Original Figure Review - X-Plus DefoReal Series Godzilla (2016) The 4th Form

Written by Arlo Hansen

Continuing on with the Shin-Godzilla trend, today I will be reviewing one of X-Plus's most recent releases, the DefoReal Series Godzilla (2016) 4th Form. Ever since I saw the unpainted prototypes of this and the other Shin Godzilla forms, I knew I just had to have it. DefoReal, also referred to as Default Real, is a brand new series of figures from X-Plus that apply their realistic movie accurate sculpting to super deformed/chibi versions of your favorite giant monsters. Unlike most of X-Plus's other figures, the DefoReal series is much more accessible to the casual figure collector who does not wish to spend $100 and beyond. This figure retails for around $45 USD, and with shipping came out at around $75. Even though it is available at a reasonable cost, is it worth it? Read this brief review to find out!

Original Figure Review - S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (2016) The 2nd Form & The 3rd Form

Written by Arlo Hansen

WHEW! Has it been a LOOOOOOooooonnnng time since I have last posted a figure review here. Once more, I apologize for the year-long gap in content on this blog. As I have mentioned in my previous post, I was focussed on other things that ultimately did not work out. However, now I am back with a brand new review of the recent S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (2016) The 2^nd Form and The 3^rd Form from 2016's Shin-Godzilla.

The Kaiju Planet Still Lives!

Hello, fellow Kaiju Planet citizens! This is Arlo, and yes, the Kaiju Planet is still alive.

I must apologize for the lack of content over the past year. I had been busy trying to get another website up and running for the better part of 2016. Unfortunately it wasn't gaining a huge following, so I ultimately scrapped it and decided to return here, The Kaiju Planet.

A lot has certainly happened ever since I have last posted here, but have no fear. I have new reviews and articles to share with you all in the coming weeks! So, be sure to keep your eyes open, as I will begin to post new content in the coming weeks and change some aspects of the blog's overall design too.

Just know, we are still alive and kickin'!

Original Figure Review - Sideshow Collectibles Knifehead Statue

Written by Arlo Hansen

I have had Sideshow Collectibles' Knifehead statue since last September, but I am just now getting around to reviewing it. No, it was not procrastination that has prevented me from sharing my reflections on this piece. I've contemplated for months whether or not to review this and the other Pacific Rim statues I have. I was not keen on doing anymore figure reviews on video, because it was just not my sort of thing. However, since I am going through a little bit of a dry spell, I thought this would be the appropriate time to review them. So far I only have three of the four released statues: Knifehead, Gipsy Danger and Slattern. I will pick up Striker Eureka eventually, but with me currently out of a job, I will just have to be patient for a little while longer.

Knifehead was the first of the Pacific Rim statues that Sideshow Collectibles released. The statues were sculpted with assistance and guidance by designers who actually worked on Pacific Rim (2013) including director, Guillermo Del Toro. In the movie, Knifehead was a Category III Kaiju that was the first to demonstrate intelligence in battle. It successfully killed one of Gipsy Danger's pilots, Yancy Becket, before being killed by a lone Raleigh Becket before he struggles to get the Jaeger back to the Alaskan shore. Since the film came out, Knifehead has become one of the few Kaiju to really stand out. Of all the Kaiju in the film, Knifehead has received the most figure treatments from tiny Gashapon figures from Kaiyodo, deluxe action figures from NECA, and an upcoming Large Monsters Series vinyl figure from X-Plus. However, by far one of the more impressive pieces of Knifehead released so far has to be this Sideshow statue. Let's take a closer look! 

