When I was lamenting over the lack of new Power Rangers seasons a few weeks ago (during my Armorsaur reviews), it made me wonder about the Super Sentai seasons that never make the jump to the US market after Hasbro slammed on the brakes back in 2020. And the funny thing is, when I started to to look at the six un-translated series since Dino Fury/Cosmic Fury, I realized I had purchased this toy years ago and promptly forgot about it. The 45th Super Sentai series from 2021-22 was Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger. Without any western-hemisphere version to help me fully understand the series, I am admittedly a bit confused. But I know that the main team is made up of one human and four kikainoids - mechanical humanoid aliens. Magine is the Pink Ranger of the team and the token female kikainoid. This figure is depicting the powered-up Zenkai Magine who transforms into Magine Dragon. She has an amazing design and I'm so glad I picked her up years ago. Let's check out Magine below!
UNITING ALL WOMEN OF PLASTIC
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger - ZENKAI MAGINE!
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Transformers One - ELITA-1!
In a relatively short 18 months, I we have gotten 9 Elita-1 figures from Transformers One. I think that has got to be a record for any female character in film-related merchandising blitz. Even a major character like Black Widow in the MCU would be lucky to get maybe five figures for a movie. But for some reason Elita-1 hit the jackpot. It's especially surprising considering she was excluded from the first few waves of movie merchandising. I honestly thought the main figure would be a Burger King toy. Boy was I wrong. I was unaware that toy company ThreeZero made 1:12 scale figure. I thought their product was solely in the high-end 1:6 scale market. And while this figure was at a much higher price point than I would typically pay for a 5" non-transforming Transformer, I was super curious and I wasn't disappointed in the quality at all. She is perfectly sculpted, features 46 points of articulation (according to the promotional material... I didn't count), and heavy die-cast parts. Let's check out Elita-1 below!
Friday, February 20, 2026
Transformers Furai Model Kit - WINDBLADE!
The recent announcement of the pre-assembled figure releases of the Flame Toys Arcee and Windblade made me realize that I never posted a review of the original 2022 (unassembled) Windblade model kit - despite having photographed the figure three years ago. I love a good kit. There's not many opportunities to combine my toy hobby and my puzzle obsession (outside of assembling Ikea shelves for my displays) so it is a super gratifying experience. Windblade has become such a popular character and has had at least 11 action figures in 12 years. She's pretty great, and you know she has reached A-List status when the import companies start making sexified versions. Only the most popular ladies get objectified in plastic (not saying it's right, just a consistency I've observed). These Flame Toys models are definitely within that arena, but I give them a pass since they still look mostly robotic and combat-ready. I'm very curious to see if any other characters will be made. Let's check out Windblade below!
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Be@rbricks - SPIDER-WOMEN!
Be@rbricks are a 2001 spin-off of Medicom Toy's popular Kubrick line. The standard Be@rbrick figures are 7cm tall and feature a generic anthropomorphic bear sculpt with a potbelly and ears in a block-figure style. I find the combination of this default sculpt overlayed with recognizable character designs to be fun and quirky. The concept has been duplicated often, notably with Disney's 2008 Vinylmation line, but I find the original Be@rbricks to be the most appealing. Twenty-five years into the line, and the character selection is predictably daunting. Luckily I always narrow my focus my to superheroes which makes the hunt a lot more reasonable. Recently I discovered that a Spider-Man wave was released in 2022 with a variety of Spider-Ladies. They were pretty easy and inexpensive to pick up on eBay, but now I'm inspired to pick up others like DC and MCU. I suspect I will have a large assortment of these odd little bears by this time next year. But in the meantime, let's check out the Spider-Ladies below!
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Transformers - ARCEE!
It's easy to get a little confused by all the Arcee figures that have been coming out over the past few years. Between the official licensed product and various 3rd Party manufacturers, there have been a plethora of little pink robots invading my toy room. I'm not complaining, I'm just amazed (and a little embarrassed that I can't keep them straight). This non-transforming Yolopark model kit is the newest addition and she's pretty great. I first heard of Yolopark this time last year when they released two Transformers One Elita-1 figures before Hasbro mentioned one. They were fun pre-painted snap-together inexpensive model kits. This Arcee from the AMK Mini line is a (predictably) smaller scale with very condensed packaging. Her pieces were already removed from the sprues and contained in a foil pouch within the small box. I'm desperately waiting for one of these lines to make more G1 ladies beyond Arcee and Elita-1, and I have a good feeling Yolopark will be the first. Let's check out Arcee below!
