Next in the series of Bishoujo (Pretty girl) style, 1:8 scale line of statues based on the ladies of Marvel Comics by Kotobukiya is Black Widow.

Black Widow is next in the series of Bishoujo (Pretty girl) style, 1:8 scale line of statues based on the ladies of Marvel Comics by Kotobukiya as interpreted by the talented Shunya Yamashita.

Yamashita is one Japan's most famous and talented Bishoujo artists with a wealth of material available in the form of art books, video game work, as well as many of his illustrations being the basis of statues and action figures. If you have been paying any sort of attention over the past 6 months you know I am an enormous Yamashita fan.

Black Widow is a “sometimes” villain from the Marvel Comics Iron Man franchise and has an incredibly long and complex history. Feel free to check the link for a complete breakdown from wikipedia.

The figure comes in a very neatly designed window box decorated with artwork by Yamashita...

...the same artwork the sculptor, Koei Matsumoto used to bring this beauty to life.

And beauty is indeed the word that comes to mind. Black Widow is gorgeous. Suitably voluptuous and dangerous looking while being sexy and demure like most of Yamashita's work.

And of course she has the signature “yamashita eye's” that pull you in and make you melt...

The sculpt detail is excellent and precise. The paint detail is flawless. No under/over-spray anywhere. Honestly I expect nothing less from Kotobukiya's well-earned reputation for craftsmanship.

I particularly like the pedestal display for the base elevating it from just sexy girl statue to art piece.

I am only a casual marvel fan (if that) but a huge Yamashita fan and I am happy to add her to the collection.

With a $59.99 price tag you are certainly getting a quality piece at a great price. Any Marvel or Yamashita fan would do well to get one while you can. Kotobukiya now has their own on-line store and you can be sure to get one there.

For my first official review for anime.collectiondx.com I would like to do something a little different. Instead of getting into the fine details of the anime in which these vehicles represent, I would like to give you a little background on these radical machines.

For my first official review for anime.collectiondx.com I would like to do something a little different. Instead of getting into the fine details of the anime in which these vehicles represent, I would like to give you a little background on these radical machines.

Well, I guess I can say that these 1/64 scale collectors cars are adorned with the characters from the anime Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Strikers. Samples were provided to CollectionDX by Aoshima. You can get these great cars HERE, as well as other anime related items.

Aoshima has recreated the third gen. RX7 in 1/64th scale diecast. The replica is a faithful reproduction in every detail to the original car, with the addition of ground effects, great rear spoiler, highly detailed graphics package, custom gold 5 spoke rims, and flawless paint.

Here are the statistics and a little history about the RX7:

third generation Mazda RX7
Production 1992–2002
68,589 produced
Engine(s) 1.3L (252 hp) 13B-REW
1.3L (261 hp) 13B-REW
1.3L (276 hp) 13B-REW
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase (95.5 in)
Length (168.5 in)
Width (68.9 in)
Height (48.4 in)
Curb weight (2,830 lb)

The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car produced Mazda from 1978 to 2002. The original RX-7 featured a 1146 cc twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine and a sporty front, mid-ship, rear-wheel drive layout. The RX-7 was a direct replacement for the RX-3 (both were sold in Japan as the Savanna) and subsequently replaced all other Mazda rotary cars with the exception of the Cosmo.
The original RX-7 was a sports coupe. The compact and light-weight Wankel engine or rotary engine is situated slightly behind the front axle, a configuration marketed by Mazda as "front mid-engine". It was offered in America as a two-seat coupe, with optional "occasional" rear-seats in Japan, Australia, and other parts of the world. The "occasional" rear-seats were initially marketed as a dealer installed option for the North American markets. The RX-7 made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list five times.

The third and final generation of the RX-7, was an outright, no-compromise sports car by Japanese standards. It featured an aerodynamic, futuristic-looking body design (a testament to its near 11-year lifespan). The 13B-REW was the first-ever mass-produced sequential twin-turbocharger system to export from Japan, boosting power to (252 hp) in 1993 and finally (276 hp) by the time production ended in Japan in 2002.