Original Figure Review - Medicom Real Action Heroes NEO Evangelion 13

Written by Arlo Hansen

I have been a huge fan of the Evangelion franchise for at least the past seven or so years. What intrigued me was its complex story, characters and use of religious and psychological symbolism. As soon as I was finished watching the original anime series, I then discovered the Rebuild of Evangelion films, which is a partial retelling of the original story with new characters and elements thrown in. Things remained mostly familiar within the movies Evangelion 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) and Evangelion 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance. However, by Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) things changed a great deal - SPOILER ALERT - there was a 14 year time skip between the second and third film, new characters, new organizations, new EVAs, and new questions that will hopefully be answered in the fourth/final film whenever it releases. One of the definite highlights of the film was the battle between the upgraded Evangelion Unit 02 and Evangelion 13 in Terminal Dogma, which bears a striking resemblence to Unit 01 (with some notable differences). For a long time I've collected the smaller Revoltech action figures for the EVAs, so I was venturing into brand new territory in regards to the Medicom RAH NEO Evangelion 13 action figure.

Truth be told, this was an impulse purchase. I was feeling rather blue this past Valentines Day as I am alone. I decided to buy myself something I've been eyeing for a while as a means to lift my spirits. That little something was this figure, which costed me a little over $400 USD. So, was it worth the price and my emotional state at the time? Let's take a look! 

Original Figure Review - X-Plus Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1999

Written by Arlo Hansen

Whew! How long has it been since my last figure review? A couple months? Well, I am back with an all new original figure review of the X-Plus Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1999 vinyl figure. I intend to do several more reviews over the coming weeks of items I've had for a little while, but not yet have reviewed. That is besides the point right now, because now we are going to take a look at this hunk of soft vinyl. I know I am pretty late with this review since many collectors have already done their reviews on this figure when it first released last year. However, I don't care. Better late than never, right?

So, without any further ado, let us get started!

NEW Shin Gojira Trailer [Review]

What a way to start (or end) the day, am I right? Toho drops a brand new trailer for Shin Gojira (internationally titled Godzilla Resurgence), the first domestic Godzilla film since 2004's Godzilla: Final Wars. Today I will be doing something I have not done before: a trailer review. It'll be an analysis of what we saw and some of my own thoughts an opinions on certain aspects of it. So without further ado, let us begin...

If you haven't watched the trailer yet, do so now!

X-Plus Toho 30cm MechaGodzilla 1975 & Gigantic Series Godzilla 1962

Along with the Large Monsters Series Leatherback, X-Plus also teases us with a couple of other upcoming figure releases such as their Toho 30cm Series MechaGodzilla 1975 and Gigantic Series Godzilla 1962 at the 2016 Spring Miyazawa Model Exhibition.

UPDATE: The 30cm MechaGodzilla 1975 is slated for a June 2016 release date. 

Photo Source: Dengeki Hobby Web

X-Plus Large Monsters Series Leatherback

WHOOOAAA!!!

Look at that. X-Plus has unveiled their prototype for their upcoming Large Monsters Series Leatherback figure. It was teased a while back that X-Plus would be tackling Knifehead and Leatherback, and now we are seeing one of the two promised figures.

Personally it looks absolutely amazing. The pose alone makes it very intimidating and powerful. No word yet when it'll be released exactly, but it is definitely slated for within this year. I am certainly adding this ferocious beast to my collection!

UPDATE: Based on the title card along with the figure, it seemed that Leatherback was slated for a May 2016 release. However, a blue pen mark over the date may suggest it has been pushed back to at least July... Looks like it'll be a busy month since a majority of my preorders this year release in that month. Must prepare thy wallet!

Photo Source: Dengeki Hobby Web

Fresh Vinyl Reviews: X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1954 Gripping Train [RIC Exclusive]

Where are the reviews?!

Hey, guys! Arlo here.

March has certainly been a VERY slow month for me, and I do apologize. I recently left my job and currently unemployed for the time being. Don't worry, I have another job potentially lined up for me next month. However, as a result I have slowed down with my collecting for the time being, which has put my figure reviews on hiatus for a while. I am also working on selling a bunch of figures that I have no more room for in my collection as a means to rebuild my figure collecting budget to pay off upcoming purchases. With that being said, I will still try to whip up a couple of reviews for figures I still have not gotten to yet like the Medicom Real Action Heroes Neo EVA 13 and the X-Plus Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1999. I hope to do reviews for both of them starting later this week.

