Series REVIEW: Ultraman Orb

2016 inexplicably marked big anniversaries for all of Japan’s still-airing tokusatsu hero franchises, but undoubtedly the most monumental of all was Ultraman’s. Last year the silver giant of light turned 50 years old, and with the franchise having gained new footing in the past few years Tsuburaya Productions did plenty to celebrate. Ultraman X kicked things off in 2015, leading into a movie which also featured appearances from both the original Ultraman and Ultraman Tiga. However the main event was Ultraman Orb – a brand new anniversary series which once again saw worldwide distribution via Crunchyroll simulcasting. Although this main series only ran for a total of 25 episodes, it’s been immediately followed up with an Amazon Prime-exclusive prequel series as well as a movie due for release later in the year.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman 50th Anniversary Edition

The Ultra Series has been particularly notable amongst the various tokusatsu properties covered by Bandai Tamashii Nations because its the only that's ever had the honour of its very own distinct toy line. For the past 16 years the Ultra-Act line has covered a wide range of characters from Tsuburaya Productions flagship franchise, but despite nearly approaching a total of 80 different releases it seems the line's time is finally up. Ultra-Act had slowly turned to renewal figures rather than unreleased characters, and a crossover between the Ultra-Act and S.H. Figuarts brand was shortly followed by the news that Figuarts was soon to have its own selection of Ultraman figures. This meant the same classic characters once again in a whole new scale, so it's no surprise that not every collector welcomed the news with open arms. For many however this was an exciting new direction for both Figuarts and the Ultra Series, and the timing couldn't be better with Ultraman celebrating his 50th Anniversary in 2016. Such an occasion meant not just one, but two releases of the new S.H. Figuarts Ultraman figure - a standard release and a special anniversary variant that also shows off Tamashii's latest offshoot - Option Act.

First Impressions: Ultraman Orb

2016 is a pretty big year for tokusatsu anniversaries. Kamen Rider turned 45, Super Sentai hit the big 40 (though technically last year, the celebration comes with the 40th series) and GARO is also celebrating 10 years on the scene. But there's one anniversary this year that's even bigger, as July 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Ultraman - arguably Japan's leading toku hero. Of course such a milestone can't go by without a party, so Tsuburaya Productions are celebrating with Ultraman Orb, the latest Ultra Series instalment. Western fans will also be pleased to hear that Crunchyroll are simulcasting the series with English subtitles, expanding their rather impressive Ultraman back catalogue all the more. With the site expressing a further interest in toku AND plans to move into the home video business, things could get very interesting in the future should these simulcasts continue to be a success.

Toybox REVIEW: Ultra-Act Ultraman Ginga

S.H. Figuarts might be the first thing collectors think of when it comes to Bandai Tamashii Nations toylines, but there's one line of Japanese superhero that's so renowned that they've been getting a whole toy line to themselves. I'm referring to none other than Ultra-Act of course, a Figuarts-esque line for Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman franchise (and a few exceptions, such as Gridman). My first Ultra-Act figure of my first proper exposure to the Ultra series, it's current hero and 50th anniversary series - Ultraman Ginga.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who 5" The Other Doctor

Most of my Doctor Who figure reviews these days are opened with my lamenting the demise of the long-standing 5" scale line in favour of the newer 3.75" scale, but for once here's a review of a brand new figure that isn't a remould or re-release! Even if this scale is on its way out (and those signs are increasingly pointing to 'yes'), Character Options and Underground Toys have conjured up one last hurrah with a figure that would sorely be missing from people's collections had it not been made. Appearing in the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor and played by the legendary John Hurt, here is the long awaited 5" Other Doctor figure. Of course, the "Other Doctor" is a stupid name that's being used on all his merchandising, so for the rest of the review I'll be referring to him by what most fans call him - the War Doctor.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who 50th Anniversary British Icon Dalek

The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who should have been a brilliant opportunity for Character Options to release some great new items to the line. While there have been a few nice bits and pieces, such as the 11 Doctor/Dalek 2-packs and the new Doctor wave of Character Building figurines, but all in all it hasn't be particularly wonderful and the focus is still very much on the new line of 3.75" figures. Still as a Dalek collector there was one prize that took my eye - the 12" 50th Anniversary British Icon Dalek, a delightfully garish figure emblazoned with the British flag. And having been persuaded by a full-sized version at the official BBC stall at London's Doctor Who anniversary celebrations, I just couldn't say no...

