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under Other Conventions, Ultraman

Between the animated Netflix series, a brand new movie announcement by director Hideaki Anno and the long awaiting release of the franchise back catalogue in the US by Mill Creek Entertainment, it’s already been a rollercoaster year for Ultraman – and it just keeps getting bigger!

Unveiling the news at this weekend’s Tokyo Comic Con, Tsuburaya Productions have announced they will be teaming up with none other than Marvel Comics to bring new Ultraman stories to comics and graphic novels in 2020.

Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski commented: “As one of the world’s most popular franchises, Ultraman has brought together some of the most passionate fandoms in pop culture today, and we can’t wait to bring his story to even more fans around the globe. Like Marvel, Ultraman captivated generations by telling spectacular stories grounded in the real world, and it continues to be a beloved classic through its television shows, movies, toys, games, comics, and more. We are so thrilled to introduce new chapters to the Ultraman Multiverse next year.”

Tsuburaya Production CEO Takayuki Tsukagoshi added: “We are delighted to announce the partnership with Marvel, one of the leading entertainment companies that has produced fascinating characters and stories loved by fans across the globe for over 80 years. We can’t be more excited to explore and create new stories for the Ultraman franchise with Marvel and bringing them to both Marvel and Ultraman fans all around the world.”

While there’s no proper confirmation on what this collaboration will entail just yet this is an extremely exciting prospect for Ultraman fans across the world. What are you hoping to see from Marvel and Tsuburaya next year? Sound off on this news after the jump!

under Conventions, Other Conventions, Power Rangers

Tokunation had the chance to briefly sit down with representatives from Hasbro at the second day of MCM Comic Con London, just ahead of their panel taking place tomorrow. The Hasbro booth had all four wave 3 Lightning Collection figures on display, along with the MMPR Red Ranger and Zeo Gold Ranger 2-pack and the White Ranger helmet. Here’s a full rundown of the questions we quickly got to ask them!

The fandom is pretty excited about the forthcoming Lord Drakkon figure. Does this mean there are plans for more comic-original characters in the future, including Drakkon’s other forms?

Hasbro: With over 26 years of content, we have plenty to work with when it comes to Power Rangers. There’s nothing else on the table right now, but stay tuned for more to come in the future.

Does the content you have to work with extend to the designs from both the 1995 and 2017 films?

Hasbro: The same again really. We have a lot of characters to work with and though there’s nothing planned right now there’s more to come.

The burning question is of course if Lightning Collection Megazords are in the pipeline, but what about Morphers, weapons and other roleplay items as well?

Hasbro: Power Rangers as a brand encompasses a lot of different elements that we’re all considering, and we’re excited to share with you what we have in store when the time comes!

So far each of the waves have included at least one figure from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Is this a pattern that will continue going forward?

Hasbro: Of course Mighty Morphin is a popular series but we’re enjoying the opportunity to pepper in characters from other seasons amongst the waves. Right now there’s no set formula to the releases.

There has been some concern regarding quality control on the figures, particularly with missing paint apps. Have Hasbro aware of any problems with the line?

Hasbro: Hasbro are among the best in class when it comes to quality, and so naturally we focus on QC. We do our best to make sure everything is as it should be and are always looking for ways to improve.

Among the best elements of the Lightning Collection is that eye-catching box art by Tom Whalen. How did that collaboration come about?

Hasbro: Hasbro aren’t just the best in class when it comes to quality, when it came to developing the Lightning Collection we really wanted to make it stand out from a packaging standpoint. So our development team reached out to Tom and we’ve enjoyed working with such a passionate artist.

Ending on a more UK-specific note, what is the reason behind the figures seemingly being released individually over here, as opposed to assorted waves in the US?

Hasbro: Distribution is managed locally, so all we can really say is that it’ll vary from place to place.

We’d like to thank Hasbro for taking the time to answer these questions, and look forward to what they have in store for the future! Be sure to stay tuned for more Power Rangers Lightning Collection news coming out of London this weekend!

under Kamen Rider

IWAE!

The Heisei era of Kamen Rider has come to a close, and site contributor My Shiny Toy Robots returns with a review of the time-travelling epic that sent it off – Kamen Rider Zi-O! From Kuuga to Build, the Heisei Riders have protected smiles and defended the world from evil. When high schooler Sougo Tokiwa is told that in the year 2068 he’ll be the ruthless overlord of time Ohma Zi-O, he starts on a journey through the history of the Riders and to prove his future isn’t predetermined.

