Play Arts Kai Darth Vader Review - Star Wars Variants

I was genuinely surprised when they first previewed this figure especially when SQEX  announced that it would be in the Variants line. Lord Vader here has been the face of science fiction and Pop culture in general and there is no way you can change his appearance without raising an outcry. Well, maybe i was just overreacting, having little knowledge about the Star Wars fanbase. lol. Anyway, this Outdoor Review 2/2 was made possible by Big Boys Toy Store.

I don't think i need to introduce Darth Vader anymore or his role in the Star Wars saga, which actually saves me a lot of time doing this kinda late review. We all know how he should supposed to look like anyway: black helmet with wheezing mouthpiece, black suit with a 70's science fiction control panel in front (buttons, switches and HAL9000 light bulb), black cape and that awesome, awesome red Lightsaber.

Play Arts Kai Robin Review - Arkham Knight

It's been a while but damn right i have a bunch of reviews coming in starting with the "boy wonder" over here. I got him from Big Boys Toys Store by the way and i believe they still have some units available in their Glorietta 2 and Greenhills branches. Anyway, this is my first "outdoor" review and, possibly, the first time i'll rate a MALE Play Arts Kai figure using the "Fist Bite" system. LOL

And if you're there during the review checking out my pics YOU'LL KNOW WHY, haha, right Bryan?

I haven't played the new Arkham game: Arkham Knight so i don't know Robin's full role here but I do know the identity of that so-called "Arkham Knight." Anyway, let's proceed...

Toycon 2015: The Convergence Brotherhood, Play Arts Kai Philippines, Chopsuey Toy Collectors & Hot Toys and SideShow Market, Grand Meet-up

I have no words for this year's Toycon @SM Megamall, i'm semi-retired from collecting after all, haha so i'll be posting pictures instead and putting captions which is a lot more fun than reviewing figures. Anyway, for the 3rd straight year Play Arts Kai Philippines display rocked, Chopsuey Toy Collectors joined the fray with theirs while PSEC's diorama of Midgar looks awesome indeed. Oh, congratulations to PSEC for their 5th Year Anniversary. They had a separate meet-up the night before but common members attended the "Grand Meet-up" during the 20th. Rounding up the roster would be HTSS and my main vehicle right now, The Convergence Brotherhood. My sponsor Big Boys Toy Store provided the main prizes for the raffle by the way. Anyway, i'll shut up now and just post pictures...(note: if the pics are without credits and they suck those are mine

Photo courtesy of Cheski Caram, atop high heels.

Play Arts Kai Yuffie Kisaragi Review - Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children

I don't usually do a really, really late review like this but since SQEX seems hell-bent on completing (crossing my fingers!)  the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Play Arts Kai line i might as well do a little bit of backtracking most especially if we're doing a review of one of the characters with a rether solid fan base such as Yuffie Kisaragi here. Also, i'm hell-bent as well on using more of that Fist-bite Rating System designed especially for Female characters.

This thief/kunoichi here is one of my least favorite characters in the Final Fantasy universe but i perfectly  understand her popularity, well, for one, she's very attractive (by fanboys standard i must say!) and she's got a kick ass weapon, albeit impractical and more likely to decapitate your hand/fingers than your opponents.

Play Arts Kai Red XIII Review - Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children

Rounding off the 2nd wave of Play Arts Kai Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children here's a review of one of the most underrated, and least favorite characters in Final Fantasy 7. To be honest, i know very little about RED XIII or Nanaki, his proper name. I believe though that it was intended by the developers since it was never mentioned which race he came from though he's a denizen and Guardian of the Cosmo Canyon, same as his father before him (Seto), and was raised by his adopted "Grandfather" Bugenhagen.

The name RED XIII, if i remember correctly, is a specimen signature assigned to Nanaki by Hojo while he's under incarceration and experimentation. It is not clear what kind of human/animal hybrid he is, a lion perhaps or a wolf since he howls. It is clear though that his intellect is similar to that of a teenage human though his lifespan is exceptionally long, as shown in the ending of Final Fantasy 7 when he visited the ruins of Midgar with his two cubs and his conversation with the immortal Vincent. 

Play Arts Kai Barret Wallace Review - Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children

For the first time in like forever, the fans got what they want, the first SQEX mandated action figure translation of this well-known big guy from the Final Fantasy universe. Well, this is his movie version which is a much more modern redesign of the Mr. T -esque character from the game. He's sporting cornrows now instead of the perennial badass trademark, THE Mohawk (correction, it's a cross between that and the 90's High-Top Fade cut).

