Toybox REVIEW: Chogokin Metal Gear Rex

Release Date: February 2025

RRP: 36,300 yen

Despite Metal Gear Solid being arguably one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, when it comes to figures and merchandising there's a lot of untapped potential. The majority of characters haven't had toys since the games originally released, and when it comes to the Metal Gears themselves the only real options are large/expensive figures like the ThreeA releases (which are even more expensive on the aftermarket) or Kotobukiya's impressive (but requiring a lot of extra work to look screen-accurate) model kits. As such it came as a bit of a surprise when Bandai Tamashii Nations announced their Chogokin Metal Gear Rex seemingly out of nowhere, bringing a new offering of the iconic war machine from the 1998 game to the table. At 36,300 yen (roughly $220/£171) it's still not exactly a cheap option, but as a Chogokin release their Rex should promise a high quality release with plenty of diecast metal. Is this truly the weapon that will lead us into the 21st century?

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Age of the Primes Blast Off

Release Date: January 2026

RRP: $27.99/£24.99

2026 is shaping up to be the year of Bruticus as the “big bad battling” Combaticon combiner bursts his way into the Transformers Age of the Primes line. Collectors were treated with a nice little tease of what’s to come last year with Vortex, but now it’s time for the rest of his teammates to gradually join him over the course of the years. Helping to kick things off is Age of the Primes Blast Off, a Deluxe Class figure who joins Brawl as part of the line’s first assortment of 2026 releases.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series 86 Decepticon Frenzy (Red)

Release Date: August 2023

RRP: $11.99/£13.99

Given it's strict focus on the cast of Transformers: The Movie there isn't a lot of opportunity for remoulds/repaints in the Studio Series 86 line, but what few there are Hasbro certainly aren't going to pass up on. And perhaps the most obvious of these was Studio Series 86 Decepticon Frenzy (Red) - Soundwave's second humanoid cassette minion who is of course identical to his brother Rumble. And like Rumble, Frenzy joined the line as one of the handful of smaller Core Class releases.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Age of the Primes Brawl

Release Date: January 2026

RRP: $42.99/£34.99

The release of Transformers Age of the Primes Vortex midway through 2025 was a pleasant surprise, albeit a little bit odd given than none of his fellow Combaticons were anywhere to be seen around this time. But with the range continuing on through 2026 it was only a matter of time, and now Bruticus is truly beginning to take shape as Age of the Primes Brawl joins him. Released alongside Blast Off, Brawl is the first of the two Voyager Class components that make up the Combaticon combiner – something which has been stated by the designers to be required by the leg pieces to enhance stability.

Toybox REVIEW: Revoltech Amazing Yamaguchi Harley Quinn Suicide Squad ISEKAI Ver.

Release Date: January 2026

RRP: 10,000 yen

There are many collectors (myself included) who would count Kaiyodo’s Revoltech line among their first foray into Japanese collector-grade action figures, and whilst many competitors have appeared in the years since it began the line has continued strong – its flagship Amazing Yamaguchi (named after sculptor Katsuhisa Yamaguchi) range covering the likes of Marvel and DC comics, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, Evangelion and more. As such a figure like Revoltech Amazing Yamaguchi Harley Quinn Suicide Squad ISEKAI Ver. feels like an obvious choice for the line, but the series getting so little merchandise elsewhere it feels like quite a pleasant surprise. As the name suggests, this version of Harley is based on her appearance in the Suicide Squad ISEKAI anime series – where Task Force X are transported to a fantasy realm of magic and monsters.

Movie REVIEW: Kamen Rider Gavv: Guilty Parfait

Whilst one could argue that Kamen Rider Gavv ended on a fairly satisfying note, there were still plenty of plot threads left open to be explored in future instalments. Something that's been mandatory for Kamen Rider for well over a decade now, as there needs to be something to cover in the obligatory V-Cinext epilogue movie. As also tends to be the standard for these films, Kamen Rider Gavv: Guilty Parfait shines the spotlight on the series' secondary and only (heroic) human Rider - Hanto Karakida, aka Kamen Rider Valen. The one-hour film was written by Gavv's main writer Junko Komura, and directed by Takayuki Shibasaki.

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

Release Date: January 2026

RRP: 7700 yen

Given both the overwhelming popularity of One Piece and how long the S.H. Figuarts line has been going for, it’s amazing (but ultimately not all that surprising) that Bandai Tamashii Nations haven’t given fans a full Straw Hat lineup yet. 2026 is the year all that changes though, with the release of S.H. Figuarts Sanji -Romance Dawn- completing the crew from that initial arc of the story. Sure it may be doing it on a technicality as only half of them were around during that time, but it’s still the closest Bandai have ever got. The Straw Hats’ faithful cook and lover of women everywhere kicks off the 2026 slate of One Piece releases as a general retail figure, and is actually the third release of the character – not only following on from the Raid on Onigashima from 2023 but also an Enies Lobby version released all the way back in 2011.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Char Aznable

Release Date: October 2025

RRP: 9900 yen

There are a lot of characters famous for their time spent in "Bandai Purgatory" (the fabled place prototypes go after being displayed at Bandai Tamashii Nations events and then never seeing subsequent release), but certain figures are particularly legendary - especially when they manage to finally escape. S.H. Figuarts Master Asia is one example that immediately springs to mind, first appearing at an event in 2008 before finally being released in 2014. Kamen Rider Saga is another one - first appearing as a standard S.H. Figuarts in 2011 before being revitalised as a Shinkocchou Seihou in 2024. Then in 2025 another one joined their ranks, and arguably it might be the most significant one of them all. After first being seen at a Tamashii Nations event all the way back in 2014, S.H. Figuarts Char Aznable is finally a reality. With the appearance of more and more Gundam characters in the line the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam antagonist was long overdue, and marks the first release from that original series.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Dracule Mihawk -Hawkeye-

Release Date: December 2025

RRP: 13,200 yen

Whilst the One Piece S.H. Figuarts range is taking its sweet time completing the full Straw Hats line-up, it's nice that Bandai Tamashii Nations are providing a good selection of key side characters from various arcs in the meantime. The initial "Romance Dawn" section of the story has been of particular interest, and the release of S.H. Figuarts Dracule Mihawk -Hawkeye- compliments the current selection rather nicely. Known as the strongest swordsman in the world and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Mihawk first appeared to the Straw Hats during the Baratie Arc. Zoro challenged him to a duel and was swiftly defeated, leading the Straw Hats' first mate to vow that he would never lose in battle again until he became the strongest swordsman. Directly based on his appearance during this arc, Mihawk was released as a Tamashii Web exclusive at the very end of 2025.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series Soundwave (with Buzzsaw, Laserbeak & Ravage)

Release Date: December 2025

RRP: $59.99/£55.99

Transformers: The Movie may have introduced fans to a whole new selection of Autobots and Decepticons, but that doesn't mean that the veteran cast was completely forgotten about. The opening battle on Autobot City in particular was a showcase of previously established characters, earning them a place in the Studio Series "86" line. Among the figures to kick of the 2026 assortment (even if they were technically released at the end of 2025) to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary is Studio Series Soundwave, the Decepticon Communications Officer and one of Megatron's most loyal soldiers. Of course no Soundwave figure would be complete without some of his cassette minions to go with him, and this release has been bumped up to Leader Class status partly thanks to the inclusion of Buzzsaw, Laserbeak and Ravage.