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Toys "R" Us has finally added listings for the first wave of Diamond Select Toys' Battle Beasts to its website but, at this aggravating moment, they're currently listed as not being available for order (or pre-order?).
Diamond Select Toys' Battle Beasts line (the origins of which you can read about here) has been a massively exciting property and it feels like I've been waiting forever for it to actually launch. As previously mentioned, Toys "R" Us is getting an exclusive configuration which features repaints for the characters (with a more metallic deco in most cases) as well as two store exclusive characters (Antalor the Moose and Nychirix the Bat).
The 2-packs are listed as being US$7.50 each on Toys "R" Us website, but the price may vary at your local retailer (in my case, the local store is usually two bucks higher). Even though they're currently not available for order, this at least means we can sign up to be noticed when more arrive.
[ Order at Toys R Us ]
Canadian Toys "R" Us retailers and the Canadian TRU website will be getting an exclusive Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Megazord this March. Henshin Justice reports that this version is a revision of the 2010 release but now includes die-cast parts. Die-cast parts, of course, automatically making the mold significantly cooler.
Given that I missed the 2010 release, this one would be irresistible... if I lived in Canada. Oh well, I guess exclusivity saves me from having to make a hard decision. This exclusive Megazord can be pre-ordered now for CA$60.
[ Pre-order at Toys "R" Us (Canadian addresses only) ]
Django Unchainted wasn't the only movie toyline to make headlines lately, as USA Today apparently covered a new Hasbro 3.75-inch Iron Man 3 line. The new line, called "Assemblers", features a mix-n-match armor set that will allow fans to create their own custom Iron Man.
The name, "Assemblers", is delightfully clever given that it both describes the building nature of the line while giving a nod to the Avengers themselves (who, apparently, may also pop up in this line). Given the scarcity of details, I'm not sure whether this line will entail swapping core body parts (arms, legs, heads, etc) or just add-ons. According to USA Today, "each figure features a slew of customizable pieces and parts to build your character's armor but also change it up and add accessories like projectile launchers from a different hero altogether." However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the basic parts themselves may be interchangeable but there might be additional plastic bits that snap over the core parts giving the appearance of a new armor. To some extent, the line may mirror Hasbro's previously deluxe-class entries which featured snap-on bits.
USA Today mentions that "each pack ($9.99) offers more than 25 armor combinations" which seems odd, given that the current Avengers line has the same MSRP yet offers considerably less. I'm wondering whether that only refers to the capability to change pieces rather than the actual included parts. I guess these questions will likely be answered at Toy Fair early next month although it seems that the figures will be hitting retail right around the same time, given that Toy Fair begins on February 10th yet the line is listed as going to retail around February 11th.
At any rate, the biggest question may be whether Hasbro will return to the sensibilities of their earlier movie lines (such as the Iron Man 2 one, from which presumably parts will be taken) or if they'll keep to the gimped, low articulated 3.75-inch movie lines we've seen more recently.
[ USA Today ]
Fuller Designs is known for his many custom designer toys, but now he's stepping out into the resin figure world with Lil' Jammies. Designed by Fuller and cast by MattA*, Lil' Jammies is a hooded figure in pajamas, though the hooded character shouldn't be a shock. After all, Fuller does a lot of customs with hooded or mysterious-looking characters. The resin pieces are 2.5 inches tall and come blank so you can customize them as Fuller has done.
The first three customs — Superman, Batman and Spawn — were US$85 and have sold out in Fuller's store, but more are on the way. Keep an eye on the shop (and Tomopop) for those and perhaps a DIY Lil' Jammies drop. In the meanwhile, tell us what you think of the design and if you'd buy one!
Quentin Tarantino's latest film, Django Unchained, hasn't gone without its controversy. Although the movie has been received numerous nominations for best picture in 2012, it continues to receive criticism due to the elements of racism found in the film. As with any Tarantino film, there are toys. For the release of Django Unchained, NECA Toys grabbed the license and released 6 figures from the film. These toys were also unable to escape the controversy as due to pressure placed by various groups, they have since been removed from the marketplace.
The decision comes down from The Weinstein Company, the production company behind the film. After receiving complaints from Al Sharpton's National Action Network, the company instructed NECA to cease distribution. The President of the National Action Network detailed his reasoning as "Selling this doll is highly offensive to our ancestors and the African American community. The movie is for adults, but these are action figures that appeal to children."
