Wonderfest Summer 2012 - X-Plus Figures

Here is a video shown to me by John Thompson aka GIGAN05 from the TohoKingdom Forums that show off many of X-Plus' recently released figures at this summer's Wonder Festival! Enjoy.

X-Plus 30cm Varan In Stock!

Moments ago, I just received a notice from Hobby Search that the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Varan is now in stock as well as a Paypal receipt of payment! It should ship out between now and Friday. Most likely I'll be getting mine early next week (Monday or Tuesday the earliest).

My Latest Order

With my new UltraAct Ultraman figure on its way, I decided to go ahead and order two packs of Tamashii Stage Act. 4 stands for all of my UltraAct figures. Just one pack includes three display stands. Two packs should suffice for all my figures - Ultraman Gaia V2, Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Belial, Ultraman Mebius, Ultraman [New Edition], and Alien Baltan. If you wish to own a pack or two, check out Amazon for them.

Wonderfest Photos of S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (1995) and Godzilla Junior

S.H. MonsterArts Fire Rodan and UltraAct Ultraman To Be Shipped Soon

Amiami has notified me that they received the new Ultra-Act Ultraman figure in stock. I sent in my payment for both it and my S.H. MonsterArts Fire Rodan figure. Hopefully by Monday both of them will be shipped out, and by the end of the week I'll receive them. Also, I expect my X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Varan to ship out from Hobby Search on Monday as well! So I hope by Thursday or Friday, I would be receiving a huge shipment from the post office!

Also, I return home to Guam on Wednesday afternoon! Expect Kaiju Toy Reviews for the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla [Second Release], S.H. MonsterArts Little Godzilla & Crystal Set, and the X-Plus Toho Large Monster Series MechaGodzilla 1974 between Wednsday and Friday!

Update: Both my S.H. MonsterArts Fire Rodan and UltraAct Ultraman were actually shipped out earlier today! So I may actually get them by Thursday instead. Happy face!

S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla Junior NOW OPEN FOR RESERVATIONS

Just a heads up, pre-orders for the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla Junior web exclusive have officially opened today. You can find them on such Japanese sites like Big in Japan, and Nippon-Yasan. For the former you MUST pay up front. I'd be lying if I said I didn't reserve mine yet! It officially releases in Japan in December. If you prefer to wait until stateside distributors obtain it, I'd suggest keeping an eye out at BigBadToyStore, Amazon.com or ToyFreakz. Junior will release stateside sometime in January 2013.

I expect that reservations for the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (1995), coming out in November, open sometime next week.

S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla Junior (Prototype)

NEW Pictures of the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (1995)

Bandai Tamashii Nations just announced the next entry into the S.H. MonsterArts line after this September's King Ghidorah, Godzilla (1995), better known as Burning Godzilla! The sculpt is completely NEW and not a remold of the previous Godzilla release. The orange patches as well as his dorsal plates are all translucent. It will also be packed in with miniature DAG-MB96s, and MBT-92s (loaded with ULT Missile Launchers). This figure will be released this coming November!

New Stats for S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla Junior

Tamashii Nations' website has been updated to include Godzilla Junior now. Its still being released in December of this year, it will stand at around 4.33 inches tall, and its accessories include two helicopters - one of them being G-Force Helicopter SC-9, and perhaps the other is the news station helicopter.

Also, preorders will be going up for this figure tomorrow, July 25th, at 16:00 in Japan. Guess who will be waiting by the computer to reserve one? ;)

UPDATE: Bluefin has just announced Godzilla Junior for a stateside release in January 2013. They also hinted that they'll be announcing Burning Godzilla later today or this evening.

