PRE-ORDER FROM VOLTRON.com AND GET A FREE ORIGINAL SERIES SOUNDTRACK CD! SHIPS SEPTEMBER 2008!

This limited edition collector's bookend set from Toynami has been limited to 1,000 pieces world-wide and is made of cold cast porcelain. Featuring the mighty Defender protecting the Castle of Lion from a Robeast invader, the bookend features sculptures designed by Daisuke Fukuda and Erik So. Each bookend is approximately 10 inches tall and weighs in at around 12 pounds so your DVD collection will be well secured! Box dimensions are 18.5 / 10 / 17 inches

Toynami's George Sohn gave us the grand tour of the Toynami Booth - find out what the plans are for Macross, Mospeada and Chogokin... With Video

Everybody wants to know what's up with Toynami. They have a ton of great licenses, they seem to have outgrown their growing pains, and they are hell bent on bringing chogokin to the us. Watch the video to hear it straight from the horse's mouth:

From the top, here's the Data:

Robotech / Mospeada Beta

• Beta Fighters will retail for $150
• Diecast content includes connection joints and lower legs
• Removable landing gear
• Each Beta has a new head, designed by Tommy Yune
• Masterpiece Packaging
• Red, Blue, Green, Grey and Purple versions planned

Masterpiece Cyclone

• Beagle version - Toynami version is scrapped
• Expected price point $130- $140
• Exclusive head for US market
• Masterpiece packaging same size as Beta packaging

Bandai 1/55 Reissue Valks

• Toynami version not confirmed for US release - gauging interest
• New head sculpts with telescoping necks - enables heads to be closer to undercarriage in fighter mode
• VF-1D is painted custom - Toynami wants to do valks that haven't been done before.

Toynami 1/100 Valks

• Series 4 to be packaged with armor, MSRP around $30
• Armored Valkyrie still on track for release
• 1/100 Battlepod are scratch built - expected to be produced. Non-opening cockpits. Will have weapons packs sold separately like 1/100 valks
• Dioramas are all scratch built and not going into production.

Voltron

• Giftset with vintage style packaging limited to 20 peices at Comi-con, wide release coming later. You can tell the comicon release by the white box handle instead of black.

Soul of Chogokin

• GX-06G1 Getter One Metallic is SDCC exclusive, limited to 500pcs in the US. Will also be offered for sale at Japanese Tamashii site, as well as future Tamashii Nations event in Japan.
• Toynami plans to bring SOC to us starting in 2009. Two versions will be released. First version will be a straight import - same price as Japan, same release date, same toy and packaging. Only change is Toynami sticker on back. Second version will be US exclusive release, with different paint schemes and packaging, POSSIBLY some changes to molds to fix prior QC issues.
• There is the possibility that CERTAIN Soul of Chogokin toys will be released under a CERTAIN label, with art by Alex Ross. This is still TBD.

Other nuggets...

• It's pronounced CHO-GO-KEEN, not CHO-GO-KIN
• TAMASHII means SOUL. George repeatedly referred to this combination as Toynami Tamashii
• CONFIRMED - Japan and HK version of SOC are made in the same factory at the same time - NO DIFFERENCE aside from sticker on box.
• Clear Gundam FIX limited to 1000 pcs
• 12" Hikaru Exclusive has light up action
• SIC limited peice same as JP version, 98 autographed for SDCC by SIC designer

As for the other lines shown at the Toynami Bandai / Tamashii booth - well, you will have to wait for the Bandai report for that...

This just in! Toynami is pleased to announce the last-minute additions of three brand-new products that will be available for the first time anywhere at Comic-Con International: San Diego! Be one of the lucky few to own these hot items months before the general release!

This just in! Toynami is pleased to announce the last-minute additions of three brand-new products that will be available for the first time anywhere at Comic-Con International: San Diego! Be one of the lucky few to own these hot items months before the general release!

Available only while supplies last and in very limited numbers will be:

VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE BOOKENDS
$175

ONE-PIECE BOOKENDS
$175

VOLTRON: LION FORCE COLLECTOR’S SET
$60

If you miss out, don’t fret: all of these will be available through your favorite retailer later this year. But if you want to get them first, you’d better get to the Toynami booth early! Come check us out at Booth #3229! See you there!