The packaging is a fairly unoriginal window box, with most of the design taken up by the blue vortex Doctor Who packaging has had since around 2010. The box also features the silver TARDIS "50th Anniversary" logo, and numerous collectors/limited edition banners to remind you that you're presumably getting something that won't be on shelves for very long. Getting it out of the box is a little bit of a chore, as the Dalek base is screwed to the cardboard tray and needs to be released with the use of a screwdriver. Make sure you have a narrow screwdriver handy though, because the plastic tube things protruding from the bottom aren't the widest of things.

So once you've struggled to take it out of the box you have a big, blue patriotic Dalek standing tall. I've always been partial to blue Daleks (which is a shame because outside the Strategists they are reduced to promo units), but there's really something great about the darker flag blue with white slats and hemispheres. Two different colours isn't a common thing on the 2005 Dalek design, so seeing this traditional styling on even a limited edition thing is a nice touch. The flag portion only covers the front section of the Dalek, stretching from the front half of the dome to the bottom of the skirt, and then wrapping around to the width of the appendage box. Under the eyestalk is a rather appropriate "2013" in place of the usual ID tag of the modern Daleks.

The electronics can be switched on at the bottom of the base, and then activated via the third hemisphere down on the second skirt panel on the Dalek's left (if you look at it face on). While "on" the eyestalk will be lit blue, and the lights will flash in time with the speech. The Dalek is free-wheeling and so can be pushed along a floor, and the middle section is also capable of turning a full 360 degrees.

But as nice as the British Icon Dalek looks, it certainly isn't without its problems. Strip away the wonderful decor and all it is is your standard 12" remote controlled Dalek, with all of the remote control functions naturally gutted. This is most noticeable in with the dome, which cannot fully rotate 360 degrees and instead can only turn side to side (the RC versions have it automated as the Dalek rolls along). There has been zero effort in giving this new Dalek a new voice bank, instead having it churn out the same sound clips every remote controlled one has had since the first was released (which was about the time season two aired if I remember correctly). Would it have been so hard to give it something a little different for the 50th anniversary, such as a "Celebrate!" instead of/to coincide with "Exterminate!"? Or even the infamous "Would you care for some tea?" line from Victory of the Daleks - after all, this particular Dalek is a true Brit through and through. Instead we get a poor rehash of something that's been on the market for about seven years, which takes FOUR AA batteries and lacks the ability to choose which speech clip is being used (the button method is randomised, while the remote on the RC version had specific clip buttons). Very disappointed.


As an avid Dalek collector I don't regret my purchase in the slightest and am a bit disappointed the American flag version has been seemingly cancelled (although I don't know why it needed making in the first place), but this is a difficult thing to recommend to anyone not as Dalek obsessed as I. As a limited anniversary piece it's something special and the paint job is just wonderful, but if this is your first foray into the world of 12" Daleks then you may as well save up a little bit of extra cash and spring for the new remote controlled Asylum version instead.

Reviews in Time & Space: The Day of the Doctor

So it's finally here. On the 23rd November at precisely 17:16pm the very first episode of Doctor Who aired, and at the time I'm sure no one thought we'd still be here 50 years later. The show has experienced some turbulent times over the years, but in the last eight years has arguably bounced back bigger and stronger than ever, and was in perfect position to celebrate its golden anniversary in style. There have been plenty of wonderful productions to celebrate this momentous occasion - Big Finish's own multi-Doctor crossover audio "The Light at the End", Gatiss' moving docudrama about the birth of the show "An Adventure in Space and Time" and even a wonderful skit of Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy (that's Doctors 5, 6 and 7) going on an epic quest to earn a place in the anniversary special. Each has served a different purpose and celebrated in its own special way, but this is the big one - the television 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, appropriately titled "The Day of the Doctor".

