Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Boba Fett (Prototype Armor)

Release Date: 2014

RRP: $20

Boba Fett is living proof that all some characters need is a fantastic design. Despite not really doing all that much in the films themselves the notorious bounty hunter became one of most iconic designs in all of Star Wars, and his popularity has continued to grow through various spin-off media and, of course, numerous bits of merchandise. But did you know that originally Boba Fett wasn't envisioned as a bounty hunter, and instead proposed as a sort of Empire "Super Trooper". The story of Boba Fett from concept to screen is a pretty interesting one, and his initial all-white design has been immortalised in toy form several times over the years. With Fett being one of the earliest releases in the 6" Black Series back in 2013, it didn't take Hasbro long to take advantage of such an obvious repaint. One year later, the Star Wars Black Series 6" Boba Fett (Prototype Armor) arrived in the US exclusively at Walgreens stores.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Captain America [Avengers: Endgame]

Release Date: May 2019
RRP: 6480 yen

Bandai Tamashii Nations have been pretty on the ball with their Marvel Cinematic Universe releases in the S.H. Figuarts line, and with a release as big as Avengers: Endgame it's no surprise to see how quickly they went all out. The film's release was followed by three months in a row of multiple new figures, and among them was of course a brand new version of America's ass himself. The Endgame edition of S.H. Figuarts Captain America released alongside Ronin and a second nano weapon set of the Iron Man Mark 50 armour in May, all of which were general retail figures.

Anime REVIEW: Shinkansen Robo Henkei Shinkalion

Every year there are dozens of anime series released whose main purpose is to sell toys. With these toys mainly limited to Japan, the shows rarely reach a worldwide audience (be it through streaming or otherwise) and many are simply forgotten about. There are however the ones that do that little bit extra and do get noticed across the globe, even if both the show and toys fail to officially make it out of Japan. Shinkansen Robo Henkei Shinkalion is the latest venture from TakaraTomy to expand their long-running PlaRail toy line, teaming up with the Japan Railways Group to create a transforming robot show deeply rooted in Japan's love for its rail system. The 76-episode series was animated by OLM, Inc., whose experience with merchandise-driven shows led to them to previously work with TakaraTomy on both the Zoids and Tomica Rescue Hero revivals.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Chopper (C1-10P)

Release Date: May 2019

RRP: £20/$20

It's taken a few years to get there but Star Wars fans are coming ever closer to having the complete main cast of Star Wars Rebels in six inch figure form, as the collector-orientated Black Series adds a further two characters to the range in its latest wave. Finally joining Kanan, Sabine and Hera are Ezra Bridger and the ill-tempered astromech droid Chopper, leaving only Zeb to round off the Ghost crew. A valuable member of the Spectre rebel cell, C1-10P participated in numerous raids and attacks on Imperial targets. Though a loyal and competent droid, his bad temper and argumentative attitude frequently meant he came to blows with his fellow crew members.

Toybox REVIEW: Super Mini-Pla Dyna Dragon & Gridman Sigma

Release Date: February 2019 

RRP: 6480 yen (Gridman Sigma & Dyna Dragon), 4860 yen (Dyna Dragon only)

The Bandai Super Mini-Pla line has shown itself to be fairly comprehensive in its series coverage thus far, so even though the Denkou Chojin Gridman range only received one retail wave there was no way they were going to stop there. But not only did Bandai offer the fans to pick up Super Mini-Pla Dyna Dragon through their Premium Bandai web store, but also went the extra mile to show just how extensive the line can be. In addition to a single release, Dyna Dragon was also released as part of a two-pack alongside Gridman Sigma - the proposed successor to the original Hyper Agent. As well as including the King Jet and Dyna Fighter/Dragonic Cannon Assist Weapons, this set also includes all the necessary parts to form the mighty King Gridman combination.

Anime REVIEW: One Punch Man Season 2

One Punch Man season 2 is available in streaming form via Crunchyroll

Every so often a show rolls around which doesn't just strike a chord with existing anime fans, it also inexplicably has that extra spark that pulls newcomers into the fold as well. Attack on Titan was one of those series, and 2015's One Punch Man was another. All of a sudden a somewhat crude but distinctly drawn web comic became one of the hottest animated shows on television, making its mark on the superhero genre with stunning visuals and simple but effective comedy. However much like Titan it then disappeared for years, with fans having to turn to the web comic and manga remake as they continued to hope for a second season. Four years later and that time has finally come, as One Punch Man season 2 arrived to continue the adventures of Saitama for a further 12 episodes. Sadly director Shingo Natsume and studio Madhouse are out of the picture this time around, replaced by Chikara Sakurai and J.C. Staff.