Friday, September 19, 2025
Transformers Furai Model Kit - ARCEE!
I've been hesitant when it comes to purchasing heavily stylized Transformers toys over the years. I specifically mean the super-detailed, almost cinematic, figures made for the Asian toy markets. Some of these are 3rd Party, and some are officially licensed by Hasbro. But while the male characters look strong, dynamic, and interesting, the predominant trait for the female characters is often sex appeal. The Arcee (Nicee) figure from Big Fire Bird (and all her retools/repaints) is a prime example. The figure features enormous organic-looking breasts on slim robotic body. I find it bizarre and off-putting personally. For a long time, I judged these Furai Model Kits in the same way. There is definitely some intended titillation in the underwear region (there is always a thong motif and a pronounced pubic mound), but at least they look largely robotic. The true reason I caved and picked up a couple of these, though, is that I love putting together action figure model kits. This one was very satisfying. Let's check out Arcee below!
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Tron Kubrick - YORI!
I've had this set for ages but finally got around to opening it last week. I frankly don't remember purchasing this, but when I was moving house four years ago, I found it buried in a closet encased up in bubble wrap with zero recollection of how I got it. I probably paid a fortune and blocked out the memory over guilt. It was funny to mark it off my "must have" checklist by accidentally discovering that I already owned it. I also found multiple Planet of the Apes Kubrick sets in the same box so it was a thrilling discovery. This figure is notable for being the first toy of Yori ever. As the token female of Tron (1982), and a pretty significant character, she was criminally neglected in the merchandise department. So far I have three Yori items, but hopefully there will be momentum for more in the future, but I definitely would love to see more. I think a company like NECA should take the reigns and give us a full vintage line (hopefully with characters unmade in the DST line). Let's check out Yori below!
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Kamen Rider - CRANE ORPHNOCH!
Kamen Rider 555 is the 13th installment in the Kamen Rider series from 2003. The villains of this series are the Orphnoch, a mutated evolution of zombie-like human monsters with animal or plant characteristics. Several of these Orphnochs retain their human morality and work to protect humanity. The Wolf, Horse, and Wildcat Orphnochs are the main characters of the series, but Crane is a major recurring "good" character with a seemingly massive fanbase (if the merchandise and subsequent CCG and videogame appearances is any indication). I've always been really drawn to the Kamen Rider monster aesthetic... especially when there is a strong animal theme. I bought this figure blindly back in 2004 and only worked to learn about her later. The Orphnochs have an added appeal of being a monochromatic gray/stone palette which looks awesome in group scenes. There are quite a few females represented, but Crane was always the standout to me. Let's check her out below!
Saturday, June 14, 2025
MCU Infinity Saga - RESCUE!
Once again I'm playing catch-up with the toy trends and just beginning to dabble in the blind-box Blokees figures that are all the rage in the toy stores. I've been very aware of the Transformers products, but just learned of the extensive Ultraman lines and these newer Marvel Cinematic Universe waves (plus a series for Spidey and His Amazing Friends). I actually don't love the human faces made for this scale - they look a tad too cartoony for me - but luckily the only two MCU females so far (Wasp and Rescue) are completely masked. I have a major fondness for Pepper Potts in her cinematic blue Rescue armor. Back in 2019 I was bummed that she wasn't in her traditional red comic colors, but the blue has really grown on me. It's doesn't hurt that this armor has sparked a significant amount of toys, whereas the comic version got almost no recognition. Plus I think it made way for Ironheart to adopt red armor (and I can admit I like her even more than Pepper). Let's check out Rescue below!
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Transformers One - ELITA-1!
The Blokees obsession in the toy market today has seemingly come out of nowhere. Around this time last year I picked up my first Blokees figure (a Rise of the Beasts Arcee) that I was moderately happy with. My second purchase, however, was a Transformers One Elita-1 last year that I was obsessed with. But the current obsession has nothing two do with those two figures, but rather the smaller blindbox designs that have filled up every toy and comic shop overnight. This new Elita-1 is the first female to be included in the blindbox assortments so my firsthand knowledge is a little lacking. I believe there are two scale of blindbox figures. This Elita-1 is in the larger Galaxy Version, and then there is a super tiny and cute Defender Version scale which look like the old Playskool Robot Heroes, but super articulated and slightly SD. I hope they make a female character in that scale soon. The larger scales are not blindboxed and come in larger holographic packaging specific to the character you want.
