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Archives for October 2018

under Conventions, Kamen Rider, Other Conventions

“Best Match!”

Tamashii Nations day 2 has gotten off to a pretty wild start for Kamen Rider Build fans! A number of new reveals that were under photo bans have finally been revealed:

S.H. Figuarts:
Kamen Rider Evol Cobra Form
The Hokuto Three Crows (Aoba, Kiba, Akiba)
Kamen Rider Grease (With Crows Dog Tags)
Kamen Rider Build Rabbit/Rabbit Form
Kamen Rider Build Tank/Tank Form
Kamen Rider Build Rabbit/Dragon Form

Rabbit/Dragon, the final form debuting in the final episode of the series, has yet to be seen in a properly clear photo, as it’s still under the photo ban. The Hokuto Three are listed as S.H. Figuarts on their placard, however they do appear to be non-articulated Figuarts Zero’s based on the prototypes shown. They’re definitely quite an interesting release if they make it out to retail eventually.  As is we have no confirmed release info for any of these figures.

As more information and images become available we’ll be sure to update you in the ongoing Tamashii Nations 2018 discussion thread. Just click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” below to catch up on the discussion. Images for this story come from AmiamiNews, and Tokullector.

under Conventions, General Tokusatsu News, Kamen Rider, Other Conventions, Ultraman

Tamashii Nations 2018 is currently happening from today until October 28th. As always this event brings us a smattering of new reveals, many which may or may not ever see the light of day again afterwards. It’s become a bit of a game in recent years to figure just what won’t be released. As Always though, we’ve compiled a last of everything new that’s currently on display from Bandai & Tamashii Nations

Photos in this post were compiled from multiple sources. Credit should be given to Amiami News, Tendou Toys, Erasu, & Tokullector.

Ultraman
S.H. Figuarts
Ultraman Belial
Ultraman Blu Flame
Ultraman Rosso Aqua
Ultraman Ruebe
Ultra Seven Special Color Version
Ultimate Zero

Kamen Rider
S.H. Figuarts
Kamen Rider Amazon Omega Final Judgement Version
Kamen Rider Amazon Alpha Final Judgement Version
Kamen Rider Geiz GenM Armor
Kamen Rider Zi-O Build Armor
Ride Striker
Kamen Rider Lazer Level 3
Kamen Rider Lazer Level 0 Proto Sports Gamer
Kamen Rider Genm Level X-0 Gamer Driver Version
Kamen Rider Prime Rogue
S.I.C. (new name, Super Imaginative Colliseum
Kamen Rider Ghost
S.I.C. Statues
Kamen Rider Amazon Omega
Kamen Rider Amazon Alpha

As the event continues through the weekend, we’ll be sure to keep you up dated on any further reveals or confirmations on releases!

under Power Rangers

In a statement that seemed to surprise investors and shareholders during the recent investors and shareholders conference call, Hasbro officially recognized Power Rangers as an “Emerging Brand” and NOT as a “Franchise Brand” as many investors and shareholders had assumed prior to the call. What is the difference?

Hasbro considers “Franchise Brands” as the flagship brands that carry the weight so to speak for the company. You will find Transformers, My Little Pony, and Baby Alive in this position. They are the sales drivers of the entire company. Some of Hasbro‘s licensed properties, like Marvel and Star Wars, are considered “Partner Brands”, which they rank right below “Franchise Brands”. And way at the bottom of the list is “Emerging Brands”. An “Emerging Brand” are your G.I. Joe, Littlest Pet Shop, and other low-market brands that you don’t see much of. In short – an “Emerging Brand” is a brand not quite good enough (yet) to be a “Franchise Brand” in regards to overall sales and growth.

The placement of Power Rangers in “Emerging Brands” and not “Franchise Brands”, seeing as Power Rangers is one of the leading live action boys brands in the world, seemed to confuse investors and shareholders. The following exchange happened between one such member and CEO Brian Goldner on the live call:

Linda Bolton-Weiser (Analyst, D.A. Davidson)
Can I just ask about next year? I know you don’t wanna go into too much about next year, but when we think about Power Rangers, it sounds like you’re going to be recording that in “Emerging Brands”. That surprises me being that it could have a substantial revenue opportunity and you’re going to treat it as an important franchise. So, can you just talk about when we could first see revenue? Would that be in April or a very small revenue in the second quarter? Is there any way you can talk about the Power Rangers expectations for what you’re doing that next year?

