Review: Metal Material Model GQ Sword Impulse Gundam

Inspired by Bandai's recent MG release of the Sword Impulse Gundam, I turned to eBay and landed this version of the Impulse. This product line focused on the 3 variations of the Impulse and seemingly just ended there. Originally released around February 2005, each version retailed for 5500 yen.

I wasn't a big fan of the Impulse, and as we all know, the Strike Freedom was the star of the show, overshadowing even the namesake mobile suit of the show, Destiny Gundam.

However, the MG release revived my interest, and this GQ MMM Impulse actually is very well made. Metal is generously used in the joints and the feet, and the whole thing has a hefty feel to it. Comes with all the things you see, plus two knives, interchangable hands and clear pink beam sword and beam boomerang parts.

Although it's not as sleek and sexy as the MG version, it is still very sharp looking. The core splendor is fully transformable, the silhouette flyer can be combined with the back unit. The boomerang can be detached and held as weapons, and the shield can be shown in open/close form. I will not recommend flying this around because some of the parts tend to pop out, but it does make an awesome display.

Studio HalfEye Perfect Shift Maneuver Blade

I am not familiar with the anime Viper's Creed, but the basic premise seems to be based on a post war apocalyptic world in the near future where the Maneuver Blade is the lead character's main ride. Reminiscent of the Garland and Mospeada, the Maneuver Blade will transform from its bike form into the mech form, the Maneuver Roid.

Slated to be released this June by Studio HalfEye, this baby will stand 170mm in the mech form and will cost you 47,000 yen. It's part of their perfect change series of prepainted resin cast finished product. The images shown are of the master test model, from the Studio HalfEye website.

Review: Bandai Kamen Rider The First

Made of sturdy plastic, these Kamen Rider figures from Bandai features the detail and likeness of the characters from the "Kamen Rider The First" movie from a few couple of years ago.

They are about 8" tall, and comes with several sets of interchangable hands and alternate scarf.

I love the details on these, and the modernization of the characters gives them a little more respect, sophistication and dignity...Gawd, and to think that I was so into the original series growing up in the 70's...

Bandai also recently released a revised Rider 1 with his Cyclone Bike.

Just in case...Kamen Rider #1 is the one in darker green...

Review: Max Factory Figma PlaWres Sanshirou

PlaWres Sanshirou was a comic from the 80's that I loved. It's about a bunch of kids building and customizing very cool mechanical robot wrestler the size of a 1/6 action figure, and pitching them against one another in the wrestling ring. For dramatic effects, the wrestling match usually is presented in a psuedo environment, sort of like fighting inside the holodeck...

These figures from Max Factory are well made. The sculpting is superb, and the material used is resin like, and very well painted as well. I much prefer the material used here than that of the Revoltech series.

Each figure comes with a zip-lock bag, a stand, several pairs of hands, 3 faces.

Pictured here are Sakura in her sakurahime incarnation and Sanshirou in his Juuoumaru incarnation. As you can see, they are very posable. Sakurahime is, well, nicely proportioned...(^_^)

Artstorm released a 1/1 scale Ex Gokin Juuoumaru, which I hope to post my review in the near future.

Crusher Joe Minerva from Wave

The Minerva from the Crusher Joe franchise will be released by Wave later this year.

Slated for October, the Minerva will measured 230 mm in 1/500 scale and comes with the mini vehicles used in the movie and OVA.

It is part of the WHAM line, and will be made of ABS and metal alloy. I can't wait to pick this up!

The Crusher Joe movie was produced by the original Gundam character designer, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and won the anime of the year award in 1983.

All images courtesy from Hobby Search, reserve your Minerva at http://www.1999.co.jp/ today!

Review: Hasbro Ironman Stealth Ops

Here is a close up look at Hasbro's Marvel Universe - Ironman Stealth Ops version.

Overall, it's a decent figure, with nice details. This version is in metallic blue as opposed to the red and gold theme.

Although I prefer a closer presentation to the movie version (round chest emblem, etc.), the unique design and articulation has a tremendous appeal and very satisfied with this purchase. The one complaint is that the thighs can only open sideways...very difficult to bend them forward!

Review: Bandai Super HCM Pro Gundam RX-78

For my first review, I've chosen the Super HCM Pro Gundam.

The figure has some metal parts in the arms, thighs and feet area, as well as the vernier nozzles.

Although the Super HCM Pro line boast its metal content enhancement over the regular HCM Pro line, it is by means comparable to the Chogokin or Metal Composite product lines.

Having said that, the details are sharp and refinded, and the figure is very well-balanced. In the first two images, the Gundam is actually tip-toeing without any additional support.

The set came with a good assortment of accessories, including a hanger (minor assembly required), two hammers with metal chains, beam rifle, lightsabers, shield, fully transformable core fighter, two rocket launchers, etc.

As shown in the following images, the figure is highly posable, including the sliding joint used in the upper thigh that was pioneered in the MG model. This enables the figure to recreate any of the memorable pose from the anime.

To get a sense of how big it is, here is how it compares to a 1/144 GFF RX-78-02 Comic con version, and a Robot Damashii Seravee Gundam.

The figure also includes a full panel open mode (you can open maintenance panels to reveal the internal mechanics) which is reminiscient of a custom built model shown in one of the Hobby Japan issues from the 80's...Now you can recreate your own wardrobe malfunction gundam.