Lazengann is a lanky mecha with a style similar to the Eva units from Evangelion, but aside from proportions, the similarities end there. Lazengann's body is covered in red circles and the chest is a large face with giant grinning teeth. Oh yeah, and he's got a TAIL.

One of the downsides of being a parent is that you don't have a lot of time to just sit around and watch TV. That, coupled with running CDX, virtually ensures that I watch almost NO modern anime. I did give Gurren Lagann a good go, but stopped at episode 5 or 6. I'll get around to it eventually, but I won't let that stop me from reviewing the latest Revoltech Release, Lazengann.

Lazengann of course comes from Gurren Lagann, but he appears much farther ahead in the series than I got, so I'll have to take this toy at face value.

Lazengann is a lanky mecha with a style similar to the Eva units from Evangelion, but aside from proportions, the similarities end there. Lazengann's body is covered in red circles and the chest is a large face with giant grinning teeth. Oh yeah, and he's got a TAIL.

For articulation - Lazengann is about as good as it gets. It's simple design and lack of accessories allow you to focus on the poseability. The only weak spot in the design is the tiny wrist connector pegs. The hands just don't stay on very well.

In keeping with the drill theme of Gurren Lagann, Lazengann features two drill attachments, this time more like a standard drill bit, only really really long. The dual drill unit is placed at the elbow joint by separating it from the upper arm and putting it in the middle. The single drill attaches to the wrist, where another peg on the drill is provided to attach the hand.

The lower portion of the torso can be replaced with a solid unit by separating the figure at the torso and removing the inset part. I like that some of these gimmicks require you to actually take apart the figure - it forces fans to realize the modular aspects of the figure.

Also included are several variant hands and your typical Revoltech stand. In this case, if you want to acheive a flying or jumping pose, you actually attach the stand's Revoltech joint to a hole in the middle of the tail.

If you buy Lazengann, you get as a bonus the middle part of Gurren Lagann's Gurren Wing. The other parts will be sold with other Revoltech toys from Gurren Lagann.

Lazengann is a typically great Revoltech release, if you can overlook the wrists. You can get yours at HobbyLink Japan

Revoltech Lazengann is available at HobbyLink Japan

Haruka Amami is the best modular action figure since MODULOK

People think of the Fraulein line as a female figure line, but what the Fraulein series really is is a modular fetish action figure system.

Thats right, you might think you are just getting a moe figure, but Haruka Amami is so much more than that. By reconfiguring the parts you can not only cater to the moe fetishists, but to a whole range of obscure fetishes.

For example, the panty fetish.

How about the Double Amputee Fetish.

Lets step it up a bit with the quadruple amputee fetish

This one is called a Abdominal-cephalus pantsu fetish.

This one... err, if this one turns you on then there is no help for you.

ok, all fooling aside, Haruka Amami comes from the video game and anime idolm@ster. I've never seen or played it, but apparently it is something of a song and dance thing. Basically, it's nothing I would ever play.

The figure is typical Fraulein material, only this time they seem to have strengthened up the shoulder joints. The lower legs get a little loose, and while not impossible, standing on its own is a challenge.

Accessories include tons of extra hands, a crown, tail, bracelet and anklet.

So yeah, if this is your thing, go for it. You can get your Fraulein Haruka Amami at angolz.com

Yeah, it's pretty much the same as the previous Gurren Lagann Revoltech, only with drills.

Gurren Lagann Fulldrillized, is based on a Japanese shonen anime television series animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami known as "Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (or Break-Through Heaven Gurren Lagann" or more loosely "Heaven Shattering Gurren Lagann)." The "Gurren-Lagann" is originally formed as a response to the Enki's initial two-headed configuration. Its status as a fused machine (with two exceptionally spirited pilots) makes it one of, if not, the most powerful entity of its size seen in the series. The figure is 5-6" tall and has 54 articulation points with 19 joint parts. "Revoltech Gurren Lagann Fulldrillized" comes equipped with interchangeable accessories and parts (1 core drill, 1 optional pair of sunglasses, 4 optional hands, 1 optional head and 1 display base). SRP: $24.00. Due August 2008

The Revoltech Yotsuba DX (Summer Vacation Set) arrives in August from Kaiyodo and Organic Hobby

Yotsuba DX (Summer Vacation Set) is a fictional character from the ongoing manga series "Yotsuba&!," as well as the one-shot manga Try! Try! Try!, both by Kiyohiko Azuma. "Revoltech Yotsuba DX" is 5-6" tall, has multiple articulation points and comes equipped with accessories (such as 4 different option faces and option hands, out going hat, leisure bag and her T-shirts is made with soft material to make her shoulders and arms more flexible.

