Scyla

I just checked the Marex Rogue listing on HLJ and it now says the figure will be released in August 

The preorders for the Soul of Chogokin Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa are up for HLJ and Anime Export:

HLJ (pay later: ¥36100): https://www.hlj.com/soul-of-chogokin-gx-115-shinkansen-transforming-robot-shinkalion-e5-hayabusa-banc675095

Anime Export (pay later: ¥38000, pay now: ¥34200): https://www.anime-export.com/index.php?product=92936

Amiami (pay later: ¥33440 preorder will go live on 06/03/25 11 AM JST): https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail?gcode=FIGURE-187211

Here is a preview by Wotafa: 

I wonder if they will do a red E6 Shinkansen based on this mold.

I might get the Juggernaut figure for my MvC/video game display since he looks really good and I doubt that Mafex will do one anytime soon.

Thanos looks good too but I have a Psylocke already. Silver Samurai and Omega Red look good too but I have representation of their counterparts that I’m quite happy with (and I despise the Marvel Legends build quality).

I finished the UCS Sail Barge and it is a nice set for the $350 I paid for it.

It is definitely not worth the $500 MSRP. For that it should have two Dessert Skiffs and a bunch more Minifigs.

Actually, my biggest gripe with the set is the limited selection of Minifigs. No second Gamorrean Guard, no Yakface, too few henchmen, etc.

And while I’m happy to have a Hutt Slayer Leia in Minifig form I wished they included a cloth piece. I understand why they molded the pants on but an additional cloth piece would have gone a long way to make the figure more special.

Apparently there could be up to 500 passengers so throw a couple of them into the set (like more Skiff guards) even if they weren’t shown on screen.

Or, you know, lower the price. $350 is still expensive but more palatable. 

I build the front panels of the Sail Barge and man it is crazy that they made the geometry work the way they did. Part 35480 came really in handy in here. No comparison to Sail Barges of old like set 6210 or 75020.

3 hours ago, sh9000 said:

Studio Series TFTM Megatron tease.

Is TFTM a Commander Class release? 
 

If so I would love to see a tank Megatron that includes alternative pieces to turn him into a gun without being advertised on the box. 

7 hours ago, Chronocidal said:

So this is starting to get frustrating.  I'm starting to miss the older hinge pieces that didn't involve these clips, because it seems like every time I disassemble something using these clips, I find more of these pieces just cracked from stress over time.

Maybe an environmental impact from heat or light?  I don't know.  Fortunately they're not expensive to buy in bulk, but I've lost count how many of these have done this.

On the positive side, I was able to dig enough of those mixel joints out of my stash to rebuild the Shuttle's engine panel, giving me individually adjustable nozzles.

Which.. I feel a little bad ragging on the official set, but holy cow did they phone the shuttle in.

Lego might have gone down in quality. I had pieces from new sets that have almost no gripping force, fractures and now someone reported miss-molded pieces.

Also the stickers for the UCS Sail Barge I am currently building are cut terribly. I wish they would start include only printed pieces for those collector sets. The pieces will never not be a part of these sets. 

I don’t think any of may space pirates or castle sets from my childhood had any stickers included. I think the first set I remember having stickers were the 4558 train set and the technic 8880 super car. But those were some of the last sets I would get as a kid.

So far besides some generic control piece the Sail Barge contains no exclusive prints which feels cheap for a collector sets from a premium brand.

Finally, the remake for Front Mission 3. I am very excited. Time to camp Limited Run Games for a physical release.

6 hours ago, David Hingtgen said:

5 designs are finalists, but only 1 will be produced---go vote!

https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/a4ae09b6-0d4c-4307-9da8-3ee9f3d368d6/post/d955d940-972b-4401-b013-eb948fcb5a62

And if you're not sure, I highly recommend/request you vote for the carousel.  

I cast my vote!

1 hour ago, M'Kyuun said:

If so, ugh. It's reminiscent of what they did with poor Legacy Silverbolt by adding all the gestalt armor onto his Concorde-ish mode leaving him far less svelte. I think Takara was just looking for an artificial way to bump up the price on BP and added a superfluous "stage" accessory which they then ham-handedly attached to the valk mode. IMHO, it adds nothing to either mode and it's just a big hunk of plastic that would stay in the box for perpetuity. A big hunk of plastic, I might add, that I'd rather not pay for given my druthers.

Your "face of Optimus" argument does makes sense from a marketing standpoint, as he's very likely the most iconic character in the franchise (not sure if there's a poll to back that up). However, I remain steadfast in my belief that trying to comport all these crossovers, especially the VF-19, with Optimus' look just doesn't come off well, IMO. I'd just rather have a Fire Valkyrie over this kludged design. I love the YF/VF-19's design, so my bias plays a role, but honestly, which looks better, the actual VF-19 or Takara's mash-up? You know my answer.

