Alen Yen's ToyboxDX

	10.15.00-- 10.27.00


RUMBLE INDEX

10.27.00: Disc-o-rama

When I first heard news of Gear Senshi Dendoh (Gear Fighter Dendoh), I was rather ecstatic as from the scarce info at the time, I had thought that it was a step up from the Disc Fighters and Knuckle Fighters series... But after reading the detailed review from www.toyboxdx.com, I couldn't help but feel disappointed... MORE!

-- Vincent

10.23.00: Entomology 101

The next Super Robot In Action fig will be the fully-variable Billbine from the Dunbine series. Clocking in at a centimeter taller than the Aura Battler Dunbine figure, the Billbine features an opening cockpit and the ability to transform into the "Wing Caliber" flight mode. Look for it in November.

-- Matt

10.23.00: Monkey Punched

Crane game prizes keep getting classier and classier. Due this month is Banpresto's Full-Action Lupin the 3rd Collection. Jigen Daisuke, Arsene Lupin III, and Ishigawa Goemon all feature fully articulated 7" bodies and fabric clothing. Consider these poor men's Medicom RAH 220s.

-- Yappy

10.23.00: I Think I'll Call You Girly-Man

As if Charlton Heston wasn't already enough, Medicom's Kubrick line just keeps on truckin' with generic "boy" and "girl" figures. First, snag a "Kubrick Basic" set, which contains five figs in a variety of colors and flesh-tones, for a paltry 1,200 yen (no licensing fees = cheap-ass retail price.)

Then, hook up with one of two "Customize" sets -- "boys" or "girls." Parts include different hairstyles, backpacks, hats, bags, bracelets, and other accessories. Only the boy gets to have a baseball bat, though. Guess gang-banging hasn't fully embraced equality of the sexes yet, though nothing's stopping you from buying both sets and putting the skirt on the guy. 1,480 a set.

-- Matt

10.23.00: Garuban's Back!

"Magnet-Monster Garuban," that fan-fave Ultra Q kaiju who looks like he's made out of scrap metal, is back -- and better than ever. B-Club is going to release a giant-size (over a foot tall) vinyl of the big guy starting this month. 9,800 yen.

-- Matt

10.22.00: THIS Cyclone Won't Blow You Away

Boy, has that "Soul of" label spoiled me! I really enjoyed the Hover Pileder, and was looking forward to Kamen Rider's Cyclone, the second toy in the "Soul of Popynica" line. Finally, it arrived... MORE!

-- Darren

10.21.00: Origins of an Addiction

It is early in the year 1980. My family has left the United States to go to Japan for at least three years. Military children are used to this: you abandon everyone you know, everything that's familiar to you short of your own possessions, and simply leave. Never before, though, have we moved to a foreign country -- and not to just any foreign country, but to Japan -- a country often described as opposite as possible from the United States... MORE!

-- Darren

10.20.00: DENDOH-man-oh-man-oh-man...

It's no particular secret that I'm hopelessly underwhelmed by new toys. Nope, not even the beloved Soul Of Chogokin series really does it for me. Sure, they're made well. But there's no question that they're evolutionary instead of revolutionary. Visually stunning? No doubt. But not particularly groundbreaking. And to be honest, that's basically the case with most of the toys we're seeing on shelves these days. Mobile Suit In Action. Kaiyodo action figures. Even the spectacularly well-crafted M-1 vinyl monsters... MORE!

-- Matt & Yappy

10.20.00: I Think I'll Call You Kubrick

Its a mad house I tell you, a mad house. After the big success of their Blair Witch set Medicom has finally released their first three Planet of the Apes sets to their "mildly popular" KUBRICK line. These are a big deal for some of the faithful in Japan folks, as the design and creative assistance was provided to Medicom by the people at the trendoid hiphop skateboard clothing company "A Bathing Ape", who given the name, has a big one for anything Planetapeish.

My fave of course is set C with ol' Chuck Heston himself, Taylor, and the loveable mute chica caliente "Nova." It even comes with a rusted submerged effect Statue of Liberty and horse so you can recreate the *shocking* final scene of the first film.

The bad news? No American distribution from Diamond on these puppies. Strictly forbidden by the folks at Fox. So you are going to have to go through your favorite Japanese toy seller like ya used to have to.

-- Joe Buck

10.20.00: Dance Partners

Looks like Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz action figures are going to be a reality. Check out Gundamofficial.com's EW Products Page.

Thanks to Mark Volk for the word!

-- Roger

10.16.00: Scope Doggy-Dogg

For a long time there were murmurs that Kaiyodo would be releasing a reworked Scopedog figure, and it looks like it's finally here. Behold, the Scopedog 2000. Sculpted by Katsuhisa Yamaguchi (who worked on Kaiyodo's Evangelion and Virtual On figures), this figure will feature the new "mono-shaft drive" construction system with one significant difference: the joints in this puppy are going to be metal.

It looks like it'll be packaged with some neat accessories including a display stand (a first for a VOTOMS figure) and the paint job looks spectacular. Just judging by the pictures, I think this may be the best-looking VOTOMS toy released so far. Personally, I'm pretty jazzed about it. Given the previous Scopedog figures, Kaiyodo has nowhere to go but up.

So how does the VOTOMS-starved gaijin get their hands on one? Head over to the Westfield Company, dig through their "Anime/Manga" section, and plunk down the $17 for it. Orders are due by 10/27, and Diamond says that the figures should reach stores by February.

Order a Mazinger-Z Jumbo while you're at it.

Special thanks to Mr. Facet for the news and pics.

More Dog!
More More Dog!
More More More Dog!
Dog-eared
Dog-tired
Dog-days
Doggy-style
Woof!
Bow-wow!
Arf!
Dogs & Cats Living Together...

-- Roger

10.15.00: Hardcore!

The third figure in Kotobukiya's Armored Core line has been announced. GeoMatrix ZCX-F/ROOK will stand almost six inches tall, and looks just a bit like a Mobile Suit with very Zeon-style legs. At any rate, he looks good -- and that cannon of his rocks. Look for him in January for 3,200 yen.

-- Darren

10.15.00: Gangu Jinsei Update

An update from Mr. Facet: Diamond Comics will be soliciting Gangu Jinsei #2 (yes, the one with the Garada) in December's issue of Previews, for shipping to comic stores by March.

-- Roger

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