Power Rangers Legacy Collection Green Ranger

I actually bought and photographed this Legacy Collection Green Ranger at the end of August, but just now got around to posting about it. My interest in the Power Rangers does not stem from childhood nostalgia, but rather an interest in Bandai and exotic appeal of imported action figures. These Legacy Collection Power Rangers rival SH Figuarts in articulation, paint and fine sculptural detail. This Green Ranger came with extra accessories as opposed to a Megazord BAF, and I like the design of his helmet and chest overlay.

Check out the video: 

Below, Legacy Collection Green Ranger with my 12" Dino Charge Green Ranger...

Below, Legacy Collection Green Ranger with my SH Figuarts Chojin Sentai Redhawk...

More Later- Make It FUN!

Bandai Gundam Converge- Barbatos & Exia

I spotted a couple more Bandai Gundam Converge figures at TRU recently that interested me. As I said in my last post, the exotic appeal these odd little 2 1/4" figures do the same thing for me as the Power Rangers/Super Sentai and Sofubi vinyl- I'm a fan of vinyl figures, particularly of Japanese import. Though articulation is  limited to the shoulders, wrists and neck, the accessories on these two are great, their weapons swapped by pegging interchangable hands.

Bandai Gundam Converge #129 Gundam Exia:

Bandai Gundam Converge #126 Gundam Barbatos:

Below, Bandai Gundam Converge Barbatos with my Revoltech Yamaguchi Getter...

Below, Barbatos and Exia with the Gundam Converge Char's Zaku from my last post...

More Later- Make It FUN!

Bandai Gundam Converge- Char's Zaku II

I found this odd, little 2 1/4" Gundam Converge at TRU a couple weeks ago, and as I'm a fan of vinyl figures, particularly of Japanese import, I thought I'd take a chance on him. He has some limited articulation in the shoulders and neck, merely plugged into the torso, and a removable bazooka. The eye moves side to side under his removable helmet as well, a nice touch. He stands okay with his bazooka down, but requires the included base with the weapon extended.

I know nothing of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam that populate the Universal Century metaverse, but I do admire the exotic appeal of this vinyl minifigure. For the same reasons I own Power Rangers/Super Sentai and Sofubi vinyl, these Gundam Converge interest me, and the detail in the sculpt is great. Fun!

Below, the Gundam Converge with my Hot Wheels Mega Bloks Racer, Mighty Minis Batman Beyond, Evangelion Bearbrick , MiniMates Heartbreaker Iron Man, and Lego Deadpool Minifigure...

Below, the Gundam Converge with the Mighty Minis Batman Beyond from my last post- I like these two together, a pairing I would have happily teamed up as a kid!

Below, the Gundam Converge takes aim with my Stealth Strike Knight Battle Batman...

Below, the Gundam Converge battles with my TMNT Mega Bloks Foot Soldier...

More Later- Make It FUN!

More Toy Shopping: Resale Scene August 2016

Some more sights I took in during August checking the local action figure retail scene, this batch mostly from local resale shops V-Stock & Slackers! Pictured above and below, 6" DC SuperHeroes. predecessors to the hugely successful DC Universe Classics line which I collected several of during their run. These were some of the first....

Below, the DC Direct JLA Series Wonder Woman, a classic rendering of the heroine. I'm looking forward to the forthcoming film, and am enjoying the character's introduction into the DC cinematic universe, portrayed by actress Gal Gadot. Check out my post on the DC Direct All Star Comics Series Wonder Woman!  

Now I collected more the 10" scale of '90s Toybiz figures two or three years ago, but I admire these smaller figures of this era for the same charming simplicity. If there was a sale I may have picked these up...

Pictured below, the new Gentle Giant Secret Wars Spider-Man, enlarged reissues of the popular '80s action figures I loved as a kid. Still have my Dr. Doom! I hate that these are going for such outrageous prices- I'd own some if they were priced more reasonably.

Below. some of the processors of the 3.75" Marvel Universe figures, which have been rebranded at least a couple times since I stopped collecting them, first as the Infinite Series, and now just under the Legends Series banner like the 6" and recent 12" figures. Though not listed on the Marvel Universe Checklist on ItsAllTrue.Net, these obviously predate the inaugural 2009 lineup of the highly articulated figures...

I'm unsure when the die cast figures pictured below were produced, but they sure have that '90s ToyBiz charm! I was particularly fond of the Human Torch/Dragon Man 2-pack! Like a lot of the Marvel ToyBiz figure lines, these have their own team franchise marquee, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, X-Men, etc....

And finally, a new Power Rangers line I discovered running through TRU afterward- a little off this post's theme, but I thought they looked cool! Though I was not into the Power Rangers during their '90s heyday, I've collected a few Sentai/Power Ranger figures in the last year or so, interested mostly in their uniform aesthetic. I've bought a few domestic Bandai, as well as several of the more detailed imports...

More Later- Make It FUN!