S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (1995) and Godzilla Junior NEWS

Isn't this a fun day? Just as I receive my SDCC exclusive Godzilla (Comic-Con Explosion) figure, news of the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 1995, or better known as Burning Godzilla pops up! I am unsure of the exact release date, however I am thinking based on the stats below the shown picture it is going to be slated for November of this year. It appears that the figure will be an alteration of the regular Godzilla's mold - the thighs look thicker, a mix of translucent plastic is sculpted into the figure, and the dorsal plates are in the CORRECT arrangement - a detail missed on on so many of the vinyl figures of the design. I bet that we will be seeing more of Burning Godzilla at next month's Tamashii Nations Vol. 4. This figure appears to be a standard release and cost around 7,140 Yen (or $91 USD.)

And now... we just need Destoroyah! XD

It looks like I will need to sacrifice getting the X-Plus 25cm Godzilla and Anguirus 1968 this September! Which is all right. Since Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is my FAVORITE film of the Heisei series (1984-1995), I am going to make sure that I acquire each and every item that is announced!

UPDATE!


A photo of the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla Junior figure has also surfaced. The figure looks absolutely fantastic. I am hoping that this figure comes out as good as its prototype looks. It also appears that one of the figure's accessories will be Miki Seagusa's G-Force helicopter, SC-9, an appreciative nod towards our favorite psychic. I hope to see more of Junior and Burning G at Tamashii Nations Vol. 4!

Kaiju Toy Review - S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (Comic-Con Explosion)

Straight from the depths of the Con comes a fiery behemoth from the pits of hell!

It's the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (Comic-Con Explosion), the SDCC Exclusive distributed by Bluefin and Tamashii Nations.

I was actually expecting this figure to arrive tomorrow. I went out to remove my stitches from a minor surgery I had last week. After mingling with some of my former co-workers, I checked the mail to find this waiting for me! I was eager to get home and open in.

The box for this figure is completely outstanding! I just love the bust of Godzilla on the front illustrated by renowned Japanese artist, Yasushi Torisawa as well as the image on the back of the Big G rampaging through the San Diego Convention Center while hundreds of Comic-Con attendees flee for their lives below. Truly spectacular and makes this figure a lot more unique when compared to its counterparts. The box itself is quite smaller than the standard Godzilla's box. It is around the same height at the boxes for SpaceGodzilla and Mogera.

Upon taking the figure out of the box, its plastic casing is no different than that for the standard release. This figure does NOT come with any accessories whatsoever, but if one who has this figure wants to be creative, utilize the red spiral beam effect that comes with the Fire Rodan figure. I'll definitely try that once I receive Fire Rodan. 

The figure as I expected was pretty stiff in the joints upon taking it out. However after breaking it in a bit and moving the arms, knees, tail, neck, and head, I managed to pose it whatever way I want. First thing I noticed is how the articulation is a lot more flexible with this figure than the first edition Godzilla. The head can look down lower, the tail has a wider range of motion, and apparently, though I have not yet attempted this, the waist joint has been improved and can have Godzilla lean forward a bit more. I'll test this out eventually, but for now I just want to admire it. 

I really do NOT think that photos do this figure justice. The way to really admire it is to actually see it in person, and hold it in your own hands. The colors in person are a lot more richer and the detail really pops out at you! Heck, I may actually like this more than the standard Godzilla. If I were to give it a score of 1 to 5, I would give it a 4/5. Everything about this figure is just beautiful, but the one thing that sets it back, though not too much, is the fact that it does not come with accessories. However I can easily live with that. I just wanted the figure. I also have another one being sent back to my home on Guam. That one, I will be keeping in mint condition.

Children and YOUR Collection

Do you ever have those times when you have people over for dinner or a get-together and they happen to bring their kids along? If you have a collection of action figures that are NOT cheap, would you let the kids touch, hold, or even play with them?

My answer is a big-ass NO!

