Tears to Tiara: Kakan no Daichi (“Earth’s Wreath”) is a brand-new role-playing game for the PlayStation 3, based on 2005’s Tears to Tiara. From this modern classic (and upcoming anime series!) comes the first-ever figure, the heroine RIANNON, based on an original Nakamura Takeshi illustration!

A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! Tears to Tiara: Kakan no Daichi (“Earth’s Wreath”) is a brand-new role-playing game for the PlayStation 3, based on 2005’s Tears to Tiara. From this modern classic (and upcoming anime series!) comes the first-ever figure, the heroine RIANNON, based on an original Nakamura Takeshi illustration!

The playful and cute Riannon stands in a dynamic pose, with her lower body leaning back and upper body leaning forward. This combined with the flowing lines of her intricate, overlapping ethno-tribal clothing gives this 8 inch tall (1/8th scale) statue an unmatched grace and energy. Sculpted by the incomparable Nisshi, Riannon wears many textured layers adorned with a multitude of tiny details. Her unique hat is removable (and stays in place by a cleverly-hidden magnet!), as is her enormous cane, and she stands on a specially-molded base. Made of pvc and abs plastics, Riannon comes packaged in a window box for all to see.

srp $59.99
Available in JANUARY

Where as the Spiral Zone Kamen Rider Black was pure toy and The SFG Spiral Zone line proper was a fine balance between toy and model kit, the Spiral Zone Saint Seiya Sagittarius and Gemini were pure model kit.

Spiral Zone Saint Seiya Sagittarius

Where as the Spiral Zone Kamen Rider Black was pure toy and The SFG Spiral Zone line proper was a fine balance between toy and model kit, the Spiral Zone Saint Seiya Sagittarius and Gemini were pure model kit.

From a line of figures that is already obscure to begin with I introduce to you one of the three rarest items in the entire Spiral Zone line, Saint Seiya Sagittarius. I believe Bandai was headed in the right direction when they began to manufacture other character properties using the Spiral Zone’s 36-point articulation Systeminjection figures. 1987 was the third and last year of Spiral Zone production and it was in that year they would introduce to the market three non SFG Spiral Zone figures using the Spiral Zone bodies as the center of the deluxe figure release.

For all I know Bandai only released these three non Spiral Zone deluxe figure sets, but I would not be surprised if we discover more figures of other character properties produced. If I had not seen these when they were originally released in 1987 I would not have even known they existed, as there is still little or no Internet or published information on these figures.

I had always wondered why only Sagittarius and Gemini were released by Bandai in this form but after reading another Collection DX review of the excellent Saint Cloth Myth Sagittarius Aiolos I now understand both Gemini and Sagittarius characters were the main exciting incident characters of the Saint Seiya TV show. I also believe that by Bandai releasing the two Gold Saints chrome gold figures first, it would make a very attractive stand out toy.

Typically, being a Japanese toy collector in the 1980’s we had a lot of great toys available to us but the anime themselves were still quite elusive and expensive to the average American kid. I always admired the look of Saint Seiya armor but other than the armor being made of metal, I never liked the look of the figures that were released at the time as they were completely out of proportion and had the Super Sentai toy curse of the female figures used the same bodies as the males.

So when Sagittarius and Gemini were released with the more accurate and attractive Spiral Zone figures I had to purchase one. Unfortunately I never was able to purchase Gemini, as for some strange reason was nearly double the price of Sagittarius with Sagittarius being priced at $25.00 and Gemini priced at $45.00. Years later I still have not seen one for sale but the sad part is I had Gemini in my hands and to this day I wonder what lucky kid in Los Angeles owns it and will it ever make it into my possession again?

Gemini was a great looking figure and the only Spiral Zone figure released with supernatural appeal, as his head was molded in purple/blue with eyes painted only as white. If you know of a Spiral Zone Gemini offered for sale please feel free to email me at Uplandmod@hotmail.com, it would be much appreciated!

