Bandai HG 1/144 GN-X English Manual & Color Guide

The first GN powered mobile suit using a pseudo GN drive by the earth governments that were subjected to the intervention of Celestial Being. This also became the basis for the succeeding mobile suits of the United Earth government that came out of merging the different governments. Unlike the true GN drives used by Celestial Being, the pseudo drive's power does not last very long.

1/60 Yamato Toys VF-17 Diamond Force & VF-19S Emerald Force ver Release Date

I found out today via this post from Yamato Toys that the release date for the highly anticipated 1/60 Perfect Transformation VF-17 Diamond Force and VF-19S Emerald Force variant from Macross 7 will be on December 2011 and November 2011. Both variable fighters came out in the Macross 7 series that aired during the 90's.

Bandai HG 1/144 Al-Saachez's AEU Enact Custom Agrissa Type English Manual & Color Guide

Every plot needs a hero and a villian in order to make a great story, and Ali Al-Saachez fit that to a "T" in Gundam 00 Season 1. Ali Al-Saachez's initially used variants of AEU's Enact when fighting with Celestial Being. One of the variants he used was the Custom Agrissa Type which can be easily identified by its red color scheme.

Meaning of the Japanese sentences found around the Bandai Model Kit's Color Guide

In case you were wondering what the meaning of those other Japanese characters written around your basic Bandai color guide (example above) found in the manual were.

1/700 Thunderbird 2 by F-Toys Assembly English Manual

Picked up a couple of weeks back from ebay a set of the Thunderbirds Mechanic Collection by F-Toys. I grew up watching some episodes of that 60's hit by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson known as the Thunderbirds.

Kotobukiya 1/72 Aspina X-Sobrero Fragile English Manual & Color Guide

Released last month by Kotobukiya was the 1/72 scale Aspina X-Sobrero Fragile from their Armored Core line of model kits. Armored Core is the popular video game full of mecha's fighting each other. I remember playing this for the first time on my friend's PS2 and was blown away with the graphics and the game play.

Metal Heroes Series: SoundWave

Metal Hereoes Series Soundwave from Transformers the movie series. Soundwave comes out different from the Boombox we've grown accustomed to in the Transformers G1 series. Like most Metal Heroes Series these diecast toys issued by Hasbro do not transform but rather have an emblem of robot mode molded on the underside.

Metal Heroes Series: Ironhide

Re-release of the Metal Heroes Series Ironhide by Hasbro from Transformers the movie series, this time with a different color scheme from the regular black color motiff of Ironhide. Like all Metal Heroes Series, the Ironhide variant is a non transforming version. In place of that there is a molded emblem on the underside of the diecast toy to represent the "robot" mode of the toy.

Bandai HG 1/144 Blue Destiny Unit 1 English Manual & Color Guide

Bandai's 1/144 High Grade rendition of the RX-79BD-1 Blue Destiny mobile suit from the Gundam UC universe. This model kit was released in July of 2007. This mobile suit comes packed with a vulcan gun, 100mm machinegun, beam saber and shield.

Bandai HG 1/144 Nobell Gundam [Berserker Mode] English Manual & Color Guide

A follow up to the earlier released HG Nobell Gundam from G Gundam is the Nobell Gundam in Berserker Mode. This female Gundam unit comes armed with beam swords and head vulcans.

Sale at Amiami Sept 17 ~ 24, 2011

I'm kinda late on posting about this, only noticed this today when I dropped by Amiami, a sale is going on that will last till Sept 24 that will benefit international buyers of Amiami. Domestic customers residing in Japan aren't part of this promotion. Main requirement of this promotion is that you have to pay with Paypal.

Metal Heroes Series: Starscream

Starscream from the Transformers Movie version who changes into an F-22 Raptor. This Metal Heroes release of Starscream by Hasbro has a different paint scheme from the norm but still sports the alien marking stripes found on the frame.

Metal Heroes Series: JetFire

The bellicose and most ancient Jetfire from Transformers Revenge of the Fallen was made part of the Metal Heroes Series of Transformer Toys by Hasbro. These series of toys are like those miniature diecast vehicle toys that we all grew up with.

Metal Heroes Series: Bumblebee

Bumblebee from Metal Heroes Series of Hasbro from the Transformers Movie line of toys that are similar in size to the regular diecast metal car toys that we grew up with. Like other toys in this series, this does not transform, instead it has an robot emblem on the underside of the chassis.

Metal Heroes Series: Optimus Prime

We got this for our son a while back along with some other Metal Heroes Series toys from Hasbro's Transformers Line. The first time I saw this I was prejudiced to think that no one in his right mind would enjoy this toy. Then when I saw my son using his imagination in playing with his trailer truck toy and make believing that it was Optimus Prime, I was convinced that Hasbro did a good thing with this release.

StarWars: The Clone Wars Season 4 Episode 1 & 2

StarWars: The Clone Wars Season 4 CGI animated series started yesterday with a double episode showing of Episode 1 & 2 and I have to say that it did not disappoint.

