Neutron Jammer: Megahobby EXPO Autumn 2012

Megahobby EXPO Autumn 2012 - MegaHouse One Piece

MegaHobby EXPO was held last Sunday, 25th of November 2012. As always, MegaHouse was there bringing their One Piece merchandise for exhibit. But what is brings the most excitement and set the event on fire are the new POPs announced. Yes, MegaHouse has finally heard our voices and bring us a lot of good characters that we have been always requesting to be released.

You have probably seen the photos of these new POP's already flooding the internet. Thanks to a lot of sites that brings us these photos on the day of the event and even more photos after. So here are some high quality photos that I gathered to share with you. Let's see 'em all again and discuss of each one along the way.

POP Sailing Again-Maximum - Armored Franky

We got a fully completed prototype of SA Franky, now classified as "Sailing Again-Maximum" and with a new name "Armored Franky". Yes that's right, Armored Franky. Obviously because of those cool and nice shiny metallic armors. He looks so huge and that's probably the main reason why he was classified as Maximum. I'm really worried about the pricing and shipping for this one. I just notice that it has some sort of support on both arms. Does that mean the final retail version will come with a custom support?

But anyway, no holding back for this one as it is a superb addition to finally complete my Sailing Again Mugiwaras. I really can't wait.

No price and release date announced yet.

POP Neo-DX - Red Haired Shanks

The release of POP Neo-DX Benn Beckman should be followed up by the release of his Captain. And as Beckman is, Shanks is based on his appearance during the battle of Marineford (aka "Whitebeard War") as well. Since the release of it's Figuarts ZERO counterpart, POP collectors are dying to see a better version of POP Shanks, and here its.

I really wanted this one co'z I don't own (and I never liked) both the previously released Neo and Strong Edition. The Neo is too outdated and ugly (no offense to the Neo collectors) and the Strong Edition is actually a non-canon.

Same as the Figuarts ZERO version, this figure is holding the legendary Strawhat in his right hand, representing the time when he was trying to return the Strawhat to unconscious Luffy with the help of Buggy. But I remember he was smiling when he was talking to Buggy. Hopefully, he will come with another face expression to support this pose. Still, this facial expression is really fantastic as he looks very intimidating. It's like he can defeat somebody with just one look as if he is using his "Haki". A great sculpt and expected to look good on the final prototype. This is a must get for me.

No price and release date announced yet.

POP Neo-DX Kalifa

Well what do you know. I always say that there is something about the release of Rob Lucci ver 1.5. And here she is, the only female from CP9. Kalifa is looking really sexy and with an unusual pose, showing a hint of her Devil Fruit powers.

I have been wishing for her POP since I saw her first in the anime, and MegaHouse granted my wishes. So it's really great that I decided to get Rob Lucci ver 1.5. Now he won't be alone for a very long time. I believe the CP9 characters will not end with Kalifa. Let's now wait for Kaku, Blueno, etc... Another must get for me.

No price and release date announced yet.

POP Sailing Again - Trafalgar Law

This is a surprise for me. MegaHouse don't usually release a character that does not appear in the anime yet. Well he already appeared in the anime before but not in this costume. Some of you may just be an anime followers only and not know anything about what's happening on the manga yet, so this may also be a surprise for you. This is Trafalgar Law's appearance on the new world. Another addition to the Sailing Again subline. It's the first Sailing Again character after the Fishman Island arc. That makes it clear that all post time-skip characters and appearances will be classified as Sailing Again, and not only Sabaody Archipelago and Fishman Island characters after the timeskip.

Figuarts ZERO also exhibited a new world version of Law during the Tamashii Nation 2012 event. I guess this may be MegaHouse's answer to it. Or maybe Bandai already knew what's coming on POPs and they are the one answering.

A simple pose but Trafalgar Law is looking badass. That smirk on his face and those textures in his coat is really looking amazing even without the colors yet. Even if you own the Neo-DX, this new design of Law is really interesting. As for me, I don't have the Neo-DX version so this will be my first Trafalgar Law POP.

No price and release date announced yet.

POP LIMITED - Sadie-chan

Another character that was long overdue. This is the first character released from the guards of Impel Down. She is classified as LIMITED and I wonder why. What is MegaHouse up to? I love Sadie's interesting design but something about the sculpt of the rib cage is off. I think it's a little too long and thin. It's really out proportion for me. If after the prototype is completed and I'm still not happy with the outcome, I'm not getting her. It's sad that I'm not liking this POP but happy at the same time because that's one POP free from my budget :)

No price and release date announced yet.

POP Neo-DX - Gol. D. Roger

A very familiar face. The most important character of all. The legend, Gol D. Roger. It's about time MegaHouse! A lot of figure makers have released more than one version of this character already so why the heck not. I was thinking they would release him as Vol. 0 version or some kind of Limited edition, but he is classified as simply Neo-DX. He is wielding a sword on his left hand and a gun on the right hand.

I'm not sure if this is an appropriate pose for him as he was not seen in this pose ever in the manga or anime. But anyway, this figure should be on every POP collection and another must get for me.

No price and release date announced yet.

POP Strong Edition - Golden Lion Shiki

Why only now? This should have been released during the peak of popularity of the Strong World movie. Or maybe MegaHouse is thinking of a companion to Gol D. Roger, along with POP Neo-EX Monkey D. Garp. Yes, I was thinking of this one also as a Vol. 0 release, so why not? Maybe they are also planning for an Edward Newgate (Whitebeard) Vol. 0 release. That will make it a very nice collection.

Nah, maybe not! This is a Strong World version Shiki and not a 20 years ago version. I don't own any Strong World POP and I'm not a fan of this character, so I would probably skip this. It's not that I don't like Strong World, it's just I missed collecting those POPs. And it's too expensive to collect those nowadays.

No price and release date announced yet.

POP Edition-Z - Nico Robin

As I have said before, Film Z POP versions are inevitable. And what's best way to get any collector's attention than showing up this sexed up design of Nico Robin. The first time Eiichiro Oda released the Film Z designs of the Mugiwaras, I wished for her Film Z version of POP. If I'll be getting only one POP Film Z version, it has to be Robin. She is very lovely on this outfit.

She is classified as Edition-Z and I think that she will be released very soon as now is the peak of the Film Z popularity. I believe she would be followed immediately by the other Mugiwaras and release every one of them just like what they did with the Strong Edition.

No price and release date announced yet.

POP Edition-Z - Tony Tony Chopper

Another Edition-Z. The only newly announced POP that is already in color. I guess Chopper is so easy to produce that they have so many versions of him including Choppermans. But this Chopper has a lot of details an accessories unlike any previously released POP Chopper. I just don't like the mouth and facial expression, it looks dull. I like the Figuarts ZERO version (Film Z) better when it comes to Chopper's face.

Speaking of Figuarts ZERO, Bandai already announced the preorder of Film Z Mugiwaras but since I am planning to get them all on POP, I shall skip the Figuarts ZERO version. But if the POP does not follow up these Edition-Z POPs before the release of the Figuarts ZERO version (May, June July 2013), I might end up getting the latter also.

But with Robin, this makes two Edition-Z POPs already announced so I'm not too worried that they won't follow it up with another Mugiwara soon. Crossed fingers for that.

POP Edition-Z - Tony Tony Chopper is scheduled to be released on April 2013 for 3,255 yen. Preorders will start on Wednesday, 5th of December 2012 at 18:00 (JST).