Alen Yen's ToyboxDX

	12.11.00-- 12.23.00


RUMBLE INDEX

12.23.00: Gangu Jinsei M-1 Exclusive

Here's something interesting: a scan of an upcoming Gangu Jinsei exclusive M-1 Godzilla figure with a paint job that mimicks the Marusan Gabara. Special thanks to Mecha-Minya for the picture.

-- Roger

12.22.00: Koutetsu POWER

Straight outta the 70s comes Yujin's rendition of Koutetsu Jeeg, one of the most delightfully goofy series of the golden age of super robots. First, the box. Yujin's done a great job of capturing a real 70s flavor. Bright yellow, with pictures of the characters and a colorful rendition of the show's logo nicely framing the toy itself, visible through the window cutout. Packaging is clamshell, no twisties or anything like that to worry about.

Outta the box, Jeeg and his pal Panzeroid are nicely proportioned, brrrightly painted PVC replicas of the characters. When compared to Marmit mini-gokin Jeeg, the Yujin version is taller, and proportions are less "buff", Of course, Jeegster comes with all sorts of nifty gadgets -- Panzy's head comes off, Jeeg turns into super-robot-centaur. He's got those fun drill-rocket arms, several pairs of discopants legs, a spiky shield, a lance, and a buncha other accessories.

The bottom line is that Yujin Jeeg's the best accessorized robot out there. He's pretty much irresistible (and not just to the ladies).

-- Analyst

12.22.00: Goji Exclusive

Here they are, folks, nice pics of the new Theater Exclusive Godzilla and Megagiras. As you can see, the new Godzilla is more unique than previous photos would have made you think. Thanks to Richard Cox of Club Tokyo and Aaron Smith of Fandom Godzilla for the radioactive scoop!

-- Roger

12.21.00: Gel-Good!

Japanese toy enthusiast D.Kei, always quick with the digi-cam, bring us a first glimpse of the Mobile Suit in Action Gelgoog (Production Type). Looks like he comes with a Beam Rifle, giant Beam Machine Gun, at least one extra set of fists, gold-trimmed shield, and his double-ended sword-thingie. You know we only like to treat our readers to the best, most technical terms.

-- Darren

12.20.00: More ARMORED CORE!

Current and future fans of the Playstation 2 game "Armored Core 2" will be ecstatic to learn that the Kotobukiya figures of the Armored Core mechs will be distributed stateside by Diamond. As we've reported in the past, they're made from hard PVC and feature full articulation and plenty o' weaponry. Look for the "Emerald ECM-XR00" at your local comic or specialty store on January 24th, the "GeoMatrix ZCL-XA/2" on February 21st, and the "GeoMatrix ZCX-F/ROOK" in May.

Note that the detail on these little guys is top-notch. Also note that the ZCX-F/ROOK comes with three mission-specific heads. A spare head never hurts.

-- Matt & Yappy

[Update! - 21 Dec 2000: These robots will be marketed as "Robot No. 1", "Robot No. 2", etc, in the U.S. due to legal issues, and that's exactly how this Rumble was originally submitted. I "corrected" Matt's text as you see above with the Japanese names in an attempt to "help". Please look for these figures from Diamond under their American names, "Robot No. 1", etc. Thanks! -- Darren]

12.20.00: Robo Theft

Robozone was the victim of a break-in this weekend. You can find the miserable details at their site. Folks, especially this close to Christmas, theft ruins a lot of things for a lot of people, and takes the fun out of an otherwise entertaining hobby.

Robozone is offering a $1,000 reward for information that locates this real-world Grinch. If you have information, please help out. Toy collecting shouldn't be about crime.

-- TBDX Rumble Crew

12.20.00: Sentai 2K1

Toei/Bandai's Super Sentai offering for 2001 has been dubbed Hyakujuu Sentai GaoRanger, and, frankly, it looks a heckuva lot like the spawn of ZyuRanger and Gingaman. The "gao" sound alludes to a "roaring" noise, as also found in Gaogaigar -- so, we're back to the animal theme, folks. I predict re-hashed mecha designs.

