Better Late than Never: Figuarts ZERO Trafalgar Law Release Announcement

There may have been a lot of released and to be released figures of Trafalgar Law in his Dressrosa attire. This time it's Bandai Tamashii Nations' turn for their Figuarts ZERO - Trafalgar Law (Dressrosa Edition). With the announcement of Figuarts ZERO - Issho Fujitora and Figuarts ZERO - Donquixote Doflamingo (Dressrosa Edition), this figure completes the awesome three-way confrontation of Green Bit.

This figure release is not much of a surprise actually, since we are expecting more upcoming Dressrosa characters from Figuarts ZERO. We already saw two of the Mugiwaras - Luffy and Robin. And since Trafalgar Law has a big role in the Dressrosa Arc aside from the fact that every One Piece fanboy cares for him, it's only obvious that he'll be given priority. Though this is an expected release, it's always nice to see a new Trafalgar Law figure specially if you're a huge fan.

The pose isn't too battle ver-ish, but it's much more dynamic than the earlier announced POP version by Megahouse. He's in the midst of unsheathing his sword and having a little smirk on his face. I like how his long coat is being blown by the air. He comes with an alternate head without the hat and with a bigger smirk exposing some of his teeth. It's really great to see him face-to-face with Doflamingo in this pose.

Figuarts ZERO - Trafalgar Law (Dressrosa Edition) will be a December 2014 release for 4,104 yen. No preorder dates announced yet to stay tuned for future announcements.

Update (2014-08-26): Preorders for Figuarts ZERO - Trafalgar Law (Dressrosa Edition) will start next Monday, 1st of September 2014 at 16:00 (JST).

Get Ready for Gladiator Lucy, Robiland & Joker's Exciting Figuarts ZEROs

I never thought that we will be feasting with our eyes so soon with these official photos of the three new Figuarts ZEROs. We just broke the news for the upcoming release of these three figures about two weeks ago. Today, Bandai Tamashii Nations has already unveiled the official photos of Figuarts ZERO of Dressrosa editions of Luffy (a.k.a. Gladiator Lucy), Robin and Doflamingo. And I must say, I am totally happy as well as excited on these three figures. I'll just share some few thoughts about them.

A Blast From Rebecca's Past

The One Piece anime is presently on the Dressrosa Arc and the latest episode tells the story about Rebecca's past. MegaHouse is here to immortalize it with these two new Portrait Of Pirates releases - POP CB-EX - Rebecca and POP Sailing Again - One-legged Soldier. These two figures will be released this coming October 2014. Preorders will start next Wednesday, 9th of July 2014 at 18:00 (JST).

She's So Beautiful, But Somehow She Doesn't Look Like Violet

It's just a couple of weeks ago since we got a news that a Figuarts ZERO - Violet is expected to be released. Now we are looking at the official promo photos and before I say anything else, I'll just tell you first that she looks so gorgeously beautiful.

Completing The Trinity

Kotobukiya has already presented us their highly anticipated ArtFX release, the completion of DC's Trinity - the ArtFX Wonder Woman 1/6th Scale Statue. As with ArtFX Batman Black Costume and ArtFX Superman: For Tomorrow, Wonder Woman is also based on the illustration of Jim Lee.

The Copycat from the Generation of Miracles

Have you secured a copy of the copycat? Kuroko No Basuke Figure Series - Ryōta Kise had gone up for preorder last Wednesday (see the preorder announcement here). Again, I was surprised that most of Japanese based hobby shops has declared sold out during the first hour. Same thing happened when Kagami had opened for preorder. This only proves that there's a lot of fans of the show.

The Next Score Will Be from Kaijō High

The next to be released for the Kuroko No Basuke Figure Series will be the Small Forward of Kaijō High and a member of the Generation of Miracles. The yellow-haired Ryōta Kise. Preorder schedule for this figure has been announced by MegaHouse and will start next Wednesday, 14th of May at 18:00 (JST). Same as the preorder start date of POP Sailing Again - Trafalgar Law Ver. 2 and POP CB-EX - Momonosuke. For those like me who's planning to complete this figure series, better mark your calendars.

Two More POP Preorders for the Month of May

Aside from POP LIMITED - Cavendish the Hakuba which will be available for preorder starting tomorrow (see the preorder announcement here), there will be two more POP preorders for the month of May. As earlier announced, POP Sailing Again - Trafalgar Law Ver. 2 and POP CB-EX - Momonosuke will be our next POP preorders.

The Man with Eyes of a Woman.. is LIMITED

Here we go again with another POP LIMITED release announcement by MegaHouse. The official promo photos has been made available and we had a first look at the fully colored prototype. And yes, the POP Sailing Again - Cavendish the Hakuba is now being classified as POP LIMITED and will exclusively be offered via Premium Bandai, Megatreashop and others MegaHouse affiliated stores only. We don't have any information if it will have an international release though. Preorders has been announced, and will start on the 9th of May 2014 at 13:00 JST.

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?"