Sagittarius includes: 1X 36 point Systeminjection figure (8 parts to be assembled), 3x screws, 2x pivot washers, 3x Gold plated Chrome sprue, 1x black sprue, 1x instruction sheet.

Unlike the other Spiral Zone releases Sagittarius was released in a model kit style box with a full color lid with two clear windows exposing the chrome parts and Spiral Zone figure. The bottom part of the box is plain cardboard which is a complete let down as Spiral Zone boxes rear artwork is always one of the best selling points of the line. But the cover artwork is well done with Sagittarius in a fighting stance in front of a Greek ruins afloat in space with Gemini glaring down on him.

Before assembling Sagittarius I suggest purchasing a good set of sprue cutters from a hobby shop to get a nice clean cut of the parts off the sprue. Keep in mind that the Sag armor is molded in gold chrome and accordingly the plastic used in molding chrome is a bit harder and brittle than regular plastic found in toys and model kits. A small sized Phillips crosshead screwdriver is also needed to assemble the Spiral Zone figure. Give yourself about a three-hour build time to cut the parts off the sprue and assemble Sagittarius.

For many reasons, as stated previously, Sagittarius is pure model kit. Bandai asks the builder to many things that were not previously asked to do on the other Spiral Zone releases. First off Bandai asks the builder to not only assemble the figure but to paint the figure as well. Spiral Zone figures always came in real cloth uniforms but the Sagittarius figure red under suit needs to be painted onto the figure and the hands need to be painted gold. Normally a second set of “gloved” hands would included molded in the color that was needed and can be switched out with “flesh” hands.

Instead of a second separate sprue being included with the darker bronze colored armor parts of the headdress, skirt armor, heel wings, arrow and bow, Bandai asks you to paint those parts with clear dark yellow. Years ago I wisely made the right decision to not paint any of the parts and it is not an issue if you do not decide to paint Sagittarius as it is still a great looking figure when not painted.

Once the parts are cut off the sprue assembling the armor to the figure is very quick. Be careful not to break off any of the pins into the female side of the armor parts. All the parts hold on well to the figure except the shoulder armor and heel wingtips. They could prove bothersome when trying to display the figure. The gold chrome still looks bright 21 years later and have not flaked off the plastic or faded.

The weapons include a bow and arrow, with the arrow being an extremely fragile part. It is best to keep it in a safe place of the figure holder when not on display. When it comes to Spiral Zone figures 36-point mobility, the ease of display comes down if the owner decides how much they want to loosen the figure as they are quite stiff when one first open the package. Figure mobility is based on that issue, which could pose a problem if you want to display Sag in the arrow firing position and the figure is still stiff.

As stated before with the other character likenesses such as Kamen Rider Black and Yutaka’s Chirico Cuvie Spiral Zone style figure, I like it when Bandai sculpted licensed characters as Spiral Zone Figures and Sagittarius is no exception. Sagittarius sculpt is a great likeness of the character and is about the only feature that I think is superior to the otherwise better produced and current Saint Cloth Myth s Sagittarius figure. An odd feature to note is the two small bumps on the side of the head that the headdress attach to, which is not featured on any of the other Spiral Zone figures.

Most of the build time is spent on building the centaur figure, which I believe is the weakest part of this release. One of the tenants of a Spiral Zone figure is that the set should not need any type of glue to assemble the figure or armor. Although the centaur figure itself is easily built it is completely loose and falls apart quite easily. Putting the armor on is a disaster as the figure quite simply falls apart or the parts fall off the figure. To take the photo for this review was a nightmare just to balance the figure just right and even then I still think I did not get the shot I wanted.

The centaur has no mobility what so ever. One suggestion is to glue the centaur together and I believe it should hold up quite well but as a Spiral Zone release I do not think I should have to do that. I also do not believe the figure represents the strength of the centaur personality adequately. On the positive the figure looks awesome when one puts the headdress on the black centaur figure as it has a cool and creepy look to it.