Beyond that I have nothing else new coming in to review until later this summer. So, what do I plan to do for The Kaiju Planet until then? I will continue to share figure reviews from our friends like Steven McCarthy of Steven's Toy Reviews, DiegoDoom, and Rich Eso of Fresh Vinyl Reviews. As for original content, I will be doing various write-ups focusing on toy collecting as a whole, retrospectives on certain figure lines, movie reviews and occasional "re-reviews" where I take a look at some older figures I have reviewed and see whether my opinion on it has changed or not.

Again, apologies for the lack of activity this month. As of April, going forward, I hope to put more effort into providing you guys with new material!

Godzilla vs. Kong: My Thoughts

Written by Arlo Hansen

This article is several months late, but please humor me...

Last October, the Internet was set ablaze with the astonishing news that movie monster giants, Godzilla and King Kong, will once again clash in an epic crossover in 2020's Godzilla vs. Kong. The possibility of King Kong intertwining with Godzilla was foreshadowed several weeks earlier when news broke out that Legendary Pictures, currently partnered with Universal Studios, will release Kong: Skull Island (2017) alongside Warner Bros., which was rather shocking. Almost everyone knew that Legendary and Warner Bros. are still partnered for the currently untitled Godzilla sequel set for 2018, so the chances of a crossover were significantly increased. Then sure enough, BAM! Confirmation in the form of a sudden press release from Legendary Pictures.

Collect For Yourself!

Written by Arlo Hansen

This is a topic I have been wanting to write about for a long time, but I never seemed to have the right motivation to do so. Lately, however, after seeing so many people complain and whine about S.H. MonsterArts and NECA, I think it as good of a time as ever to finally bring it up.

Ask yourself this question: Why do you collect?

Sometimes it may be an easy question to answer. At other times it may be pretty hard. I started collecting when I was nine years old because I just wanted Godzilla toys. It is as simple as that! Over the years my preferences of what I collect certainly have changed. However, even though I gravitate towards figures that tend to be more movie accurate and less stylized, I do not go out of my way to bash on other people because they like what I don't like. Unfortunately that is what I have been seeing lately whenever I enter a forum or Facebook group. Adults engaging in heated arguments about what toy is better. When you look at such an argument unfold with an outside perspective, it is incredibly embarrassing for both parties. They make figure collectors look bad. With that being said, everyone is entitled to their opinions. People should have their own thoughts about things for better or worse and share them civilly. However, a line must be drawn somewhere. Collectors who are fans of the same franchise should not tell another collector that they are stupid for buying a particular item they don't like. No. That is utterly disrespectful and only makes you, the accuser look bad. Do not be a Zoidberg!

Newsflash, people. No one likes dealing with pointless petty arguments about toys! We are collectors. We are going to prefer different things that aren't necessarily your cup of tea. Instead of fighting about it, embrace it! Think about it. That is what makes collecting Kaiju figures so great. There is practically something for everyone!

Original Figure Review - X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 2014 Roaring Ver.

"Dog goes woof, cat goes meow.
Bird goes tweet, and mouse goes squeak.
Cow goes moo. Frog goes croak, and the elephant goes toot.
Ducks say quack and fish go blub, and the seal goes OW OW OW.
But there's one sound that no one knows...
WHAT DOES THE GODZILLA SAY?"

...SKREEEEEEEEEEEEOOONNNKK!

X-Plus has hit us once more with their chunky 30cm tall Godzilla 2014 vinyl figure with some notable changes. This figure was a RIC/Bandai Premium Web Shop exclusive, only made available domestically in Japan. If you are lucky to come across one at this time, the best method of acquiring it would be through a middle man. In my case I went through Jamie Davis of ToySPLOSION Japanese Toy and Figure Services on Facebook when I preordered mine back in November 2015. He is a SUPER nice guy, easy to talk to, and provides awesome service. He's the best! 

So, how does this figure stack up on its own and with its predecessor? Let us take a look!