This special 75 minute episode sees 10th Doctor David Tennant return to the show for a special crossover that introduces John Hurt as a new, forgotten incarnation of the Doctor. In the last days of the last great Time War between the Time Lords and Daleks, this war-beaten Doctor seizes Gallifrey's ultimate weapon to make the ultimate sacrifice to end the conflict once and for all. As the weapon's interface takes on a familiar (or rather unfamiliar) face to show the War Doctor where his decision will lead him in life, he meets up with the 10th and 11th reincarnations of the Doctor and becomes wrapped up in a Zygon plot to take over the Earth - in both Elizabethan England and modern day! Can the two Doctors accept the man they once were? And is he also proud of the men he will become?

"They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do, assemble a cabinet at them?"

Ever since those final moments of season seven finale "The Name of the Doctor", I've had very mixed feelings about the addition of a ninth forgotten incarnation. It's certainly a huge bombshell and something great for story purposes, but the idea of throwing established numbering off is something that didn't sit with me well. However after the frankly brilliant minisode "The Night of the Doctor" featuring the long overdue return of Paul McGann, I was willing to give it a fair shot. John Hurt is absolutely superb as the War Doctor, adding a much needed adult quality that has been missing from the newer Doctors and something many hope to see return with Peter Capaldi next year. His performance not only gives off the aura of a war-hardened Doctor who can make the decisions the others never could, but also of a tired old man who had to give up all the values he lived by. Seeing him react to his successors is very reminiscent to the 1st Doctor's reactions in "The Three Doctors", and his comments about how young the Doctor looks, using the Sonic Screwdriver as a weapon and the ever-ridiculous "Timey Wimey" catchphrase just go to show Doctor Who isn't beyond poking fun at itself sometimes.

"No more."

Then we come to our already established Doctors, and welcome back a lone wandering 10 to the show. Tennant's absence hasn't changed the character a bit, with his romantic swagger playing off brilliantly against Matt Smith's excitable manchild Doctor. The two can go from complimenting each other to bickering within seconds, though having a much stabler relationship than the rocky rivalry of the second and third Doctors. They may have their differences, but put together Chinny, Sand shoes and Granddad are an unbeatable team.

Despite having three Doctors, the episode runs fairly low on companions but each of them certainly have their presence known in the story. While Clara doesn't get to do a whole lot in the show, she continues to act as the 11th Doctor's moral compass, guiding him back on track of becoming the hero he was once was and away from the forgetful hermit he seems to have become. Billie Piper returns but not as Rose Tyler, instead playing The Moment's interface - taking on the shape of the Bad Wolf. Billie Piper played a big role in bringing the show to modern audiences so her inclusion is welcome, but Rose's story is done - adding anything else to it not only needlessly extends things, but also pays disservice to every other companion that's served after her. She sparkles in the role of the "Bad Wolf", adding a level of seniority to the character Rose Tyler could never have and giving the War Doctor something it doesn't seem like he's had in a long, long time - a companion.

The Time War is finally realised. Flames are obligatory.

This episode features two different monsters, neither of which have a particularly central focus but are very much necessary to the overall story. It would be wrong to do a 50th anniversary episode without the Daleks, and finally depicting some Time War action is a fantastic way to give Who's greatest villains the gravitas they seem to have lost over the last few years. It's only a brief snippet, but in our first proper foray into the event that's rocked Who for the last eight years we saw Dalek battleships blasting the surface of Gallifrey and the creatures ready to fire on a cornered family amongst a sea of flames and destruction. The squad's defeat at the hands of the War Doctor also served to illustrate a much tougher incarnation, literally ploughing his TARDIS through them. The sheer carnage of the Time War is something we'll probably never see properly realised onscreen (not just due to budget constraints, but also to keep the show family-friendly), but if this is all we get then I think it served the purpose well.