This year, Toynami will have its biggest presence ever at Comic-Con International: San Diego, and coming along with it is our biggest assortment of show-exclusive product! Available at the Toynami booth will be products from our special guest Tamashii, Bandai's exciting new collector-focused label. Tamashii will also be showing exciting new prototypes, products and dioramas at the Toynami booth, all making their North American debut!

This year, Toynami will have its biggest presence ever at Comic-Con International: San Diego, and coming along with it is our biggest assortment of show-exclusive product! Available at the Toynami booth will be products from our special guest Tamashii, Bandai's exciting new collector-focused label. Tamashii will also be showing exciting new prototypes, products and dioramas at the Toynami booth, all making their North American debut!

FUTURAMA: Robot Santa/Santa Bender Two-Pack
$50 (production limited to 2,000 units)
He's dreaming of a Red Xmas! Available only at Comic-Con is this robo-packed box set, featuring that Yuletide terror Robot Santa and his temporary replacement, Santa Bender! You can get one whether you've been naughty or nice!

SKELANIMALS: Cute As Hell Jack
$30 (production limited to 500 units)
You can adopt your own Comic-Con pal with this year's SKELANIMALS convention exclusive: the adorable Cute as Hell Jack!

GUNDAM FIX FIGURATION: RX-78-2 “Ver. Ka” (Comic-Con Clear version)
$30 (domestic release limited to 1,000 units)
This high-quality figure in the GUNDAM FIX FIGURATION series features an enhanced range of poseability, in the exclusive Comic-Con clear "invisible" deco! Packed in stylish collector's box!

SOUL OF CHOGOKIN: GX-06G1 Limited Metallic Ver. Getter 1
$60 (domestic release limited to 500 units)
This exclusive edition in the popular "Soul of Chogokin" line of highly detailed die-cast metal robots features an exclusive deco scheme and includes six interchangeable hands and two axe weapons!

COMIC-CON 2008 LIMITED SHITAMA-KUN & KONTA Vinyl
$40 (production limited to 200 units)
This devilish vinyl duo features Comic-Con exclusive decoration, and is limited to only 200 units in production!

So when you hit the Comic-Con floor, make sure to make Toynami your first stop! Come check us out at Booth #3229! See you there!

You would think at this point when I find certain product in the clearance bin I would stay far, far away. But noooooo, even at 1.99 I feel ripped off. Here’s my review of one of those silly Super Deformed Veritech’s by Toynami.

Released in 2002 with a bunch of other Toynami produced Robotech product, the Super Deformed Veritech’s ended up as peg warmers very quickly and ultimately in the clearance bins of most specialty stores.

The figure transforms between Fighter and Robot mode and isn't designed to hold any sort of Guardian mode.In fighter mode it has pull back motorized feature to make your fighter fly along which is not a feature that has ever impressed me in a toy.

Paint detail is ok, it's not great and it's not horrible. Articulation is almost non existent and the arms and legs are loose, as are the wings. I realize that this is just supposed to be a “cute” toy but I don’t really think it’s cute or fun and feels kind of cheap for the original retail price.

Even on clearance it’s a waste of money. If someone tries to give you one, say no. If they insist on trying to give you one, take it … then throw it out when they are not looking. It is better to spare their feelings than ridicule their taste in toys. Sorry Toynami, you probably should have re-released the old Bandai Super Deformed toys or at least taken more of a design nod from them.

One is nice but a set is best. Here is my review of the last of the Series Two Toynami 1/100th scale Macross figures, the VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo Valkyrie.

The figure stands at 5.5 inches tall with thirty points of articulation and fully transforms between all three modes seen in the movie and series; Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid. That is impressive considering how small this guy really is.

It is made completely out of ABS plastic with no metal; so the toy is very light giving it a fragile feel when you first handle it. Yet despite feeling fragile this is a very durable, very possible little toy. All the limbs actually pop off instead of break if too much pressure is applied.

The packaging is nice but not so nice that I feel I was overcharged to cover the costs; a window box with opening flap to view the figure and all the accessories. The toy and parts are in the traditional Toynami tray so you can slide the tray out, take the toy and accessories out, play with it, display it, and then put it all back in the package and still keep that "new in box" look for storage or display.