Brian Goldner (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Hasbro)
Sure. First, you’re already starting to see some of the Power Rangers licensing revenues come into the company. And we indicated that in our Entertainment & Licensing business. And then in terms of toys and games product sales, that really begins in Q2 next year. There’s a sell-off period for the prior product which is first quarter. We feel like putting Power Rangers in the “Emerging Brands” category is a good place to start. But you’re right. It certainly, in our estimation, is a “Franchise Brand” in the making. And we’re hoping and we’re certain that our great team that is working on the brand out of the west coast is very focused on ensuring the brand becomes a “Franchise Brand” in the future.

So, TLDR, what does this mean?

Because Hasbro doesn’t get to take full advantage of the property until the previous licensing agreement with Bandai runs out in April of 2019, Hasbro has decided to keep Power Rangers in the “Emerging Brands” portion of its portfolio. The revenue stream from the Power Rangers brand in terms of merchandise won’t even hit the books until Q2 reports come in and even then they will be low due to the trickle effect of product hitting retailers in waves. It may very well take a full calendar year for Power Rangers to work itself in to a “Franchise Brand” due to market saturation and post-Christmas inventories.

So don’t hit that panic button just yet. However, if Power Rangers fails to meet expectations from Q2 2019 to Q2 2020, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Hasbro leave it as an “Emerging Brand”. It will be interesting to see the direction Hasbro takes the brand out of the gate. Stay tuned!

under Kamen Rider

“Robot in Grease!”

Kazumi Sawatari, was a humble farmer once, but the war to save or conquer Japan would pit him against heroic Kamen Riders, evil industrialists, scheming politicians, and even extraterrestrial monsters. Driver in hand, Kazumi sacrificed everything to be a hero and stand up for those he lost, and those he loved. S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Grease recreates the character we know and love, and today we have a full gallery and review of it!

Kamen Rider Grease manages to be yet another really wonderful addition to the Build line-up. It may have a lot to do with just how memorable all of the characters from the series are, but each of their figures feel like such a refresher. Each with it’s own unique charm to it. Grease’s gorgeous gold color scheme and translucent black parts combined with the Sclash Driver & Twin Breaker add up to a pretty much perfect release.

The full gallery is attached to this post, but if you’d like to read the full length review as well, just click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. We’ll be back soon with more Build and several Ex-Aid galleries!

under Kamen Rider

Today represents a monumental occasion for fans of Kamen Rider and SH Figuarts!

Ever since this line of action figures began, one particular Kamen Rider has been noticeably absent from major release. But now, after ten long years of waiting (and meme-ing) the Fangire Hunter Kamen Rider Kiva finally gets his due!

Kamen Rider Kiva’s basic form has been recreated in exquisite details. The figure will include Kivat (his bat-robot sidekick) along with the six Fuestles used in-series to unlock Kiva’s alternate forms & attacks.

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Kiva is currently scheduled for release in April 2019! The price is a modest 7560 Yen before shipping and handling.

under General Tokusatsu News, Power Rangers, Super Sentai

These days tabletop roleplaying games are all the craze in the tokustasu community. Recently, Sandy Pug Games introduced a Kickstarter campaign for their tabletop roleplaying game “Americana”, a tabletop game set in the 1950’s but with all your favorite fantasy races living normal everyday lives in 1950’s America. That Kickstarter campaign has already reached its funding goal so it will be released! But now, they’ve introduced one of their stretch goals – a tokusatsu themed expansion! Introducing Super Americana Magic Force Go!

“Americana Magic Force Go is a tokusatsu tabletop RPG setting, taking place in that same fantasy 1950s, but instead of investigating a murder, the party is a group of teenagers given the power of legendary mythical beasts, charged with battling the evil werewolf dictator Xueh, who intends to conquer the world and seize the minds of the Earth’s werewolf population from their massive battle station, hanging high above the Arctic.”

Americana Magic Force Go will be, if funded, a fully developed new setting with mechanics to match – mirroring classic tokusatsu shows and films with an awesome escalation mechanic, unique character generation mechanics and a fantastic enemy creation system to provide the meanest, most special foes for your team to combat!