Are You Considering this POP to be a Part of Your Collection?

Last Tuesday, 8th of April, MegaHouse officially opened up preorders for POP Sailing Again - Hyena Bellamy (check out the preorder announcement here). And finally, along with it are the release of the official promo photos of this figure on the Megahobby Station. It's the first time that we saw the fully painted prototype. And MegaHouse didn't disappoint.

The Hyena Springs Into Action

I actually thought that there isn't any POP preorder for the month of April coz the announcement from Megahobby Station was a bit delayed for some reason. Well now here it is, our April POP preorder, POP Sailing Again - Hyena Bellamy. Preorders starts next week, Tuesday, 8th of April 2014 at 18:00 (JST).

A Sexy Gladiator To Heat Up The Summer

 

Summer isn't coming up soon, but MegaHouse is letting us feel the July heat as they announce the preorder for the next addition to our POP collection, the semi-naked warrior - POP Sailing Again - Gladiator Rebecca. Preorders for this figure will start next Wednesday, 5th of March 2014 at 18:00 (JST).

The Resurrection Of Marco The Phoenix

Finally, after two months of waiting since its introduction during the Megahobby EXPO 2013 Autumn, POP MAS - Marco the Phoenix has risen up for preorder yesterday (see the preorder announcement here). If you're still on the other side of the fence, then it's time for you to check out these official promo images and see the figure in all the interesting angles to help you decide.

These photos aren't much of a surprise actually. We've seen the figure's entirety on the exhibit photos. No optional interchangeable parts as we can see here, just like the previously released POP MAS - Rob Lucci (Leopard Kami-e Bushin Ver.). I suppose most of the POP in this class won't have any alternate parts.

MegaHouse Returns With Blue Flames of Resurrection

After a lame POP re-release preorder announcement last month, MegaHouse is back with something that every POP collector is waiting for. Finally, the preorder announcement for POP MAS - Marco The Phoenix. It will start next Wednesday, 5th of February 2014 at 18:00 (JST). I guess it would be another preorder battle for online hobby shops in Japan. Get ready with your F5 key to refresh your browser as soon as the clock ticks.

This is one of the much anticipated figure that was revealed during the MegaHobby EXPO 2013 Autumn. It's the third MAS (Motion Ability Statue) to be released and the second version of POP Marco The Phoenix. I missed the Neo-DX version so this one is a really must get for me. Can't wait for it.

No pricing and release date announced yet. So for more, stay tuned to this blog and my Facebook page.

Frozen in Mid-air

Here we go with the official photos of the 2nd figure from MegaHouse's Kuroko No Basuke Figure Series as preorder for the 1/8th scale frozen in mid-air Taiga Kagami figure has opened up (check out the preorder announcement here). As expected, the figure is looking really great in these photos.

Like Tetsuya Kuroko (which will be released this month), Taiga Kagami does not come with any oprional parts and accessories, only the basketball. I wonder if it can be separated from the hand. Anyway, judging from these photos, the paint details were nicely done. The face is spot-on. That's Kagami for sure. Sculpt of the muscle contours, the uniform and the shoes is close to being perfect.

My only complain is that the red color on the hair seems to be lacking in details. I'm expecting that there should be some black lines or shading along the red hair to accentuate the strands. From these shots, it looks like a lump of red-paint fell directly above his head. It may probably be just not visible on these shots though. Hopefully it looks better in person.

Anyway, regardless of that one issue, this is a must get for me and a must for those who are a huge fan of Kuroko No Basuke anime/manga series. Especially if you have preordered Kuroko himself. You wouldn't want to see Kuroko alone in your display shelf, right? And you might wanna look forward also on the upcoming Daiki Aomine, Shintarou Midorima and probably the rest of the Generation of Miracles as well.

Kuroko No Basuke Figure Series - Taiga Kagami is to be released on June 2014 for the price of 8,600 yen (tax included). Preorders are now open (or closed) at HLJ, Amiami, and Hobby Search

Not Your Usual Three-Headed Beast

I don't play Rage of Bahamut (it's a mobile app card game if you're not familiar). Probably opened the app a few times, but didn't played it much in that sense. In fact, I am only playing Pantheon the Legends (another mobile app card game). But I find the character card designs of Rage of Bahamut to be impressive. My awestruck to these characters was taken to the next level when Kotobukiya stepped in and produced a 1/8th figure of Dark Angel Olivia which I didn't find any hesitation to preorder because of her stunning beauty.

This time, it's Max Factory's turn to give us an impressive figure based on that social game. And we got a stunning beauty of a 1/7th scale Cerberus figure. Everyone is aware that a Cerberus is a three-headed beast, but you're vision of a Cerberus will forever be changed by this figure. I saw this one unpainted during the Wonder Festival 2013 Summer. At that time, it doesn't look interesting with the lack of colors. I took is as just some random sexy figure. And to my surprise when I saw these photos of the fully painted figure.