It comes with a nice assortment of accessories; landing gear, cockpit canopy, heat shield, gun, missile pods, five hand configurations, and a display stand.

The display stand comes with three different adapters allowing you to display the figure in all three modes; allowing for some extreme action poses not available just standing on the desk or shelf.

I must say that overall I am very happy with this toy and I do plan on picking up the rest of the series. I think it is fantastic that Toynami is trying this smaller scale series and I only hope this leads to more mecha from the series that we do not see a lot; such as Zentradi mecha or Destroids. The low price point is fantastic and finally I have a decent looking Valkerie/Veritech that I can transform and pose without fear of breaking a $150 - $200 collectable.

You can not have Max without his wife, here is my review of Toynami’s 1/100th scale VF-1J Milia Jenius Valkyrie.

There has been some controversy amongst fans over these little guys but I must say I love them. These are not meant to be on par with $150 - $200 collectibles that are available from other companies. They are $20 action figures. Are they worth it? Here is my review of Toynami’s 1/100th scale VF-1J Milia Jenius Valkyrie.

The figure stands at 5.5 inches tall with thirty points of articulation and fully transforms between all three modes seen in the movie and series; Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid. That is impressive considering how small this guy really is.

It is made completely out of ABS plastic with no metal; so the toy is very light giving it a fragile feel when you first handle it. Yet despite feeling fragile this is a very durable, very possible little toy. All the limbs actually pop off instead of break if too much pressure is applied.

The packaging is nice but not so nice that I feel I was overcharged to cover the costs; a window box with opening flap to view the figure and all the accessories. The toy and parts are in the traditional Toynami tray so you can slide the tray out, take the toy and accessories out, play with it, display it, and then put it all back in the package and still keep that "new in box" look for storage or display.

It comes with a nice assortment of accessories; landing gear, cockpit canopy, heat shield, gun, missile pods, five hand configurations, and a display stand.

The display stand comes with three different adapters allowing you to display the figure in all three modes; allowing for some extreme action poses not available just standing on the desk or shelf.

I must say that overall I am very happy with this toy and I do plan on picking up the rest of the series. I think it is fantastic that Toynami is trying this smaller scale series and I only hope this leads to more mecha from the series that we do not see a lot; such as Zentradi mecha or Destroids. The low price point is fantastic and finally I have a decent looking Valkerie/Veritech that I can transform and pose without fear of breaking a $150 - $200 collectable.

The series two figures I have picked up are improved from the series one with much tighter joints and corrected, stronger ball sockets for the display stands. For the price point it is well worth giving one a try.

Toynami does plan on doing Fast Packs/Strike Armor which would be available separately. Hopefully we will learn more about those at this upcoming Toyfair.

Here is my review of Toynami’s 1/100th scale VF-1J Max Jenius Valkyrie.

There has been some controversy amongst fans over these little guys but I must say I love them. These are not meant to be on par with $150 - $200 collectibles that are available from other companies. They are $20 action figures. Are they worth it? Here is my review of Toynami’s 1/100th scale VF-1J Max Jenius Valkyrie.

The figure stands at 5.5 inches tall with thirty points of articulation and fully transforms between all three modes seen in the movie and series; Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid. That is impressive considering how small this guy really is.

It is made completely out of ABS plastic with no metal; so the toy is very light giving it a fragile feel when you first handle it. Yet despite feeling fragile this is a very durable, very possible little toy. All the limbs actually pop off instead of break if too much pressure is applied.

The display stand comes with three different adapters allowing you to display the figure in all three modes; allowing for some extreme action poses not available just standing on the desk or shelf.

I must say that overall I am very happy with this toy and I do plan on picking up the rest of the series. I think it is fantastic that Toynami is trying this smaller scale series and I only hope this leads to more mecha from the series that we do not see a lot; such as Zentradi mecha or Destroids. The low price point is fantastic and finally I have a decent looking Valkerie/Veritech that I can transform and pose without fear of breaking a $150 - $200 collectable.

The packaging is nice but not so nice that I feel I was overcharged to cover the costs; a window box with opening flap to view the figure and all the accessories. The toy and parts are in the traditional Toynami tray so you can slide the tray out, take the toy and accessories out, play with it, display it, and then put it all back in the package and still keep that "new in box" look for storage or display.