Likewise, my thinking extends to all the other crossovers they've done where they tried to use an established TF character rather than inventing a new one. I think the GI Joe crossovers, particularly, suffered from that approach. YMMV, of course.

The inclusion of the trailer is terrible for me. I want to buy two for an extra guitar (and a Fighter-mode for the Valkyrie) to add to a 1/60 VF-19 Kai.

But I don’t want any part of that trailer sound stage. I can barely justify having one so a second set is out of the question.

Clear case of making a great thing worse for no apparent reason.

51 minutes ago, mikeszekely said:

Who's cashing in on who, though? I haven't seen a ton of evidence that Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Star Wars, etc fans who weren't already into Transformers bought into those crossovers.

Seems to me to be more there other way around, selling Transformers fans on franchises they might not normally collect. Arguably even moreso for Macross; I think mashing iconic vehicles with a franchise about vehicles turning into robots from the same period probably has more crossover appeal than taking the transforming jet from a show and making it transform into a robot from a different show that people might recognize as the one that turns into a truck.

Actually, based on the demographic data of that poll, the people must likely to buy into a Macross crossover are exactly us- men at just the right age to already be fans of both franchises. 

It doesn't make any less sense to me than an Optimus/Basara/Fire Valk, aside from the fact that Basara is associated with a mecha more than Sheryl.  To be clear, though, I'm not saying Takara needed to make a Sheryl/Bumblebee/YF-29, though. All I'm saying is that  just like they didn't use the most popular character, mecha, or Macross series for the Macross crossover they also don't need to use Optimus for every crossover every time either.

To me, Transformers in these crossovers (Hasbro or Takara) are always the smaller franchise. So from my point of view it makes sense to use the most recognizable face of the Transformers franchise.

And to me it makes sense that this was the reasoning of Takara to base all SynergenX releases around Prime (and Megatron for Godzilla).

Anyhow, Adamas Machina Predaking looks absolutely fantastic. I don’t know what it is but Lion heads on the chest of Japanese robots just draw me in. GaoGaiGar, Tryon-3 Predaking:

Metal Build 1.5 Gundam preorder at Anime Export (¥53480, pay now): https://www.anime-export.com/index.php?product=92228

[edit:] sold out now, after more than a week being up for preorder 

1 hour ago, mikeszekely said:

But that cuts both ways.  Like, Optimus is THE guy when it comes to Transformers, sure, but guys like Bumblebee and Megatron, and maybe Grimlock and Starscream to a lesser extent, are still pretty well know.  Are we really going to argue that Basara/the Fire Valkyrie is THE face of Macross?  In the All Macross Big Voting poll in 2019 Macross Frontier was voted as the most popular production, Sheryl Nome was voted as the most popular character, the YF-19 was voted as the most popular mecha.  Assuming we want to stick with Frontier, then, the YF-29 ranked higher than the Fire Valkyrie on the mecha side.  But, just like I think Bumblebee or someone is popular enough on the Transformers side, Basara/The Fire Valk is popular enough (Basara was the second most popular character after Sheryl, the Fire Valk was the 4th most popular mecha after the YF-19, VF-19S, and YF-29, and Macross 7 was the third most popular production after Macross Frontier and Do You Remember Love.

I guess all I'm saying is that, yes, if you're not doing original characters then it makes sense to mash up the popular ones.  But it doesn't have to be the same single popular guy every time.

I absolutely think Basara/Fire Valkyrie is the face of Macross in Japan.

Yes he might not be as popular as Sheryl but the combination of iconic character, mecha and music makes him an ideal choice (I mean what mecha is Sheryl known for? The Koenig Monster or the transport shuttle?)

And don’t forget, Frontier did a whole tribute to Fire Bomber and Basara M7.

And I really this is a line is meant to draw other people into Transformers and to them and not for Transformers fans who know who the other characters of the evergreen roster are.

Sure some people might know who Bumblebee, Starscream and Megatron are but non are as iconic as Optimus Prime. If you really want to cash in on the Macross fandom use something that they know for sure.

Sometimes it is hard to imagine what the outside world looks like if you are neck deep in the fandom. But if people know anything about Transformers it’s Optimus.

[edit:] A Bumblebee/Sheryl/YF-29 makes no sense to me.

[edit2:] I also cannot comprehend the notion that to the average Frontier fan an Optimus Prime mecha has any kind of draw because they are not in it for the Valkyries (or their pilots) but for Sheryl/Ranka and J-Pop music.