In the past I was given a similar treatment. I recall when I was four or five years old, and my parents took me along to one of my father's work buddy's barbecue parties. Of course being the ONLY kid among adults gets quite boring and there must be something fun to do. I remember snooping around until I stumbled upon our host's collection of classic model cars. However before I was able to pick one up, my father's friend told me not to touch those. They're really fragile. I was devastated and cried. However, now that I look back on it I understand his perspective. He was only trying to protect his collection, his hobby. In the years I've been collecting I'd be lying if I didn't say that I did the same thing.

Several years ago, I was visiting family in the Philippines. We have a summer place up in Tagaytay where I have a few of my figures and posters. One day, I found my young nephew playing with one of my 8" figures a tad too rough. Out of my fear that the figure would be damaged I told my nephew that he cannot play with this toy because its a collectors' item. I did not expect him to understand and as I did all those years ago, he cried. I explained to his father, my older cousin the reasoning behind my actions, and my mom backed me up on it as well. Since then, my nephew has kept at bay from my figures, knowing that I'd get upset if he accidentally breaks them. Don't get me wrong though. I love my nephew and I pass down a lot of my old toys to him. However, when it comes to any figures part of my collection, it's hands off. The only people who I allow to handle any of my figures in my collection are those who understand my hobby and are able to control themselves when holding such items, especially my more expensive figures.

I currently live with my relatives on Guam while attending college there, and they are pretty sociable. Almost every weekend we have people over for either dinner or a party. That means that small children are always present at those events. So how do I keep them away from my figures? First measure is to keep them at a high place so they cannot reach them. If you don't have any place high to display them, then the second measure is to just keep the door of the room where you're displaying your collection, in my case my room, shut for the duration of the event. It prevents kids seeing the figures and being tempted.

From this article you may be thinking right now, "Boy this guy's not a fan of kids!" I guess you'll be right on some level, but most of the time I don't mind them. That is if they're well behaved and don't piss me off. However, I am speaking as a collector who wants to protect his investments. Sure it somewhat pains me to make a kid cry, especially when he or she does not understand what they did wrong, but I must do what I can to keep my collection intact and not be potentially ruined by some kid's accident. All in all, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Next in S.H. MonsterArts is...

Just got word today that the next figure in the S.H. MonsterArts series of figures is Godzilla Jr.
The set release date for Junior is December of this year. It will apparently be a web exclusive, and cost 4200 yen (around $53 USD), therefore a standard release of another kaiju may also be a possibility for around that time. Hopefully there will be photos of the prototype as well as other possible new additions to the line at next month's Tamashii Nations Vol. 4 event in Hong Kong. My personal hope for the Tamashii Nations Vol. 4 convention is that besides showing off the prototype for the upcoming Godzilla Junior figure, that other kaiju will be shown and announced such as Mothra, Battra, Biollante, or perhaps more likely, Destoroyah and Burning Godzilla. We'll just have to wait and see! Below is the article announcing Godzilla Junior's release. Sadly no pictures....

S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla Poster

A poster released by Bandai Tamashii Nations last weekend to commemorate the release of the Fire Rodan figure, finally rounding out the roster for the movie, Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1993). This poster is mean't to mimic the design of this version of the said movie's poster.

Olragon 2013

Olragon (c) Arlo Hansen 2007, 2012

New Olragon design for the one-shot.

A teaser poster and a concept design for the new Olragon design that I whipped up, promoting my upcoming Olragon one-shot comic slated for a release sometime in 2013. I've already completed the story treatment, and I plan on this being somewhere between 20 to 25 pages long.

Space Monsters

Gigan and King Ghidorah are trademark characters of Toho Co.,Ltd

Fan art I did of two of my favorite monsters (besides Godzilla himself), Gigan and King Ghidorah. 

Sizing the Competition

Size comparison between the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla [1989] and Rodan [1964]

Kaiju Toy Review - X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1989

Well, I've been waiting for almost two months, and finally it's here.

The X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1989.

I had to go to a doctor's appointment earlier for very minor surgery (don't ask), but on the way home I stopped and picked this bad boy up from the mail. Let me say that X-Plus is always a knockout when it comes to their boxes. They're simple, but the presentation is always cool and gives off a vibe that says that this figure isn't a child's toy.

