TFW2005HisstankTokuNationToyark
Tokunation › Conventions

Articles Related to Conventions

under Conventions, Kamen Rider, Toy Fair

Calling all Kamen Rider fans!

Team Rider – the Kamen Rider subgroup of Bluefin Brands – is headed to Toy Fair 2020 in New York City (February 22nd through February 25th). But all work and no play can be incredibly numbing – so Team Rider is hitting the streets of New York City while there and they want YOU to come hang out with them!

WHEN: Saturday, February 22nd at approximately 8pm EST
WHERE: Meeting in front of Midtown Comics (200 W 40th St, New York NY 10018)
WHAT: Hang out, chat Kamen Rider, maybe grab some food, and take an awesome group picture at Times Square!
EXTRA: If you can – bring a Driver! Cosplay not required or expected, but greatly appreciated!

You’ve seen their hilarious teaser video for the DX Sengoku Driver. You saw their awesome @TeamRiderUS announcement video. Now, this is YOUR opportunity to get some face to face time with the team trying to bring all your favorite Kamen Rider toys from Japan to the United States. And to top off the night we’re going to take a group picture of all the Kamen Rider fans who can make it in the center of Times Square.

If you can’t make it – that’s okay! We have a feeling there may be more of these as the convention season kicks in to high gear!

To stay up to date on all your Kamen Rider in the United States news follow these accounts!

@TokuNation (Twitter) / @TokuNation (Instagram)
@BluefinBrands (Twitter) / @BluefinBrands (Instagram)
@TeamRiderUS (Twitter) / @TeamRiderUS (Instagram)

See you in New York!

under Contests and Giveaways, Conventions, Kamen Rider, Other Conventions, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

This is the end!

Two Earths, a single future. To save his world Sento has gambled everything on the power of Pandora’s Box. Opening a bridge between universes, and using Evolt’s energy as the catalyst, Sento seeks to fuse the two worlds to save them both. To create a New World, without Evolt. And with Ryuga’s help, one last experiment to save humanity begins. Gold & Silver, Rabbit & Dragon, Sento AND Ryuga. Build’s final transformation, his Trial Form is born! With the unstable power of two Kamen Riders, can Sento save the New World he wishes to build?

Trial Form is an absolutely stunning repaint & remold of the solid Rabbit/Tank release of Build. Released as a Tamashii Nations 2019 exclusive (alongside Seihou Diend), this gorgeous figure is a must have addition to any Build collection. And that’s not simply because it represents the ultimate power of Sento & Ryuga’s friendship, but because it also includes the Pandora Box! This accessory has been demanded by Build collectors since the show was still airing, and now that it’s finally here maybe you can stage your own 3-sided war for it’s power in your collection.

We’ve got a full 70+ image gallery after the jump, as well as our review of the S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Build Trial Form. Just click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post to be taken to the thread. And remember, commenting in this gallery thread will qualify you for one (1) additional entry in our annual Toku Toy Box giveaway! Offical rules HERE.

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

Only just revealed at the 2019 Manga Barcelona Con, Power Rangers Lighting Collection Wave 4 images have just been officially released by our friends at Hasbro.  Contrary to original rumors and speculation, this will indeed be a 3 figure wave, with no MMPR Yellow Ranger in sight for now. As is Wave 4 will consist of:

– Zeo Ranger III Blue Ranger
– SPD Red Ranger
– Beast Morphers Cybervillain Blaze

We first saw the Blue Zeo Ranger last week, but these Hi-Res images of both the SPD Red Ranger & Blaze are brand new. Lightning Collection Wave 4 is slated for a Fall 2020 release.

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 Conventions, Other Conventions, Power Rangers

Power Rangers Lightning Collection Wave 3 was only just revealed to the world. Almost immediately some reports of them being found in the wild even turned up on the US West Coast. And while we wish we had then in hand ourselves, we do have the next best thing.

Our very own ZeoRangerV AKA Alex is attending London MCM Comic  Con. And before interviewing Hasbro’s reps at the show, he had the chance to grab some pics at their booth. So feast your eyes on Lightning Collection Wave 3; Lord Drakkon, Beast Morphers Blue Ranger, Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, and Dino Charge Gold Ranger! 

We’ll be back later today with Alex’s full interview with Hasbro at London MCM Comic Con! For now, please join our Ongoing Lightning Collection Discussion Thread linked below. Just click “Discuss in the TokuNation Forums.”

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

The annual Tamashii Nations event is under way and as ever, there are a plethora of new items on display. Just as with every Tamashii event, an item being displayed does not necessarily indicate that it will be released however. A number of new items are currently listed as “Display Only” as well.