Friday, May 2, 2025
Transformers - TRAINBOT YAMABUKI!
The Trainbots are an Autobot faction that transform into... trains. I don't know anything about them other than the fan excitement when these Masterpiece Series Trainbot figures started coming out. When I discovered there was a female train, I splurged and ordered her. I'm always a sucker for fembots that have heads that look reminiscent of the original Autobot and Decepticon insignias. I love the Optimus-like helmet and overall silhouette. I think her robot mode is really fun and her color palette is totally unique amongst my Transformers collection (I believe her name is a type of Japanese yellow rose). The transformation, however, was one of the most difficult I've ever attempted. The train mode is (apparently) super accurate and her lower legs are essentially just the exterior train panels wrapped round-and-round her calves. I had to watch four different YouTube videos to figure it out. I can't say she was totally worth the high pricetag, but I'm glad to own her. Let's check out Trainbot Yamabuki below!
Friday, April 18, 2025
Transformers Movie - ARCEE (G1 COLORS)!
When I first started collecting female action figures as an adult (circa 2002), I was really resistant to anything pink. I felt it was a reductive and 'simple' design choice. At least that's what I told myself. In retrospect, I realize I felt shame at the prospect of having a Billy bookshelf loaded with pink toys in the corner of my bedroom. Thank goodness I was able to shake off those deep-rooted societal hangups eventually. But the unfortunate fallout from my arrested development, is that the very pink figures I sneered at back then have become nearly unobtainable holy grails to my older (and wiser) self. This Wonder Festival Japan Arcee is a prime example. She was available on eBay and other sites back in 2008, but I scoffed at the "forced femininity" of her pastel deco and ignored her. It took many many years to finally get her into my collection, but I can only blame myself for that delay. I think this is a landmark figure and deserves more recognition. Let's check out the Wonder Festival Arcee below!
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Transformers Movie - ARCEE (BLACK)!
I normally don't go crazy for black "stealth" variants of action figures. I'm not completely opposed, but in general I am drawn to bright outlandish colors. And when there is a character that is defined by a signature color (like Arcee's pink), it's just seems odd to make a redeco that is practically devoid of color. However, when there is a great sculpt that is released in a variety of different colors, black is an expected variation that I wholeheartedly embrace. This variation of the 2007 Transformers movie Arcee was exclusively available in Japan and is apparently meant to represent the black motorcycle that Josh Duhamel's character rode at the end of the movie. So does that mean we are to believe that not only was this motorcycle a Transformer, but that it was Arcee? I think that's the implication, but I somehow doubt it's canon. (Ironically, the official Hasbro toy of this cinematic motorcycle transformed into a gun (cannon?) for Jazz). I'll pretend that was her first cameo though. Let's check out Black Arcee below!
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Power Rangers - DINO THUNDER YELLOW!
The recent news of a new Playmates Power Rangers line has inspired me to finally post the last few Ranger figures in my queue. No one really knows what the Playmates figures will look like yet, but the five-year Hasbro run seems to have drawn to a close (2019-2024). Dino Thunder was the eleventh iteration of the US Power Rangers franchise and the first to revisit the dinosaur theme since the initial Mighty Morphin series. This series is personally notable to me because the Bandai Dino Thunder figures were the toys on the shelf when I began collecting action figures a an adult in 2004. The toys were pretty simple and having only one lone female character in the roster kept my interest mild. I never made any purchases, although I did recently pick up a great vintage piece I will review soon. I only have one more Lightning Collection figure to review after this one (plus the two Street Fighter crossovers). It's a sad close to a powerful toy line, but excited to see what the future holds. Let's check out Dino Thunder Yellow below!
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Transformers EarthSpark - NIGHTSHADE!