Mr. Wallace here is the leader of Avalanche back in the day and he's one of the characters who will be forever immortalized in polygon during that epic Train intro of Final Fantasy 7. I'm sure the true fans here will be able to relate with me.

Play Arts Kai Tifa Lockhart Review - Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children

This figure review really took her time, i was not able to get Tifa when she arrived since almost everybody wanted her and i had to give way. Of course, i also allowed Sephtimus to do his review with lots of pretty pictures first. Anyway, the Play Arts Kai Tifa sold out quickly? I can definitely understand why.

and yes, that's me, reflected on her box, lol

Being one of the most recognizable characters in the Final Fantasy universe, Tifa needs no introduction. Even though she underwent a costume redesign in the Advent Children movie there's no doubt she's the hottest RPG heroine this side of planet fanboy...the Play Arts Kai version did her justice...in a way...

SH Figuarts Sasuke Review - Naruto

GUEST REVIEW: Anjo Singson will be taking over the reins for this SHF Sasuke figure from Naruto. I was asked to edit this but i don't know jacks#!t about Naruto so i'll just be here for the *** comments. LOL. FHRITP Anjo!!!

Second time to review a figure for Mr. Tyler Durden in his enchanting blog. Grammar Nazis, don't stop f*c&!n6 yourselves. LOL! I have been collecting S.H. Figuarts as my secondary line (Next to PAKs whenever they aren't going to release some of the good stuff ... errr.)

The box looks good, IMO, it is better than Naruto's box. You can see some of the accessories there in the window, as well as the figure itself.

This time, I'm going to do a short review  of the "most-emo" anime character boy/guy in History ---- Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto: Shippuuden. *Special thanks to bro Christopher Patrick Chang for this figure fresh from Hong Kong!*

If you don't know the character ... well, I don't blame you. Short history --- he was a friend of Naruto in his younger years in Konoha (the setting of the anime, A village). Naruto always felt that he and Sasuke had a "special connection". Sasuke came from an extinct clan, The Uchihas (His brother killed his entire clan BUT FOR A GOOD REASON tho) and Sasuke strived to get stronger each and every episode he is featured so that he would look strong to ladies. No homo tho. Chicks are crazy for this guy. anyways, read the rest of the history here if you're interested: SASUKE UCHIHA. 

Play Arts Kai - TOP 10 PAKs of 2014

I've let go of the Play Arts Kai line in general to shift to a different scale but i must admit i'll always be a goddamn PAKer at heart. It isn't that difficult to enjoy or appreciate the Play Arts Kai line, even if in my case, from afar.

Cover Pic designed by JC of Sephtimus 

This "Unofficial" TOP 10 of 2014 article reflects the result of a survey i conducted in our local group "Play Arts Kai Philippines Trading Group" so some figs that are HOT elsewhere may not exactly be HOT here in the local scene. Ahem, without further ado, I present to you the TOP 10 Play Arts Kai figures of 2014.

SHFiguarts Gokou (Regular) - Dragonball Z Showcase

I don't think i need to introduce this World-famous Saiyan any longer. One of the greatest anime hero ever created from one of the greatest anime ever produced. I've seen other versions of Gokou in this particular line but this one takes the cake since this is the "Regular" edition or the basic and most well-known form of this Japanese Superman. Anyway, this would be the last SHFiguarts review i will be doing for GreattoysOnline.com

Props to a good friend Carlo Rogelio Silverio for these awesome shots. I wouldn't be able to top your shots man. 

I understand that this version is a web exclusive and knowing how meteorical the prices for these figures rise i expect him to hit absurd prices in the future. Unless of course they will not stop reissuing him, a very good thing for would-be collectors. 

SHFiguarts Piccolo - Dragon Ball Z Showcase

I've heard about this pretty nifty line from SHFiguarts and though i must admit i was turned away by some of the overpriced early figures (Trunks anyone?) I'm still glad to know that there is a considerable chance for a reissue, well, like this Namekian over here... courtesy of Greattoys Online, i'd just like to mention... 

As a 90's Child i grew up with Dragonball / Dragonball Z, i think this is hands-down the favorite anime series of the 90's, well, at least for boys who knew the characters by heart. Originally an antagonist, the son of King Piccolo, he eventually became one of the most known and beloved protagonist and ally in the Dragonball franchise. Here is Piccolo in his full SHF glory...

