Cyborg 009 - FRANCOISE ARNOUL (Cyborg 003)!

Cyborg 009 Action Soldier Figure 1 - Cyborg 003 Francoise Arnoul -Banpresto 2002

In 2002, there was a 52-episode anime series Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier. This was the third television series in the long-running Cyborg 009 franchise that began in 1967 with a manga that spanned 38 volumes until 1981 and spun off into seven films and several popular television shows. The series was created by Shotaro Ishinomori (the genius behind Power Rangers) and features nine cyborgs with unique powers that were created sequentially as new guinea pigs were kidnapped and experimented upon. The newest cyborg, Cyborg 009, is Joe Shimamura who wakes up with new powers, fractured memories, and soon leads a revolt with the previous eight cyborgs. The character design of the series has gone basically unchanged since the beginning, so when this new animated series started in 2002, it spawned a ton of toys that can represent all eras of the Cyborg 009 franchise. Cyborg 003 is the sole female, a French woman with enhanced vision and hearing. Let's check out Francoise below!

Macross - CLAUDIA LA SALLE!

SDF Macross - Character Figure Collection - Claudia La Salle - Banpresto 1998

One great thing about the trend of American media in the 80s and 90s co-opting Japanese properties for an English-speaking audience is the chance for us to double-dip into two collectible markets. Transformers, Voltron, Robotech, and Power Rangers all have distinct American and Japanese toylines, and avid collectors like me eat it up. The first season of Robotech (US) was a re-edited Super Dimension Fortress Macross. The US action figures of the human and Zentradi characters weren't the best, even by 80s standards. And until recently most characters have gone completely without representation in plastic. But the Japanese market continually revisited the property with interesting product. These 1998 mini PVC statues from Banpresto gave us what I believe is the first Claudia figure ever. Note that her name was changed to Grant for the US market. I have had this in storage forever, but the recent Toynami figure inspired me to finally open her for review. Let's check out Claudia below!

Super Mario Bros TOADETTE!

Nintendo Prize Collection - Super Mario Characters 3 - Banpresto 2007

Who would have thought there could a cuter mushroom person than the main man Toad?  I think this little pink lady might be giving him a run for his money.  Toadette first appeared in 2003's Mario Kart: Double Dash as Toad's sister, or friend, or sweetheart (it's been unclear) and went on to appear in at least nine other games since (mostly in the Mario Party and Mario Kart series) as both playable and non-playable characters.  I've been seeing this figure of Toadette on eBay for years but only recently caved and bought her - I shouldn't say caved actually, because she was extremely cheap.  Now I suddenly really dig this character and am hoping to someday get figures of her in smaller scales like PopCo and K'Nex.  Banpresto is a company that we don't often see too many collectibles from here in the US (although they made my absolute favorite Godzilla toy) but in Japan they are everywhere.  The prevalence of cheaper vinyl toys is another Japanese trend that is sorely lacking in the US.. but someday we'll get on board... someday.  Let's check out Toadette below!