3 hours ago, M'Kyuun said:

Why does every collab have to turn into a bastardized form of Prime?  FWIW, I've always thought a transforming Eva would be cool, but my idea was premised on the actual Eva, particularly Unit 01, as it's my favorite design of the base three, becoming a jet of some sort using those large shoulder armors for wings. I'd prefer that over making it a mash-up with Prime, or as with so many other collabs, mashing with other established Transformers characters where making the subject turn into its own distinct bot would better serve.

I've always liked Zoids, and this particular mash-up should appeal greatly, but somehow it doesn't, and I can't quite figure out the cause other than their trying to shoehorn elements of Optimus into the bot's design. 

I think you're close to the mark, as I don't really see Basara Prime folding into some sort of weird truck form. I could be wrong (it's happened on more than one occasion), as that weird overly large microphone may serve as a hitch of some sort. If he indeed does have a third truckish form, there's gonna be a lot of kibble to deal with and it's probably not going to be the most believable truck they've ever done. Guess we'll see.

On the show floor there is a silhouette of the third mode. To me it looks like some sort of Mospeada Legioss/Tread combination where the VF-19 transforms into Gerwalk-mode and attaches to the trailer. 
Maybe it has some wheels in the lower legs and smokestacks on the side to emulate some sort of truck but it will be far from a real Optimus truck I think.

To me it makes a lot of sense to be Optimus. It is the face of a franchise combine with another face of the franchise (Godzilla, Shield Liger, Basara, Rathalos). 

While other characters might make a lot of sense for crossovers I don’t think it is the intent behind the SynergenX line.

While I could see that a Laserwave/YF-21 would be a sensible choice, this line is a marketing vehicle so Transformers can benefit from other fandoms. But their fans who this line is for don’t know or care about Laserwave (or the YF-21) they know Optimus/Convoy.

The robot also has smoke stacks for some reasons. So maybe it is a triple changer.

However, I think it is more likely that the Valkyrie will be able to be attached to the trailer.

I wonder were the inspiration for the trailer came from. The only thing that looks vaguely like it from M7 is this:

(image courtesy of the Macross Mecha Manual: https://macross2.net/m3/macross7/tractortrailertruck.htm)

From the shape of it it looks more like Rodimus’ trailer: 

The 1.5 Gundam preorders will start soon (¥48200 tax included).

Some pictures from the Tamashii Nations store: https://www.passion4fun.com/bandai-metal-build-gundam-00-revealed-chronicle-1-5-eyes-gundam/

On 5/5/2025 at 5:03 AM, M'Kyuun said:

I appreciate the sentiment, truly, but rest assured, I'm fine for now. I can only hope it remains so for foreseeable future or there are going to be a lot of veterans in dire straits.

Regarding the Train Station, most City buildings are essentially thin with nice facades. It's been that way since the beginning of Town back in the late 70s and the trend continues. I think that's one of the major characteristics that really made the Modular Building Series stand out, as it marked a radical change in design architecture giving us full buildings with generally larger interiors instead of thin ones with open backs. But, LEGO being LEGO, it offers the possibility of modification in addition to 'beefing up' the simpler designs if one desires to do so. It's why LEGO is such an excellent and persistently popular creative medium. Few other products offer what it does. Gotfred Kristiansen made one of the most poignant decisions in the company's nigh century-old history when he decided to make LEGO a system of play where everything works with everything else continually which will guarantee its success well into the future when other toys lose their appeal or relevance.

The Arctic sets do indeed look great, but why need be a child to enjoy them? I find, if anything, my appreciation for LEGO has only grown with the advancement of years. I'm 53, 54 in a couple months, and I'm more invested in LEGO now than I ever was as a kid. It's a major part of my life, a defining element, and without it a large part of my character and identity would be lost.

I, too, hope they get around to revisiting Ice Planet at some point, along with Futuron and other Space themes of yore. Give it time; many of the designers are AFOLs who grew up with these themes or are younger fans who discovered them and wish in some way to resurrect them in modern sets. Patience.

 

 

I get your points on the Lego building. They have been mostly facades in my childhood too (see 6080 or  6392). 

And I get that you can easily modify the sets because of the basic nature of Lego blocks.

However, with this train station it looks like this is even easier. Just buy three and bush them together like books on a shelf and you have a whole building (of course it is not so easy see for example the elevator).

Rant: I also find it difficult to modify current Lego sets with other pieces from current Lego sets. For one thing, they are build with contrast pieces inside that makes building them easier (supposedly). Your bright teal and pink comes to mind.

Then you have too many colors nowadays. I was trying to rebuild the Minecraft turtle house and I had three slightly different shades of green to distinguish and sort out.

