Toybox REVIEW: BUZZmod Kamina

Release Date: July 2023

RRP: 11000 yen

2022 marked the 15th anniversary of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, and as one of the most popular mecha series to have been released in the past few decades there was no way figure companies weren't going to mark the occasion. But while there was the predictable onslaught of high-end versions of the titular mecha, Aniplex's still relatively new BUZZmod line went in a different direction and did something fans have been waiting years for. Articulated figures of the mecha are commonplace, but the cast themselves? That's much rarer. After 15 years, one of the show's most unforgettable characters has finally received an articulated action figure in the form of BUZZmod Kamina. As an Aniplex exclusive release, the figure could only be ordered through their official webstore (in both Japan and the US) – and of course any middleman service supplying it through them.

Toybox REVIEW: Nendoroid Kamina Review

Release Date: November 2018 

RRP: 4444 yen

Dig the wax out of your ears and listen close! The bad reputation of Team Gurren echoes far and wide in Giha Village. When they talk about its badass leader, that man of indomitable spirit, that paragon of masculinity, they're talking about him - the mighty Nendoroid Kamina! That's right, after nearly ten years since the last Gurren Lagann release Good Smile Company have finally returned to Gainax's beloved mecha series to round off the core trio of main characters - two years after the series has celebrated its tenth anniversary, but close enough. Simon will be joining the line later in 2019, but first it's time to celebrate the release of the man who first inspired him the pierce the heavens and kick logic to the curb. Kamina has finally arrived on the scene, and if he has anything to do with it you'll certainly hear about it. Just who the hell do you think he is?!

Anime REVIEW: Medaka Box

The second of my Spring anime viewings is a show that I probably wouldn't have had any interest in had I not seen the animation studio name attached to it. Medaka Box is a 12-episode series based on the manga of the same name written by Nisio Isin (the Monogatari series), and animated by none other than Gainax (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gurren Lagann).

Before we begin, have some Medaka fanservice.

In her first year at Hakoniwa Academy, Medaka Kurokami is elected Student Council President after winning a staggering 98% of the vote. Her first initiative is create a suggestion box, in which her fellow students can make suggestions/requests that the council will attempt to fix 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With her childhood friend Zenkichi Hitoyoshi behind her, Medaka is determined to fix any problem - including finding lost dogs, cleaning up club rooms and "rehabilitating" students. As the series progresses, she also takes judo club prince Kouki Akune and swimming team ace Mogana Kikaijimi into the fold.

As the popularity of the "Medaka Box" grows, more and more students seek assistance from the council. But eventually Medaka faces off against the school's enforcer squad and their 10-year-old leader, child prodigy Myouri Unzen.

Kouki, Mogana and Zenkichi: Medaka's band of merry men

Medaka Box may seem like your run-of-mill highschool drama, but its over the top style is presented in a way that Gainax knows best. Medaka is seemingly superhuman, excelling at almost everything (apart from working with animals), and always seeing the best in everyone. Students often contemplate whether she's man or monster, and this is quite clearly the main theme of the series. She also not adverse to providing fanservice, which is equally done in true Gainax style - whether it be bikinis or her penchant for changing in front of her councilmen.

Enforcing through pain

Her eventual antagonists are equally outlandishly powered, turning into the series into more of a high-school rumble genre show by its climax. The genre shift does give Medaka Box a much needed kick up the rear, but at the same time doesn't feel particularly original and might fail to grip you unless you've taken a particular liking to the characters beforehand.

Gainax have even managed to sneak their own homages in here and there. The first episode sees Medaka tackling the problem of delinquents in the judo hall - only their leader Moji looks and sounds (so far as getting voice actor Katsuyuki Konishi in) like another familiar Gainax face. Maybe Team Gurren's fearless leader didn't die in a blaze of glory after all.

Believe in the Medaka who believes in you?