Did you think Kamen Rider Zi-O was a fitting finale to the Heisei era? Could it have been better? Or were you just happy to see Kamen Rider Decade again? Let us know your thoughts about the series in the discussion thread linked!

under Garo

A new trailer and cinematic poster for the forthcoming Garo: Moonbow Traveler film has been released and it looks to be the family reunion fans of the Golden Knight have been waiting for! The latest chapter in the saga of Raiga Saejima won’t just see Ryosei Konishi reprise his role as Raiga’s father (and original series Garo) Kouga Saejima, but Hiroyuki Watanabe will also be returning as his grandfather Taiga. Three generations of Golden Knight!

Garo: Moonbow Traveler will be released in Japanese cinemas on October 4th. In the meantime, you can check out the full trailer below.

under Kamen Rider

The latest batch of magazine scans are starting to appear and in them we get a look at some of the Tamashii web exclusives heading our way in 2020!

First up is S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Geiz Revive! As seen in previous preview images, this figure will be able to switch between both Goretsu and Shippu forms and comes packaged with the Zikan JaClaw. It will release in January 2020 priced 8250 yen.

Next up is S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider OOO GataKiriBa combo! The second of OOO’s forms to arrive in the Shinkocchou Seihou range, this figure will release the following month in February 2020 for 7150 yen.

Looking forward to adding these figures to your collection? We’ll keep you updated as more images and release information follows!

under Ultraman

Netflix’s official sci-fi/fantasy Twitter account @NXOnNetflix has confirmed that the Ultraman anime will be returning for second season! The first season of the anime adaptation of Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi’s ongoing manga series was released earlier this year, and adapted the first eight volumes of the series. This series is an alternative universe sequel to the original 1966 series, starring Shinjiro Hayata – the son of the original Ultraman Shin Hayata.

There is currently no confirmation of when season 2 will land, but stay tuned to Tokunation for more news as it comes!

under Godzilla

Just as Godzilla: King of the Monsters arrives in cinemas across the world, Bandai Tamashii Nations have announced their plans for two of the film’s kaiju stars. S.H. MonsterArts Mothra & Rodan will be arriving as a Tamashii web exclusive two-pack release in November, priced 11,000 yen.

Though neither figure comes with specific accessories, two Tamashii Stages are included in the set so that the pair can be displayed properly in mid-flight poses. Preorders via the Premium Bandai webstore have already begun, so be sure to hit up your middleman of choice if you wish to add these figures to your monster collection!

under Ultraman

“UltraLive!”

Ultra Series fans can rejoice as the current lineup of New Generation Ultras is about to finally be complete with the release of S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Ginga! After being previously revealed via magazine images, these new images from Bandai Tamashii Nations give us a better look at the 2013 Ultra hero, based on his original appearance in the series.

Available as a retail release in October for the price of 6050 yen, S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Ginga comes packaged with three pairs of additional hands, a replacement colour timer, Ginga Cross Shoot effect part and the Ginga Spark Lance. Japanese preorders will begin on June 3rd!

under Kamen Rider

Tokunation contributor and friend to the site My Shiny Toy Robots is back again with a new Tokusatsu review, this time watching the Heisei era of Kamen Rider go out in style with Kamen Rider Heisei Generations FOREVER!

The last in the Heisei Generations trilogy sees Kamen Riders Zi-O and Build team-up as new Time Jacker Tid threatens the legacy of the Heisei Riders. Facing off against Another Double and Another Den-O, they encounter two Rider fans who play a key part in Tid’s plan. Only with the power of all 20 Heisei Riders will they be able to defeat his scheme and preserve their memory.

Please check out the review and let us know your thoughts about the series in the discussion thread linked!

under Ultraman

Tokunation and the My Shiny Toy Robots blog have teamed up once more to cross-promote a new review, this time looking back on last year’s Ultraman R/B!

The 30th television entry in the Ultra Series franchise, the show featured brothers Katsumi and Isami Minato as they use the powers of the R/B Gyros and Crystals to become Ultraman Rosso and Ultraman Blu! Their battles see them face off against the egomaniacal Makoto Aizen/Ultraman Orb Dark (Noir Black Schwarz) and the mysterious Saki Mitsurugi, as well as discovering the secrets of the Crystals and their mother’s disappearance 15 years prior.

Please check out the review and let us know your thoughts about the series in the discussion thread linked!