What strikes me here is the defense of children. Whenever a toy intended for an older audience is made, children are brought up because all toys invariably appeal to children. NECA states that its Django figures were intended for those 17 and older, just as the film was, but that does not factor in to anyone's reaction to this. It's not the first time we've had to tackle this issue at Tomopop as this exact thing happened with toys from the Showtime series Dexter. The toys in this case don't really appeal to what is typical to attract children to it. The style used in these figures is pegged squarely at adults and vintage collectors who remember this type of figure.
In the case of Django however, the issue is race which makes this matter all the more complicated. As it is a toy, people have projected their views of the film onto the toy. I do not believe in any sense that a child would act out slavery actions because of these figures, but I understand those in the community who do not want such a dark part of our history trivialized as a children's playtime activity. As to what this action has done, it's only lining the pockets of those willing to sell their purchased Django figures. Figures are currently averaging $300 on eBay, and yes, those are with competitive bids.
Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments.
Kotobukiya is certainly taking a bite out of my wallet these days with their chibi sized One Coin series. Their latest addition to the line of miniature figures just happens be one of my guilty pleasures, Shin Tennis no Ouji-sama (New Price of Tennis).
This is the second game box in the series, and it will feature Keigo Atobe, Chotaro Ohtori, Jirou Akutagawa, Genichiro Sanada, Renji Yanagi, Bunta Marui, Yujiro Kai, Rin Hirakoba, Kanata Irie, and a secret character (who may or may not be Yukimura Seiichi). Dressed in their U-17 Camp uniforms each mini figure is posed in a unique way which captures each of the boy's distinctive personality. I can't help, but fawn over Atobe. He's always been one of my favorites, and that grin certainly has a way of working its magic.
A complete box set of 10 will retail for ¥6,800 and will be available come June. Just in time for my birthday. So, Tomo-cchi’s are you ready to challenge these boys to a quick game of tennis?
| [ Pre-order at Hobby Search | AmiAmi | CD Japan | Big in Japan ] |
This is what it's all about, folks. After a dizzying disappointing streak of ThunderCats merchandise cancellations (Bandai, Icon Heroes), the venerable cult franchise has finally had a stroke of good luck. Mezco, the only company that seems to remember ThunderCats, is continuing their Mega Scale ThunderCats line-up with none other than Cheetara who, by the way, is currently available for pre-order.
Cheetara may be best remembered as one of the most clothed ThunderCats (an irony that certainly didn't escape fans). While Lion-O's outfit showed much skin and Jaga wore little more than a cape (seriously, what was wrong with this show...?), Cheetara rocked a pretty full outfit and carried the look remarkably well. Mezco's interpretation captures at least a good portion of Cheetara's intrinsic hotness and is sure to... oh, hell, we have to wait until June for this to come out?
At any rate, Mezco's Cheetara features a great sculpt and paint although I really wish her face had a little more personality to it. Mezco's Mumm-Ra figures had amazing head-sculpts and the Panthro mustered up some emotion. Cheetara's face looks a little blank by comparison. That said, I need to have this. And I don't want to wait until June. Hey Toy Gods, can we speed things up here? I think it's the perfect occasion for a miracle.
[ Pre-order at Big Bad Toy Store ]
The latest addition to CM'S Corp's Gutto Kuru line is none other than Sankarea's titular main character, showing everyone that zombies don't have to be shambling, rotting messes. Quite the contrary, as Sanka is as sexy as anything, a fact shown off quite nicely as there's not much left to the imagination with her "outfit" consisting of little more than a tangle of bandages.
Besides the obvious attractiveness, the figure also captures Sanka's oft-seen otherworldly behavior, as if she's concerned with something beyond more mundane needs--which is certainly fitting, given her less-than-lively status. She'll be arriving in April for about ¥8,800, so get ready to keep your room cool for this undead beauty.
[ Pre-order at HobbyLink Japan | Otacute | Hobby Search | AmiAmi | CD Japan ]
Last month Wave showed off a trio of additions to its popular swimsuit lineup, and if you're still on the fence with at least one of them then Moeyo's got you covered with this Yu-filled gallery to feast your eyes on.