Series 6 (1992–1995) was exported throughout the world and had the highest sales. In Japan, Mazda sold the RX-7 through its Efini brand as the Efini RX-7. Models in Japan included the Type R, the top-of-the-range Type RZ, the Type RB, the A-spec and the Touring X, which only came with a 4-speed automatic reducing power to (252 hp), but the others ran on the standard (261 hp) engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Only the 1993–1995 model years were sold in the U.S. and Canada. Series 6 came with (252 hp) and (217 ft·lb). In the UK only 124 examples of this model were sold through the official Mazda network, Only one spec. was available and this included twin oil-coolers, electric sunroof, cruise control and the rear storage bins in place of the back seats.

Series 7 (1996–1998) included minor changes to the car. Updates included a simplified vacuum routing manifold and a 16-bit ECU allowing for increased boost. In Japan, the Series 7 RX-7 was marketed under the Mazda brand name. The Series 7 was also sold in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Series 7 RX-7s were produced only in right-hand-drive configuration.

Series 8 (January 1999– August 2002) was the final series, and was only available in the Japanese market. More efficient turbochargers were installed, while improved intercooling and radiator cooling was made possible by a revised frontal area. The seats, steering wheel, and front and rear lights were all changed. The rear spoiler was modified and gained adjustability. The top-of-the-line "Type RS" came equipped with a Bilstein suspension and 17" wheels as standard equipment, and reduced weight to (2822 lb). Power was (276 hp), with (231 ft·lb) of torque as per the maximum Japanese limit. The very limited edition Type RZ version included all the features of the Type RS, but at a lighter weight (at 1270 kg). It also featured custom gun-metal colored BBS wheels and a custom red racing themed interior. Easily the most collectible of all the RX-7s was the last 1,500 run-out specials. Dubbed the "Spirit R", they combined all the "extra" features Mazda had used on previous limited-run specials. They still command amazing prices on the Japanese used car scene years later. Sticker prices when new were 3,998,000 yen for Type-A and B and 3,398,000 yen for Type-C.
- There are three kinds of "Spirit R": the "Type A", "Type B", and "Type C". The "Type A" has a 5-speed manual transmission, and is said to have the best performance of the three models. The "Type B" has a 2+2 seat configuration and also sports a 5-speed manual transmission. The "Type C" is also a 2+2, but has a 4-speed automatic transmission.

There is also a "Touring Model" which includes a sun roof, and Bose stereo system. Compared to the R1 and R2 which both don't have a moon roof, and they have an extra front oil cooler in the front bumper, and other race modification equipment.

If you liked the above RX7 you'll love this next car! Aoshima has reproduced the 4th generation Supra as a Import Tuner model In 1/64th scale Adult collectible. Complete with custom anime graphics, flawless paint, and a beautiful ground effects package. This 1/64th scale diecast car would be a great addition to any collection. I love the minute details such as the intercooler sitting in the front spoiler, the the right hand drive interior, custom rims, headlight and tail lights.

Here are the statistics and a little history about the Supra:

Toyota Supra 4th generation or MKIV (1993-2002)
Engine (2997 cc, 183 cu in) 2JZ-GE I6
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-Speed automatic
Wheelbase (100.4 in)
Length (177.8 in) (1993-1998)
(177.7 in) (1999-2002) Japan only
Width (71.3 in)
Height (49.8 in) (1993-1998)
(50.2 in) (1999-2002) Japan only
Curb weight (3219 lb) (non-turbo) (3486 lb) {turbo}
Fuel capacity (18.5 US gal)[2]

The Toyota Supra is a sports car/grand tourer that was produced by Toyota Motor Company from 1979 to 2002. The styling of the Toyota Supra was derived from the Toyota Celica, but it was both longer and wider. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra third generation became its own model and was no longer based on the Celica. In turn, Toyota also stopped using the prefix Celica and began just calling the car Supra. Due to the similarity and past of the Toyota Celica's name, it is frequently mistaken for the Toyota Supra, and vice versa.

