out pretty darn good! So tempted to pull the trigger, but i'm waiting on a limited edition colorway. I'm hoping the SOC gods will replace the dull white colorway with some kind of silver or stainless steel finish. Either that or do the entire thing in a metallic flake in blue. I'm still pissed about the metallic red HCM Pro Limited Sazabi. My cheapness won't allow me to buy another one just for the color. I think I might have to paint it. Anyways, get the SOC Layzner for around $90. Worth it.

Kotobukiya Layzner Action Figure Preview!!

Layzner seems to be everywhere. Based on an anime, toys based on the license seem to be popping up all over the place. The design is familiar, but slightly different and unique enough to make it stand out from the Gundams and Votoms of the universe. Kotobukiya is releasing a 1/72 scale action figure this december for about $50. It looks pretty good, highly detailed and maybe worth the purchase. It comes complete with the obligatory laser rifle, but also a Votoms-style Round Mover propulsion system on the back Plus a Gundam-style airplane wing set-up on his back. Pre-order it now from Hobby Link Japan





Megahouse "Palm Action" Mini Figure Review:



I first saw the Layzner design when this little "Palm Action" mini figure was coming out from Megahouse. I couldn't wait until it showed up. I have to say I was a little surprised at how tiny it is. I know it says "Palm" size, but I was expecting a figure that is similar in size to one of the Gundam Ultimate Operation figures. Something around 4-5 inches tall. This little fucker is lucky to break 3 inches! Don't get me wrong, I love mini figures, I just thought for $25, it was gonna be a bit bigger, that's all. It comes with a little stand to get it that "in-flight" posability which is cool I guess...But for my $$, I decided to cancel my pre-order on the next two figures in the series. Not big enough bang for the dollar.





I say let the Labbits have at 'em!

UPDATED: Megahouse Palm Action Layzner Figure!!

In case you missed my first preview post on these pint-sized, "Palm-Action" Layzner figures from Megahouse, CLICK HERE!! Whatever you think about the name you perverted bastards, these Palm...ahem...mini figures from Megahouse are looking pretty cool as you can see from these pictures. Expect them to arrive in August in Japan. Preorder 'em for around $22 from Hobby Link Japan

Artstorm ES Series Gowapper 5 Godam

Translated Text from Artstorm

ES Chapter 6 alloy bullets in 1976, was produced by Tatsunoko anime was "five dams Gowappa Go" from a giant robot "go dumb" to the lineup. Dealt a mechanical designer Kunio Okawara's design is distinctive grab the hearts of love robots! Also large range of motion, the display in various poses with an. Parts of a combination of both shoulders, arms reproduced also Godamuhoganda Hissatsu, also comes with a mini-sized mechanical Gowappa is possible to store the movie set as Godamu.

The latest in Artstorm's ES Series is this kinda SD version of the main robot from the 70's anime Gowapper 5 Godam. Despite this thing being red, I really like it. I'll probably buy it for the gimmick of all the little ships being carried inside with all the little doors. I love this kind of shit. The mech design is by the master designer Kunio Okawara is classic and gives you a bit of insight to his later designs with Gundam, Tekkaman, Votoms, Xabungle, Layzner, GaoGaiGar...man, what classic Japanese robot did he not design??

Sculpted by: ACTION TOYS
Product Specifications: pre-painted die-cast model ABS
Material: ABS · PVC Die
Product Size: Approximately 115mm Takashi Tamotsu
Set Contents: Go Mobile, Eipuren, Gesomashin, Marine helicopter, jeep hermit crab, turtle tank, stand display
Price: 5,800 yen (tax included)
Expected release date: summer 2010

GiTS SAC Tachikoma Tango!!!

We have two interesting high quality Tachikoma figures from the Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex series coming out soon. I thought I would take this opportunity to compare the offerings from Megahouse and Fewture based on the pics and info out there. The version from Megahouse is called the Perfect Piece Tachikoma and it's the one I pre-ordered already from Hobby Link Japan for around $80 not including shipping. What I like about the Megahouse version is the color. From the pics, it looks to have a bit more of that awesome metallic blue going on than it's Fewture Rival. I also like that the doors swing out in back and will look awesome with sort of Matoko figure (If I can find one to scale!) My biggest concern expecially after receiving Megahouse's Palm Layzner action figure would be the fragility of the figure. When you look at these pics, it just looks a bit flimsy, no?





Now we compare it to Fewture's $120 EX-Gokin Tachikoma figure here. What I like is that it's designated with Fewture's EX-Gokin name. If you own any of Fewture's EX-Gokin Getter figures, you know what I mean when I say HEAVY. These things are just dense pieces of die-cast toy bad-assness. Considering how much I paid for my EX-Gokin Black Getter Ryoma, $120 for this Tachikoma is not bad. I would just hope that is wields as much metal. From the pics, it looks slightly more detailed and sturdy, but the color although a nice shade of blue, does not appear to have the same metallic sheen going on. Also it looks like the only doors that open is a hatch at the top. Not as cool.





So there you have it!! Our Tachikoma Tussle!! There seems to be pros and cons to each. A little here, a little there. Which one is better? Hard to say without having them in hand. Undoubtably, I will have to order the Fewture version as well just to compare myself! Megahouse Perfect Piece Tachikoma is due out in February and the Fewture EX-Gokin version slated for May! Both can be pre-ordered now at Hobby Link Japan!

Megahouse Perfect Piece Tachikoma....

I received my Megahouse Perfect Piece Tachikoma a while ago and it was sitting on my desk for the longest time before I recently got around to taking some pics of this thing. The first thing I noticed when it arrived is that it's a pretty big toy. I'm guessing its around 7" or 8" across including the legs which would make it the biggest Tachikoma / Fuchikoma tank I own. The good news is that it's a pretty detailed piece with a very nice paint application. The big gimmick would be the operable cockpit...very, very cool. A major selling point. The engineering is quite impressive too. The top of the cockpit raises just like the Anime. The back opens with two swinging doors to reveal a very detailed cockpit with controls, the seat and viewfinder googles. Accessories like a Matoko figure, book and wrench are welcome additions.









Now the bad. Aside from the rather large footprint, the piece that I purchased has very loosey goosey joints. So much so, that you can't stand the tank up properly under it's own weight. At well over $100 for this toy, this kind of thing is completely un-acceptable. Given my past experience with the Palm Layzner figure, i'm not a big fan of Megahouse. I emailed Scott who owns Hobby Link Japan and asked him about the problem. He actually had one of his guys take another Tachikoma out of the packaging to check if it would stand up on it's own. Apparently it did. Oh, well...So one of the guys suggested an old Gundam modeling trick which is to put superglue in the ball joints to add friction so they would stick where you need them to, but still provide enough movement for positions, etc. It worked, but still not as good as I would like. My other complaint is that for over $100, there is not a lot of die-cast in this toy. It's pretty much all plastic which means I paid a lot of money for a decent toy with a cool gimmick. In summary, if you're a GiTS fan and want a highly detailed toy and dig the cockpit gimmick, this toy is for you. Is it worth the $100+ price tag? I don't think so. Find it on eBay for around $75 if you can...











I haven't pulled the trigger on Fewture's EX-GOKIN Tachikoma version yet, since it's close to $140, but is made of much more die-cast. I'm a little put-off Tachikoma's at the moment. Hell, I still think Fuchikoma's look way better...