Special REVIEW: Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger IN SPACE

Between both Donbrothers and Kyoryuger it's fair to say that Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger has proven itself to be quite flexible when it comes to crossovers. The 47th Super Sentai series was also quite large when it came to scope too, given both its time skip and the intergalactic elements it incorporated into the story following that. As such the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club's latest special is the perfect match, bringing all these elements together in the rather aptly named Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger IN SPACE. This short one-off special reunites characters from King-Ohger and Kyoryuger for a third time, as well as bringing in familiar faces from Ohranger, Gingaman, Dekaranger and Kyuranger. 

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Nami -Romance Dawn-

Release Date: September 2024

RRP: 7150 yen

While the return of One Piece S.H. Figuarts seems to be something Bandai Tamashii Nations are taking quite seriously, it is somewhat surprising that despite all these releases that the main cast of characters doesn’t seem to be a priority. The franchise's 25th anniversary might have been just what was needed to change that though, as in addition to figures from the current era Tamashii Nations are also going back in time to it’s very beginning! S.H. Figuarts Nami -Romance Dawn- is the second character to be released from this sub-set of figures, as well as the second Nami figure in the S.H. Figuarts line – the original dating all the way back to 2010!

Top 5: Tamashii Nation 2024 Reveals

Another annual Tamashii Nation event has passed and in some ways this was Bandai's biggest one in a while, with lots of brand new IPs joining their various figure lines as well as plenty of new reveals from the usual suspects. Who ever thought we'd be seeing Lord of the Rings S.H. Figuarts or a Chogokin model of the time-travelling train from the end of Back to the Future Part 3? I could spend hours going through all of the announcements from the event (and definitely recommend checking out Tamashii Nations' social media accounts to get a look at everything), but as usual here are my top five favourite reveals from the event.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series 86 Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky

Release Date: January 2022

RRP: $11.99/£13.99

While there are plenty of (living, dead and background) characters in Transformers: The Movie to keep the Studio Series 86 line occupied for quite a while, it's nice to know that it didn't take long for Hasbro to turn their attention toward the few non-robotic cast members as well. Studio Series 86 Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky joins the line's core class offerings of smaller figures, representing the now adult Spike in the transforming armour he wore in the movie and subsequent episodes of the Generation One cartoon. In the movie, Spike assists Bumblebee with the Autobot defences on Moonbase Two - stationed there until it was devoured by the chaos bringer Unicron.

Series REVIEW: Ultraman Ace

With Return of Ultraman proving to be a success, in late 1971 Tsuburaya Productions and TBS began work on a follow-up Ultraman series. When coming up with an initial concept for the series, three screenwriters were tapped to offer their own individual proposals. Shinichi Ichikawa's "Ultra Hunter" would see a man and woman join together to become an Ultraman born beyond gender boundaries, fighting against the invasion of the Andromeda Space Corps. Shozo Uehera's "Ultra Fighter" saw a defence team member inherit the powers of an Ultraman from Nebula M78 battling against monsters created by a mad scientist. Finally Shigemitsu Taguchi's "Ultra V" featured monsters manufactured by an alien force targeting the Earth. Rather that pick just one proposal, all three were amalgamated into what would become the fifth entry in the Ultra Series - Ultraman Ace. Premiering on April 7th 1972, Ultraman Ace ran for a total of 52 episodes and reflected the next evolution in the Ultraman franchise.

Toybox REVIEW: G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander (Retro)

Release Date: September 2024

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

As the G.I. Joe Classified Series continues to go from strength to strength, much like many of Hasbro's other collector lines it looks to the past as well as the future with a range of retro-carded figures meant to evoke nostalgia in longtime collectors. In some cases it's simply the packaging that reflects those vintage releases, but in the Joes' case the figures themselves are also based on how these characters originally appeared. The line has been releasing these at a steady rate for a few years now but it just goes to show how extensive G.I. Joe's cast is that there are still plenty of key characters yet to come. However for now, fans have been treated to the particularly special release of the G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander (Retro) - bringing back Cobra's iconic leader in his classic and arguably most familiar form.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who Ruby Sunday (Vortex Edition)

Release Date: October 2024

RRP: £39.99 (2-pack with the Fifteenth Doctor) 

Even if the latest era of Doctor Who doesn't prove enough to get the toy line out of the rut of store/online exclusives it's been in for years now, at the very least Character Options have definitely made an effort to make the two lead characters stand out. Actually getting them released (and in the same year as the series aired no less) is one thing, but to bring with them improved articulation, sculpting and paintwork is a much-needed shot in the arm for the line. Joining the Fifteenth Doctor on his travels through time and space is Ruby Sunday (portrayed onscreen by Millie Gibson), who will also be made available in two versions. Firstly this special "Vortex Edition" figure exclusive to the Character Options website, and then a retail edition (with a different costume and packaging) slightly later.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who The Fifteenth Doctor (Vortex Edition)

Release Date: October 2024

RRP: £39.99 (2-pack with Ruby Sunday)

Even though there has been a steady string of exclusive releases at either B&M stores or the Character Options website for some time now, the Doctor Who figure line hasn't been faring too well when it comes to capitalising on the current series. Brand new characters are few and far between, with what little we do get coming months/years are the series they hail from has aired. Things might be picking up with the latest era though, as Character Options have finally unveiled their Fifteenth Doctor figure. Portrayed onscreen by Ncuti Gatwa, this figure will be made available in two versions – firstly a special "Vortex Edition" exclusive to Character's website, and then a retail edition (with a different costume and packaging) slightly later.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Baron Banana Arms

Release Date: September 2024

RRP: 11,000 yen

In addition to all the usual sculpt and proportion improvements that come with S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou figures, one of the most interesting aspects of the Kamen Rider Gaim range is the implementation of the show's versatile Arms Change gimmick. Not only does it add an extra level of play to the range, but also hopefully means Bandai Tamashii Nations will be fairly extensive when it comes to releases. At the very least though Gaim himself will not be alone, with S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Baron Banana Arms announced alongside him for release the following month. Though a little more expensive than Gaim, Baron also comes as a general retail figure.

First Impressions: Wingman

While the various franchises that make Japan's tokusatsu sphere rarely disappoint, it's always exciting when something new and/or difference comes along to add to the usual annual line-up. 2024 sees Masakazu Katsura's superhero fantasy manga Wing-Man celebrate its 40th anniversary, with the occasion marked by a brand new live-action adaptation. Wingman is co-produced by TV Tokyo, Toei Video and DMM TV, is directed by Koichi Sakamoto and stars Maito Fujioka (son of Kamen Rider legend Hiroshi Fujioka and the young Hongo Takeshi in Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations) in the lead role. An anime adaptation of Wing-Man was also previously released between 1984 and 1985.