DiegoDoom Reviews the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Anguirus 1968 Diamond Select Reissue

DiegoDoom Reviews the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 2001

S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Hayata and Alien Baltan

Ultraman is coming to S.H. Figuarts!

Celebrating 50 years of the Ultraman franchise, Bandai is introducing Ultraman and Alien Baltan to the highly popular S.H. Figuarts action figure series this July and August! The upcoming a brand new screen accurate sculpts, separate from their stylized Ultra-Act counterparts, with improved joints and details. Between July and August we will be seeing three notable releases.

This coming July, we will be seeing the release of two Ultraman Hayata figures. The first is the S.H. Figuarts Ultraman 50th Anniversary Edition which includes the figure itself plus additional accessories including damaged buildings, optional hand parts, energy shield, specium ray effect, and Alien Baltan's spacecraft, and Tamashii Stage Act. 4 stand. It will be a general release, going up for preorder in March. Retail price is 8,640 JPY.

The other Ultraman Hayata is a normal standard release without the additional accessories except for the optional hands, specium ray effect, and energy shield. It too is slated to release in July and go up for preorder in March. It is priced at 5,616 JPY.

Slated for an August 2016 release is the long awaited first appearance design of Alien Baltan. This figure was at one time set to release in the Ultra-Act line, but has since moved over to S.H. Figuarts. Other than the figure itself, it does not seem Alien Baltan will come with any additional accessories. It will go up for preorder in March along with Ultraman Hayata and is priced at around 5,940 JPY.

But, wait! There's more...

Also releasing in July are a couple Tamashii Act Building sets! They are not just limited to the S.H. Figuarts Ultraman figures, but also will work great with other figure lines like Robot Spirits, S.H. MonsterArts, and more. There are two different sets being release. One normal set and one damaged set. They are priced at 2,700 JPY per set.

Celebrate 50 years of Ultraman right by buying these sets. I know I will!

Photo Source: Bandai Tamashii Nations

S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla [1954]

HOT off the presses!

Completely out of left field, Bandai unveils the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 1954! It is sculpted by Yuji Sakai and features a monochrome paint job. It is slated for a general release in July, and will be distributed to North American vendors in August via Bluefin Distribution. A price has not been announced yet.

I am personally excited as this figure will be released coinciding with the theatrical release of Godzilla Resurgence (2016).

What do you guys think of the upcoming MonsterArts Godzilla 1954? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Photo Source: Bandai Tamashii Nations

Original Figure Review - NECA Pacific Rim 7" Figure Series Striker Eureka [Ultimate Edition]

Ever since NECA gave us a brand new sculpt for their Knifehead figure [Battle Damaged Knifehead/Deluxe Knifehead] back in early 2014, they have been steadily coming around producing brand new sculpts for their older Series 1 and 2 figures. Gipsy Danger received a brand new sculpt with the Hong Kong Brawl Edition, released late 2014 [with multiple variations following,] and as of this summer it too will receive the "Ultimate Edition" treatment. Right now, however, we are blessed to have got an updated 7-inch Striker Eureka. A couple years ago, I reviewed the original figure and gave it a thumbs up... I take ALL that back! Because, ever since then it has been the most problematic Jaeger figure that I've ever bought from NECA! I've went through three figures since that review and all of them had broke, and I barely handled them roughly. So I am hoping that NECA's second attempt at a 7-inch Striker figure comes out good.

Other than its sculpt and detailing, is this figure an improvement over what came before?

Let us take a look at it now!

NECA Pacific Rim Ultra Deluxe Hardship Officially Announced

Straight from NECA:

From the epic Pacific Rim movie, our next boxed, ultra-deluxe kaiju action figure is Hardship!

This deadly kaiju was one of the earliest to come through the breach, and was ultimately defeated by Romeo Blue. At over 8” tall and over 6” wide, Hardship is massive. This movie-accurate figure utilizes new tooling, features over 30 points of articulation, and is to scale with our Jaeger action figures.

Read more...

Hardship is slated to be released June 2016.

Photo Source: NECA