As previously stated – the game is already 100% funded! This is a $10,000 stretch goal (as of the time of the post they are less than $2,300 away with 11 days to go). There are plenty of different tiers you can choose from with varying prices. If you are interested we encourage you to check out the project, the stretch goal, and to consider contributing!

Everyone at Sandy Pug Games is really excited to make this project a reality, and we’re really looking forward to the stories and worlds our fellow tokusatsu lovers make!

Click here to check out the Kickstarter and to make your pledge! Special thanks to Sandy Pub Games for reaching out and sharing this exciting project with us and the rest of the tokusatsu community! Check out Sandy Pub Games at the links below!

– Follow @SandyPugGames on Twitter
– Check out their items on DriveThruRPG.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: TokuNation.com normally does not endorse crowd-funding campaigns due to continued abuse from creators (the Power Rangers community has been taken for well over $100,000 over years in campaigns that became funded yet never delivered on promised content). However, an exception was made as Sandy Pub Games has items already released in the tabletop RPG community. As always, you pledge to projects at your own discretion and risk.

under Kamen Rider

Kamen Rider Hibiki releases have been making their way out much more quickly this year. Just released in September was Kamen Rider Ibuki, we’ve got Todoroki coming up in January 2019, and now we can confirm the release of S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Zanki in May 2019!

Joining the other Oni of Hibiki, Zanki is another excellent recreation of a gorgeous suit from the series. Zanki includes alternate parts for his Henshin Kigen Onka, 3 disc animals, several sets of hands as well as his trademark Ongekigen Retsurai guitar weapon.

S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Zanki will be released in May 2019 for 7020 yen as a Tamashii Web Exclusive. Be sure to get in touch with your preferred middleman or service to secure an order.

under Kamen Rider

Kamen Rider Zi-O’s first big feature film is headed to theaters December 22nd with Heisei Generations Forever. The third, and supposedly final installment in the Generations trilogy. While Zi-O’s TV series has already featured a number of Another Riders and a handful of proper Rider cameos, we now know that Heisei Generations Forever will feature the debut of 3 more such creatures.

According to Cinema Today JP, we now know that Another W, Another Den-O, and a brand new Imagin linked to Another Den-O, Futaros Imagin, will all make their debut in this film. Roughly speaking it would seem the implied meaning of the Futaros’ name is negative or minus, so this character makes sense to be the contract Imagin of Another Den-O (too bad Negataros was already taken!). But time will tell if this character is or is not, another foil for our heroes.  Both Another W & Den-O are sporting some truly wicked designs as previous Another Riders have.

Heisei Generations Forever hits Japanese theaters on December 22nd. Join our ongoing Zi-O News & Rumors discussion by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post.

under Power Rangers

Hasbro Inc., the toy company who recently purchased the entire intellectual property library from Saban Brands – including Power Rangers – may be looking at laying off a number of employees in different offices around the world (totaling a single percentage point of their workforce). Hasbro has two main offices in the United States – in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and also Burbank, California (though we have been told the Burbank office is newer and much smaller in comparison to the Pawtucket location, which serves as the main Hasbro headquarters).

While we do not know how, or if, this will effect anything in regards to the production of Power Rangers, we cannot help but cringe at another blow to the toy industry as a whole. As you may remember – the bankruptcy at Toys’R’Us caused major toy companies like Hasbro and Mattel to lose out on millions and millions of dollars owed to them which they were forced to take as a loss. Part of those losses, and the communication of those losses, have also resulted in a class action lawsuit against Hasbro by some of its investors and shareholders claiming securities fraud. Hasbro has strongly denied the allegations in the class action lawsuit and also claims any “tough decisions coming up” are not in relation to the lawsuit.

Please check out the links below for more information including a brilliant recap by our sister site ToyArk.com.

Layoffs source – Providence Journal
Class action Lawsuit source – PRNewswire
Original story – ToyArk.com

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under Godzilla

It’s not often we get to cover astronomical details in this line of work, but this deserves some attention!

NASA has officially named a star constellation after the legendary King Of The Monsters, Godzilla.

According to the official filing -The unique star cluster grouping is (theorized) to contain high levels of gamma-jet rays, similar to Godzilla’s own Atomic Breath.

A most deserving accolade for the legendary kaiju!