You also have too many different pieces so you are trying to find what you need in a see of greeble.

This makes it all in all more difficult to build something on your own. Compared to the 80s where you had a limited palette both in colors and pieces (my child mind was blown discovering a brown Lego piece in my first Pirates set).

With the Arctic sets I enjoy them from afar. I didn’t mean to imply that only kids can enjoy them but rather that Lego designed something that my kid self would enjoy. Nowadays my Lego collection is fairly limited to basically Minifig scaled OT Star Wars vessels.

My budget (mostly time and display space) is limited so I have to pick and choose what I collect and not just buy what I think looks neat. 
 

2 hours ago, M'Kyuun said:

Well, it would really be on Takara's shoulders as they're the ones who actually design these toys with essentially a few aesthetic suggestions from the Hasbro designers. I'm convinced Hasbro couldn't design a transforming toy on their own if they had to which is why their partnership with Takara is so imperative to the continuance and success of the line. That said, the Hasbro designers do get to handle early prototypes during development affording them ample opportunities to spot weaknesses and potential breakage points by consumers. To that end, they're not blameless, but Takara, who have 40+ years of experience designing these things, should also be more mindful of such things when designing these toys.

I think the biggest flaw is that Hasbro/Takara (and this is an assumption on my part) are using the same manufacturing resources for their collector lines (MP/MPG/Haslab) and their $4.99 soap bottle toys. 

If they design a toy that requires some sort of finesse in production (tight tolerance, crisp paint application, sensible material choices ) their manufacturing resources have trouble building them properly and implement proper QC processes.

I have experienced many toy lines from different manufacturers and Takara products have the shoddiest quality of them all. They have many of the issues mass produced toys for the retail market have. Which is not that big of an issue when it is a $20 toy for a young child that will break it eventually but a big deal if you spend $300 on an end all be all collector piece.

What is the saving grace is that their engineers are able to design a transformation that is fun, engaging and rock solid. Something that Bandai and Sentinel fail at more often than not.

3 hours ago, tekering said:

How much are you willing to spend? 😅

If you want to go all-out, this is the gold standard:

Of course, if you're looking for something cheaper (and more readily available):

https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/product/variationdetails/204420

There are numerous books that cover the same toy line -- many of which feature a much larger array of vintage Star Wars collectibles besides -- and the secondary market is filled with 'em, some going back to the early '90s.

However, if it's a present, you're probably gonna restrict yourself to what's currently available new... 🤔

Thank you. Your recommendations are much appreciated. I think the second book is what I was looking for.

Hello, I have quick question: I’m looking for a coffee table book of the Kenner 3.75 Star Wars toy line.

It is a birthday present for a friend who had a lot of these toys in the 80s but lost most of them. They are also not in the toy collecting fandom.

It should contain nice pictures of the figures, vehicles and play sets and maybe some write up on the history of the line.

Is something like this available out there?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

@M'Kyuun that sad to hear. I hope everything will work out in the end.

I really like the design of the City train station. However, this seems like a set designed (either by accident or on purpose) to buy two or three copies to build a more substantial building that is not just a facade.

Other sets like that are the icons Great Pyramid or the 3in1 castle sets.

The Arctic sets look great I would loved to have those as a child. Makes me wished they would do an Ice Planet set in the Icons line (but this could be a Monkey’s paw situation).

There was a sale going on for an EU shop for the May 4th Star Wars celebration so I bought Jabba’s Sail Barge.

Now the only thing I’m missing for my Lego Star Wars collection is an UCS Imperial Shuttle.

I greatly dislike the old UCS one (the color scheme and the cockpit; I also don’t like the wing construction but I don’t think you could do better at that scale) so I hope Lego revisits it in the future.

Oh, and while I have a Minifig scale B-Wing (75050) I think a bigger one in the style of the $100 X-Wing would be awesome.

I made a meme

9 minutes ago, davidwhangchoi said:

Chrono Trigger remake slipped out!

While Chrono Trigger is my favorite video game of all time, I’m not a huge the 2.5D semi pixel art style they implemented for the Live a Live remake and such.

If they want to sway me over with the remake, they need to do something really, really special.

The SNES version is a flawless masterpiece to me. I know I’m setting myself up for failure but the remake will only succeed if it makes me feel like my 14 year old self playing Chrono Trigger in 1996 on a CRT TV on an original SNES.

I still have that SNES, that controller and that cartridge. But no CRT and I’m not 14 anymore.

I just had the idea that it would be funny if Hasbro would scale down Omega Prime to scale more accurately with the mainline and sell it as a Commander/Titan toy. 
 

It wouldn’t technically mean that Hasbro sells a Haslab product at retail and they could max out their investment.