The great mystery of the Gemini and Sagittarius releases is were there more Saint Seiya Spiral Zone figures released as the box states it is kit “15”? Or is it a continuation of other basic Saint Seiya model kits that were released at the time? Could it be a continuation of the Spiral Zone Acts 1-12 with Kamen Rider Black being kit 13, Gemini kit 14 and Sagittarius being the last kit with 15? But that is based on if Gemini is kit 14 which I do not know at the moment. Regardless I find the “15” quite cryptic.

The pendulum swings wild on this one. If you are a hardcore Saint Seiya collector it is a definite pick up for the collection for its odd historical footnote and extreme rarity involved with the piece. If you are looking for great representation of this figure I guide you to the current Saint Cloth Myth release of this figure that is currently being produced. The new Saint Seiya releases are brilliant in design and look great on the display shelf. Unlike the regular Spiral Zone figures, SZ Sagittarius has been out classed by the current Saint Cloth Myth release of this character. Besides only two figures were released as Spiral Zone figures while new Saint Seiya figures have been going strong, with new releases every few months.

As for the Spiral Zone collector it is a must own as it is another great Spiral Zone Systeminjection figure that needs to be included in the SZ collection. In terms of practicality it is not the best release of the line, but the pure charisma of this released cannot be denied. The iconic history of Sagittarius in the Saint Seiya canon, the beautiful gold plated armor and a great Spiral zone figure should be more than a few reasons to locate this deluxe figure set for the collection.
©2008 Leonardo Flores “ModCineaste” and Collection DX.

Oil Slick is pretty freakin' awesome by any standard. A must have, even if you don't collect Transformers.

My buddy EVA usually does the Transformers reviews, but I was so psyched about this one that I had to beat him to the punch. Oil Slick is awesome.

Although I haven't been reviewing them, I've gotten most of the Transformers Animated toys. I can't stand the show, and I don't know thing one about the characters, but each and every toy has been sheer awesome.

Oil Slick is a bad guy, a Decepticon. He's got pretty much everything I want in a toy:

Bad-ass cow skull? check.
chains? check.
Spikes? check.
Claws? check.
Transparent dome? check.

Hell, the only thing this is missing is something that glows. And i'm sure an evening with Sanjeev would change that.

Oil Slick comes packaged in vehicle mode, which looks like Lucifer's Chopper. It's a motorcycle from hell. All the wheels turn, and due to the double wide wheels it can stay upright in vehicle mode, unlike most other motorcycle toys.

At the back there are two panels, one on each side, that can open and store black barrels. More on those in a bit. Detail and paint are great in this mode, and the color scheme is one of my favorites.

Transforming to robot mode is very easy, and very obvious. I love how everything has some kind of peg of clip to hold in place. First, the seat is lifted up and then the legs pulled down. The tailpipes bend up to become the feet.

The front wheels separate and unfold down either side of the torso. Clawed fingers extend from inside the wheel well.

The head is exposed by opening a panel on the back and flipping the head up.

Robot mode is awesome. There is some fantastic articulation here, with little touches that they could have skipped but didn't. Its this extra mile that makes all the difference with these. For example, check out the hip joints on Oil Slick. There is actually two joints there on each side, which makes for some phenomenal posing.

Remember those barrels? Those attach to the hands and open. One barrel splits in half and is connected by a CHAIN. The other barrel opens up on one side, presumably to hold some kind of biological agent.

Oh, and there's a third mode too - basically just take Oil Slick in robot mode and... lay him down. Thats it. Come on guys, seriously? Geez.

Oil Slick is basically a heavy metal transformer. Skulls, Spikes, Chains, Tribal tattoos etc... It is as if Bruce Dickinson designed a transformer.

If you see Oil Slick in the store, GET HIM. Seriously. Not kidding.

Timed for Japanese release with the new Director’s Cut game for PS2! From the massively popular video games TALES OF DESTINY 1 & 2 come six new One Coin Figures.