The Supra traces much of its roots back to the Toyota 2000GT with the main instance being its engine. The first three generations were offered with a direct descendant to the 2000GT's M engine. All four generations of Supra produced have an inline 6-cylinder engine. Interior aspects were also similar.
a naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE producing 220 hp at 5800 rpm and 210 ft·lb at 4800 rpm of torque and a twin turbocharged 2JZ-GTE making 276 hp ( and 318 ft·lb of torque for the Japanese version. For the export model (America/Europe) Toyota upgraded the Supra turbo's engine (smaller, steel wheeled turbochargers, bigger fuel injectors, etc.). This increased the power output to 320 hp at 5600 rpm and 315 ft·lb at 4000 rpm. The turbocharged variant could achieve 0–60 mph in as low as 4.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 13.1 seconds at 109 mph . The turbo version was tested to reach over (174 mph) all-stock, but the cars are restricted to just (112) mph in Japan and (155) mph elsewhere.

In 1999, Toyota ceased sales of the Supra in the United States and in 2002 Toyota officially stopped production of the Supra in Japan.

As an iconic sports car, the Supra has appeared in numerous video games, movies, music videos and TV shows. Some of the most notable appearances include the Gran Turismo, Need for Speed, and Midnight Club series of video games and the 2001 film, The Fast and the Furious.There is a lot of news about the return of the supra in 2010.

In conclusion, every time I pick up I these cars I am amazed with the quality and detail. I feel for the short amount of money spent, you cant loose! Aoshima has done a great job as these cars would make a great addition to any Otaku's anime collection.

Saeko Busujima is the token “bad girl” from the 2006 manga Gakuen Mokushiroku, which translates as Highschool of the Dead. Saeko is “extremely skilled with a bokken and close combat” and describes herself as “…a sadist who enjoys inflicting pain on those weaker than her.” As a result, Saeko gets a lot out of killing zombies. Go figure.

Character Background: Saeko Busujima is the token “bad girl” from the 2006 manga Gakuen Mokushiroku, which translates as Highschool of the Dead. Highschool of the Dead is about a bunch of Japanese high school kids who are caught in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. According to Wikipedia, Saeko is “extremely skilled with a bokken and close combat” and describes herself as “…a sadist who enjoys inflicting pain on those weaker than her.” As a result, Saeko gets a lot out of killing zombies. Go figure.

Saeko is a 1/8 PVC statue made from Chara Ani and is about 9 inches tall.

Review/Features: The statue has no posability and comes in a full window box.  Saeko comes with cast-off clothing and two alternate aprons as well as two sets of arms that allow for different poses. The statue comes with a full packaging plus brief set of instructions to show how the castoff pieces switch out. Accessories include a sword, the scabbard and bokken.

Sculpt is good. Not perfect-but the pose captures the attitude of the character and has definite personality. A lot of good features-the full apron, for example, has some nice detail to allow detail from the breasts to show through and the face has just the right attitude in the eyes.

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Minor quibbles include the bikini bottom, which seems flush with the statue (although the knot isn’t bad) with some minor imperfections around the buttocks and on the arms. But these are barely noticeable.  Some minor imperfections with the paint job as well with minor discoloration anywhere there is a black band. This includes the arms and the thong around the abdomen.

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Two alternate cast-off aprons result in two different poses. Aprons fit on over the removable head and around the arms, which are also removable. The arms switch out right at the armbands where the small knives are attached.  The arm connections aren’t as snug as I would like and I wonder about how they’ll hold up over time.

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Full apron pose- This is the default. Arms are straight to hold weapons. Apron covers front but allows for breast outlines to be seen.

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Sexy apron pose- This is the alternate. Arms are bent and posed so that Saeko is lifting the apron, which is uplifted. The apron shows Saeko’s breasts through the front.

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Full nude. Either of the aprons can be completely removed with any mix of the arms. The straight weapon arms make the best sense with the full straight nude mode, since the bent arms mode goes along with the uplifted half-naked apron.

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The accessories (bokken, sword, scabbard) fit well into the arms but even new, aren’t perfectly tight. This is always a difficult feature to work in-but the plastic on these is soft, so in the long term probably not going to be one of the more enduring features.    

