A Cold Blooded Assassin

So what if there's a lot of Kakashi figure? Well actually, I am one of those who were asking why MegaHouse seems to be giving a lot of love to Kakashi fans. I am a fan myself of Kakashi, but I'm also waiting for some other Naruto characters to be produced. This G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi (ANBU Ver.) is the third of MegaHouse's G.E.M. Kakashi so I asked "why another one?" But then I asked again "Why not?"

What's with Another G.E.M. Kakashi, MegaHouse?

Although the figure is looking great, that's my question when I first saw this back at Jump Festa 2014 event last December. A G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi (ANBU Black Ops Ver.) (not sure if that will be the final name). Not too long ago they released their 2nd G.E.M. Kakashi, now they will be releasing the third. It's not so surprising, thinking that many Naruto followers love Kakashi. Still, it's unfair not to give love to other characters in the series.

Get Ready For His Sharingan

So we don't have new POP for preorder this month, but MegaHouse isn't stopping on bringing us good stuff every month. This month we'll be having the preorder of a Naruto Shippuden character - the 1/8 scale G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke. Preorders starts next Wednesday, 11th of December 2013.

When the G.E.M. Series. - Uzumaki Naruto and G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2 was announced, we knew that a G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke will follow. We saw this the first time during the Megahobby EXPO 2013 Spring on it's uncolored prototype stage. Last Saturday, it was showcased during the Megahobby EXPO 2013 Autumn in colors.

It isn't a total mindblowing figure, but so far this is the best 1/8th scale Sasuke figure out there. The face isn't that faithful to the manga/anime but you will notice that there is a photo at the back which seems to be an alternate head/face with a sharingan eyes. That face looks a lot better than the one on the displayed prototype in my opinion.

The details are pretty decent and has all the interesting features of Sasuke. The pose isn't bad as well. I just noticed that his sword Kusanagi is a little different from the one showed during it's uncolored prototype stage. This one doesn't resemble the Kusanagi and the colors looks different. It almost seemed like a different weapon. We don't have any other good shots at the back of the figure so its really hard to make out the details of the weapon.

Hopefully we see a lot of alternate parts for different display options just like the G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto, but for any fan of Naruto Shippuden, this is a must have. We should be seeing the official promotional photos anytime soon so it's just a matter of time before we see complete package of what MegaHouse has to offer. I wish they would announce G.E.M. Series - Haruno Sakura and other Naruto characters soon.

G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke is set to be released on April 2014 with the price of 7,800 yen. I will give you an update once the official photos are released.

Official Photos: G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto

The latest addition to the G.E.M. Series which is none other than Naruto himself has been finally made available for preorder by MegaHouse (check out the preorder announcement here). And as usual before we go ahead and hit the preorder button, we get to see some official promo images. Well, most of the avid fans have probably made their decision on the first sighting of the prototype anyway, but these images will definitely make us even more excited.

As we can see here, he does not come with much alternate parts aside from the four head/face option. One with a Sage mode eyes, one with a smiling face, one without the forehead protector, and one with a dark Naruto eyes. The coat, which MegaHouse officially refer to as Minato's (the fourth) coat, can be removed entirely, exposing Naruto's orange tracksuit. No alternate hand gestures.

At some shots, you will notice the plastic support at the back since at this pose, Naruto cannot stand on his own. I hope he will come with some interesting display base like with some rocks or whirlwind effect. That's just a wish. I am satisfied with this one and he will be a nice addition in my display shelf. 

MegaHobby Station tells that "The worldwide and broad-age NARUTO: Naruto Hurricane Chronicles Series is scheduled to expand more in the future." Which means the we shall be seeing more Naruto Shippuden characters unde G.E.M. series. We already knew about the upcoming G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke. It's just a matter of time till we see, Haruno Sakura. I hope this will keep going like the POP series will all the lovable characters made into MegaHouse's "Excellent Model" figures.

G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto is now up for preorder at Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Search and Animarket.

Naruto Sage Mode in Minato's White Coat

MegaHobby EXPO 2013 Spring has lot's of surprises. One these is the unveiling of the fully colored prototype of G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto. We've already seen the unpainted prototype before but what surprised me are the colors of his coat (haori).

It's not the usual red coat with black flames-like motifs on the edges (the one he was wearing during his battle with Pain), but with white-red color scheme same as his father Minato's coat. I can't read Japanese but if I'm not mistaken, it seems that the kanji writing at the back says "Fourth Hokage" (四代目火影, Yondaime Hokage). Am I right?

I'm a huge fan of Naruto but I prefer to follow the Anime only and avoid the Manga (well at least until I cannot hold it much longer). So I don't know if he has worn this coat of his father already. But for me actually, it looks way much-much cooler than the red-black color scheme. I don't know if it looks powerful, but for me it is, since it pays respect to his late father Minato.

Some may not like this pose as it seems to be a little bit odd, but it's totally fine with me. I'm just having a hard time thinking how it will look next to G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2. But with the next in line G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke, these three will totally look awesome. It won't be long 'till MegaHouse announce a G.E.M. Series - Haruno Sakura.

Oh, and before I forget! G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto has been announced to be available for preorder starting next Thursday, 6th of June 2013. No release date announced yet though, but I'm assuming this is an October 2013 release.

Update (2013-06-04): Set to be released on October 2013 at a price of 8,190 yen.

Official Photos: G.E.M. Series Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2

Official promo images of G.E.M. Series Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2 has now went online at Megahobby Station as preorders officially opens up (check out the preorder announcement here). It is set to be released on September 2013 for 8,190 yen (tax included).