Alternator Vacuum Pump for Degassing Silicon Rubber?

I had my father's truck fixed a few months back because of an oil leak. Upon inspection it was found out that an oil seal was worn and causing the oil to leak from the vacuum pump part of the alternator. While the mechanic was working on that I suddenly had the idea of using the vacuum pump of the alternator to degass resin and the silicon rubber for casting after seeing how powerful the suction was.

1/60 VF-1A, VF-1J, VF-1S Valkyrie Transformable Unpainted Kit (with Optional Parts) for Pre-order

Just saw this yesterday at HobbyLink Japan, the recently announced no-paint kits of the 1/60 VF-1A, VF-1J and VF-1S by Yamato Toys up for pre-order already and will be available by October. The toys cost about Y6500 yen at its pre-order price. I looked around at the other Japanese based online hobby shops and didn't see them posting any pre-order details yet. These kits come unpainted and unassembled.

Bandai HG 1/144 Blue Destiny Unit 2 English Manual & Color Guide

RX-78BD-2 Blue Destiny Unit 2 from the Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story The Blue Destiny Sega Saturn Game. The Blue Destiny Unit 2 is armed with vulcan's on its head and chest, beam saber, beam rifle and carries a shield for defense.

Bandai HG 1/144 MS-14A/C Gelgoog/Gelgoog Cannon English Manual & Color Guide

1/144 High Grade Mass Production Gelgoog from Gundam UC timeline released in March 2007 by Bandai that can be configured as either a Gelgoog Canon or a Mass Production type. Aside from that it can also be configured as regular or a commander type as can be seen in the manual. It comes armed with a beam rife, beam naginata & shield along with the cannon for the cannon type Gelgoog.

Hobby Search Paypal half price Shipping promo

Just saw this announcement at the front page of Hobby Search a promo for half price shipping if you pay with Paypal. This promo will be from Sept 21 to 30. Not covered by the promo are pre-order items.

Bandai HG 1/144 RGM-79Q GM Quel English Manual & Color Guide

Released by Bandai in January 2007 was the 1/144 High Grade version of the RGM-79Q GM Quel from the Advance of Zeta manga series. Used by the notorious Titans it would eventually be a basis for the Gundam Mk II made famous in Zeta Gundam. This particular GM variant comes equipped with a 60mm Vulcan, GM Rifle and a Beam Saber.

Bandai HG 1/144 GM Striker English Manual & Color Guide

Released in December 2006 was another iteration by Bandai of the iconic GM for Mobile Suit Gundam, the GM Striker. This GM variant came out in the video games MS Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield and MS Gundam: Target in Sight and was originally part of the Project named Harmony of Gundam. Most notable in this GM variant, aside from the armor, is the twin beam spear it possesses.

Bandai HG 1/144 MS-05B Zaku I English Manual & Color Guide

MS-05B Zaku I was the grand daddy of all Zeon Mobile suits in Gundam UC timeline but was quickly eclipsed by the Zaku II as the premiere mobile suit of the Principality of Zeon. Bandai did well in 2006 by coming out with a High Grade version of this iconic mobile suit from the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime series.

Bandai HG 1/144 MS-06FZ Zaku II FZ English Manual & Color Guide

MS-06FZ Zaku II FZ from the Gundam 0080 War in the Pocket OVA. Piloted by Bernard Wiseman and fought against the Gundam Alex NT-1. This 1/144 High Grade version came out in 2008 and can be built as either the Zaku II kai or the Zaku B type, which can be easily distinguished by the different head design.

Bandai HG 1/144 MSM-03C Hy-Gogg English Color Guide

Principality of Zeon's Hy-Gogg mobile suit from Gundam 00 0080 War in the Pocket. This mobile suit showed its wares in the opening sequence of War in the Pocket wherein they assaulted a Federation artic base in order to destroy a secret Gundam prototype. This is an old kit already that originally came out in 2003, but like all Gundam designs, they are considered a classic and well loved by their legion of fans.

Flashback

I can't believe I finally found this game whose name I forgot. The game is titled Flashback and was made by Delphine Software. This game came out in 1992. I've been looking for this game for such a long time already.

Human Alliance: Autobot Skids, Elita-1 and Tech Sgt Epps

From the Hasbro/Takara-Tomy line of Transformers: Dark of the Moon toys comes the Human Alliance Autobot Skids robot toy that comes with an Elita-1 and Tech Sargeant Epps figure. You could say that this is a re-release of the Autobot Skids, Arcee, Mikaela Banes toy from Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, with only a different paint scheme and a new figure in Tech Sgt. Epps.

Bandai HG 1/144 Gundam Nadleeh English Manual & Color Guide

1/144 High Grade version of the GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh from Gundam 00 Season 1. This model kit was released in April of 2008. Hidden within the recesses of Gundam Virtue's armor was the Gundam Nadleeh.

Bandai HG 1/144 SVMS-010 Over Flag English Manual & Color Guide

The SVMS-010 Over Flag can be easily mistaken for Graham's Custom Flag but underneath they are two different beasts. The Over Flag came out in the latter part of Season 1 of Gundam 00 when Union Ace Pilot, Graham Aker, was tasked to head an elite squad whose job it was to hunt down the Gundams of Celestial Being.

