Tuesday 21 February 2023

FEATURE: Damiensaber Lightsaber Review - Be one with the Force!

Damiensaber Lightsaber Review 01

These days Star Wars fans are pretty spoilt for choice when it comes high-end lightsaber replicas. Jedi or Sith, no force wielder is complete without arguably one of the most iconic weapons in science-fiction history. In this special review we'll be looking at one of the models from Damiensaber, a lightsaber company specialising in both replica and custom RGB lightsabers suitable for display and duelling. 

Wednesday 15 February 2023

Toybox REVIEW: ACT MODE Chris Yukine

ACT MODE Chris Yukine 01

Release Date:
June 2022
RRP: 8900 yen

News that the girls of Symphogear would be returning to the world of articulated action figures with Good Smile Company's ACT MODE line was exciting enough, but for fans of one particular girl from the franchise it felt like a second coming. After being the one girl from the original trio denied a Figma release following season one, the wielder of the Ichaival relic's time has finally come with the release of ACT MODE Chris Yukine. The second Symphogear release in the line, if there was any that GSC needed to get right in order to please the fans – it's this one.

Friday 10 February 2023

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Decker Flash Type

S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Decker Flash Type 01

Release Date: November 2022
RRP: 3960 yen

Another new Ultraman series, another wonderfully cheap S.H. Figuarts release from Bandai Tamashii Nations to kick off a whole new range of collecting. 2022 saw the release of Ultraman Decker - a direct sequel to Ultraman Trigger and a series that commemorated the 25th anniversary of Ultraman Dyna. Anyone who watched those episodes via the official YouTube channel would have seen numerous adverts for S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Decker Flash Type - the base form of its titular hero and thus the obvious choice for the first figure in the Decker range.

Monday 6 February 2023

Toybox REVIEW: G.I. Joe Classified Series Storm Shadow

G.I. Joe Classified Series Storm Shadow 01

Release Date: June 2022
RRP: $22.99/£21.99

While I'm admittedly not the biggest G.I. Joe fan out there, the bits of media from the franchise I've consumed I've always had a good time with and there's just something I love about the designs of the various Cobra members. The Joes themselves are great, but I'm a villain guy first and foremost and the ruthless terrorist organisation has some brilliant characters that are right up there with the very best of 80s bad guys. As such the G.I. Joe Classified Series line has given me the chance to finally pick up some of my favourites in six-inch form, and near the top of my list has always been Storm Shadow. This white-clad ninja and rival to Snake Eyes might not always be on Cobra's payroll, but he's pretty synonymous with them nevertheless. Despite being the one that best represents his most iconic look G.I. Joe Classified Series Storm Shadow is actually the third version of the character to be released in the line – following on from the "Arctic Mission" and Snake Eyes movie versions.

Saturday 4 February 2023

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Omega (Kamino)

Star Wars Black Series Omega (Kamino) 01

Release Date: April 2022
RRP: $24.99/£23.99

With all five specially-enhanced clone troopers that make up (or formerly made up) Clone Force 99 now available in the Star Wars Black Series, that just leaves one main character from The Bad Batch left. Hasbro certainly didn't leave fans waiting too long, with Black Series Omega (Kamino) releasing in the same wave as Echo to round things off. Unique among the clones for being the only one born female, the naturally-aging Omega escaped Kamino alongside the Bad Batch following their defection from the Empire. Though smaller and weaker than her clone brothers, Omega possesses a sharp tactical mind as well as a compassionate and empathetic personality that has caused trouble for the team on numerous occasions.