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The stand is actually bolted to the foot of the statue itself, which suggests its not intended to come off.  This makes it quite stable.

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I have a great fondness for the ‘bad girl’ statues-the attitude, the swords, and the switchable castoffs were all pluses for me. Although no socks to complete the whole outfit-Saeko really has a great pose and works well among my other statues.

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Sheryl Nome aka "The Galactic Fairy" is my Otaku crush...

I got the whole prize set from Angolz.

Sheryl Nome (Final Concert Dress) here is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is/was sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

This is prize item B and along with Klan and Ranka is the most popular and difficult to get of all the prize items...

Sheryl Nome is Macross Frontier's Lynn Minmay mixed with a a bit of Sharon Apple for good measure. She's the pop-star made Superstar in the series; confident, beautiful, sensual and talented she is also the “third wheel” in the classic love triangle that the Macross franchise is known for (it's a theme they repeat thru all of the Macross spin-offs). You see she and Ranka both are after the affections and attention of our main character, Alto Saotome.

Sheryl's concert scenes are pretty spectacular and with laser holography she changes her costumes in the blink of an eye. So Sheryl is the perfect character for the fixed pose statue category as theres at least a dozen outfits to do her up in before defaulting to maid and swimsuit costumes.

Well in true Macross fashion; the big, final battle revolves around the songs of both Ranka and Sheryl and this is Sheryl in her final concert dress.

Banpresto choose wisely though and went for a great outfit and capturing a pivotal moment in the Macross Frontier. I bought her thinking about my collection in a year and how good this will look next to my Alto Messiah and the upcoming Macross Quarter. I'm glad I did as she is most certainly an Otaku favorite and already difficult to get your hands on.

The package for this prize item is a Shadowbox with windows on the front and sides. Photos of the statue decorate the back while Triangles decorate the inside behind the figure in the box.

The box sports a hefty die-cut handle so you can carry your newly obtained Sheryl on the train during rush hour with ease. That's just sooo Japanese.

Assembly is straightforward. Sheryl does come in three pieces; her top half, her skirt and her bottom half are all wrapped in cellophane. Remove the cellophane reattach the parts and attach her to the supplied base (an S for the S.M.S. logo) and your done.

Like I've said with the other two gals from this lineup - Technically you could have pulled a 800 YEN ticket with the letter B on your first try. Which means you could go home with this piece for the equivalent of $8.00 to $10.00 US which, in my opinion, is a steal.

Paint and sculpt detail is top-notch, easily on par with an $80 to $100 release. Everything is flawless on this release with painted detail for Sheryl's bodice, skin and hair are done in all flat colors and the microphone and skirt in glossy. The skirt and microphone also have gold sparkles mixed into the top coat giving the “Galactic Fairy” her signature shine and sparkle.

Unlike other releases you can “cast-off” Sheryl's skirt.

I don't know if the "cast-off" was intentional or not but at least she has pretty panties. You dirty pervs (wait... I took that picture... !)

So each of the ladies in this trio have a base that makes up 1/3 of the S.M.S. logo.

So when you arrange them correctly they not only make the S.M.S. logo they look beautifully arranged.` A very nicely thought out touch.

So the reality that your getting this for $8.00 to $10.00 is pretty slim, especially considering how popular the Galactic Fairy is. But keep in mind you could of...

Average after-market price on this piece is $100 and even at that price is a steal so grab one while you can my fellow Macross Frontier fans. Well sculpted, beautifully detailed and solid contribute to an item that feels far more expensive than it was. Because this was an extraordinarily limited run prices are bound to triple as time goes on and you will kick yourself later for not scooping one up while you could.

I got Sheryl as part of the full set thru Angolz but sadly she sold out almost as soon as she arrived in their store... I told you the Otaku love her. :)

Finally a Shana WITH melon Bread! Today we look at the Figma release of Shakugan no SHANA.

Review sample provided by Angolz.

All right class, pay attention, I'm only going through this once!