What really let's Medaka Box down is the time it devotes to its characters. Granted at only 12 episodes there isn't a lot of time for detailed character development among the cast, but the focus is far too squared on Medaka. Her ability to "save the day" and keep calm under any situation become less and less interesting as time passes, and the character is at her most interesting when she either fails or finally loses her temper.The final episode of the series, which doesn't feature her at all and instead sees the council trying to carry on school life normally in her absence, comes as a much needed breath of fresh air. The comedy also stumbles just as much as it triumphs, meaning you don't quite know what you'll get episode to episode. Hansode Shiranui, a hyperactive girl who never seems to stop eating, provides the main bulk of the show's comedy, but its a shame we don't really learn very much about her in the meantime.

While Medaka Box isn't a brilliant show, it has a whole lot of heart and is a lot of fun. It was the perfect property for Gainax to handle and they do so with the flare they show their own in-house properties, meaning that while you may not get a rewarding experience watching - you'll certainly get a memorable one. With a second season confirmed, the adventures of Hakoniwa Academy's Student Council aren't quite finished just yet.

Toybox REVIEW: Bandai Composite Ver. KA Gurren Lagann

So after 2 weeks of no internet and a longer than expected (but nobody's fault) delivery time from AmiAmi, I finally get to do the review I've been waiting for - the highly anticipated (by me anyway) Ver KA Gurren Lagann!

The first obvious thing to point out is that it differs from other Gurren Lagann in that it is covered in highly stylised tribal markings/tattoos - a trademark of designer Hajime Katoki (famous for designing all kinds of mecha, including the mobile suits from Gundam Wing Endless Waltz). While this may be something that could potentially put you off the figure, if anything it was one of the things that drew me toward it even more. For a start its something different and it'll set it apart from the rest of my Gurren Lagann collection, but there's also much more to it than that. The tattoos are highly reminscent of those Kamina had, and in a series that openly flaunts the possibility of parallel universes, perhaps something he may have put on the robot had he had the chance. Secondly comes as something that was initially a blow to me, and something that could also put you off the figure - the paintwork. Now for months on end prior to its release and even on the figure's packaging it's shown as being a rather beautiful shade of metallic red, another element that made the figure catch my eye in the first place and something that would set it apart from my other figures. But no - in the end the figure was released in a flat-but-show-accurate red. I got over this pretty quickly, but I realise this could have been a selling point for some people.

But if you can get over these two things - you've got one amazing figure in your hands. The sculpt and build is spectacular and makes the revoltech Gurren Lagann look basic in comparison. Sure it's not as posable as the revoltech version but the poses you'll want to put a Gurren Lagann figure in it looks much better - especially the "Pierce the heavens!" point. Sadly however it can't manage a good looking Gainax cross armed pose, but then neither can the Revoltech.

It also has it beat on accessories - included are 2 extra set of hands (pointing and weapon holding), 2 dual drill wrist pieces, 4 sets of sunglasses (2 mini ones for the body and 2 full sized boomerang weapons), an additional head and another extra that deserves its own paragraph, so I'll come to it later. The revoltech figure may have the wingpack, but bear in mind you had to buy both Lazengann and Enki to get that, so it doesn't count.

As for that extra accessory - this is probably what sold the figure for many people, because it's a freaking GIGA DRILL!!!! Yup, this is the first (to my knowledge) posable Gurren Lagann figure to include such a thing. The drill itself is hollow and made up of three parts, then slotting into the figure as an additional hand. Since the drill is almost the size of the figure itself, it's pretty much unable to hold it up without the help of the supplied stand. Speaking of the stand, that's also a really nice touch as it includes not only the series' logo but also the pilots of Gurren Lagann (I know there were a few, but Simon/Kamina are the main ones so that's what's here).

Ver KA Gurren Lagann is an excellent figure no doubt, but it's also one that's going to divide fans. The lack of metallic paint is a bit of a bummer, but if you don't like the look of the tattoos from images then its unlikely that you'll like them in-hand either. But if you can get over these things -you're in for a real treat of a figure that is as unique as it is awesome.