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under General Tokusatsu News

Although the S.H. MonsterArts line has remained a strictly Godzilla-affair for sometime now, it looks like everyone’s favourite child-friendly turtle will be joining the line once again with the announcement of S.H. MonsterArts Gamera [1999]!

Based on the monster’s appearance from the third film in the Heisei Gamera trilogy, Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris, Gamera [1999] is a remould of the original MonsterArts Gamera figure featuring a new spiked shell to match the movie suit. The magazine images confirm that the alternate flight parts from the previous release will be carried over, together with a brand new alternate translucent orange right arm – recreating the final scenes of the movie where Gamera defeats Iris with a fiery plasma fist.

S.H. MonsterArts Gamera [1999] will be a mass release item released in October 2018 for the price of 10800 yen. Be sure to check out the full-sized image and let us know your thoughts after the jump!

under Conventions, General Tokusatsu News, San Diego Comic Con

Following up Bluefin Tamashii’s other excellent exclusives for this year’s San Diego Comic Con, they are also teasing an exclusive 2-pack exclusive from Pacific Rim Uprising!

While Bluefin promises more information is coming soon, we can already see from the preview image of this set, that it features re-releases of the popular Robot Spirits Obsidian Fury & Gypsy Avenger. However this go around they appear to be repainted in far more accurate detail, calling back to the Premium Color repaints other Tamashii lines  (like Dragonball) have received over the years.

We don’t have information on the pricing of this set yet, but it will most certainly be available at the Bluefin Brands booth as with their other exclusives, the SOC Black Megazord & Helmetless MMPR Figuarts.

under General Tokusatsu News, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

“Born Ready. War Ready.”

Last month we took you on a tour of all things Pacific Rim Uprising with a complete look at the line of Robot Spirits figures produced for the film from Tamashii Nations. 6 solid releases, each with it’s own strengths and weaknesses. Gipsy Avenger, Obsidian Fury, Titan Redeemer & Bracer Phoenix, and Guardian Bravo & Saber Athena. Now, we get to add an extra step on that journey with a look a this recent 7-11 Japan Exclusive release, Robot Spirits Gipsy Avenger Clear Blueprint Version!

Blueprint Gipsy Avenger takes a mold we’re very familiar with at this point, an excellent one at that, and recasts the entire thing in gorgeous translucent blue with ice blue accents. Physically the figure functions entirely the same way, but it’s astounding how different and good it can look in these new colors. Equipped with the same Gravity Sling and Chain Sword as the original release, Blueprint Gipsy is a fantastic exclusive that may not be for everyone, but if you love this franchise, it’s a must own.

We’ve put together just over 60 images of this beauty for your viewing pleasure. You can check out out the full gallery and review after the jump by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. Coming up soon we check out new releases from Kamen Rider Kabuto & Kamen Rider W!

under General Tokusatsu News, Kamen Rider

Today we have some sad news to report. Verne Troyer, the actor perhaps best known for his role as the character Mini-Me in the Austin Powers franchise, has passed away. He was 49.

Now why are we reporting on this? Well, it’s an often over looked fact that Verne Troyer also had one small role in tokusatsu. An infamous role that has become an ironically loved character in recent years. Verne Troyer was actually the suit actor for Ferbus, from Saban’s Masked Rider. As such we felt it only appropriate to share the news of his passing with community.

The news of his passing comes way of The Hollywood Reporter. While no immediate cause of death is listed, there are quotes taken from his representatives/family that mention severe and chronic bouts with depression and suicide. Regardless of what has claimed his life, we only hope that all involved parties respect the privacy of those who cared for him and whom he cared for. If you yourself are suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts, please seek help from such sources as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The world is better with you in it.

under General Tokusatsu News, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

“What do we do?!”

“We fight!”

We’re rolling out the PPDC’s  final two Jeagers in one double sized gallery today. Guardian Bravo embodies the bulky power of it’s predecessors and improves on the Gipsy series’ chain sword with it’s own unique weapon. Saber Athena meanwhile is the newest and fastest Jaeger in the fleet/ Built for agility and finesse, Athena is a remarkable close range fighter. Can these two next gen titans turn the tide of the war? We’ll see with their Robot Spirits figures!

Both of these figures really stand out in the line. Guardian Bravo features a far brighter color scheme than any of the other Jaegers, and Saber Athena features vastly improved articulation and really unique proportions compared to the others. Bravo also comes with it’s signature Arc-16 Elec Whips while Athena comes with both of the Ionic Twin Blades as well as the larger Ionic Sword. For the last two figure we have to handle in this line (for now) they really are great ones to finish it on.

We’ve got a full 80 image gallery of this pair (split across 3 posts) that you can see by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. Our next gallery after this will focus on the valiant knight Kamen Rider Brave Level 100!

under General Tokusatsu News, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

“We’re gonna need more pilots.”

“We have ’em.”

With a new apocalypse on the horizon in desperate need of cancelling, a new batch of pilots ready to make a difference, and hopefully a little bit of luck, the next generation of Jaegers are ready to roll out! While today’s subjects aren’t quite the latest models, they pack more than enough brute force to fight some Kaiju. Leading into Pacific Rim Uprising’s finale the mighty Titan Redeemer & Bracer Phoenix helped to shape Earth’s final defense. Now let’s see how these two latest Robot Spirits from Tamashii Nations fare in a double sized gallery!