SRP: $28.00, Shipping in the US in August 2008

ARX-8 Laevatein is an Arm Slave, a fictional mecha from the light novel, manga, and anime series Full Metal Panic! written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shikidouji.

Due to be released in August - ARX-8 Laevatein is an Arm Slave, a fictional mecha from the light novel, manga, and anime series Full Metal Panic! written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shikidouji. The series follows Sousuke Sagara, a member of the covert anti-terrorist mercenary group Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school girl. It first saw action during the events of the series' eighth novel. The figure is 5-6" tall and has 50 articulation points with 10 joint parts. "Revoltech ARX-8 Laevatein" comes equipped with interchangeable accessories and parts (such as 1 demolition gun, 2 shot guns, 2 single molecule cutter [x2 cutter storage], 2 anti-tank daggers, 1 optional shoulder [x3 shoulder protect.] & robot arm, 1 optional pair of sunglasses, 5 optional hands, 1 optional head and 1 display base). SRP: $28.00.

Guld Goa Bowman's YF-21 Valkyrie from Macross Plus is realized in Revoltech form. With Video comparison with the GNU series YF-21

The YF-21 Valkyrie is a unique valkyrie design that unfortunately was never used after the series aside from an appearance in a Macross video game. I guess thats what happens when you lose the contract to UN Spacy for the next generation fighter.

The Revoltech YF-21 is a good toy - very articulated and durable. Despite being bested by the GNU series YF-21, it is still a worthy purchase and worth adding to your collection.

Articulation is great, especially for this design. Somehow Revoltech designer Yamaguchi managed to give this toy a waist joint, a much-needed addition to the design. There are 46 points of articulation, largely due to the Revoltech joint system. Because the YF-21 is a slimmer mecha, they use the smaller Revoltech joints for most of the joints in this figure.

There are a plethora of accessories included with the YF-21.

The Gun fits securely into one of the included variant hands. There are also closed hands and open hands.

Fastpacks are included with this figure as well. The Fastpacks are additional armor used to beef up the existing design. Here the panels are added onto the wing sections on the arms (which are articulated with Revoltech joints) and on the large panels on the hips. They go on easy enough, but taking them off is tough.

Also included are parts for the pinpoint barrier system - a movable electric shield of sorts. These parts can plug into either forearm armor for additional protection.

A small pinpoint barrier shell can attach to one of the variant arms to act as a pinpoint barrier weapon.

The stand is pretty much the same as any other Revoltech stand, and attaches to the rear of the waist of the figure.

Naturally one is going to compare the Revoltech YF-21 to Yamato's GNU series YF-21. Both have their pluses and minuses, but I am drawn to the clean lines and toy-like quality of the GNU version. The Revoltech version is not bad at all, but when stood next to the GNU - you can see the differences.

I do still recommend this version, especially if you are a fan of the Macross line. the feedback I have been getting is that although the GNU appears superior, people just like collecting the Revoltech line.

Of course, you can get your Revoltech YF-21 at HobbyLink Japan.

VIDEO REVIEW

You can get your Revoltech YF-21 at HobbyLink Japan

On the planet Eden, two test pilots battle it out for for the contract and the girl. In this corner, Isamu Dyson and the YF-19 Valkyrie...

The YF-19 valkyrie comes from the 1994 OVA series Macross Plus. I won't go into the details again, but suffice it to say that it is one of my favorite anime.

