Courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan, we’ve been sent a toy from one of our favourite anime series, that of Aura Battle Dunbine to review. Specifically, the Robot Damashii Zwarth that’s on sale. In addition, to give the toy some context, we’ve also linked gameplay and anime footage of it in action at the end of the review.

Following on from the Layzner Mk2 announced recently, Bandai will also be releasing a Layzner with V-MAX parts early next year. This is a partial re-release of the original Layzner toy from 2007, just with a different set of armor to swap out. This is also a toy of the first Layzner and doesn’t have the parts to build the New Layzner seen towards the end of the show. The base also doesn’t talk or light up on this new version either. In addition to all this we recently finally received the final fansubbed episodes for the show. Whilst we don’t normally post fansub links, Layzner is somewhat special and we’re just happy more people can finally see this great series.

As we saw at Tamashii Nations recently, a Full Action Crossbone Gundam X2 is on the way. Released this September at 4,800 the figures looks to have had considerable work done on it compared to the original Robot Damashii release. The ABC mantle is noticeably absent however, though that might end up as an option set. Talking of option sets, the X1 Ka Kai we reviewed recently is getting an option set to match its setup as seen in the Skull Heart manga. In addition to the X2, we’re also getting a majestic God Gundam figure released at the same time and price. So it looks like September will be a costly month.

Courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan, we’ve been sent a toy from the Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Steel 7 manga to review. Specifically, the Robot Damashii Crossbone Gundam X1 Full Cloth that’s on sale. In addition, to give the toy some context, we’ve also linked gameplay footage of it in action at the end of the review.

This year’s Shizuoka Hobby Show is now in full swing. As such, the likes of AmiAmi have been covering it. The big announcements are a new kit line (called Reborn One Hundred) and the MSN-04II Nightingale being the first kit in the range (pictured above). To make matters even more fabulous, we’ll also be getting a Ver Ka MG of the RX-93-v2 Hi-Nu Gundam as well as the announcement that a Beltorchika’s Children manga will be serialised in Gundam Ace. Bar that, there will also be a new 1/48 scale kit of the live action Ingram. All in all, it looks to be a pretty kickass show this time around. If you’re at all curious, there is some additional coverage here, here, here, here and here.

This summer’s Tamashii Nation’s event is in full swing this weekend. We popped over to Akiba yesterday to check it out and naturally took a bunch of pictures in the process. In addition to the reveal of all manner of new toys, there were some other aspects worth mentioning. The first being that a variety of older web shop exclusive toys were given a limited re-release. Doors opened for that at 1pm and as you’d imagine the entire stock sold out lightning fast. The second thing was that the DX YF-30 Chronos had a hands-on section of the event. We played with the upcoming toy and were very impressed. There’s a lot of diecast in it and the detailing is great. The missile pod is also detachable and the head antenna are made of soft plastic. The only minor gripe is that the tail fins are only connected via one point of contact and feel a little flimsy. In addition, if you filled in a questionnaire you got given a 1UP Mushroom from Mario, foreshadowing their Mario release later this month. The big news for us was the Robot Damashii Dragonar and Blue Destiny figures, as well as getting to see the new Layzner Mk2 up close (it’s very nice). Anyway, all our pictures are after the link so enjoy!

After much wait, the Soul of Chogokin Spec Layzner Mk2 has been given a price and release date. Costing 9,180 yen and out this September, it is indeed a web shop exclusive (with pre-orders opening on May 12th). It will also be on display at the Tamashii Nations event this weekend, which we’ll be obviously attending. That aside, the toy looks bloody amazing. It retains the transformation as well as a slew of other gimmicks. Considering that the E-MF-LZ-00X-2 Layzner Mk2 was never properly included in the show, due to its early cancellation, the fact we have such a nice toy of this nearly thirty years later is somewhat bonkers really (though most welcomed). It goes without saying that we’ll be picking this baby up later in the year.

Courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan, we’ve been sent a toy from Macross Plus to review. Specifically, the YF-19 with FAST Pack from Arcadia. In addition, to give the toy some context, we’ve also linked some anime and gameplay footage of it in action at the end of the review.

We now have concrete details on Bandai’s YF-30 Chronos toy as seen in Macross 30. Released in August for 21,600 yen this will not be a webshop exclusive. Instead it will be a regular release. This is obviously utterly fantastic news for fans around the world (as ordering from the Bandai webshop exclusive items can be pretty damn expensive if you live outside of Japan). We’ve also checked out the toy at the Akiba Showroom and it looks fantastic up close. So this is something we will be definitely acquiring in August.

Courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan, we’ve been sent a toy from Change!! Shin Getter Robo to review. Specifically, the Getter 1 by Sentinel that’s on sale. In addition, to give the toy some context, we’ve also linked some anime and gameplay footage of it in action at the end of the review.