In a sense, Titan Redeemer & Bracer Phoenix are some of the most traditional designs in this film, and I find that really charming about them. Big bulky brutes that are ready to knock out some Kaiju. They may not have all the bells and whistles of other Jaegers like Gipsy Avenger, but these big guys along with their tiny included buddy Scrapper Jaeger are ready to cancel the 2nd apocalypse. Luckily for Earth kit-bashing is still popular in the future as well. So for the Final Battle we got to see a special combination of these two. And despite it not being a documented or even intended feature, these figures CAN pull it off! See the end of this gallery for a special look at Bracer Phoenix Final Battle Version!

Check out just over 60 images of this pair by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. We have a full breakdown of both figures and their accessories, as well as an explanation of how to your own Final Battle Bracer Phoenix. We’ll be back soon with more brand new galleries from Pacific Rim Uprising as well as Kamen Riders Kabuto & Ex-Aid!

under General Tokusatsu News, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

“Be advised, we have a rogue Jaeger.”

In the years’ long war against the Precursors & their weapons of mass destruction, the Kaiju, the Pan Pacific Defense Corps has continued to develop newer and better Jaegers. And while a Drone program is also under development by Shao Industries to eventually replace the PPDC & it’s pilots, the occasional rogue element does arise. Enter: Obsidian Fury. A mysterious Jaeger which rose from the ocean to battle Gipsy Avenger. Equipped with advanced weaponry and capable of entirely inhuman movement, this monstrous mech is a force for our heroes to reckon with. Can Jake & Nate uncover the secret truth of Obsidian Fury? You’ll have to watch Pacific Rim Uprising to find out!

Robot Spirits Obsidian Fury is one of several more entries in the Uprising line from Tamashii Nations, and it actually winds up being our only villain so far. A really quite alien design, Obsidian is a menacing Jaeger with some great glowing light piping in it’s head and a couple of bright neon orange Plasma Chainsaws to really sell its look. One of the more articulated figures in the line, Obsidian Fury is every bit as poseable, bestial, & alien as it’s  background would imply.

You can check out our full 60 image gallery of Obsidian Fury by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. We’ll also be doubling up on our other upcoming Pacific Rim galleries in the near future, 2 Jeagers at a time!  Titan Redeemer & Bracer Phoenix and Saber Athena & Guardian Bravo.

under General Tokusatsu News, Ultraman

“Red Fight!”

Comic Book artist & writer Matthew Frank AKA @spankzilla85 has just dropped by our forums with an update on his & Goncalo Lopes’s long awaited REDMAN comic series!

Debuting on May 30th, 2018 in Japan and on Amazon Japan, an English US release will follow suite soon after! While we don’t have specific dates or times for the English release, we’ll be sure to keep you updated as that info becomes available! For now, here’s a powerful synopsis to tease the series:

He is REDMAN, the Kaiju Hunter…
Trapped in a desolate and yet somehow familiar world populated
with an vast array of the ferocious beasts known as “Kaiju,”
REDMAN continues his endless fight in Red Fight, battling tirelessly to cull the monsters.

With each fierce battle, the blood-splattered “Hero” sinks closer to his prey,
and a sinister form watches and records his every move…

under General Tokusatsu News, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights, Ultraman

“Red Fight!”

In 1972 Tsuburaya began a quirky little side project to their Ultraman franchise with the now infamous Redman. This more violent cousin of the Ultramen is known for his brutal fighting style and savage way of defeating his opponents, often recycled ultra Kaiju. In recent years fan demand has grown for a collector oriented poseable figure of the character. Now, Evolution Toy has now stepped up as the contender to offer the first such product by launching a brand new line.

HAF (Hero Action Figure) Redman, is the first release in a new line that aims to encompass all of Tsuburaya’s less mainstream heroes like Mirroman, Iron King, Gridman etc. It’s ambitious to say the least, given the number of prototypes that have been displayed recently. While I won’t give away all my thoughts in this post (check out the full thread) it does seem that despite production delays, HAF Redman may have been a little rushed to market. At the very least though Redman includes his iconic Red Knife & Red Arrow weapons and gives collectors a figure they’ve been seeking for years.

We’ve attached the full 50+ image gallery to this post, but you can also read through our full review by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. We’ll be back soon with a new Kamen Rider Build gallery of S.H. Figuarts Night Rogue!

under General Tokusatsu News, TokuNation, TokuNation Site Updates, TokuNation Spotlights

“The only thing standing in front of the apocalypse, is us.”

In the 5 years since Pacific Rim first rampaged it’s way across theater screens, fans have been rabid for a sequel to this giant robot love letter. Meanwhile collector’s have been desperately hoping a better option for merchandise and collectibles for the franchise. Well Tamashii Nations has finally come to rescue to provide fantastic action figures and toys at multiple price points and functionality from Pacific Rim Uprising! Today we’re taking a look at the very first release in their Pacific Rim Robot Spirits (Damashii) line with Gypsy Avenger!

Kicking the line off in fantastic fashion, is the heroic mech central to Uprising’s plot, Gypsy Avenger. The slimmed down successor to Gypsy Danger, Avenger comes to us at an insanely affordable price point (only $20!) and is one of the best and most functional figures we could hope for at that price. Armed with her Gravity Sling & Chain Sword, Gypsy Avenger can go toe to toe with the toughest Kaiju, giant robots, or otherwise huge heroes in your collection.

We’ve attached the full 70 image gallery of Robot Spirits Gypsy Avenger to this post. You can also read our extensive (and positive) review of the figure by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. And, we’re gonna continue to cancel the apocalypse off and on for the next month as we review the other 5 Pacfic Rim Robot Spirits that make up the rest of waves 1 & 2!