Previously, Yamato had put out larger scale transforming versions of the YF-19, and then when they announced a GNU version, someone must have tipped off Kaiyodo, because I doubt it is just coincidence that both companies put out similar toys at the same time. We saw this earlier in the year with Mospeada toys - its just how the industry works.

So lets cut to the chase. Is it any good? yeah, its really good. It's typical Yamaguchi Revoltech fare - if you've had one before and liked it you will like this. The proportions are a bit exaggerated for my tastes - the head seems a bit small and low to the shoulders, but it works. It's a very stylized representation of the mecha. The YF-19 comes courtesy of HobbyLink Japan

What makes this toy above average in my opinion is the accessories. Not only do you get the YF-19 and his gun, but you get fastpacks, a shield, a stand and even pinpoint barrier effects. While I prefer the styling of the GNU YF-19, this one has it beat on accessories.

The gun is one piece and can be held by one of the variant hands in either hand. Nothing too exciting here. The gun holds firmly in the grip of the machine.

The shield attaches to the left arm by a Revoltech joint, oddly placed at the rear of the arm.

Fastpacks are attached to the end of the shoulders and the back of the legs. They are the same color and style as the rest of the figure, so they don't really stand out that much. They are nicely done and a welcome addition.

The pinpoint barrier system is kind of like an electronic shield that moves around to wherever a blast is anticipated to hit. This manifests itself as small glowing circles that appear on the surface of the valkyrie. Kaiyodo includes 2 pinpoint barrier shields that can be attached to the arms or the shield.

Also included is a green transparent shield that fits over the hand of the valkyrie. This replicates the use of the pinpoint barrier system as a weapon.

The stand is standard Revoltech fare.

I like this one a lot, but i still am partial to the GNU series one. Don't misunderstand me - it's a great figure, but the other is like a breath of fresh air where this seems like more of the same. I suppose it is good that "more of the same" is pretty good.

You can get your Revoltech YF-29 at HobbyLink Japan

Video Review and comparison with the GNU series

You can get your Revoltech YF-29 at HobbyLink Japan

More goodies from the 2008 Tokyo Toy Show - including Transformers, Busou Shinki and Revoltech!

Tokyo Toy Show report - 6/28

HASBRO

Star Wars

• Hoth Speeder Bike Battlepack and Green Leaders A-Wing Fighter
• Millennium Falcon
• AT-TE (seems like different colors from Toy Fair?)
• V-19 fighter

Tranformers

• Masterpiece Thundercracker
• New Nissan GTR Alternaty

KONAMI

Busou Shinki

• Bright Feather and Harmony grace
• MMS Scorpion Type
• MMS Spider Type
• MMS Dragon?

KAIYODO

Revoltech

• Megazone 23
• Fraulein IDOLM@STER
• Gurren Drill!
• Full Metal Panic
• Fist of the North Star

After the successful releases of the first generation of Revoltech’s figures, Organic Hobby, Inc in conjunction with Kaiyodo proudly introduces its three new products for the U.S. market, “Revoltech Detroit Metal City (or DMC) – Krauser II – Jagi – Camus.”

Organic Hobby, Inc releases three new figures as a part of Kaiyodo’s “Revoltech Series, “Revoltech Detroit Metal City - Krauser II – Jagi - Camus”

After the successful releases of the first generation of Revoltech’s figures, Organic Hobby, Inc in conjunction with Kaiyodo proudly introduces its three new products for the U.S. market, “Revoltech Detroit Metal City (or DMC) – Krauser II – Jagi – Camus.”

The following three figures set to be released in July with a SRP of $24.00 are:

• Krauser II, (or S?ichi Negishi off stage) is based on a Japanese manga known as "Detroit Metal City" created by Wakasugi Kiminori. S?ichi Negishi is a shy young man who came from the rural Ota Prefecture to Tokyo for college and wished to become a kindergarten teacher. However, for some reason he became the lead singer and songwriter of a metal band named "Detroit Metal City," with a stage name "Johannes Krauser II." Whenever he wears the heavy makeup, Negishi becomes a completely different person, shouting the most vulgar profanities beyond anyone's imagination. With the popularity of DMC increases, Negishi starts worrying his double personalities can have negative effects on his (romantic) life off stage.The figure is 5-6" tall and has 42 articulation points with 14 joint parts (his cape includes 3 joints). "Revoltech DMC - Krauser II" comes equipped with interchangeable accessories and parts (1 legendary guitar, 1 roar microphone, 1 interchangeable head, 6 optional hands, 2 optional high speed play hand and 1 display base).
  