The figure requires a bit of assembling. It is separated into three different parts. First you have the main body, then next is the tail, the last is the last four inches of the tail. I was made away weeks ago by someone that the sockets for where the tail piece is inserted is quite small. That person was right! This figure was - pardon the language - a bitch to put together. I was sweating bullets by the time I finished. Thankfully I did not have to result in cutting or glueing anything. 

Despite the hard time I had actually putting it together, this figure is pretty well sculpted and detailed. From the double rows of teeth, to the tree bark-like skin, to the patches of skin on the dorsal fins, this figure is one of the best Godzilla figure's I've ever acquired. Take note that this is my FIRST X-Plus Godzilla figure, so I have nothing else in my collection to compare it to. To my delight, there is actually one part of the figure where there is articulation, the jaw. You can either display the jaw partially closed (it doesn't close all the way due to the double rows of teeth), or you can display it wide open. The latter I prefer because it just makes Godzilla look absolutely fierce!

Closed

Open

This figure is definitely a lot better than my last X-Plus figure purchase. The Godzilla 1989 design is one of my favorite incarnations of the character and I am just so happy that I can finally have a faithful representation of the design in my collection. With this, I only have two more 30cm X-Plus figures I'm waiting for - Varan, and Titanosaurus. I also intend to purchase the upcoming 25cm Anguirus 1968 and Godzilla 1968 as my final two X-Plus figures for a while. To wrap things up, out of a full rating of 5, my rating for this figure is 4.5/5.

Skreeonk!

Comic-Con Explosion Godzilla is on the way!

I just received my shipping notice from the guy that I bought my SDCC exclusive S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla [Comic-Con Explosion]  earlier this morning (Monday night in the US).

Hopefully I'll receive the figure anytime between this Friday to next Tuesday. I eagerly await its delivery. The other one, which I ordered from a different person has not yet shipped. I can expect it, however, to be shipped out probably later today, or sometime tomorrow. That one will be sent to my home on Guam where it'll remain in mint condition.

Expect a figure review of it next week.

Toy Review - Robot Spirits Nirvash Type ZERO spec2

Typically I try NOT to buy any other figures besides Godzilla or other kaiju related items, however being fan of the anime Eureka Seven and its sequel series Eureka Seven AO Astral Ocean, which is currently airing in Japan, I just had to have at least one piece of merchandise from the franchise. So I decided to go with the Robot Spirits Nirvash Type ZERO spec2.

As many of you may know, the Robot Spirits line of highly articulated robot figures is also produced by Bandai Tamashii Nations the same company behind the S.H. MonsterArts and UltraAct toy lines. I went with Robot Spirits due to my familiarity with the company that produces it. Anyways, lets get started on this review.

I bought this figure over a week ago over Ebay for $56 with $6 shipping. This is not a bad price due to the fact that when this figure first released back in 2009 the price was $55. The figure comes in a window box much like all of Tamashii Nations other products. The figure itself stands at five inches in height, an inch or two shorter than the UltraAct and S.H. MonsterArts figures. I was surprised of how small this figure was and expected it to be a similar size to the typical S.H.MonsterArts figures. The smaller size also made me more cautious of how I handled it. The figure has various pointy and thin parts making it potentially fragile if handled too rough. Nonetheless, the sculpt itself is pretty spot on and every detail of the Nirvash from the anime is present.

However like with every figure that Tamashii Nations releases, there are flaws. Thankfully with the Nirvash the only issue I have with it is that at times when I fiddle with the left leg, it pops out of its socket. But it's an easy fix and there isn't any looseness in the joint after pushing it back in. Another issue is the fact that I can't display this figure on its board despite it having places to peg the feet in. The spec1 figure of the Nirvash includes a base to display its board with the figure atop of it. I just don't understand why Tamashii Nations failed to include a similar piece with this figure. It makes the notion of displaying the figure on the board pretty moot.