A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! Timed for Japanese release with the new Director’s Cut game for PS2! From the massively popular video games TALES OF DESTINY 1 & 2 come six new One Coin Figures. Sculpted by Tsukuru Shirahige and Oya Hideaki, these 4 inch tall figures bring the heroes and main characters of both games to life in fantastic detail! Collectors will love the Mystery Boxes, while the figures’ sturdy construction in pvc makes them great for fans of all ages!

Included in this great lineup are six fan favorites!

STAN AILERON
RUTEE KATRET
LION MAGNUS
LILITH AILERON
KYLE DUNAMIS
REALA

srp $6.99 each
Available in JANUARY

Following the first model - Piccolo in the R&M555 Dragon Ball Z collection, comes the 8 Inch polystone statue of Frieza.

Following the first model - Piccolo in the R&M555 Dragon Ball Z collection, comes the 8 Inch polystone statue of Frieza.

Limited to 555 pcs and will be released during November 2008.

FRIEZA statue & Base, SRP; USD 149.00.

"We hope you'll like this new character and we will come soon with the next in the line; SS GOKU."

Created by Akira TORIYAMA, Dragon Ball Z tells the tale of a boy named GOKU and his quest to find the 7 dragon balls that would grant a wish. Dragon Ball Z is considered one of the most popular and successful anime of all time worldwide.

R&M555 is a line of figures, 6 to 10 inch tall, produced in limited numbers (555) made of resin and/or metal materials, designed and sculpted in Japan.

Licensed by FUNimation Productions Ltd. R&M555 starts with a display of 5 main characters from the show Dragon Ball Z (www.dragonballz.com) each figure to be exclusively distributed in USA and Canada.

© 2008 BIRD STUDIO / SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION. Licensed by FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

If you are a Ghost in the Shell fan, or a female figure fan, you will probably dig this. It's a nice representation of the character, and the quality is awesome. Mecha heads may not be too into it due to the subject matter (eew girls!), and action figure fans will balk at the price point and lack of serious articulation.

Motoko Kusanagi is the heroine of the animated series "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex". Does she really need an introduction? If you haven't watched the series, I highly recommend it - it's much better than the movies.

Yamato has made the bulk of their fortune not with mecha toys, but with female figures. It's representative of the state of the industry. Most of the Japanese toys released each week are anime figurines. But as you may have seen recently, all the major manufacturers are now coming out with lines of articulated figures. Not quite action figures, these lines are essentially anime statues with more articulation. Kaiyodo has Revoltech, Max Factory has Figma, and now Yamato has VMF.

Yamato describes VMF (Variable Motion Figure) as follows:

"This Summer Action Has A New Name… Yamato is exceptionally pleased to present its latest collection, vmf - variable motion figure. vmf is a new style of large scale action figure that strikes a perfect balance of form and function with multiple points of articulation (including an ingenious use of soft, flexible ATBC-PVC for partial articulated points); interchangeable parts; and exquisite, lifelike sculpting."

The figures are substantially bigger than the competitors, feeling more akin to a 1/6 scale figure (this figure is 1/7 scale, just a bit smaller). The price reflects the increase in size.

"One-seventh scale, Motoko stands approximately 9.00", features 16 points of articulation, interchangeable wrists, removable jacket, and themed weaponry (SEBURO M-5/SEBURO C-26A with silencer), all packaged in a collector's style window box."

The detail on this figure is really nicely done, right down to the ports on the back of her neck. The head is beautifully sculpted and captures the likeness perfectly. A ball joint in the neck provides a full range of motion.

In fact, pretty much all of the joints are ball joints, with the exception of the knees and elbows.

When you get a little lower the proportions get a bit off. How do I say this in a nice way... uh... Motoko's got BACK. From the waist down she is much thicker than she appears in the show.

Motoko is packaged with her jacket on, but that jacket is removable. You have to remove the arms at the shoulders, and replace the upper arms with flesh colored arms. Its interesting how they accomplished this, but the jacket-covered arms have a very limited range of motion in the elbows, as the joint is far up inside the arm. Not a great design here, but that problem goes away when you swap the arms.