When buying my TakaraTomy EarthSpark redecos, I couldn't help but add Nightshade to my cart. As far as the Japan/US paint variations go, theirs is very minor. But I prefer the Japanese face deco that more closely resembles the unique Terran visage. Plus the torso deco, feet, and thighs create a sleeker, more hourglass, appearance. Which I think blurs the gender lines better than the Hasbro version (ironic considering how conservatively they were presented in Japan). I love a good scandal. Especially when the same folks upset about a gender-obscured character were the same ones screaming for years that female Transformers couldn't exist because they are a genderless species. So ta-daa, here's your first non binary robot like you wanted. I couldn't care less about Nightshade's gender. I just know I'm drawn to their design, name, and beast mode. Enough so that I jumped at the chance to buy a subtle variant just to get another Nightshade on my shelf. Let's check them out below!
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Transformers EarthSpark - ELITA-1!
When I started collecting action figures as an adult, fembots were basically nonexistant. But now there are a ton. Since January 2023, there have been 30 official female Transformers released (and that's not even counting the awesome 3rd Party figures). But along with the collector-friendly deluxe figures, these characters are also now released as gimmicky lower-level figures, too (a luxury that was limited to only the male characters for decades). These figures can look pretty cheap and cheesy (ex: Tacticons and 1-Step Changers). But I'm a completist for most fembots so they still end up in my collection. I recently splurged and bought all the TakaraTomy Japanese releases of the EarthSpark ladies and I was impressed at how a few added paint details can improve their visual appeal. This 1-Step Changer Elita-1 from TakaraTomy has paint on her forearms, shoulders, chest, and forehead (all of which were lazily unpainted in the Hasbro version) and it's a big improvment. Let's check out the updated Elita-1 below!
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Transformers EarthSpark - HASHTAG!
As one door opens, another closes. While not officially confirmed, there are abundant rumors that Transformers: EarthSpark will end after Season 2 - just as we're gearing up for Transformers One and all its merchandise. The cancellation rumors led me to splurge on the import TakaraTomy version of Hashtag. Modern Transformers figures are typically released by both Hasbro and TakaraTomy using the same general molds, but often sporting paint variations. I wasn't planning on getting this TakaraTomy Hashtag because she is a distinct dark blue instead of her on-screen purple deco. But I fear the purple Hasbro version may never be released. The most recent EarthSpark releases have been very scarce at retail, and I wasn't about to let this character pass me by. Hashtag is a bit of a modern character stereotype. She is the tech-savvy cool hacker character, which is a dime a dozen character description these days. But I am really drawn to her design and this figure is a very fun representation of her.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Cyborg 009 - FRANCOISE ARNOUL (Cyborg 003)!
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!
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!
The MAFEX line from Medicom has come a long way since its beginnings in 2014. This specific Catwoman figure is the 9th release from 2015. And while this figure is very nice, it pales in comparison to the 2021 Hush Catwoman I recently opened. In fact, there is a version 2.0 of this Dark Knight Rises Catwoman released two years later in 2017 (MAFEX 050), that appears greatly improved. Unfortunately, that 2.0 figure's secondary market price is often in the hundreds of dollars. (But meanwhile you can easily get this MAFEX 009 version for $25 bucks today). I was really happy to finally open and review all my backlogged DKR Catwoman figures. I've had this one for seven years and she looks great finally displayed on my Catwoman shelf. My desire to do a group photo with the new McFarlane DC Multiverse figure made me finally dig all these figures out of the depths of my closets and finally give them the attention they deserve. Let's check out this (long-neglected by me) Mafex DKR Catwoman below!
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!
This figure sent me on a crazy internet-searching frenzy this week. When I was photographing this figure, I had the sudden realization that she looked exactly like Sarah Michelle Gellar. This idea got so implanted in my head that I couldn't unsee it and created the (fictional) idea that Gellar was possibly considered for the role before Hathaway was cast. We see a fair amount of toys that are based on pre-production design, so my theory had merit (in my mind). Alas, I was wrong and the likeness is just a coincidence. But, wow, there is a lot of fancasting out there for Gellar in the role of Catwoman. For a long time, this S.H.Figuarts figure from Bandai was the nicest DKR Catwoman out there. She has great textural details, excellent articulation, and perfect proportions. Plus she was the victim of some bizarre merchandising practices and was heavily clearanced at GameStop for $30. This purchase started my obsession Mafex, S.H.Figuarts, and Figma (which I had always avoided). Let's check out Catwoman below!
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