That being said, this year’s event has certainly provided a number of figures of interest:

Shinkocchou Seihou S.H. Figuarts:
– Den-O Sword Form
– Kuuga Growing, Dragon, Pegasus & Titan Forms
– OOO TaJaDor, SaGoZho, LaToraTah & ShaUTa Combos
– Dark Kiva
– OOO Ridevendor

Kamen Rider S.H. Figuarts:
Grand Zi-O
Build Genius Form
Ex-Aid Muteki
Ghost Mugen Damashii
Metal Build
Cross-Z Evol
Jin
Horobi
Vulcan Shooting Wolf
Valkyrie Rushing Cheetah
Rise Hopper

Ultraman S.H. Figuarts:
Ace
Joneus
Titus
Tregear
Grigio
Ultra Dark Killer

Tamashii Lab:
Ankh

That is a hefty grouping of new reveala. Once again, we know that not everything here will make it to production for some time, if at all. But it’s always pleasing to see just how much Tamashii pumps out for these events. As more new reveals, images, and information from the event surface we will update this story and the related thread.

under Conventions, Kamen Rider, Ultraman

Model enthusiasts rejoice! Bandai is out in full force at the All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2019 with a plethora of new Figure-Rise Standard kits for us.

To start things off, Kamen Riders Gemm Action Gamer Level 2, Kuuga Mighty Form, and Kamen Rider Joker were shown off in full at the event along with a confirmation that the next Rider to join the ranks will be Kamen Rider Den-O Sword Form.

In addition, the finished sample for the Ultraman Tiga Suit from the Manga/Netflix Ultraman series was shown off in full with concept sketches for Evil Tiga in the background.

Among the aforementioned kits, we only have release information on Gemm and Joker: both model kits will be P-Bandai exclusives with the former retailing 3000 yen. We’ll be sure to update you once more information regarding these products become available.

under Conventions, Power Rangers, San Diego Comic Con, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

“Back to action!”

It’s so fitting that in the first full year with the brand under new ownership, and with the recent announcement of this particular actor’s return, that Hasbro’s first convention exclusive would be centered around the ranger who began it all. Austin St. John is fondly remembered by fans old and young as Jason Lee Scott, both the original Red Ranger as well as the Zeo Gold Ranger. And this exclusive Lightning Collection two-pack celebrates both ahead of the character’s upcoming return for Power Rangers Beast Morphers in 2020!

Both of these figures are new mold entries for Lightning Collection. While similar in design and articulation layout to previous figures in the line, each brings something new to the table. The Dragon Shield Red Ranger is a wonderful figure that is absolutely armed to the teeth with Blade Blasters, the Dragon Dagger, and even a complete (and functional!) Power Blaster! Toss in a civilian head for display and this is a near perfect figure for MMPR fans. The Zeo Gold Ranger is likewise the kind of do-over many collector’s have hoped for since Bandai America’s cheese colored attempt at the character last year.  With two versions of the Golden Power Staff, an energy effect to compliment them, and another unique civilian Jason head, you have all the display options you could possibly need with this one too!

This two-pack cements Hasbro’s Lightning Collection as absolutely the best collector oriented line the franchise has ever gotten. We’ve packed 120 images into this gallery and we had a ton of fun doing it. Check out the full gallery and read through our complete review by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. And don’t forget! If you haven’t been able to purchase this set yet, it will be going up for sale on Hasbro Pulse later this month. So be sure to keep an eye out for it.

under General Tokusatsu News, San Diego Comic Con, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

“I am the emissary of Hell!
And I shall fight this great evil for the fate of all spiders!”

400 years ago, Professor Monster came to invade Earth with his Iron Cross Army. Active once again in 1978, his legions would cross paths with the young motocross racer Takuya Yamashiro. With a fate greater than he knew, Takuya was both destined to lose his father to Iron Cross, and encounter the strange race of the Planet Spider. Now infused with the Spider Extract, and given command of the mighty Spider-Machine GP-7 and Marveller, Takuya has become the Spider-Man! This Emissary of Hell will fight to defend the Earth for as long as it takes to stop Professor Monster and his hordes!

The classic 1978 Toei produced Spider-Man series has become a cult classic in the US, particularly after the character’s involvement in Marvel Comics Spider-Verse event series  (which the above quote comes from). Mattel has been the first toy company to capitalize on the series US popularity with merchandise though, giving us the SDCC exclusive Hot Wheels Spider Machine GP-7! A welcome addition for any 1/64 Hot Wheels collector, and a wonderful one for any fan of Spider-Man, the Spider Machine is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

We’ve got a full 50 image gallery of the Spider Machine GP-7 after the jump as well as a full review. Just click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post to see it all. Next time, we dive into another SDCC Exclusive from Hasbro’s Power Rangers Lightning Collection line!