This figure also comes with a buck load of accessories too! First off it comes with its trademark board, which it uses in the anime to surf the trapar energy in the air. It also comes with multiple hands as well as parts to transform it into its jet and vehicle mode. I have yet to try this since I've been busy with helping my parents move, so perhaps later on I'll try it out. The one last accessory that it came with is its larval form. Take note that its larval form did not appear in the actual anime series. It only appeared in the series' movie adaptation Eureka Seven: Pocket full of Rainbows. It's a nice little addition I have to admit despite my disliking towards the movie.

Overall, the Robot Spirits Nirvash Type ZERO spec2 is one neat figure. It makes a great display piece. However for those interested in this or other Robot Spirits figures take note that these figures are not in scale with the UltraAct of S.H.MonsterArts figures, and heck not even in scale with Revoltech's figures! Despite that, the Nirvash is still a cool figure with a neat sculpt and many accessories to choose from. Out of a rating of 5, I am giving this figure a 3.5 / 5. The only set back is the fact that there is no base to display the figure's board on rendering the display aspect of that accessory moot.

Haters be hatin'

Surprise Godzilla Reveal At SDCC!

Step aside Pacific Rim, because the Big G is back in town!

When I first heard that there was going to be a surprise Godzilla announcement at the San Diego Comic Con this year, I honestly did NOT expect much from what has been announced in the past several years, but thank God(zilla) that I was totally wrong! Not only was a teaser poster revealed, but apparently also a teaser trailer put together by Director Gareth Edwards featuring Godzilla as well!

So far the trailer has not YET surfaced online, however, a description of the trailer as well as an ominous picture of Godzilla roaring amidst the smoke and debris of a ruined city have been posted. 

The photo may be angled poorly, but make no mistake, Godzilla's head and distinctive dorsal fins can be seen, albeit silhouetted. I am eagerly awaiting to see the trailer whenever it pops online as well as any announcement whatsoever in the near future of the plot, cast, and essentially anything else! 

I predict seeing this movie completed by the summer of 2014...

GODZILLA (COMIC-CON EXPLOSION)

FYI, this isn't my picture. Anyways, SDCC is here, and Bluefin has an extraordinary display of the S.H. MonsterArts figures from Godzilla to this September's King Ghidorah, check out pictures at this link! I ordered myself one of these through a vendor on Ebay. Hopefully he or she will pull through and get mine, considering on how much I paid for it... I expect it to ship out to my home on Guam this coming Monday. 

I return home on August 4th, so I expect to be opening this as well as various other MonsterArts figures such as my Second Release Godzilla, Fire Rodan, and Little Godzilla & Crystal Set throughout the day... despite the jet lag that I may have. 

I can't wait!

UPDATE: 


I have snagged myself a SECOND Comic-Con Explosion Godzilla earlier this evening online. The price was much cheaper compared to the first one I bought. The plan is that the first one that I bought, which is shipping to my home on Guam, will be the figure that I will keep in mint condition. The one I just bought, and coming here, will be the one that I will display. So if I get it next week or the week after, expect a Kaiju Toy Review of it! 

Oops, Wrong Destination!

Well, I caught this soon after shipping, but it's no big deal.

It turns out that I accidentally sent my 2nd Edition S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla to my home on Guam instead of my parent's address, where I am at right now. It was shipped at the same time as my X-Plus 30cm Godzilla 1989, but as the latter is on its way here, the former is already in Guam.

It's no issue though. I had my cousin pick it up today, and now it is awaiting for my return in my room along with my X-Plus 25cm MechaGodzilla 1974. I hope that in the coming weeks my S.H. MonsterArts Little Godzilla & Crystal Set get there. By the end of this month or early August, I expect my S.H. MonsterArts Fire Rodan, Ultra-Act Ultraman [New Edition], S.H. MonsterArts Comicon Explosion Godzilla [SDCC Exclusive], and my X-Plus 30cm Varan to be all there as well!