Shakugan no Shana started as a series of light novels released in Japan in November 2002, the manga series was created in February 2005 (again in Japan). The Anime version was adapted and aired in Japan between October 2005 and March 2006. A second anime series was aired in Japan in October 2007, titled Shakugan no Shana Second. Viz Media released the English translations of both the light novels and the manga series beginning in April 2007. Geneon Entertainment licensed the American anime tv series and released the first DVD in September 2006. They then withdrew from the American market, causing the DVDs to go out of print. Genon signed an agreement with with Funimation Entertainment in July 2008 to distribute select titles in North America. This series also boasts; two video games (one ps2 and one DS,) an OVA, an animated film and action figures.

Blah blah blah.... moving on.

Shana is the flame haze contracted by Alastor (a Crimson Lord) to hunt down the crimson denizens (bad guys) abusing their power and causing the world to distort. This no nonsense tough girl calls it like she sees it without pulling her punches for anyone. She has a habit of saying "Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!"to Yuji (translates "shut up! shut up! shut up!") because he often says things that challenge her view and perspective. Her only softness lies in her love for melon bread and a fondness for Yuji.

In an effort to humanize her, Shana is given her name by Yuji Sakai (the main character of the series) when he discovers she doesn't really have a name but is differentiated from the other flame haze by being called "Nietono no Shana" (the name of the longsword she carries.) The sword she received in her first battle as a flame haze against a mistes named Tenmoku Ikko.

Shana was orphaned as an infant and adopted on a whim by Wilhelmina (another flame haze) and Alastor. Raised in a Tendou-kyu (road to heavenly place) she was trained to fight by Shiro (skeleton dude who has history with Alastor's previous flame haze. She extracts three promises from him after defeating him in battle.) [This story is told in anime season one in episode fourteen through episode sixteen.]

Shana does not leave the Tendou-kyu, but whenever Wilhelmina goes out she brings back a package of melon bread for Shana as a treat. She has become quite the connoisseur of melon bread and is often critical of improper handling (whether in the baking or consumption.) When it comes to teachers she has no problem speaking her mind or standing up for herself.

The package is a basic shadow box showing - figure, alternate expression, melon bread, Nintono No Shana, one of the alternate pairs of hands and the arm of the stand. The front and four sides have a shower of sparks in the background similar to Shana's aura.

The more I play with her, the deeper I fall in love. For best results when posing her, use the little piece that attaches to the arm of the stand that looks like a shaving cream can with a long nozzle. It allows the arm to fit under her hair. If you then position the arm directly behind her and a smidgen to the left (from the front) you will find that the arm slides conveniently between two sections of hair (this is important, if you don't want her to be looking down all the time.)

True to life, (I know from personal experience) Shana's long hair is beautiful, elegant, and a total pain in the butt. Even with the articulation on the sides (yes you can pose her hair too!!! ) it never seems to do what you want or stay where you put it and it seems to get stuck on everything form her sword to the arm of the stand. However it adds such life and realism to the figure that I wouldn't change it, just be prepared to be frustrated (and watch your fingers, her luscious locks are sharp.)

What I really like about this version of Shana, is that she is done to scale. Her sword is "As long as the girl was tall." Also she is small and young in appearance "couldn't have been more than eleven or twelve years old." [The Girl With Fire in Her Eyes, pg.23]

But that's only the tip of the ice burg. This Shana comes with six pairs of hands to help you capture every possible pose form the anime or manga imaginable. There is one set of open hands with fingers together (great for holding yummy melon bread!), one set of open hands with fingers splayed, one set of closed fists, and two sets for holding her sword.

*** check carefully, one of the sword holding sets of hands has a bigger more oval hole in the back (by the pinkie finger) than the front (by the thumb) this set is for holding her sword backwards, if you try to insert the sword from the front, it won't work. This set is the one visible in packaging but not attached to the figure. This is not made obvious as there is no pictures on the package with her actually holding the sword backwards, but trust me, it works. ***

This pair is the most critical for getting poses that look like she just popped off a page of the manga, as Shana usually holds her sword behind her in either a high crossed forward, or a straight arm reversed grip.