Kotobukiya Frame Arms SA-16d Khanjar English Manual & Color Guide

Another Frame Arms kit from Kotobukiya, the SA-16d Khanjar. The SA-16d Khanjar is based off the SA-16 Stylet and was released in July of 2010. In terms of SA-16 offshoots, I prefer the design and color scheme of the SA-17 Rapiere. This kit can actually be assembled as either a SA-16 Stylet or as the SA-16d Khanjar.

Watch Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Online

Posted yesterday at the official Gundam Site was an announcement that you can watch the original Mobile Suit Gundam movie online at youtube.

Bandai HG 1/144 Tieren Space Type English Manual & Color Guide

MSJ-06II-E Tieren Space Type from Gundam 00 Season 1, this was the mobile suit of the Human Reform League that was retrofitted for space use. In the anime, a squadron of this mobile suit took part in the ambitious operation to attempt to capture a Gundam belonging to Celestial Being. It can be easily distinguished from its ground type brethren by the presence of the propellant tanks and vernier boosters. This particular High Grade kit was released by Bandai in February of 2008.

Children of Dune 2003 Mini-series

The 2003 mini-series, Children of Dune, was produced once again by the same consortium that brought us the 2000 mini-series Frank Herbert's Dune (2000). Like the first mini-series it tries to stay true to the iconic Dune saga that was written by Frank Herbert.

Frank Herbert's Dune Mini-series

The 2000 miniseries titled Frank Herbert's Dune was the best rendition of the 1965 novel Dune written by Frank Herbert. That's comparing of course to the 1984 movie that totally bombed. The main reason of course being that they tried to fit the novel in such a short movie format. Dune was such a good book that its not something you can take plot shortcuts with, and that they did by trying to translate it into a 2.5 hour movie.

MG Figurerise Kamen Rider New #1 English Manual & Color Guide

The 1/8 MG Figurerise Kamen Rider New #1 takes it all the way back to the original Kamer Rider series. This was released last month and basing from this, it looks like Bandai is sticking to Kamen Rider to fill in the product line of their MG Figurerise series. Why should you buy this?, considering that the previous releases of MG Figurerise for their Kamen Rider line are more "feature" abundant. Well, for the sake of nostalgia of course, this is the grand daddy of the present Kamen Riders and they owe their popularity and existence to him.

Bandai HG 1/144 Master Gundam & Fuunsaiki English Manual & Color Guide

Bandai did an amazing thing this year, and that was to make a 1/144 High Grade rendition of Master Gundam with Fuunsaiki the gigantic mecha horse. Master Gundam can be seen from the G Gundam (Future Century) anime. According to the manual, Fuunsaiki can also be ridden by other HG sized Gundam kits, which is cool in my book!

Bandai HG 1/144 Shining Gundam English Manual & Color Guide

Shining Gundam from G Gundam anime series that was piloted by Domon Kasshu’s and represented Neo Japan at the World Tournament. This is the 1/144 High Grade version that was released last month by Bandai. Gimmik incorporated this kit is its ability to transform to Super Mode.

A Child's Imagination

My son got hooked into Transformers recently and I one upped him better by introducing to him season 1 of Transformers G1. At Youtube he watches clips of the Transformers Live action movie and refers to this as "the real" Transformers. Recently I got surprised with how he has commandeered an old diecast toy of his and started referring to it as Optimus Prime.

Bandai HG 1/144 Tieren Taozi English Manual & Color Guide

Gundam 00 Super Soldier Soma Peries' custom made MSJ-06II-SP Tieren Taozi. This suit was made by the Human Reform League in order to take advantage of Peries' use of Quantum Brainwaves that offer her quicker reaction time and faster reflexes than normal humans. The chassis of this is based off the regular Tieren mobile suit but totally souped up. This particular kit was the 1/144 High Grade variant that was released in January of 2008.

Bandai HG 1/144 Graham's Union Flag Custom English Manual & Color Guide

Graham's Union Flag Custom from Gundam 00 Season 1. This was the 1/144 High Grade version that was first released in December of 2007. Graham Aker was the ace pilot of the Union forces who tasked himself to unravel the secret of the Gundams of Celestial Being. The Custom Union Flag he was using was a souped up variant of the standard Flag Mobile Suit of the Union forces. Graham's Flag mobile suit is also distinct because it carries its defense rod on the right arm.

Bandai HG 1/144 Gundam Kyrios English Manual & Color Guide

Allelujah Haptism's GN-003 Gundam Kyrios from Gundam 00 Season 1. This is the 1/144 High Grade version that first came out in November of 2007. In the Gundam 00 Season 1 the Gundam Kyrios was the high speed interceptor of Celestial Being owing to the capability of Kyrios to transform to a very agile and fast mobile armor. Aside from the 1/144 version, Bandai also released a 1/100 scale version of the Gundam Kyrios.