The figure comes with only one set of hands, and the right hand is used to hold the weapons. Motoko comes with two weapons - a SEBURO M-5 and a SEBURO C-26A with silencer. The silencer is removable. The grip on the handle is not that tight, and could have benefited from some kind of peg to hold it in place. Also included is a clear blue stand with a peg that fits into either foot.

If you are a Ghost in the Shell fan, or a female figure fan, you will probably dig this. It's a nice representation of the character, and the quality is awesome. Mecha heads may not be too into it due to the subject matter (eew girls!), and action figure fans will balk at the price point and lack of serious articulation.

If you are interested in buying your own VMF Motoko Kusanagi, you can get yours at http://www.yamatotoysusa.com/page.cfm/536

Due March 2009 - Medicom's latest Kamen Rider RAH (Real Action Hero)

Due March 2009 - Medicom's latest Kamen Rider RAH (Real Action Hero) Kamen Rider Stronger. 200mm, 10,290yen.

B-club revives another classic sofubi

B-club revives another classic sofubi - this time its Eldertortoise (EREDOTASU)

5,250 yen, due October 2008

Sengoku Rance is the seventh release in the long running series (almost 20 years!) containing historical action and “eroge” content. The gallant yet glamorous “Princess Battle” SENHIME is the latest in Koto’s Sengoku Rance series!

A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! Sengoku Rance is the seventh release in the long running series (almost 20 years!) containing historical action and “eroge” content. The gallant yet glamorous “Princess Battle” SENHIME is the latest in Koto’s Sengoku Rance series!

Senhime stands battle-ready in her lightly armored clothing, with naginata held at low guard. Around her swirls her long violet hair, dynamically sculpted in flowing tendrils. The martial, yet sexy, princess is made of pvc and stands 7 ½ inches tall (1/8TH scale), including her display base.

srp $59.99
Available in DECEMBER

The latest in the One Coin Figure series are the boys of HIIRO NO KAKERA (loosely translated as Scarlet Fragment) the series of Japanese otome games.

A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! The latest in the One Coin Figure series are the boys of HIIRO NO KAKERA (loosely translated as Scarlet Fragment) the series of Japanese otome games. These cute little figures feature magnets so you can display them anywhere, as well as interchangeable heads on ball joints; mix and match heads and bodies to create your own figures!

Each of the mini-figures is made of pvc and abs plastic, and sold in individual Mystery Box packages for added collectability. Collect all seven!

TAKUMA ONIZAKI
MAHIRO ATORI
YUUICHI KOMURA
SHINJI INUKAI
SUGURU OOMI
RYOU KUTANI
O-CHAN

srp $5.49 each
Available in JANUARY
©Idea Factory | Design Factory

CollectionDX's own EVA_Unit_4A visits a small Transformers convention in Tacoma, Washington

So, there was this little get-together these guys would have once a year at one of their houses. And they would share stories, the latest rumors, toys, books, and food. A nice little yearly summit between friends. Then after six years of this, the summit got a little bigger because friends were bringing friends, and then the friends were bringing friends... And so, to expand the exposure of the public to the venue, they decided to move into a small convention center. They weren’t looking to become a huge annual event, but still a get-together where people could enjoy what they knew best.

And they called it the Cybertron Conference. And it was good.

2008 was the third year that CybCon was held at the King Oscar Motel & Convention Center in Tacoma, Washington, on August 23rd.

I regret that I was only able to attend the last hour and a half of the con before they started packing up, so I missed most of the highlight events (in no particular order)-

• Table displays of Transformers-related art, oddities & rarities
• Screenings of random TV episodes across the franchise
• Play “Beast Wars: Transformers” for PS1 in head-to-head matches on a big projection screen on the wall
• Trivia throughout the con
• Speed transforming contests for both kids (10-and-under) and adults- how fast can you change a Transformers from alt. mode to robot mode?
• Silent auction

Several tables were set up along the walls, where pre-registered dealers could put up their wares, as well as for simply displaying your collection.