It comes with a nice assortment of accessories; landing gear, cockpit canopy, heat shield, gun, missile pods, five hand configurations, and a display stand.

The series two figures I have picked up are improved from the series one with much tighter joints and corrected, stronger ball sockets for the display stands. For the price point it is well worth giving one a try.

Toynami has decided to try a new approach with their Macross/Robotech license by switching to a smaller 1/100th scale transformable fighter. There has been lots of controversy in fan circles over these toys since they have come out. Are they awesome, or are they junk? Read on to find out.

Toynami has decided to try a new approach with their Macross/Robotech license by switching to a smaller 1/100th scale transformable fighter. There has been lots of controversy in fan circles over these toys since they have come out. Are they awesome, or are they junk? Read on to find out.

The figure stands at 5.5 inches tall with thirty points of articulation and fully transforms between all three modes seen in the movie and series; Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid. If your more of a Robotech nerd that would be; Fighter, Guardian and Battleloid. That is impressive considering how small this guy really is.

It is made completely out of ABS plastic with no metal; so the toy is very light giving it a fragile feel when you first handle it. Yet despite feeling fragile this is a very durable, very possible little toy. All the limbs actually pop off instead of break if too much pressure is applied.

This particular paint scheme is of Max Jenuis’s VF-1A from the film version of Macross: Do You Remember Love. Most details are painted on with a few stickers to apply.

The blast shield over the cockpit comes with a preprinted skull logo that is actually slightly raised which some collectors seem to hate. Personally I think it makes the logo “pop” a little bit more when on display and posed on the shelf so it is not a point of contention for me.

The packaging is nice but not so nice that I feel I was overcharged to cover the costs; a window box with opening flap to view the figure and all the accessories. The toy and parts are in the traditional Toynami tray so you can slide the tray out, take the toy and accessories out, play with it, display it, and then put it all back in the package and still keep that "new in box" look for storage or display.

It comes with a nice assortment of accessories; landing gear, cockpit canopy, heat shield, gun, missile pods, five hand configurations, and a display stand.

The display stand comes with three different adapters allowing you to display the figure in all three modes; allowing for some extreme action poses not available just standing on the desk or shelf.

The stand comes with a ball socket that adapters plug in too. Early pressings of these figures included a ball socket made from a softer plastic that would tear after a few swaps of the adapters. Toynami was quick to correct this so newer shipments of Series One as well as all Series Two have the stronger socket included. If you have one of the defective sockets you can contact Toynami at CustomerService@toynami.com and tell them how many new ones you need. They got me my replacement sockets within a few days.

I must say that overall I am very happy with this toy and I do plan on picking up the rest of the series. I think it is fantastic that Toynami is trying this smaller scale series and I only hope this leads to more mecha from the series that we do not see a lot; such as Zentradi mecha or Destroids. The low price point is fantastic and finally I have a decent looking Valkerie/Veritech that I can transform and pose without fear of breaking a $150 - $200 collectable.

That is not to say this toy is without flaws. The limbs get a bit loose after transformation a few times. This appears to have been corrected with the series two figures and repressing of the series one.

Toynami introduced there Veritech super poseable in 2004. A non transforming Battleoid mode only figure is intended as the be all end all “Poseable figure”. Does it deliver? Is it worth seeking out? Read on to find out.

Standing at seven inches tall with eighteen points of articulation these figures are meant to be “Super Poseable”. Capable of being put in extremely dynamic poses these figures are meant to replicate the look of the animated series.

Super Poseable is a bit misleading as the legs are permanently set apart from each other in a wide stance so no neutral pose is possible. The wide stance forces you into only three or four different distinct poses. The feet do not have much swivel in them either so that limits the poses as well.

If they had put the hip joints on ball swivels and made the feet rotate forward and back a bit more this would have fared a bit better as a Super Poseable.

Paint detail is good and looks like Max Sterling’s VF-1J from the show but without transforming it doesn’t have a lot of playability. It looks good on the shelf or desk at work paired with a couple of others but that’s it.

Originally costing $14.99 I was able to grab a set of the first wave on clearance for much less. If you can grab a good deal it is worth grabbing if you are a Robotech / Macross fan, otherwise it’s a pass even on clearance.