Top 5: Toys I'm Looking Forward to in 2024

It feels a bit strange to be writing a top five post about what toys I'm looking forward to in 2024 when I feel like I've hit a bit of a crossroads with toy collecting. While I can't see me giving up the hobby entirely any time soon, I'm definitely looking at curbing it a bit going forwards - Hasbro lines largely don't seem to hit the same for me any more, and overall I'm just beginning to get a bit overwhelmed by the quantity I've picked up in decade or so I've been into the hobby proper. But nevertheless there will always be new toy releases that excite me, and even though my preorder list feels much smaller than it did this time last year there's some really great stuff lined up for 2024!

Some honourable mentions:

- Haslab Deathsaurus - I know people across the world have already started to receive him so he's technically a 2023 release, but the UK's have been held back until February so I've got a little while longer to wait before I get my hands on him.

- S.H. Figuarts Luffy and Nami (Dawn of Adventure) - 2023 was the year I finally got hit by the One Piece bug, and while I did pick up the new Raid on Onigashima Luffy to tide me over in the meantime (a fun little figure!) I've got a long way to go before I'm up to date with the series (currently sitting on episode 240 at the time of writing). These however? I'll take them all please and thank you. The only reason they didn't make the actual list is because they don't have a release date yet, but with One Piece celebrating its 25th anniversary next year I'm fairly confident they aren't too far away.

So without further ado, onto the list!

5. MAFEX Endoskeleton

While a lot of the toys I buy tend to cover multiple characters from series or films, sometimes it's also nice to just a buy a single figure from something and call it a day. Despite being a big fan of the (first two) Terminator films, figures aren't something I've ever really had the desire to own - apart from this of course. As still my favourite design that's ever come out of the franchise, I've been in the market for a high quality Endoskeleton figure for some time - and Medicom are absolutely delivering that with this beauty. While my experience with the MAFEX line is still largely limited to their comic book output, the Batman and Spider-Man ranges have definitely given me the confidence that this is going to be another top-tier figure and not a fragile/quality-control nightmare.

4. S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla (1972)

Following the anniversaries of both Godzilla vs Hedorah and Godzilla vs Gigan it seems as though Bandai Tamashii Nations have finally started giving the Showa era the love that it deserves, and among all that love is a version of Godzilla that's been long overdue. Not so much the Soshingeki-Goji suit in itself (although that is one of the most popular iterations of the Big G from this era), but rather just a classic Godzilla that's more about defending the planet than tearing up Tokyo. While the lack of regular beam effects with Godzilla SHMAs continues to be a bit of a sore point, the alternate bloodied head is a nice little consolation prize. This isn't just going to look great with MonsterArts Gigan, I can see it becoming a prize piece of my (relatively small) kaiju collection.

3. S.J.H.U. Shin Universe Robo

The S.J.H.U. (Shin Japan Heroes Universe) Shin Universe Robot might be one of the dumbest things I've ever laid eyes on. However simultaneously it also may be one of the greatest things I've ever laid eyes on. How else would you celebrate the Hideaki Anno-led quadrology of Shin Evangelion, Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman and Shin Kamen Rider then combining all four into a giant transforming robot? That truly is some inspired thinking. And with a marketing campaign like this, how can you say no? It's big, it's expensive and truth be told I'm not completely convinced it's going to be that great (it's a DX robot with limited articulation after all), but man am I excited for it on hype factor alone.

2. Transformers Missing Link Convoy

This one's also a bit of an oddity, if only because G1 Transformers toys have never really been my thing. Love the franchise to death, but I'm always going to pick newer toys with better articulation and/or screen-accuracy. However Missing Link Convoy is an incredibly cool concept, and pretty much the perfect way to celebrate Transformers' 40th anniversary. G1 Optimus Prime is already a fantastic toy, but the added articulation is just going to enhance it even further - both from a play perspective and as a really clever piece of merchandise. The figure is being made available in both toy (with trailer) and cartoon (sans trailer)-accurate decos, and in an unusual move for me I've opted for the toy deco. Not particularly because I want the trailer, but because this is a toy I feel should be experience with the look of the original. 

1. S.H. MonsterArts Jet Jaguar (1973)

As soon as it was confirmed this was coming, I knew it was going to be my most anticipated toy release of 2024. After years of patiently waiting, one of Godzilla's most beloved allies is finally coming to S.H. MonsterArts to celebrate his 50th anniversary. Such is the power of Jet Jaguar that he only needed to appear in one film (Godzilla vs Megalon) to secure such popularity, but his more recent (albeit very different) appearance in the Godzilla Singular Point anime series certainly didn't go unappreciated. Despite being a pretty pricey web exclusive release, Jet Jaguar certainly doesn't look like he's going to disappoint - what he lacks in bulk, he certainly makes up for in accessories. Between this and Godzilla '72 surely Megalon must be joining them later in the year too? I've loved the MonsterArts line from afar for many years now, but this is definitely the most excited for it I've ever been.

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 What toys are you looking forward to in 2024? As always let me know in the comment section below!