While I definitely preferred the others, you can certainly see Yu's appeal here, even if it isn't one of Wave's best Beach Queens to date. There's a nice metallic sheen on her armor, and while the school swimsuit still seems a bit out of place in my opinion, at least she fills it out somewhat nicely. There's certainly no denying such lovely flowing twintails, either.
So what do you think? Is this gallery enough to bring your interest back from the dead, or will it take Yu's own necromantic powers?
[via Moeyo]
I really love when Nendoroids make me sit up and take notice! The little chibis are pretty hit or miss, but when they're a hit, they're really a hit. My love for Touhou made this Fujiwara no Mokou catch my eye, though it shouldn't be hard to guess what the real standout feature of this cutie is.
While she may be adorable in her own right, the addition of her flaming wings are a fantastic accessory, and the translucence adds an effect that makes her look quite a bit cooler than most Nendoroids have any right to be. Some little fireballs are a nice little add-on as well, and I'm a big fan of the crisp, bold coloring used.
She'll run the usual Nendo price of around ¥3,500, and you can have her light up your collection in May.
[ Pre-order at GSC Online Shop | Otacute ]
There are few nicer things in the PVC world than a gorgeously done large scale figure, and Gift's always been one to certainly perform admirably with more sizable options! Hitting shelves in a seasonably appropriate June, this upcoming Fate should certainly turn a few heads.
Rather than going the simpler route one often sees when it comes to younger characters and swimsuits, Gift's gone all out with a fairly detailed two piece while accessorizing with a gorgeously detailed sarong about to be wrapped in place. Changing up Fate's trademark ribbons is nice as well, leaving them in place but switching out her usual black for a matching, bold blue.
Quality doesn't come cheap though, so be ready to fork over about ¥12,000 to scoop her up. Though if you ask me, the price is well worth paying.
[ Pre-order at HobbyLink Japan | Otacute | Hobby Search | AmiAmi | J-List ]
In the late 1980s, Takara released a popular line of 2-inch anthropomorphic animals called Beastformers which, following localization by Hasbro, would later become better known in the West as Battle Beasts. The toy line was a relatively simple concept -- a battle game featuring then popular rubsigns on tiny weapon-toting, armored humanoid animals -- yet the line proved massively popular for a few years before vanishing into obscurity.
Long-time fans were overjoyed when they learned that Diamond Select Toys (DST) had picked up the Battle Beasts name, especially given that roughly two decades had passed since anything significant happened with the original brand. Of course, this new Battle Beasts would turn out to be drastically different from the original. I recently had an opportunity to talk with Zach Oat, a marketing supervisor over at Diamond Select Toys who works on the Battle Beasts brand, to discuss the new line.
Hit the jump for the full story.
What's in a name?
The major selling point for this new Battle Beasts line might largely derive its famous namesake. Many of us have fond memories of the original toy line from our childhoods and many who haven't are at least aware of the franchise. However, the name use appears to have generated some amount of confusion since at least some people are unsure as to how this line connects to the original. For the record, Diamond Select Toys' Battle Beasts line is 100% not connected to the original line in any way, shape, or form despite taking on its name. In fact, the line itself was apparently in development even prior to the name acquisition.
"We go after new licenses all the time," said Zach Oat, "and we hold a dozen or so at any given time. But, like any toy company, we have our own ideas for toy lines, based around our own concepts. In the course of doing concept work for an animal-themed toy line, we looked up 'Battle Beasts' to see who currently held the trademark; it was a great line, and everybody knows the name 'Battle Beasts,' even if they can't tell you much else about it. To our surprise, nobody had it -- the trademark had been allowed to lapse by the previous holder. We thought the name still had a lot of value left in it, and it dovetailed nicely with the products we were thinking about, so we registered it."
Kotobukiya's ArtFX J Vash the Stampede
G.E.M. Athrun Zala
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Anohana Menma 1/8th Scale Figure
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Sideshow's Utapau Airborne Trooper
Kotobukiya's 1/7-scale Mari Makinami
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Kotobukiya's ArtFX J Seto Kaiba
RIO:Bone Canti (Green)
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Kotobukiya's ArtFX J Vash the Stampede
Tomocast 40: Gundam