OK, you had to know this was coming and it has to be said, I don't like the fact that they left out her coat. "On her shoulders hung a weathered black cloak still fluttering in the wind from her recent attack." [The Girl With Fire in Her Eyes page 21.] Shana is rarely seen fighting without her cloak on, it's her magical weapon closet so to speak. Shana receives her cloak from Alistor (made from a piece of his wing) right after she becomes a flame haze and just before she wins her sword from her first fights as a flame haze. [Episode Sixteen of the first season of the anime.] Somehow without the cloak she is less "bad ass", more "Hey, look at the cute girl in the school uniform - sweet panty peek!"

Having said that, They did include the melon bread.(although she has brown hair whenever eating melon bread) And she doesn't eat melon bread while wearing her cloak, so it does make a weird form of sense.

I think this is a great figure. It is highly poseable, easy to play with (almost Siren proof!), and true to the character. As a visual representation of the series it is a stunning piece.

Review sample provided by Angolz.

Klan Klang in SD style. Like she wasn't cute enough in her micloned form already...

Klan Klang is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget.

This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style Klan Klang. Klan is done up in the large head/small body style of fixed pose figure and stands about 3 ½ inches tall on the included base.

Klan is a Zentradi pilot for the S.M.S. in Macross Frontier and the leader of Pixie Squad. Klan has a problem with her genes. When in her full size she looks a full grown woman and when micloned (human size) she looks a wee bit underage. This is a SD version of Klan in her micloned form.

Paint detail is neat and clean and for an inexpensive prize item I must say I am impressed.

The figure comes attached to a small base (decorated with the F logo from her headband) and includes a thin brace to attach to the base to provide additional support. I did not find that the braces where really needed but the figures are so top heavy I suspect they would warp and possibly fall over, over time. I suggest using them.

Klan is suitably cute and adorable and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add her to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.

Alto Saotome (Super Deformed) dreams of flying in a real sky. It's another adorable, super cute SD figure.

Alto Saotome is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget.

This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style Alto Saotome. Alto is done up in the large head/small body style of fixed pose figure and stands about 3 ½ inches tall on the included base.

Alto is Macross Frontier's central character. Born in space on a galactic convoy he dreams of flying in a real sky. He comes dressed in his school uniform holding his paper airplane and sporting a truly goofy smile.

Paint detail is neat and clean and I must say for a “prize item” I am impressed.

The figure comes attached to a small base (decorated with the silhouette of him in his Kabuki outfit) and includes a thin brace to attach to the base to provide additional support. I did not find that the braces where really needed but the figures are so top heavy I suspect they would warp and possibly fall over, over time. I suggest using them.

Alto is suitably cute and adorable (though his grin is a bit goofy) and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add him to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.

Next up from the Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium set is the super adorable version of my favorite fictitious pop-star, Sheryl Nome.

Sheryl is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget.

This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style Sheryl Nome. Sheryl is done up in the large head/small body style of fixed pose figure and stands about 3 ½ inches tall on the included base.

The larger than life pop star comes dressed in her signature Captain's outfit from her performance of “Sagitarius 9PM, Don't be late.”

The hat is removable.

Paint detail is neat and clean and I must say for a “prize item” I am impressed. The figure feels like a nice solid, well made piece not a cheaper lottery/prize item.

The figure comes attached to a small base (decorated with the Sheryl's Fold Quartz earring) and includes a thin brace to attach to the base to provide additional support. I did not find that the braces where really needed but the figures are so top heavy I suspect they would warp and possibly fall over, over time. I suggest using them.

Sheryl is suitably cute and adorable and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add her to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.

I take a look at the cute and adorable Ranka Lee(Super Deformed) from Banpresto's prize goods line, Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier.

Ranka is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget.

This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style Ranka Lee. Ranka is done up in the large head/small body style of fixed pose figure and stands about 3 ½ inches tall on the included base. The diminutive, aspiring singer with larger than life dreams comes in her Nyan Nyan waitress outfit holding a serving dish.

The lid comes off of the serving dish to reveal a boob!... er, I mean a steamed bun (Baozi).

