Seagorath is an Ultra Kaiju, meaning he is a Giant Monster featured in the Ultraman Franchise. Specifically, Seagorath comes from episodes 13, 14 and 37 of "The Return of Ultraman" from 1971.

Seagorath is an Ultra Kaiju, meaning he is a Giant Monster featured in the Ultraman Franchise. Specifically, Seagorath comes from episodes 13, 14 and 37 of "The Return of Ultraman" from 1971.

The Kaiju fights with Ultraman Jack until he is defeated and driven back into the ocean.

However, his face mysteriously reappears on the Kaiju Tyrant, who is an amalgam of many previous Ultra Kaiju.

This vinyl toy is a kids toy at heart. Produced in 1992, before Bandai had the collectors market in mind, Seagorath is a solid sturdy vinyl figure. Articulation is limited to the arms and legs.

This figure was bought at a flea market in Tokyo on my 2009 trip for 100 yen. A Bargain.

Koto's Raiden doesn't disappoint

The enduring popularity of Virtual On is a testament to the exceptional mechanical design work of Hajime Katoki. Fifteen years on, the mecha from Sega’s arcade and console hit Cyber Troopers Virtual On remain fresh and compelling.

One of the principal Virtuoids is Raiden, here realized as a high-end model kit by Kotobukiya. Raiden’s box is impressively large and well illustrated, with a handsome rendering on the front and details of the model and videogame screenshots on the sides.

Inside rests about thirty runners of parts, an instruction booklet, and a small sheet of water-slide decals.

The build is complex and time consuming (it took me around ten hours to complete). Kotobukiya’s signature laminations of sharply detailed parts creates a rich, layered series of components. The part count and construction process is roughly equal to Bandai’s Master Grade series. Kotobukiya mostly holds its own with MG models, but I found the sprue placement to be problematic. Whereas Bandai has honed its molding technique to incorporate conical sprues in discreet locations, this model uses big, fat sprues in highly visible places. As a moderately serious modeler, I’m distracted by the sprue bruises in the final product, and not willing to go the next step to sand, putty, and paint the model to take it to the next level.

That said, the finished product is a nice looking robot. Raiden is well articulated, considering his blocky, heavily armored design.

The laminations of different colored plastics are stunning, particularly in Raiden’s feet. I appreciate the sophistication of a part of the model you’ll rarely see.

I love that the Virtuoids have Sega Dreamcasts on their backs.

The palette of colors is attractive, and you won’t need to paint this to get a good looking piece. I like the use of the clear pink parts at the vents. I used a gundam marker to pick up a few panel lines and added some of the slide decals to finish it off.

Kotubikaya provides parts to make two sets of hands, a large bazooka, and a set of claw-like chest-mounted lasers.

The chest lasers are a neat touch, with unique criss-crossed transparent parts.

The gun is plain, and its construction is sloppy and easily falls apart.

Raiden is a fun build and a fine model. It’s not a toy by any means, but if you enjoy Virtual On and building models, he’s a great addition to your collection.

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Evangelion joins the Robot Spirits lineup

Evangelion joins the Robot Spirits lineup with the release of Eva Unit 02 from Evangelion:Fracture.

3,500 Yen, due Feb 2010

New Evangelion Designs from a new Evangelion series?

From what I can gather, Evangelion Anima is a "What IF" story - What if Japan and the UN Successfully stop the Human Instrumentation Project? This would take place three years after that.

The story will be seralized in Dengeki Hobby.

The chogokin will be 8,800 yen, due in March 2010

MOTHERFU*KIN BAOH!!!

I can't believe they are makng a BAOH toy after all these years. Where the hell is my XENON toy?!

Unfortunately, looks to be mostly static pose statue - although it does say action figure.

Sculpted by Takeyuki Takeya

5,500 Yen, due feb 2010

Awesome looking mech from Bandai

This awesome looking mech hails from Fullmetal Panic

Robot Soul M9D FALKE, 3,675 yen from Bandai, due March 2010

Oh thank heaven for Seven-Eleven

So 7-11 here in the states gets Domo. OK, thats cool. 7-11 in Japan gets Gundam FIX.

Dammit.

Out this month for 4,200 yen

But wait, there's more -

HG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.G 30th, 7-11 color 1,365 yen

1/144 Gundam Gun Perry 6,825 yen

Don't know who this is, but he looks damn cool.

Don't know who this is, but he looks damn cool. May be my first S.H.Figuarts purchase.

Tamashii Web Exclusive, due March 2010

Now this is one Tamashii Web exclusive I have to get my hands on.

Now this is one Tamashii Web exclusive I have to get my hands on. Two of these plus a red one and you can make Pixie Squadron!

Due March 2010 for 3,360 yen.