I can tell you- those second-hand prices were killer-deals- I filled a few long-empty holes in my own “Beast Wars” collection, as well as a replacement for a G2 Constructicon that I accidentally broke right out of the packaging over 15 years ago.

One notable toy manufacture made an appearance, CyberFembot.com. Their largest agenda- promoting toys of female Cybertronians, which Takara and Hasbro largely ignores- is to create the first mass-production, fully-transformable Generation One Arcee figure. Parts of the prototype(s), molds, and a finished model were all on display at their table. (Their website claims two original Cybertronian female designs not seen before on-screen are in pre-production stages.) Also on display were several completed designs of their in-house built G1 Devastator [the fusion of the six Constructicons], and one of the repaints. (I mean, this thing stands 18” tall, and has ridiculous articulation & elaborate detail!)

Two of their current projects were also on display. The first is an attempt to make a steam train engine version of Optimus Prime! Standing almost 12” when completed, the coal tender would change into a small fold-out base- of which details they did not have on display, but were planning on. The other was a fixed-pose 3” figure of the nine year-old human girl Sari Sumdac from “Transformers Animated”; several of which they sold throughout the con for others to paint up.

For all four of these projects, a photo album was available to view painted finals, pre-production sketches, early molds, prototypes, and finished models. Regretfully, they were closing up shop when I walked in, so I got little time with their rep!

It was indeed a small venue, taking up only three small conference rooms with the dividing walls retracted. The guy who was running the con, Greg, said that over 88 people showed up during the entire eight hour event- most of those walk-ins. But he said that even with the pre-registration closed a week earlier, a few walked in from off the street, so that number might have been a little higher.

As promised, I must send out a big thank you to Greg. I missed the registration deadline without realizing it, but when I said that I wanted to cover the CybCon online, he let me come down anyways! So if he hadn’t approved, I wouldn’t be writing this article! (It’s a two-and-a-half hour drive south from my home to Tacoma, so to show up and be denied entrance at the door would have been a huge waste!)

Well, hopefully I can make it in sooner next year so I can give you better coverage and more photos than this!

View the remainder of the photos from EVA_Unit_4A's trip to CybCon 2008 here!

See the official CybCon 2008 homepage here!

The 12" Mazinger-Z Soft Vinyl action figure will be sold through Sideshow Collectibles!

This is great news!

Sideshow Collectibles and High Dreams are extremely proud to present the Mazinger Z 12-inch Figure from the Super Robot Series. The 12-inch Mazinger Z posable figure is crafted of high quality ABS, PVC and vinyl.

The Mazinger Z 12 inch Figure features:

* 21 points of articulation
* Ratchet articulations (X4), ball jointed feet, head, legs, shoulders.
* Iron Cutter
* Reinforced rocket punch
* 2 pair of hands (fist & flat palm)

Jeeg gets the Sofubi treatment this November

Due in November for 8,190 yen from West Kenji - JEEG!

Comes with all kinds off accessories, looks cool!

CM's announces the second two Machine Blaster robots - Robo Kress and Bull Caesar.

CM's announces the second two Machine Blaster robots - Robo Kress and Bull Caesar. Sold as a set for 10,290, Due October 2008

YATENKOU and MUDZURA from "Nadesico" will be Tamashii Web shop exclusives.

Have you ever wanted to re-enact the final scene from Nadesico, where Black Sarena and Yatenkou face off?

Me neither. In fact, I don't know if this even happens, but thats what Bandai's Tamashii site says. Apparently according to a poll they ran at Tamashii Nations 2008, this was a much desired piece.

Anyway, this set will be only available on the Tamashii web shop site (http://tamashiiwebshouten.jp/SHOP/JH0003.html). Pre-orders start August 25th, and the toy will be released around December 08.

Retail price will be 7,350. Figures are made out of ABS, PVC, POM (no diecast listed)