BTW - Look for Kamen Rider Agito next year, as well.

-- Darren

12.20.00: Killer Businessmen!

Kaiyodo's newest action figure series hails from "Hissatsu Shigotonin" ("The Killer Businessmen,") a mid-eighties Japanese TV-show that's sort of like an Edo-era version of the "A-Team." Chances are you've never heard of it. But TBDX Secret Agent Hiroko sure has, and man oh man is she happy.

Y'see, one of the cold-blooded ninja "businesmen" happens to be none other than Masaki Kyomoto -- that's right, the same Kyomoto whose face graces the enormous boxes of the Ultraman Kyomoto Collection. He's a total kaiju-freak in real life, but in spite of this enormous social handicap, millions of young Japanese women (including a then-teenage Hiroko) found themselves hopelessly enchanted with the disturbingly feminine Kyomoto. Hiroko even threw her scarf to him as he sang in concert in the 80's (yeah, he sings too. Think of him as an effeminate, asian version of David Hasslehoff. Rrrrow!)

And now a fully-grown-up Hiroko has her dream come true: Kyomoto's coming to visit her house! Too bad it's only a cheap-ass 3,000 yen action figure, but hey, you can't have everything. Look for the Hissatsu Shigotonin figures in late January.

-- Matt

12.19.00: Clover Lover!

The long-promised but delayed-due-to-laziness CLOVER DATAFILE is up and running in the (duh) Datafiles section! Featuring the blood, sweat, tears, and assorted other bodily fluids of Robert Duban and Matt Alt, it's your handy-dandy guide to everyone's favorite underdog diecast maker of the late '70s, Clover Toy. From Zanbot to Srungle, it's all in there -- check it out when you have a chance!

-- TBDX Rumble Crew

12.18.00: Head!

Bandai's Soul of Popinika PX-01X Mazinger Head (isn't that a great name?) will be on the shelf on the 23rd! If you've spent the last several months living under a Jumbo, and are unaware of this toy (toy, statue, figure, whatever it is), the Mazinger Head is a docking station for your SoP PX-01 Hover Pilder. Insert Pilder; Mazinger eyes blink into action. Simple gratification. It's the Sharper Image desk accessory of the gokin world.

There's even a little indentation for your Koji figure to stand in. 3,000 yen. Requires batteries. SoP PX-01 not supplied. May contain nuts.

-- Darren

12.18.00: Ecchi x 2

Manly Mark Volk shows us that he's not ashamed to play with dolls in not one but TWO Rumble Pluses. Someone stop the man before we have to set up adult certification on this site... MORE!

-- TBDX Rumble Crew

12.18.00: Biiniru Henkei!

It was a pleasant surprise when we learnt that Takara was breaking into the field of vinyl toys with their Mikazuki line (see the 11.8.00 Rumble), but nothing prepared me for this: a transforming vinyl toy! Sure, the retro-goofy Gekko-ki ("Moonlight Machine") Unit 1 does little more than fold over and roll on its ass, but that's a start. The Mikazuki kaiju series is available now for Y980 per vinyl.

[Darren: Shame on Yappy for not mentioning that this is really Govarian 2000!]

-- Yappy

12.18.00: Kurse of Kubrick

As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of insanity. Yujin, Tomy's prize toy subsidiary, introduces the disturbingly familiar Box Figure line. First up is a collection of um... hell, just click on the picture. If you really want 'em, they're Y200 each.

And in genuine Kubrick news, Medicom has just released their first Capcom Collection Kubricks: Chun Li and Morrigan. Whee.

-- Yappy

12.17.00: Make it stop!

Will it never end? Everyone's favorite Marmit Daigokin Mazinger Z is undergoing its fourth repaint-- this time in familiar "Gucci" colors. If you haven't kept track, the Daigokin's already been released in 1) regular colors 2) lighter, more saturated colors 3) all-silver.

The new Gucci Daigokin will be limited to 200 pieces and is only available through Bandai's e-shop, Lalabit. They'll be taking orders until December 22nd, but (boohoo) will not be accepting international orders. So all you hardcore Daigokin-heads, make a Japanese pal and get clicking!