They're baaaaack...

The "modern" portion of the story saw the return of another classic monster, one that's garnered quite a following despite having only appeared in one story before. The Zygons are back, and as one of the only monsters to genuinely terrify me as a child it was nice to see the design largely unaltered (once again the fangs were unnecessary though). Though one could argue that their story thread was dropped rather quickly once it stopped being a metaphor for the Doctors' story, it served its place very nicely in the grand scheme of things and secured yet another great monster as a part of the modern revival. Plus the whole shape-shifting aspect of the Zygons allowed for Tennant to have some really brilliant lines.

The forehead from the future.

Getting all the old gang back together at this stage was impossible, and playing a multi Doctor story like the classic series did seems like a bit of a pipedream - actors change and not everyone will be able to suspend their belief like the more dedicated fans can. But Moffat was sure to give every Doctor a place in the special, with every incarnation of the Doctor coming together at the end to save the day. And that isn't just 12 Doctors, as we also get a brief cameo of what is yet to come in Doctor Who - a man who's eyes and forehead is more than enough to make any fan squeal in joy. Other nice little nods to the past include Clara's new job at Coal Hill School (with a certain I. Chesterton as Head of the Governors), UNIT's flowchart of the Doctor's past companions and of course the appearance of the museums curator. While arguably more fan pleasing than anything that'll have real relevance on the future of the series, this touching exchange really does go to show that revisiting old favourites is never a bad thing.

"I never forget a face..."

From the moment the original 1963 title sequence came onscreen I had a feeling Doctor Who fans were in for something special, and I feel honoured to have watched this episode along with thousands of other fans at the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Celebration in London. This is easily one of the best episodes of Doctor Who since its revival in 2005, and will certainly go down as one of my favourites in the show's entire run. With tribute to the past, "The Day of the Doctor" addresses what the series has become and just as importantly, where it goes from here. Here's to another 50 years!

First Impressions: Ultraman Ginga

With Akibaranger done once again I've found myself with one less weekly series to watch, and decided to pick up something new. While I've always been aware of Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra Series and Ultraman, it's only recently something I've become interested in watching. While I'm currently watching Ultraman Nexus as part of TokuNation.com's "Let's Watch Wednesday", the arrival of the 50th anniversary Ultra Hero has also sparked my interest. Welcome to Ultraman Ginga...

All of the existing Ultramen and monsters have been turned into Spark Dolls (small vinyl toys) by an unknown evil force and scattered across Earth. A young man named Hikaru Raidou is told by the Ultraman Taro spark doll that he is the chosen one, and will be able to return the Ultramen to their original forms using an item known as the Ginga Spark. However the spark also gives Hikaru the power to turn into Ultraman Ginga, as well as become one with previous monsters and Ultramen.

What I think I enjoy the most about Japanese tokusatsu anniversary celebrations of this kind is that while they go to great lengths to tribute everything that's come before it, they still make them easily accessible to newcomers as potentially a great starting off point for the franchise. Gokaiger and, to a lesser extent, Kamen Rider Decade were the same. There's plenty to keep long-time Ultra fans satisfied - such as the appearance of Ultraman Taro and a number of classic monsters, but not to the point where anything isn't understandable for newbies like me.

Like I said earlier, my current experience with the Ultra Series simply extends to Ultraman Nexus (and the Ultraman: The Next movie), which is a pretty gritty show. Ultraman Ginga can't really do that since its gimmick is essentially based around talking vinyl toys, so instead makes the wise choice of being an incredibly fun series. The episode is incredibly silly, but never stops being fun and at the same time has an obvious story no matter how wacky it is. Then when we finally get around to the debut of Ultraman Ginga it's everything that makes the Ultra Series unique - wonderful miniature work, beautifully retro costume design and all-out monster brawling.

I couldn't be more happy with the first episode of Ultraman Ginga. It's a fun, light-hearted look back at a franchise that doesn't get enough love from Western toku audiences as well as providing something new and exciting. I honestly can't wait for more.