The Dark Crystal: Skeksis figure

The Dark Crystal was one of my favorites, and in this case, this figure really comes off well. Made by Funko for their ReAction line, this is sure to be a hit with the Gen X crowd.

Source: http://www.collectiondx.com/toy_review/chamberlain_skeksis

Star Trek Merch: Going to the Nostalgia Nebula

I am somewhat happy that Star Trek is not necessarily my core geekdom. However, if I did have the money... well, it would be one of them.

http://www.popsci.com/best-gifts-for-star-trek-fans

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 Figures

I like the set... but Angela and Darkhawk? Nova and Vance Astro? Oh, hell yes.

CBR Link: http://www.cbr.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-toy-line-includes-nova-angela-and-darkhawk/

Magic Kaito/Kid the Phantom Thief

I actually tried to follow this series, both in the anime and the manga. I like how they tried to get the little details - like the monocle - right. I bet one of the add-on accessories (special release?) will be the glider form of the cape.

http://www.taghobby.com/?p=149728

Katamari Damacy Prince!

All I can say is, that makes for one nostalgic display piece!

http://www.collectiondx.com/news_item/112216/first4figures_katamari_damacy_prince_statue

Archived from Instagram: Gundam Astray Noir and Regenes Impulse

Just putting up some photos of two kits that have been in my Gundam kitbash sights lately. Also posted in Mecha Toys

Astray Noir

The Astray Noir is a limited-run kit that I figured I could do some kitbashing on. In this case, i didn't bother to try and assemble the Noir pack it came with, I simply used the Noir Pack from my original Strike Noir. Also I removed the katana blades that were attached to the pistols. While the idea of a gunblade sounds good in theory, the execution was awkward. After that, I also armed it with Duel rifles, and the shield from the Strike Noir.

Regenes Impulse

Aside from the Destiny backpack and the head parts I acquired to get the non-spiked monoeye look, this is basically the old MG Impulse that I have. I've stowed the Destiny pack into storage, so here it is with a ver.1 MG Aile Pack. I have to say, it looks like the Dagger Strike in this photo.

I'll probably have more photo ops coming up, as this two-set also tested to see how my old hangar functions as a photo booth after all this time.

Children’s toys for the big boys

We all know now that many of the younger generations have a thing for collecting toys, even if they are already adults. Heck, it’s highly possible that you may even know of an older person or two who are probably into their second childhoods, and very close to retirement, who still have the love for collecting toys.
However, before you think, “hey, I should get them a nice Lego samurai figure,” you should understand that when it comes to toys, you might be very unprepared for the cost and fanaticism that the big boys have.

Photo: “Mark Brothers,” by marvelousRoland, c/o Flickr.com

Read the full article at the Philippine Online Chronicles.

The ‘Peter Pan Generation': Adult toy collectors

It’s a common thing these days for people to say that they know of an adult friend who still has a thing for collecting children’s toys and books, or has a growing collection of comic books or some other kind of collection that seems to be “not right” for their age.

And let’s be honest: for many of us, adults who like collecting toys or children’s stuff seems to really be a question of maturity, and can even be deeply disturbing. However, have we ever really asked ourselves if it’s not some sort of imposed standard on other people – one that is unfairly biased against them?

In short: why do some adults have toy collections that seem to make them some sort of “Peter Pan,” someone who refuses to grow up?

Read the full article at the Philippine Online Chronicles


Photo by Mark van Seeters, c/o Flickr.com

Article: Gift-buying for your guy: Finding that one Christmas toy for the big boy

Gift-buying for your guy: Finding that one Christmas toy for the big boy

For all the women out there, be you moms, wives, daughters, or girlfriends: Here are some (hopefully) useful ideas for Christmas gifts for the men in your life. Now, you have to understand, some of them will sound… more childish than childlike, but well, some guys are like that. Let’s divide the men into some basic types, so we can focus on particular gifts more. It’s almost for sure that your men are a mix of one or more, and that’s good! At least you’ll have more gift ideas.

Click here to read more at the Philippine Online Chronicles

Article - The Greenhills toy store crawl

Photo taken from http://www.greenhills.com.ph/details.asp?storeid=2822

For many toy collectors in Metro Manila, there has always been one place they could go to: Greenhills. This shopping center has been a toy collector’s Mecca since the 1980s (when I first visited), and through fire and renovations has survived and thrived, with older shops closing, and newer ones taking their place.

For now, let’s look at some of the shops that sell toys. I’d like to say, though, that in the interests of keeping this article short, I only included the ones that either I usually go to, or the ones that I know can offer interesting deals or finds. There are many more shops, and I’ll probably have a sequel to this article to present more of them. Anyway, here are some of the more popular toyshops within the Greenhills area....