  
  
  
  
• Jagi is one the character based on a Japanese manga known as "Detroit Metal City" created by Wakasugi Kiminori. Jagi is the second musician/metal band member of "Detroit Metal City." The figure is 5-6" tall and has 42 articulation points with 14 joint parts. "Revoltech DMC - Jagi" comes equipped with interchangeable accessories and parts (1 legendary guitar, 1 mike stand, 1 Jagi's flame, 4 optional hands and 1 display base).
  
  
  
  
  
• Camus is also one the character based on a Japanese manga known as "Detroit Metal City" created by Wakasugi Kiminori. Camus is the third musician/metal band member of "Detroit Metal City." The figure is 5-6" tall and has 42 articulation points with 14 joint parts. "Revoltech DMC - Camus" comes equipped with interchangeable accessories and parts (1 lyric bubble/balloon, 1 DMC sign board, 2 drumsticks, 2 Cobra drumsticks, 3 optional hands and 1 display base).
  
  
  

Organic Hobby is one of the largest Hobby and Toys makers/manufacturers in Japan and is also very popular for its specialty in "Anime & Manga" industry. Organic Hobby, Inc (U.S Office) is introducing these and other unique products based on J-POP culture to U.S. markets and customers. All of our company's product can be found throughout our official distributors such as AAA Anime, Diamond, Double Dragon, Entertainment Earth, BBCW, Yes Anime, etc...

One of the newest releases from the Revoltech Fraulein line; Pocco has a real nice set of perky, full, well-displayed … wings. This character design could be considered borderline PG/PG-13 by some folk’s standards and the photos in this review reflect that. Think twice before clicking if you’re a cupcake. You have been warned …

Angolz.com was nice enough to send release number 004 for me to review and while I really like it, it is not without some issues. To be fair Revoltech’s are massed produced so I may have just gotten the”luck of the draw” and gotten a bum one but more on that a little further into the article.

Pocco is not an anime character but a character that appears in and on the cover of Shunya Yamashita’s artbook Sweet Dreams.

From Wikipedia :

“Shunya worked at Square Enix as a character designer for Final Fantasy X as an NPC and weapons designer. He later worked as a character designer on the online game Depth Fantasia, and was an event illustrator for the game Phantom Kingdom. He also worked on the other titles such as Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria and Xanadu: Next. He is also working with various toy companies to release a line-up of PVC figures, garage kits and statues based on his character designs.”

What this release does do well is bring to life his illustration of the character to three dimensions very nicely. The sculpting and detail as well as the paint application are all excellent. They omitted the scarf on her left hip in the illustration in this sculpt however and I would have liked to have seen that included in its design.

Accessories are a bit light this time for a Revoltech release including only the Fraulein stand and 2 sets of alternate hands. I would have liked the “cat” in the illustration to be included.

I really like this character design and have always liked that sort of “naughty” angel motif. While she is scantly clad and overtly sexy it still falls into that realm of “cute” sexy not “fetishized (is that a word?) Perversion” and anything inappropriate is more than adequately covered. She’s sexy, got wings, is fantasy and post-apocalyptic and well- pulls of the “naughty” and “nice” thing pretty well.

So with the good out of the way, let’s dive into the bad. My Pocco has horrible joint issues, her arms are fairly loose at the shoulders and her right leg keeps falling off. Granted you can pop them back on but it’s still annoying as hell. This would have been a flawless addition to my collection and a real win for the money but those two problems really suck out the joy of posing the figure.

So while I can say it’s a nice design and features a good sculpt, the QC on mine makes me hesitate to say go grab one today. Should you still want to add Pocco to your collection you can get yours at Angolz.com.

Video is below.