Paint detail is neat and clean and I find the eyes are a dead on likeness. I must say for a “prize item” I am impressed.

The figure comes attached to a small base (decorated with the Nyan Nyan mascot) and includes a thin brace to attach to the base to provide additional support. I did not find that the braces where really needed but the figures are so top heavy I suspect they would warp and possibly fall over, over time. I suggest using them.

Ranka is suitably cute and adorable and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add her to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.

Even though she’s supposed to be thin as a stick (she’s 14, what do you expect?), the long legs seem to throw the rest of her off because it makes her seem too thin proportionately everywhere else.

This item appears here courtesey of Angolz.com

In 2015, Earth is under attack from mysterious, powerful beings called Angels. Their origins and goals are unknown, but the focus of their attacks are on the post-apocalyptic, high-tech metropolis of Tokyo-3- a city designed to be a hidden fortress for the secret headquarters of the United Nations special organization NERV. What makes the Angels such an imposing threat is their ability to project and manipulate AT Fields- natural, invisible, omni-directional defensive shields which cannot be penetrated by any physical attack or weapon, including the most powerful N2 bomb. Learning of the Angels’ existence years earlier, NERV constructed a small group of advanced biomechanical robots called Evangelions to fight the Angels. However, only 14 year old children are capable of merging their minds on a near-spiritual level with the 700’-tall armored humanoids. Shinji Ikari is only one of a select handful who has been able to accomplish this. ...But he does not care. He has been push aside and ignored ever since his father abandoned him when he was four years old. And he does not care if he dies or lives, or if humanity dies or lives. Together with two female pilots in their own EVA Units- the confident, confusing redhead Asuka Langley Shikinami; and the curiously silent, red-eyed, blue-haired Rei Ayanami- the abandoned son of NERV’s Supreme-Commander must face his inner demons and find the courage to go on protecting humanity while fighting to preserve what little is left of his own!

A full twelve years after its debut in 1995, the anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion” has remained a staple in Japan as one of the most dramatic and controversial; its fan-base ever vigilant for debate, answers, and new material. 26 episodes for the original series ended with pains after behind-the-scenes difficulties forced it in a different-than-planned direction, and so two films- “Evangelion: Death and Rebirth” and “The End of Evangelion” (both 1997)- sought to fix the deflated final episodes, but succeeded only in adding fuel to the fire. And so, in 2006, Studio Khara- founded by Evangelion’s creator, Hideaki Anno- took on the challenge of refreshing the work that had been started by Studio Gainax over a decade earlier, and bringing it to full blossom on the big screen. No longer restricted by a limited TV budget, the four films collectively known as “Rebuild of Evangelion” cover the length of the entire series- inviting new viewers, pleasing previous fans, and expanding & trimming all 26 episodes into four bite-sized chunks. Additionally, acting as a type of reboot for the franchise, “Rebuild of Evangelion” seeks to rewrite the ending of the original series and further expand what was not possible before- including new special effects-sequences, more-detailed scenes, and generally grow from both the mistakes of its namesake & long-standing fan input.

. . .

14-year old First Children Rei Ayanami is the designated pilot of the yellow-and-white prototype model Evangelion Unit-00, and one of the main characters in the series. Oddly, little is known about her or her background, other than her peculiarly pale white skin, naturally-red irises, and short powder-blue hair. Many in her school consider her odd as it is- unconcerned, disconnected, philosophical, and usually has little to say about anything, or show any signs of enthusiasm. Equally so, Shinji and Asuka find it hard to work with her for similar reasons despite being her teammates in trying to protect the world from the Angels! Perhaps the only person that Rei will open up to and interact with like any other human girl is Shinji’s estranged father, Supreme-Commander Ikari. But maybe her silence and lack of connection with the outside world are due to her near-death experience when attempting to Activate Unit-00 several weeks earlier, as the giant armored humanoid went out-of-control & trashed the testing facility. However, being connected to the Evangelion Project for far longer than the other two Children, Rei has always seemed to have both this quiet temperament and undefined relationship to Commander Ikari.