-- Yappy

12.17.00: Mo' YF-21

Nineteen new pictures of the Yamato YF-21 are now up on Macrossworld.

-- Graham Parkes

12.14.00: Die-cast-maryu, Indeed!

When we announced that the Soul of Chogokin Daikumaryu will retail for a mere Y9800, even we were concerned that Bandai might cut some corners to produce the 32cm beast. We remind you, the much smaller Grendizer cost Y14800. Well, worry no more. The "Pregnant Tapeworm" will have plenty of die-cast-- moreso than any other SOC. Click on the thumbnail to see all the yummy metal parts highlighted in orange. Drooling, yet?

Here's a few more tidbits to hold you over 'til the February release date:

Wee lil' Gaiking's 50% zinc alloy-- Bandai's bringing their Nano Gokin technology to the SOC line (unfortunately, the rest of horn-head will be PVC).
The Daiku head will be magnetically attached to the body.
Unlike previous SOCs, Daikumaryu's design will not be compromised for esoteric reasons like "safety" and "structural integrity." Which means all those pointy spikes and fins will be as sharp as they can possibly be. Eye-gouging potential is always the benchmark of the best toys.

-- Yappy & Matt

12.14.00: Macrossworld.com Does It Again!

Shawn Klueck and Graham Parkes, that dynamic duo of the Macross world, have scored again: Hong Kong-based Graham has managed to get his paws on a Yamato YF-21 toy before the "official" release date!

Surprisingly, he reports that the toy is even HARDER to transform than the YF-19, and the diecast content has been lowered as well (possibly to improve the balance of the top-heavy design.) Check out his report for the specifics!

-- Matt

12.14.00: Mystery Train

Everyone's favorite train-lion hybrid is back with a vengeance... Uni-Five plans to release their Cho Shin Gokin Zenda Lion at the end of December for a measly Y6800. It'll come packaged with a nifty train station diorama... with a GENUINE ROTATING PLATFORM. And check the mind-bogglingly complex transformation!

-- Yappy

12.14.00: Back In Black

Good news! Word on the street is that US Customs officials won't let newly-reissued Transformer Megatron toys ship into the US because of safety constraints. But the Japanese have created an even MORE realistic-looking version of everyone's favorite transforming Walther P-38: the inevitable GUNMETAL BLACK VERSION! Thrill your friends, menace your enemies, or take an accidental bullet or two from confused cops firing in low-light conditions -- it's your call!

You've got two choices. You can snag one for 6,000 yen at the upcoming Botcon Japan 2000 convention on the 17th of December. Or, you can have a have a Japanese buddy mail-order you one for 5,000 yen from directly from Takara's e-Hobby shop during the limited-time-only sales period of December 18th until December 31st. No, they won't ship internationally -- so you also get the added "play value" of attempting to smuggle the thing through US Cutoms. (ToyboxDX tip: use plenty of lube when inserting Megatron into a body cavity.) Have fun!

-- Matt "Action Master" Alt

12.13.00: Yamato Rumor Mill...

Two interesting tidbits of info: Yamato has announced that their upcoming Giant Robo diecast will be sold in not one, but two seperate versions. Nothing is set in stone yet, but it seems that one will come with a large bazooka accessory, while the other will be an "open" version showing all of Giant Robo's numerous missile hatches open and ready to fire.

In Macross news, Yamato announced that they're going to be selling a "Third Version" [well, technically fourth] of their famed YF-19 toy, which will come packaged with an all-new accessory: the "Fastpack" booster system. No word as to the details yet, but it's planned for a summer of 2001 release.

-- Matt

12.13.00: Skulls & Santa

Hey, good news for Henshin Cyborg fans! Well, not really. Takara's produced a groovy all-transparent version of the Skull King Junior action figure. You know you want it, right? Too bad. There's only ONE of them. It's going to be given away to one of the lucky, lucky kids who shells out for a limited-edition set of two "Spy Magician" Microman figures only available via mail-order on Takara Japan's website. Monsieurs M-130 and M-140 will be made available starting Christmas Day 2000. Bon appetit!