Code Geass Tamashii Web exclusive

Code Geass Tamashii Web exclusive due March 2010 for 4,200

Tamashii Web Exclusive due out March 2010

Tamashii Nations Exclusive SCM Andromeda Shun God Cloth ORIGINAL COLOR EDITION, Due march 2010, 160MM, Bandai, 7,875 yen

Leonardo Flores "Modcineaste", CDX writer, will be DJing a 45 min set of 1960's Japanese Group Sounds, Anime and Tokusatsu 45rpm vinyl records during the 3:00 hour at the OC Japan Street Fair on Sunday November 15 on the main stage.
Only a $2.00 entry fee for the entire fair and $5.00 for parking. Over 50 vendors will be present selling all types of Japanese items such as toys, food and clothing. Even an appearance by the famed Maids of Maid Cafe of Akihabara are scheduled!

Leonardo Flores "Modcineaste", CDX writer, will be DJing a 45 min set of 1960's Japanese Group Sounds, Anime and Tokusatsu 45rpm vinyl records during the 3:00 hour at the OC Japan Street Fair on Sunday November 15 on the main stage.

Only a $2.00 entry fee for the entire fair and $5.00 for parking. Over 50 vendors will be present selling all types of Japanese items such as toys, food and clothing. Even an appearance by the famed Maids of Maid Cafe of Akihabara are scheduled!

If you never heard what Group Sounds is here a short paragraph on the OC Japan Street Fair official website:

"When The Beatles performed in Japan during their 1966 world tour, who would have known it was going to inspire a new generation of Japanese teenage musicians and singers. The sound the youth of Japan created in 1966 was called Group Sounds. GS was an exciting combination of Japanese enka melodies, American surf and R&B music and British rock & roll. Group’s like The Spiders, The Tigers, The Golden Cups and Hitori GS singers like Jun Mayuzumi and Akiko Wada would change the sound of Japanese popular music forever and whose influences can still be heard today in J-Pop over 40 years later.
Music collector and writer Leonardo Flores will showcase and DJ his collection of rare and original 1960’s Japanese pressings of GS, anime and takusatsu 45rpm vinyl records. Do not miss out on this unique opportunity to hear the wild and youthful Group Sounds that made Japan “Swing & Groove” from 1966 to 1970. For more info you can check out at www.modcineaste.com, www.collectiondx.com, and www.nippop.com."

More info on the OC Japan Street Fair website.
Hope to see you all there!

GS with The Tigers

I know I have been reviewing alot of SonoKong/Takara Brave Series toys as of lately, and I have many more to do. Some of you may ask, so what are you going to review after the Brave Series figures are all covered? Well, I am glad you asked this question........

I know I have been reviewing alot of Brave Series toys as of lately, and I have many more to do. Some of you may ask, so what are you going to review after the Brave Series figures are all covered? Well, I am glad you asked this question. I am going to give you a sorta pre-review of the next toy line that I am going to bring you. The toy line I am speaking of is Eldran.

To sum this up, Eldran is the toy line launched by Takara Tomy after the Brave Series franchise was already well established. Some of the more well know characters from this series are Raijin Oh and God Raijin Oh which JoshB just reviewed.

Today I will be reviewing Go-Saurer from the anime Nekketsu Saikyo Go-Saurer. Go-Saurer is the main mecha character that is made from the combination of 3 mecha dinosaurs, Mach Ptera, Land Stego and Thunder Brachio. These 3 mecha dinosaurs can also form Saurer Jet, which is basically a transportation mode that has some defensive capabilities.

The sample for today's review was provided graciously by our friend Jeff Stein over at High End Transformers. Please check them out or just click on the Ebay link at the bottom of the page for a direct link to the item reviewed today.

To start off with, Go-Saurer comes to you in a beautifully illustrated, heavy corrugated cardboard box shown below. Even though this toy is Takara/Tomy, the box is very similar to the packaging used by Sonokong in the past Brave Series re-issues I have reviewed. The only real difference is that the flimsy plastic inside tray is replaced with an even cheaper feeling flimsier cardboard insert.

I will begin now showing you the 3 mecha dinosaurs that make up Go-Saurer. The photo below shows all the components that make up Go-Saurer in their dinosaur alternate mode. From left to right is Land Stego (red dino), Mach Ptera (blue dino), and Thunder Brachio (white dino). Each figure is comprised of quality ABS plastic as well as flexible PVC. The construction is light but very sturdy allowing years of play.

First up, Mach Ptera, the blue mecha pterodactyl that makes up Go-Saurer's arms and wings when in robot mode. Mach Ptera is the largest of the 3 mecha dinos with a wingspan of nearly 17 inches! The figure has articulation in the wings, legs, and neck. Notice the light blue clear plastic pilots cockpit. You can almost make out a pilots seat.

Moving along we have Land Stego, which is the red mecha stegosaurus that makes up the head and torso of Go-Saurer. This part of the team has very little articulation with only minor movement is the legs and adjustable lasers mounts on its tail. As with Mach Ptera above, Land Stego also features a light blue clear plastic pilots cockpit canopy.