First Impressions: Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV

Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV is available in streaming form via Crunchyroll

It's hard to think back and imagine a time without Symphogear. Ever since the first season Senki Zesshō Symphogear launched back in 2012 anime fans have been treated to multiple seasons of incredible action, over the top spectacle, catchy music and some of the best ass-kicking girls you'll find. However sadly all good things eventually come to an end, and it's with a heavy heart I write that its fifth season, Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV is supposedly its last. However judging by the franchise's ability to consistently one up itself, it's certainly likely to go out on a bang. As usual animation duties are handled by Macross -maestros Satelight, with music provided by composer group Elements Garden.

First Impressions: Fire Force

Fire Force is available in streaming form via Crunchyroll

If there's one thing I admire about anime and manga above anything else, it's how its creators can seemingly take any concept and turn it into something completely off the wall. 2019 seems to be the year of fire fighting, as Trigger take to the big screen with their Promare movie while on television screens Fire Force also makes its debut. Adapted from the manga series by Atsushi Ōkubo. (most famously known as the creator of Soul Eater), the series has already caught the attention of fans due to its impressive production staff – animated by David Production (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Cells At Work!) and directed by SHAFT regular Yuki Yase.

First Impressions: Ultraman Taiga

July has arrived once again as usual that signals the start of a brand new instalment in the Ultra Series, the first of which to be released in the Reiwa period. Ultraman Taiga is the 31st entry in the overall franchise as well as the seventh New Generation Hero series, a subset of Ultraman shows that began back with Ultraman Ginga in 2013. Ultraman Taiga introduces three new Ultra heroes in the form of Taiga, Titas and Fuma as well as containing several links to older shows. Ultraman Taiga is the son of Ultraman Taro (and thus the grandson of Father of Ultra) while his partners Titas and Fuma hail from the planets U40 (the home of Ultraman Joneus) and O-50 (the home of Orb, Rosso and Blu) respectively.

First Impressions: Dr. Stone

Dr. Stone is available in streaming form via Crunchyroll

A new season of anime shows is upon us once more, and many are touting this to be one of the strongest summer lineups in some time. Among the most talked about shows premiering in the next few weeks is Dr. Stone, the latest in a long line of Shonen Jump manga adaptations. Animated by TMS Entertainment, this post-apocalyptic adventure series written by Riichiro Inagaki pits science against nature and even comes complete with its own scientific consultant to ensure its science wizardry has an element of realism to it.

Toybox REVIEW: Nendoroid Simon

Release Date: May 2019

RRP: 5093 yen

Where the mighty Kamina goes, his bro is sure to follow. Good Smile Company continue their launch of new Gurren Lagann merchandise with the release of Nendoroid Simon, following on from Kamima's long-awaited debut in the line at the end of last year. With his release GSC have finally at the very least completed the core trio of the acclaimed Gainax series, with Nendoroid Yoko having come out all the way back in 2009. Speaking as an unashamed Nia fan Good Smile still have plenty left to do, but at the very least it's amazing to see not only the show getting some love 12 years after its release but also seeing the characters finally get figures they deserved long ago.

Anime REVIEW: Attack on Titan Season 3

Attack on Titan season 3 is available in streaming form via Crunchyroll

It was only a few years that you couldn't escape from Attack on Titan. The success of that first season reached excelled beyond that of an average anime series, reaching a far wider audience as everyone seemed to want to talk about it. Even after its 25-episode run Hajime Isayama's manga series continued, and the series was also adapted into two live-action films as well as a comedy spin-off. However the years continued to go by with no sign of a second season on the horizon, until that finally arrived four years later. Though fans' patience had finally been rewarded, a shortened 12-episode runtime made it feel like the Titan hype train was beginning to run out of steam. Thankfully Studio WIT has freed up its schedule to ensure the wait for the next season wasn't anywhere near as gruelling, with Attack on Titan season three arriving shortly afterward for a full 22 episodes. The first 12 episodes aired in the summer of 2018, with the remaining ten following in spring 2019.

Toybox REVIEW: Moderoid Gurren Lagann

Release Date: May 2019

RRP: 3981 yen

Why exactly it's taken Good Smile Company to properly jump on the Gurren Lagann bandwagon is uncertain, but for fans of Gainax's love letter to all things super robot now is a pretty good time when it comes to merchandising. GSC have reignited the franchise with new statues and Nendoroid figures, but on the strictly robot side of things have also churned out a surprise entry in their Moderoid line. This still relatively new line is GSC throwing their hat into the world of mecha model kits, with other entries currently including Mazinkaiser, Godmars, Strelizia from Darling in the Franxx and various E-series trains from Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion. Though model kits isn't strictly a new market for Good Smile Company it isn't one they're especially known for these days