-- Matt

12.13.00: Forbidden Fruit

Why, yes, Robert! The UK's Forbidden Planet is alive and well, thank you very much! I had spent last weekend in Cardiff, Wales, visiting friends and stomping around tourist attractions. The rain, wind, and total lack of sunlight made an ordinary day of sight-seeing a bit of an adventure.

We were standing at the top of Castell Caerdydd (Cardiff Castle), peering thru an archer's station when I noticed Forbidden Planet across the street. A window potentially filled with gokin as viewed from a thousand year old stone wall made me light-headed. Or maybe it was the car exhaust from the street. A sane person would immediately rush across the street, but politeness required that I finish out the tour with my friends.

Slashing safari-style through Star Wars toys, Buffy posters, and other generic sci-fi goods with my umbrella, I found the store had only a handful of minor Japanese items. There were a few Banpresto Mazinger gashapon toys, a motorized Tetsujin-28 walker, some super robot posters, and a couple of SD Gundam keychains. A sprinkling of non-distinguished gunpla lined the upper shelves. I managed to score some Kubricks, tho.

I had a nice chat with the guy at the front desk -- although they didn't have any higher-end Japanese toys now, they occasionally drag something in to brighten their window display. "The serious collectors go to eBay now, I suspect."

Forbidden Planet has stores throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, and a store in New York [which is also a shadow of its former self -- Yappy].

-- Darren

12.13.00: Hits the Mark II!

Boy, did I luck out! Instant gratification, a mere 2 weeks after I first found out they were even making this toy.

It's an MSiA. And it lives up to the quality of previous MSiAs. Articulated everywhere. Sturdy enough to take a shelf dive. Will rarely take such a dive since it balances extremely well. Accessorized up the wazoo! Many fists... Beam Rifle... Big Bazooka that clips on to, well, the wazoo... Shield... Beam Sabers with trademarked hilts-in-shoulder action... and the Vulcan Cannon earmuffs too! Ton's o' Fun for a minimal price.

I picked up the AEUG color scheme, since I prefer it to bland Titans/Goth Talk Gundam Mk II's a wee bit shorter than Zeta, but I always preferred the more pugnacious Mk II to the prissy Zeta anyway. Chalk up another winnah for the fellers at the MSiA division. No recount necessary.

-- Analyst

12.13.00: Nihon no Wing

More Gundam Wing MSiA will be released in Japan. "Assortment 1" will sell for 3,600 at the end of this month and will include Deathscythe, Sandrock, and Tallgeese. "Assortment 2", same price, features Heavy Arms, Shenlong, and Tallgeese 2, shipping at the end of January. Bulk package MSiA...

And the Katoki FIX Perfect Gundam and Full Armor Gundam will be 2,980 yen each.

-- Darren

12.13.00: YF-21, the Blue Nosed Valkyrie

Just a quick update: Yamato Toys has announced that the die-cast YF-21 toy will hit shelves on December 23.

-- Matt

12.11.00: Ceci n'est pas un Getta

It shouldn't be here. No one ever even thought it was possible, let alone attemptable. Medicom engineers walked away dumbfounded, unable to contemplate a reduction of design that would be feasible. There is no way in hell that this box should contain what it proposes on it's glossy cover: Perfect Change Getter Robo 123... MORE!

-- Lemel

12.11.00: Across the Ocean's Eleven

Japanese website Valkyrie Scramble has posted shots purported to be of the "final prototype" for the upcoming Yamato VF-11 Valkyrie. Check it out for yourself!

And folks, please follow the webmaster's request to "not reproduce these images anywhere else."

-- Matt

12.11.00: Regoes!

Kudos to Blazeeagle for pointing out the amazing Steel Gallery, a fan-site with a gallery devoted to custom Lego representations of everyone's favorite Super Robots. Marvel at Daitarn 3, a plethora of Votoms and more Gundam mechs than you can possibly imagine. The real kicker's the jaw-dropping Lego "Vespa."

"Toy afficianado" Matt Alt says, "I think it #%!*ing rocks!"

-- TBDX Rumble Crew

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