A big haul, I KNOW!

Anyways, expect a new Kaiju Toy Review hopefully by next Wednesday featuring the X-Plus 30cm Godzilla 1989! But before then, I may review the Robot Spirits Nirvash Type ZERO Spec 2. The latter I am expecting between tomorrow and next Monday.

The Guardian and the Mediator

Cover art that I made for a potential Olragon project in the future 

featuring the titular kaiju, and his human Mediator, Mae Nakanishi. 

Check out more at my DeviantArt page!

Something Else for a Change

Not only am I fan of Godzilla, but also anime - primarily mecha related anime!

And Eureka Seven, as well as its sequel series (currently airing) Eureka Seven AO, (Astral Ocean) are my top favorites of them all. After watching the most recent episode of the latter, it really prompted me to make another one-time purchase of a non-Godzilla product. So I purchased the Robot Spirits Nirvash Type ZERO Spec 2 off of ebay, also produced by Bandai Tamashii Nations.

I've been eyeing this figure for quite some time, but was never interested in buying it... until now at least. I've collected a number of mecha before, though not to the extent as my Godzilla items. Most of the mecha related items I have are related to Evangelion. This is my first and only figure of the Nirvash that I'll be buying, until the Mark 1 version from Eureka Seven AO releases. I am sending this item to my home on Guam, so I'll be getting it once I return home in August.

KaijuMaster Presents: Gigichthye

Another original kaiju by your's truly. 

The concept of Gigichthye came about when doodling at work one day.

Issues with Rodan

I've had this figure for well over a week now, and I never expected that I would be having issues with it.

I am unsure about other figures, but my 30cm Rodan has a bad habit of falling under its own weight. The right wing, which is also one of its points of balance besides its two feet, is what is supposed to keep the figure from tipping forward. However, I don't know whether its a temperature factor or what, but the wing bends under the figure's weight. After some time, the figure falls forward.

My Rodan was perched upon a cabinet in my room when it fell earlier. It happened at least two times already in the past week. Fortunately there was no damage to the figure with the exception of minor paint scuffs on its back. I am really upset at this flaw, and really makes me regret purchasing him. At the moment, I've stored him away in his box to avoid this happening for a third time and seriously ruining this figure!

I am asking other collectors who have this figure if they ever had this issue and what I can do to prevent it from happening again. Right now, though, I feel as if I flushed $240 down the drain. Lesson learned. I think I have a better chance hereon with the more sturdier figures such as Godzilla, Varan, and Titanosaurus. Rodan though, I am unsure of how I can display him. Hopefully other collectors can shed some light on a potential solution to this unfortunate flaw.

UPDATE:


I've been talking to other collectors, and they seem to have similar issues. There are two solutions that they enlightened me on. The first is to display Rodan behind another figure or two. In my case those two would be my X-Plus 25cm Gigan and MechaGodzilla. The other solution would to go to Home Depot and buy some putty, primarily a brand called Ticky Tack. It does not harm the figure and keeps it stable when displayed. The latter I may end up trying as soon as I return home to Guam in August.

Colored Photos of X-Plus Titanosaurus

First off, happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!

Secondly, released in the past day or so on X-Plus' website are these colored photos of their upcoming 30cm Titanosaurus figure, set to release in late August.

While the coloring is pretty good, my only complaints are minor. The points in yellow could've been less obvious and be dulled down a tad, and that the antenna still look out of place - the white color doesn't help. Nonetheless, despite those minor flaws, Titanosaurus will be the figure to really spice up my growing X-Plus collection. I intend this to be the last 30cm X-Plus figure I buy until King Ghidorah is finally announced. I just hope that some time in the near future, more interesting figures will be released into the Toho Large Monsters Series (the 25cm line).