ToyQube have sent along this teaser image, showing a new sculpt they're working on. As part of their Signature Series, ToyQube is releasing a piece based off of Josh Keyes' artwork. Josh does very realistic paintings, but I'm wondering just what this beast is. Doesn't look like any creature I've ever seen before ...
No details yet on a price or release date, but we'll pass them along as soon as we have them. Now, to look through Josh's artwork and find the piece this sculpt is born from ...
Back in 2000 Takara released their first original Transformers series since Operation Combination ended in 1992. That series was Car Robots (released as Robots in Disguise outside of Japan in 2001), an attempt by Takara to bring real-world vehicles back into the franchise while at the same time preserving some of the popularity of the beast modes seen in Beast Wars. The new series pit Autobots against Predacons and Decepticons alike. Much of the toy line was padded by recycling molds used in G1 and G2 while also offering some Beast Wars molds that weren't available in Japan initially as well as creating a bunch of new figures for the series.
One of those new molds was Fire Convoy, Japan's new 'Optimus Prime'. Fire Convoy was quite different from the original Convoy in that rather than turning into a semi truck he turned into a firetruck. The front half of the truck mode could be turned into Fire Convoy while the rear half could be reconfigured into a command base or used as armor to create Super Fire Convoy. He could also be combined with God Magnus (Ultra Magnus in the west) to form God Fire Convoy.
Big Bad Toy Store now says the figure from 2000 will be reissued in 2014 by Takara Tomy. Not many details have been given, but BBTS says it'll be priced at a confirmed US$149.99. That's kinda pricey, more than double the original price of somewhere around ¥5,000. This is a favorite of mine, I have three of the Hasbro releases on display on my shelves in all three forms, and even I would have trouble spending that kind of money. Hopefully the price indicates it'll be a gift set that includes God Magnus as well; that would be worth having.
Just one note: Some Transformers news sites are reporting that this will be Optimus Prime from the Year of the Horse Platinum Edition that I posted earlier. However, I don't believe that's true and for two very good reasons. For starters the description given by Toys R Us Canada indicated things like an axe and Matrix that Fire Convoy never came with. The second strike to that theory is BBTS is calling this a Takara Tomy Release while Platinum Editions are a purely Hasbro thing so this will be something entirely different. I'm much more interested in how this will be effected by Takara Tomy's Masterpiece polling.
Anime Expo 2013 is long over, all the more reason for NISA to unload their remaining AX merchandise onto their store. Not unexpected it's mostly Disgaea stuff including a pair of rubber character straps, some wall scrolls, and a set of buttons. There's also a set of buttons for the upcoming game the Guided Fate Paradox.
But the real centerpiece of the sale is a pair of Roly Prinny plushies in standard blue and big sis pink. Each plush stands six inches tall and look very well made. They even suggest tossing them around like a ball. They're undoubtedly cute and priced right at only US$19.99 each plush free shipping.
Go on, you know you want one or two, dood!
[UPDATE: Pre-orders are officially open! HobbyLink Japan and Hobby Search links added.]
Alright, One Piece fans, it's time once again, for a Portrait.of.Pirates glitchfest PSA. MegaHouse certainly isn't pulling any punches this month with two powerhouse characters up for grabs - Rob Lucci Leopard version (¥7,600) and Aokiji 'Edition Z' version (¥8,800).
Dressed in his time skip garb with a haversack over his left shoulder, Aokiji looks as imposing as ever. The former admiral also comes with a swappable iced hand and ice lance, along with a bottle of alcohol. His do-rag and glasses also seem to be removable, as well. Accessories and extras aside, I love how well detailed and pronounced Aokiji's burns are sculpted. 'Mas' edition Rob Lucci is just as impressive with that intense facial expression as he is about to pounce on his opponent. The sculpt perfectly captures Lucci's Zoan beastly powers.
Preorders will begin on August 7 at 18:00 Japan Standard Time with both pirates set to be released in December. However, if you wish to skip the whole glitchfest fiasco, the Grandline Shop has the pirate duo available for pre-order already. What do you say, Tomocchi's? Will any of these pirates be joining your collection this holiday season?
[ Pre-order Rob Lucci at HobbyLink Japan | Hobby Search | The Grandline Shop ]
[ Pre-order Aokiji at HobyLink Japan | Hobby Search | The Grandline Shop]
