Following on from our previous Revoltech Jehuty review, our good friends at HobbyLink Japan have sent us the latest version of Jehuty (specifically that of the version shown in Anubis). Now, whilst we aren’t huge fans of the Zone of the Enders series, we’ve always admired the designs that Yoji Shinkawa penned for the games. We’ve also included some game footage at the end of the review.

What with the current Tamashii Nation show in full swing, a slew of new toys have been displayed by Bandai. The Robot Damashii line has really entered my personal good books, from a rather lovely RX-93 Nu Gundam from Char’s Counterattack to a simply exquisite Billbine from Aura Battler Dunbine. Both are seminal Yutaka Izubuchi designs, but the mecha in Dunbine are probably some of our favourite designs ever. Thoroughly revolutionary, they kicked conventional wisdom on mecha aesthetic sharply in the head. There have been a number of Billbine toys over the years but the sculpt on this Robot Damashii iteration is really quite bloody amazing. Gaming wise the Billbine has been in all manner of Super Robot Wars entries and all the (good) Another Century’s Episode games. There’s no word whether this new figure will transform though, as it does in the series, and the release date and price are still unknown too.

Following on from our preview a while back, Griffon have finally displayed their upcoming Nineball figure from Armored Core Ninebreaker. This is not to be confused with the already released Kotobukiya kit nor the upcoming kit of the original Nineball from the PSone games. We’re not sure how good this figure will be, as there’s no mention of diecast and Griffon aren’t exactly renowned for their quality either. The use of the stand in some shots is also pretty worrying too, as it shows a potentially weak form of articulation. In any case, this new figure will retail at 7,800 yen in April of next year. You can pre-order the figure here.

Following from its suitably kickass introduction in the latest episode of Gundam Unicorn, the souped up RX-160S Byarlant Custom will be getting a limited edition Robot Damashii figure. Priced at 6,090 yen, the toy is at the higher end of the toyline’s price range but it’s a pretty tricky design. The original RX-160 Byarlant from Zeta Gundam, as piloted by the decidedly bouffant Jerid Messa, was definitely one of the more “out there” Kazumi Fujita designs in the series (here’s a nice little video of the classic design). It’s been featured in numerous games over the years too, with the recent Gundam Musou games being notable. Either way we’re happy that a non-standard mobile suit design will be given a modern day toy. It will be released in April of next year.

We first saw threeA‘s gorgeous looking Metal Gear Rex exactly two years ago today. But virtually nothing been said or seen ever since. To the point that those who still remember it have naturally assumed that the statue was quietly cancelled. Then earlier this year, threeA passed along a blog post of what looked to be a rail gun, one similar to what Rex was sporting, but which also lights up. A feature that no one knew about, at least based upon the prototype pics.

No further information was given, but at least it was evidence that Rex was still alive. And just a few days ago, another update was provided, with concrete info at long last. Aside from looking better than ever, we can also see that the cockpit and its “eyes” also lights up. A timeframe in which all interested parties was also given: this upcoming January. No word how much it will weigh, but it sure looks heavy, especially since we do know its height: 42 cm, or 16.5 inches.

And according to Ashley Wood, who is not only Hideo Kokjima’s go to illustrator for all things Metal Gear these days (aside from Yoji Shinkawa, of course), but is one of folks who runs the threeA empire: because every part is ABS and requires injection molds, the price tag will be steep. It’s also worth noting that he still considers Rex a toy and simply a statue, which given its size and cost is what most of us were viewing it as. The rumoured price is somewhere between $400-500.

The official Riobot blog has a new entry on the upcoming Gurren Lagann toy they’ve made. Set for an April release next year, they’ve started the PR early on this one. However, it seems warranted as the toy is very impressive in terms of its articulation and is also suitably gimmick ridden (for instance the eyes in the chest follow the head movements). Whilst the retail price of 9,500 yen seems a bit steep for only a figure that’s barely 14.5 cm tall, the guys at Sentinel really do excellent work. Plus the figure comes with the great wing accessory as standard. In any case, we’ll be picking this beauty up on its release next year and you can pre-order yours here.

One of the next Super Robot Chogokin from Bandai is one of our favourite super robots. That of the mighty Zeorymer. One of Yasuhiro Moriki’s most iconic designs, the mecha actually originated in a pretty pervy hentai manga by none other than Yoshiki Takaya (of Guyver fame). Though Moriki’s anime version has quite a different aesthetic, something that would go on to be used on the rather awesome looking RX-105 Xi Gundam. In gaming terms, Zeorymer is possibly one of the most poweful units ever to grace Super Robot Wars. Appearing in both J and MX it basically pwned pretty damn hard (and let’s not even talk about Great Zeorymer). Whilst there have been a few Zeorymer toys over the years, from Gigabrain and Yamato, they’ve all been pretty disappointing. This, on the over hand, will be properly good. For those that want this, it’s set for a February release next year.

GA Graphic has a new update on the forthcoming IMS kit from Volks of the exquisite LED Mirage. Despite the fact this is an injection plastic kit, the detailing is utterly insane. Again, whilst this isn’t game related this is one of those things that we just can’t help talking about. Still no word on price or release date but Volks are adamant that they want to get this kit right, so the delay on the details is down to that. Basically it will be ready when it’s ready. In the meantime, we’ll be in the corner salivating.

The forthcoming 1/60 scale VF-17S Nightmare from Macross 7 has been previewed over at Amiami. Considering that Bandai made some pretty decent toys back when the show aired, we’re still pretty stoked to see this being re-done by Yamato. The variable fighter has had a bit of mixed gaming history though, as the PSone era versions packed beam weapons by default. The recent PSP iterations were subsequently far more faithful. The toy is out in November and you can pre-order it here.

At the 51st All Japan Model & Hobby Show it seems that Kotobukiya have finally shown their kit for the Vic Viper LEV from Anubis. No word on price as yet but it’s supposedly meant for release in Spring of 2012. Whether the kit will feature the transformation, as seen in the game, remains to be seen though but it looks possible from the pictures of the above prototype. Whilst this is not the first kit of the design, as Authorize already did a garage kit, this will be the first injection plastic kit ever made for Vic Viper. Admittedly there’s a toy on the way as well but this will be a fiercely sculpted kit, as per all of Kotobukiya’s output, so we’re pretty happy to see this.