To read the full article, please go to The Philippine Online Chronicles

Article - Opening the box: Grown men who collect toys

Opening the box: Grown men who collect toys

The following scenario could quite probably be many a woman’s nightmare:

You’ve just met a good-looking, well-mannered, educated guy, who looks like he’s also wise enough to be able to save up for the future. So a few dates later, he asks you over to his place. The moment he turns the lights on in his apartment, you are suddenly surrounded by toy robots, all in glass cases.

Oh, the horror. You’ve been dating a toy collector.

Click here to read the full article over at the Philippine Online Chronicles

HGUC 1/144 AMS-129M Geara "Zee" Zulu

I'd been wanting to get one of these kits into my collection for a long time, and from the looks of how much stuff it's got, I heartily agree that this is one superior amphibious attack mecha. Based on the Geara Zulu frame (from Gundam Unicorn), the Zee Zulu is a sleeker aquatic version that can also function as a light infantry unit on land.

As you can see with the first photo, you're not lacking in equipment, though whether that equipment looks like it's really needed.... but more on that later.

HGUC 1/144 MS-06R1A Zaku II (Black Tri-stars)

I'll be honest, I wasn't all that hot about this particular Gundam kit - I'm not really a fan of the Black Tri-Stars in general (oh, for the days when their name was translated as the Black Trinary). However, upon assembling this kit, I was pleasantly surprised at the simple but well thought-out construction.

 

I admit, one issue for me was the lack of weaponry - Zaku kits are usually loaded for bear!

HGAGE G-Exes Jackedge

I have to say that the head/face design for this mecha is one of my absolute favorites in the AGE series. That being said, the G-Exes frame being an ace version of the Shaldoll (and thus the Jackedge being an ace variant for the Rogue) makes it very posable. Although the rifle/knife combination is a bit of an overkill for me, I like the idea of using the shield with it. More to follow in this entry.

 There's no denying the fact that it's an ace unit. The head design alone assures that.

HGAGE Shaldoll Rogue

I actually had this with me when I received the Perfect Strike, but I only had time to build the two Rogue kits this past weekend. Here are some photos and observations about the Shaldoll Rogue.

The Rogue is basically a recolor of the Shaldoll normal unit variant, the only difference being the colors, the faceplate, the battleaxe, and the gun hand. But even with these "minor" changes, it's become a much cooler unit already. As you can see in the first pic, you have an option to use four weapons: the cannon hand, the axe (impleid for left hand, as there are gaps that suggest it), the shield and the one saber from the backpack.

Perfect Strike - Final Entry

This is my final entry on teh HGGS 1/144 Perfect Strike Gundam. I'll have some observations after the photos. As it is, enjoy!

I attempted to pose it as if it were charging into an enemy.

Perfect Strike - Almost there...

 

Perfect Strike - A Closer Look

I've gotten to the meat of the kit, so to speak, and that's how they integrated the Aile, Launcher and Sword packs into one unit.

In the first two photos, I compare the size of the backpack to the old HG Aile pack.

As can be expected, the new enlarged wings and the two pack systems just made it look bigger and meaner. I also get a lot of the Destiny Gundam vibe from this backpack.

A Perfect Strike...

Wings are based on a mix of the MG and PG. Perhaps it refers to the incoming MG Ver.2? Also, the Launcher's stabilizer arm has less articulation than the original version (came with an FG). Not sure if you can swap out parts (I need someone's help on that one, will contact ASAP).

The sword can't be used with the old FG - it doesn't have the peg hole for the mount. Still, it looks like they used the old FG parts as the basis for the weapons systems.

I was actually writing a bit, when a friend dropped this off at my place. Yes, It looks like a Perfect Strike, indeed.

Observations: 
1) Main kit really is the old HGGS Aile Strike. It has all the old parts for it, with slight recolors - the grey has become Metallic grey, for example.

2) The new parts are minimal, in the sense that there are no extra parts to change the Launcher and Sword pieces into searpate weapons systems (I guess they were happy enough with the RG versions).

I'll be assembling this by sections over the next few days.

Frame Arms Mecha Model Kits

 

I first fell in love with Frame Arms mecha model kits when I realized that if I had the basic endoskeleton - lovingly called the Architect Frame - I could keep on adding armor and weaponry until I could have my own kit.

This particular mecha (the one shown above) is the latest version of what I've attached to the endoskeleton.

Click here if you want to check out the Frame Arms US site.

Click here if you want to check out the Frame Arms Japanese site.