Lastly, we have Thunder Thunder Brachio, which is the white mecha brachiosaurus that makes up the legs of Go-Saurer.. Thunder Brachio features articulation in its legs and tail as well as the jaw and the cannons mounted on it back. Like the rest of the team above, it has the visible cockpit canopy.

Before I get into this group of mecha dinos ultimate form I want to show you the very cool alternate Saurer Jet mode. In this mode, all the parts come together to make the impressive jet you see below. In this mode Land Stego's tail becomes the front fuselage and cockpit but all other components remain in the same place they would be in the ultimate form of Go-Saurer. Notice how this mode has a very Gundam like appearance. It reminds me of Gundam Wing or a Gundam Wave Rider.

Finally, all these above dino's can combine to make the very impressive Go-Saurer! As you can see below, Go-Saurer includes a sword and a shield. You may notice that the shield is made from the back of Land Stego.

In this mode Go-Saurer stands approximately 10 inches from head to toe and features articulation in the wings, shoulders, elbows, and oddly enough in the knees. Go-Saurer is able to have the wings opened or closed. I prefer them closed. I think its just looks more proportioned that way.

As you can see, Go-Saurer is able to wield the included sword and shield for battle. Again you may note that the color scheme of this figure looks very Gundam-ish with the combo of the red, white, blue and yellow. On a side note, this is a re-issue, the original figure had gold chome in place of the yellow parts.

In conclusion, I feel that Go-Saurer is a great toy and I am very happy to display it with it's other Brave Series brethren. The figure is fun and is well made, these factors are 2 of the most important things to me when I evaluate any toy. The only thing that I would wish to change about this figure is possibly adding a firing gimmick and maybe a little more articulation. Even without those extra gimmicks, the figure still remains fun, making it a must have for a Brave Series fan like myself.

To celebrate international Soul of Soft Vinyl Week on CDX Leonardo Flores reviews release #36 Tackle from Kamen Rider Stronger. "Although I will say there is some nice Zettai Ryouiki action going on here!"

Tackle

I always admired the costume and character Denpa Ningen Tackle from 1975 Kamen Rider Stronger. One feature I like about 1970’s tokusatsu programs is many of the costumes and art design still had a huge 1960’s influence throughout. For me, Tackle has always been one the most rememberable of those 60’s style costumes due to her cute and colorful Lady Bug motif, Go-Go boots and miniskirt, and vintage European motorcycle style helmet mask and goggles.

When I discovered there was of SOSV version of Tackle I had to track one down for my collection, eventually locating one on Y-Auctions for 100yen! I was not disappointed when I finally received my Tackle in the mail from Japan.

Tackle includes: 1X Tackle figure, 1X white antenna, 1x hanger card. There are no options. Please note that while most SOSV figures do not include extra parts Tackle’s antenna is included loose in a plastic case connected to the hanger card. If the card is missing and there is no antenna I would pass on the item as most likely it has been misplaced. Accordingly the only assembly required is attaching the antenna to the helmet.

I am impressed with the beauty and detail the sculptor took when designing Tackle and all the minor details throughout when looking at closer inspection. For example the helmet is actually a clear piece that is painted to match the figure with floating eyes attached to the body. The result is a simple but very effective look of clear goggle on the helmet. I also like the fine details of the boots, from the zipper down the side, reinforcement leather panel seams and separately painted souls. With all these great small details I have no doubts that the sculptor had access to the original costume for reference.

The dress itself has a nice pitted texture to it with pleats and hemlines represented throughout. Personally I like the detail of the belt being folded behind itself on the back of the figure. Nice touch! The yellow flowing scarf also added a great visual to the figure and really represents an era when many tokusatsu characters wore scarves as part of their uniforms.

What is most important about this figure is the female representation in the figure itself. So easily Bandai could of sexualized this figure by heightening or blowing the proportions up but the sculptor choose to represent a very realistic sculpture of an average stocky Japanese female. This is rarely seen even in expensive dolls much less a $10.00 action figure. The result is you get a nice heartfelt tribute to the actor who played Tackle and kept the figure from becoming the typical generic female action figure.

My only real complaint is the lack of any real articulation, which is limited to turning the helmet, and arms, waist and boot pivot. This is an issue many collectors feel about Soul of Soft Vinyl figures but I feel this is a nice tribute to original soft vinyl toys from the 70’s as frustrating as it might be. But the pose is dynamic and really stands out on the shelf.

What I like about this figure was how the sculptor balanced the realism of Tackles costume of just being a stage prop on an actor during the daily grind of a film set and the fantasy of Tackle’s iconic henshin uniform fighting the evil armies of Black Satan. It all depends how you want to look at it. If you are an admire of 60’s and 70’s art design with a nice 1960’s Go-Go appeal or a fan of vintage tokusatsu programs the price should not keep you from purchasing this inexpensive figure but I am sure you will more than pleasantly surprised at this representation of Tackle as I was.

©2009 Article and photos Leonardo Flores Modcineaste & CollectionDX.