As the first film, “Evangelion 1.0- You Are (Not) Alone”, approaches its finale, Rei- and Unit-01’s pilot, Third Children Shinji Ikari- are waiting for the time to begin Operation: YASHIMA in order to destroy the 6th Angel Ramiel. In a short lull before boarding their Entry Plugs, they have a quiet moment amidst the storm of activity behind them. Having been seriously injured by the same Angel the day before, Shinji’s confidence is low, he fears that he may not have the courage to go on, and his [second] failure to destroy the Angel will be the doom of humanity. Rei, continuing to keep neutral and her feelings to herself, simply states that what happens cannot be changed, and it could go either way. While this scene is almost-identical to how it appears in Episode 6- “Rei II”, much of the dialogue and camera angles are different. It is from this moment that the EX Figure is based.

This figure of Rei Ayanami (back) is fixed-pose, and she stands comfortably on a simple white round base, with her hand resting lightly on a handrail. While the base, handrail, and most of her body is ABS, her hair and both arms are PVC. But the difference in materials is only noticeable at close-range and with careful examination; the entire figure is painted and so none of the original plastic coloring seems to be exposed. Her body retains the same design-style used for all female characters in the series- long legs, pointed nose, and a prominently-busty chest [for a fourteen-year old].

Rei is dressed in her standard white & black skin-tight Plug Suit, with her designated EVA Unit’s numbering (00) on both her chest and small backpack. Only her head is uncovered. Common details include the small white integrated backpack, multiple life-support monitors along the front of the torso (both below and between her breasts), and the suit’s vacuum On/Off switches on both wrists.

She is also wearing the A10 nerve receptor headset that is standard required equipment, which ties the Children mentally to their massive humanoid constructs. But the headset only appears as two small white bumps in her hair. Rei’s short blue hair is painted PVC, with her stamped red eyes easily seeing through the two parts in her bangs.

Since Rei is standing on an elevated platform in the scene, an ABS handrail is fixed to the base, and she has her right hand resting on it. In her left hand, however, is a non-removable accessory that doesn’t make much sense for the scene. For the character, Rei keeps Commander Ikari’s broken glasses since he rescued her from her Entry Plug the day that Unit-00 went out-of-control. While she keeps them at home, on this particular figure she is holding them in a dark blue container in her left hand.

The molds on this figure are good, and there are no obvious gaps between the various pre-assembled parts; even the seam in her hair is fitted well. However, I do have one beef with this figure. As stated earlier, one of the design traits of all female characters in Evangelion- regardless of age or standing height- is that they have proportionately-longer legs. Well, in this case, Rei’s legs are way too long. What I mean is, she is supposed to stand noticeably shorter than Misato, and compared to the companion EX Figure Misato Katsuragi, she’s only 7½”. While this makes her an inch shorter than the Misato figure (appropriate to how they compare in both the series and movies), the length of the figure’s legs just seem too long. And even though she’s supposed to be thin as a stick (she’s 14, so what do you expect?), the long legs seem to throw the rest of her off because it makes her seem too thin proportionately everywhere else. (It’s like she’s of a smaller scale from the hips-up, and of a larger scale from the hips-down!) Now, maybe this is just the style used by the sculptors at Sega, but with the impressive work on the Misato figure, my expectations were let down a little here. Additionally, even though Plug Suits hug the Children like there’s no tomorrow & leave very little to the imagination, there’s a slightly-odd crease along her stomach which doesn’t quite fit her pose. This may be a simple QC error, but considering the quality of the rest of the figure, and that other areas don’t have creases where they should logically be, it is noticeable.

Overall, for the price, you get a good representation of the character. Paint apps do not bleed over, and sculpts are accurate save for the two small exceptions above. The handrail will not bend or break unless you put pressure on it (so don’t!) and both of her arms are PVC, so if she falls there’s little to worry about. And even though she is a small-sized character to begin with, at 1/6th-scale she takes up equally little room on your shelf. That’s not surprising really, since the EX Figure Rei Ayanami set is frequently found in UFO catcher game machines across Japan.