As I mentioned before, this figure wasn't presented on any event exhibits. This is the first time we saw some clear images of this GEM Kakashi. And as expected from MegaHouse, the detailing of this one is at the level of their recent 1/8 scale releases like POPs and other G.E.M. Series.

Checking these promo images, it seems that he comes with three head options. One with a forehead protector covering his left (Sharingan) eye, one with a forehead protector in correct position (not covering hos left eye), and one without the forehead protector probably to show his look during his time at ANBU. Kakashi can either be displayed with or without Pakkun on his shoulders. His jōnin/ANBU flak jacket can be removed, though he doesn't look very appealing without it.

His pose while looks cool, stylish and is very appropriate to a Kakashi figure, it doesn't look very battle-ish as opposed to the upcoming G.E.M. Uzumaki Naruto Sage Mode. Yes, there will be an upcoming Naruto figure from MegaHouse under G.E.M. Series. You can check the uncolored prototype here. G.E.M. Uzumaki Naruto Sage Mode is in a very dynamic pose. I can't imagine it displayed together with Kakashi as it seems they're on a different side of the shinobi world. If they just posed Kakashi while doing the Chidori attack just like the Figuarts ZERO version, Naruto and Kakashi would look amazingly kick-ass together. They don't have to copy the Figuarts ZERO stance though. There's a lot of ways to pose a ninja making a Chidori attack.

Posing aside, the figure captures Kakashi and Pakkun's look in the anime and manga. Applying MegaHouse's quality and latest figure making techniques, makes it an amazing work of art. As mentioned earlier, G.E.M. Series Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2 is to be released on September 2013 for 8,190 yen (tax included). Preorders are now open at Amiami, Hobby Search, HLJ, Figmation and Animarket.

The Leader of Team 7 Makes Another Appearance on GEM Series

Remember the earlier released Naruto Shippuden's Hatake Kakashi figure under GEM Series of MegaHouse? MegaHouse will be releasing a second version of Hatake Kakashi figure for their GEM Series product line. It is entitled as GEM Series - Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2.

We don't have any clear photos yet but this small photo of a poster from some event. But as we can see clearly, unlike the first one which is plainly standing and reading an issue of the ero Icha Icha series (or holding a Kunai), this time Kakashi is in a kind of a kneeling pose with his trusty partner Pakkun on his shoulder. This one shows a more serious side of Kakashi as a former ANBU operative. He seems to be gathering intel of his current mission or making an attack strategy.

No price and release date announcement yet, but preorders will start on the 10th of May 2013. In that case, I'm assuming that it would be released on either September or October. Keep an eye on this site or my Facebook page for further announcements regarding this figure.

**Thanks to Aladdin Turki for that nice Kakashi wallpaper that I used as a cover art. Check out more of his artwork at Anime Paper.

Official Photos: GEM Gundam SEED - Kira Yamato

Joining the previously released G.E.M. Athrun Zala and RAH DX G.A. NEO Lacus Clyne, Kira Yamato's GEM treatment is finally here and ready to be preordered today. We saw him the first time in unpainted prototype stage at Wonder Festival 2012 Summer. Now we can see the fully completed figure in these official photos. He comes with his droid bird Tori, which can be placed either on his shoulder or on his palms. He can be display in pair with either Lacus Clyne or Atrun Zala with hands reaching out for each other.

Based on these images, it seems that he does not come with an alternate non-stretched left arm so there is no way you can display him without looking like he's trying to reach something. Anyway, this is the best figure of Kira Yamato that I have seen so far and as a huge fan of the Gundam SEED series, this one should join my collection.

An April 2013 Release for 7,665 Yen. Preorders for this figure starts today, 8th of November 2012 and it is now available on Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Search and Otacute

Official Photos: GEM - Yukio Okumura

Last month, preorders were opened for MegaHouse's GEM - Rin Okumura. Today, its time for his brother Yukio Okumura. Same as Rin Okumura, we first saw him at Wonder Festival 2012 Summer. Based on these promo images, Yukio has an alternate smiling face and a right arm at rest. For a man in black, this figure has a lot of details.

GEM - Yukio Okumura is slated to be released on January, a month later than Rin and preorders starts today, 11th of October 2012. If you will be getting Rin, you might also want to consider displaying Yukio beside him. As a fan of Ao No Exorcist, they both have to be together on my display shelf. Now MegaHouse, bring on Shura Kirigakure!

Preorders are now open at Amiami, Hobby Search, HLJ, Otacute, Anime Export and Animarket

Official Photos: GEM - Rin Okumura

Not only POPs are on MegaHouse's arsenal this coming December, there are also other nice 1/8 figures at their disposal. One of these is their GEM - Rin Okumura which we saw back at Wonder Festival 2012 Summer. But with these official photos, we can see that he can be posed in two different ways. With an alternate head, two alternate arms, a removable tail and an unsheated Kurikara (sword), he can be either a normal human or a half-devil with his blue flames. He also comes with his cat Kuro. Its nice to display him back to back with another upcoming GEM -Yukio Okumura. Hopefully I can get them both.

A December 2012 release as I mentioned, and retails for 7,980 yen including tax. Preorders are now opened at Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Search, Otacute and Anime Export.

Preorders: G.E.M. Series Athrun Zala and RAH DX G.A. NEO Lacus Clyne

It seems that Megahouse isn't going to release a POP for October because there isn't any preorder announcement 'till now. I was going to be relieved that my wallet can relax on October, but Megahouse just announced two new figures from Gundam SEED universe, G.E.M. Series Athrun Zala and RAH DX G.A. NEO Lacus Clyne. And as a huge fan of the series, I gotta have them. So much for my wallet relaxing, and for that, I hate you Megahouse.