SH Figuarts Yellow Buster & Usada Lettuce

I had been on the lookout for a yellow Ranger/Sentai, and while I likely know even less about Go-Busters than I do the domestic Power Rangers franchise, I am loving these SH Figuarts Sentai figures. The flawless paint, fluid articulation, and great accessories are several steps above what we see here on the American retail market. According to Wikipedia,  Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters debuted in Japan on Feb, 12th, 2012, and began airing in South Korean as Power Rangers Go-Busters the following year. Three children gaining super powers from an accident at the Energy Management Center have sentient robot partners called Buddyloids, in Yoko Usami's case the Usada Lettuce mecha, in matching color and rabbit theme. Check out the video:

SH Figuarts Shinken Red Samurai and Yellow Buster...

More Later- Make It FUN!

SH Figuarts Shinken Red- Samurai

When you've experienced the difference in an SH Figuarts, it's mildly difficult to pay attention to domestic action figures. I mean, wow... just wow. Sure, the exotic appeal of characters unfamiliar with a slender physique (as opposed to exaggeratedly musclebound) is refreshing, but the naturally fluid articulation, generous accessories, and perfect paint apps are commendable. Peerless, for that matter. You can get most of the red Ranger/Sentai varieties at pretty reasonable prices on eBay and Amazon, the other colors, and particularly the female characters, seem to demand higher prices. Check out the video:

SH Figuarts Shinken Red with my Chojin Sentai Redhawk...

More Later- Make It FUN!

Bandai Power Rangers Dino Supercharge Purple & Pink Ranger

I'd often passed by the 5" American market Bandai Power Rangers, admiring their colorful designs, but opting for the imported, higher grade adult collector line of SH Figuarts. For their far more modest price point, the American market Bandai figures have a respectable amount of articulation, though these two skirted females are limited in their hip articulation due to their attire. That said, I love the color and design of these petite figures, their individualized helmets reflecting their assigned dinosaur motif, and they make a delightful pair! Check out the video:

5" Bandai Power Rangers Dino Supercharge Purple & Pink Rangers with my 12" Bandai Dino Charge Rangers- the girls actually go really well with their larger counterparts...

More Later- Make It FUN!

SH Figuarts Chojin Sentai Jetman Redhawk

I've become a fan of the SH Figuarts line by Bandai, particularly the tokusatsu inspired characters of Japanese sci-fi such as Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Super Sentai- the inspiration for the Power Rangers. I realize I'm pretty far behind the curve, but am glad I discovered these amazing action figures. Aside from their supernatural articulation, the paint applications are flawless, and I appreciate their slender build. Accessories are off the charts with these Figuarts action figures, which will take some care in keeping track of, but opens up the posing opportunities significantly. I'm a novice on Super Sentai/Power Rangers, so some of the weapons look bizarre to my eyes, but I suppose their exotic styling is part of what appeals to me. Check out the video:

SH Figuarts Jetman Redhawk with my black & blue Overdrive Rangers...

More Later- Make It FUN!

SH Figuarts Black & Blue Overdrive Ranger

I had my eye on this SH Figuarts Black & Blue Overdrive Ranger 2-pack awhile back, after picking up a few of the 12" Power Rangers. In truth, I missed the whole Power Rangers craze, but do have a certain appreciation for '90s comics and pop culture. I was more interested in the simple sleek, simple design of their outfits and the chance to get a super-articulated action figure of SH Figuarts at half price. I was impressed with these! Among the "Super Sentai" Figuarts series, these Power Rangers are produced by Bandai of Japan. Check out the video:

SH Figuarts are a little on the expensive side, but I lucked out stumbling onto some at a greatly discounted price and I'm glad I did. While I'm not that familiar with the characters, these appeal to my recent interest in designer Japanese toys, and I love their sci-fi anime aesthetic. They are truly remarkable.

More Later- Make It FUN!

Bandai 12" Power Rangers- Dino Charge!

I'd been mulling over picking up these 12" Dino Charge Power Rangers for a week, after seeing them marked down 30% at a local Walmart. I've said before that some of my favorite toys are big, dumb action figures, and this colorful trio certainly falls into that category. I have several of the Marvel Titan Series action figures that are of similar construction that I treasure, so these fit in nicely with some of my favorite things. I love the Japanese sci-fi styling of these! Check out the video:

More Later- Make It FUN!

Hey, Mr. Postman: Bandai Ultraman 5.5in. Vinyls

I loved these Bandai Ultraman vinyls found online, remembering watching reruns of the Japanese sci-fi show as a kid in the '70s! These figures are made of soft vinyl, and simple in their articulation, limited to swivels in the waist and shoulders. What they lack in articulation, they more than make up for in charm. I've been collecting some vinyl figures lately, mostly Funko, but found these irresistable. The eBay seller was selling all kinds of Ultraman vinyls for pretty cheap with free shipping- I gravitated toward these two because of their familiarity. Check out my video....

More Later- Make It FUN!