Diablo - Diablo 3 NECA Showcase

So what if this figure's been out for months already and is sold out in most stores locally? I can't imagine myself skipping a review...errr...a late review...i mean, uh, a showcase of this updated incarnation of the Lord of the Burning Hells. The Lord...or Lady of Terror - Diablo. Prepare yourself for a fanboy's showcase article...

First up, the obligatory background storytelling, yada, yada...I am a self-confessed Diablo addict back in the day, I was there during the Dungeon Crawl long before Prince Aidan was Prince Aidan, back when The Butcher is a scary son of a bit!# - Fresh Meat anyone? 

I was also present during the epic walk across Sanctuary to hunt down the Dark Wanderer (who turned out to be Prince Aidan) - from the Rogue Encampment, to the sewers of Lut Gholein, the murky swamplands of Kurast to the Pandemonium Fortress and up, up, up Mt. Arreat for a final confrontation at Worldstone Keep with the Lord of Destruction. It is only fitting I join in for the third (and 3.5th) time against the heir of, you guess it, Prince Aidan aaaaannnndddd during the expansion versus a renegade angel who is just so cool wielding those awesome hand scythes...it is an atrocity for me to miss this one out comrades...

Play Arts Kai The Joker Review - Arkham Origins

Guest Review: Oh, look who's back for another round? I think Francis here's packing a lot of rants for this particular figure so i dare not place some *** to indicate my personal comments. But then...oh well, take it away man...

What the PAK is up? I is Francis, and once again, I’mma be doing a guest review of the Play Arts Kai - Arkham Origins Joker.

SHFiguarts Mario - Showcase

"Its'a Mario!" If you have no idea who this character is i would like you to get out of here...you are not human my friend. Mario is one of the most iconic & most recognizable character in the history of video games and Pop culture and i'm happy to have a charming representation, in figure form, of him.  Anyway, thank you Anton for the awesome pics and Greattoys Online for the sponsored figure. This will mark my first ever Figuarts review, we have 2 more in store for you...

Anyway, let's keep this simple...

"Toys Dont Last"

PAID PR. LOL. ehem...yep, you read that right, it's DONT not DON'T, anyway, proceed...

Jan Calleja’s first solo exhibit “Toys Dont Last” is a collection of objects that tread the fine line between art sculpture and plaything.

Culling from personal experiences that deal with the conflicts of economics and relationships, Calleja uses techniques in production and advertising to take control of these influences as they manifest themselves in bits and pieces of plastic and metal, to be molded, re-assembled and given form in the shape of a toy collectible. With a process that converts intangible concepts (usually reserved for adulthood) into playthings, Calleja turns the bothersome and the throwaway into objects that evoke memories of play and visions of science fiction robot battles.

Big Boys Toy Store's "Funko" Weekend

I wandered into Big Boys Toy Store Funko Pop! Special event yesterday at Promenade, Greenhills and it was a rather new experience. I would also like to take it as promise of things (or events!) to come. The eye-candy display was very casual collector friendly i must say, well, that's coming from an (ex) Play Arts Kai and (current) 1/6 scale guy. 

Well, it's a "welcome change" from the usual toy display routine, at least for me and i got to hand it to Big Boys for officially reeling in this very interesting line. I know a little about the line, i have Daryl Dixon and Michonne of The Walking Dead after all, and they are definitely great display pieces. I just hope there is much to review but they are nice just the way they are. Congrats to Big Boys and we hope to see a Play Arts Kai themed event soon. And oh, i think i'd just mention, they got more pics in their FB page (and i'm happy to know i'm not the only one with blurry pics! LOL).  More photos after the jump...

ThreeA Emile 1/6 Scale Review - HALO: Reach

GUEST REVIEW: This just in, well, he actually came before Logan downstairs but then...you know...anyway, this review is from my good friend and most prolific guest reviewer Anton. I'm surprised he got this but then i think he's really dedicated to the ideal that we should not run out of figures to spend our money on, so here he is; ThreeA 1/6 Scale Emile from HALO: Reach, which is, as far as i know, a pretty old game already though i must admit the last stand of the Noble Team was pretty bad-ass. *** Anyway, means i'm sharing my insight or just randomly spewing out trash to add length to the review.

Strike 2 Anton, no box pic again. Emile here and that PI Batman. Next time ok? OK?

*** Emile here is one of the more popular characters of the HALO: Reach game, i remember having the Play Arts Kai version of Emile way back. I was not able to review him but he's pretty impressive, well, for a small scale PAK at least. Imagine how good he will be packed with details and superior paint apps then you get the idea of the 1/6 Emile figure. Ok, i'll shut up now and let Anton take it away...