I love the mixture of colors. That shiny metallic-like purple armour is really nice to look at with all those golden trims. The curves and sexiness of her body sculpt is nearly perfect. The hair that is flowing in mid-air and that fabric add up to the interesting features. Her face is really lovely with that innocent smile. The details of those cute little dog hands is a wonderful bonus. I really can't find a word to describe her gorgeousness. Fantastic details, that's what I'm seeing.

Of course, a stunningly detailed figure comes with a high price tag. The figure will retail for 13,800 yen. Not surprising for a Max Factory produced figure of this complexity. It will be yours and ready to be cuddled by June of 2014. Hoping it won't be delayed but for a figure distributed by Good Smile Company, delays are inevitable. So crossing fingers for that. 

And guess what? Preorders for Max Factory Rage of Bahamut - 1/7th Scale Cerberus has already opened, so do check out your favorite hobby shops or get her here at HLJ, Hobby Search and Amiami while it's still available.

Move Over for the Power Forward of Seirin High

Redeeming MegaHouse for the lack of exciting POP announcement this January is the second addition to the Kuroko No Basuke Figure Series, the challenger to the Generation of Miracles - Taiga Kagami. A follow up to their Tetsuya Kuroko from the same product line and anime/manga series. Preorders for Kuroko No Basuke Figure Series - Taiga Kagami will start on the same date and time as the POP Sailing Again - Trafalgar Law (re-release) which will be next Thursday, 16th of January 2014 at 18:00 (JST).

We first seen the uncolored prototype during the MegaHobby EXPO 2013 Autumn last November. It then appeared again if full color at the Jump Festa 2014 event last December. So far MegaHouse has the best offerings for Kuroko No Basuke figures. Judging from the first two figures - Kuroko and Kagami, the sculpt is top-notch, the face is spot-on and they got the essence and personality of the character in their dynamic pose. Really love it.

To follow-up sometime later will be Daiki Aomine & Shintarou Midorima which was also shown during the Jump Festa 2014 event while still on uncolored prototypes. It's exciting to see the rest of the Generation of Miracles. I believe MegaHouse is serious producing all the major character from the series, given the fact that they made a separate figure series called "Kuroko No Basuke Figure Series".  I hope they will also produce Satsuki Momoi too :) (yeah, I sounded like a pervert again).

No pricing and release date announced yet, so keep your eyes peeled on this site or on my Facebook page.

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.

Have You Included The Captain To Your February 2014 Plans?

It has been two weeks now since the preorder for POP Edition-Z - Monkey D. Luffy has began (check-out the preorder announcement here). We've seen the promo photos all over the internet already. But I haven't had a chance to talk about it yet here on my blog. 

The first thing that I would like to talk about is the release date. I mentioned in my earlier post is that I'm assuming this to be a March 2014 release, considering that there are already three POPs scheduled to be released for February 2014 alone. Those three are POP Edition-Z - Roronoa Zoro, POP MAS - Tony Tony Chopper (Horn Point) and POP LIMITED - Nami (Mugiwara Ver). But to my surprise, POP Edition-Z - Monkey D. Luffy will also be released on the same month. This makes four POPs to blow away your wallets in one go like a hurricane.

Every POP collector is probably worrying about these release schedules, especially those like me who is on a tight budget and also considering of getting some other collectibles aside from POPs. But this is Luffy, and like I said earlier, no strawhat crew collection is complete without the captain. Who knows, MegaHouse might end up delaying any of these February 2014 releases.

Release schedule aside, let's talk about the figure itself. It looks really nice on all angles but considering Luffy's character design, you're not getting much PVC meat. The upper body looks so thin, specially without the red/yellow vest. I think they should have added more bulk to his body since this is a post time-skip Luffy where he have gained a bit of muscles from the 2-year training. It should be just like the same body size of the POP SA Luffy. This one is definitely much more skinny.

A lot of fans were wishing for an optional Armament Haki arm to be included, but based on these photos, it seems that the only alternate parts included are one right arm and one left arm without the sleeves to go along with the vest-less display and an optional open palm left hand to be able to hold the straw hat. We also got a serious face. No black shiny fist for the Armament Haki. 

Overall, this figure really looks good. It looks a lot better as compared to POP SA Luffy, both being Luffy's post-timeskip appearance. Detail wise, everything is there. From the hair, face, vest, trousers and slippers, all are greatly detailed. Just like I said, my only complain is the less muscular body which I find a little awkward without the vest, specially in side view. I'm not planning to display it without the vest anyway, so I think it's not of a big deal.

POP Edition-Z - Monkey D. Luffy retails for 7,600 yen (inclusive of tax) and scheduled to reach store shelves on February 2014. Preorders and now open at HLJ, Amiami, Hobby Search, and Figmation. Better check out these stores and secure your order. I just find it weird that it hasn't gone sold out yet on these Japanese based hobby shops. Anyway, I'm sure this is gonna be one of the rare, high valued figure in the future. I'm still hoping for the version with red coat with sword and meat on his back though :)