Medicom Stylish Collection - Lupin the 3rd : Linda

Lupin III Wiki :

Originally a secretary for Dr. Heinlein, she underwent human experimentation with a rare flower called the Third Sun when forced by Stern's criminal syndicate Killer-in-Killers (aka Kirein-Killers), resulting in her transformation into a witch.

To get away from the syndicate, Linda drives off in a speedboat. While on a speedboat, Fujiko Mine shoots Linda while practicing using Lupin III's Walther P38. Her speedboat goes off course and goes up in flames. She managed to swim to safety by a rock with Lupin catching her attention. After Fujiko went off with the speedboat, Lupin III asks her name and compliments her. Shortly after, they were pursed by the Killer-in-Killers who were shooting at them. The boat exploded thanks to Daisuke Jigen saving them, but by the time Lupin wants to introduce her to him, she had already gone.

Lupin and Jigen managed to track her down on an island thanks to Lupin detecting the scent of "Pink Bed" and sees her by a Third Sun flower bed. Very quickly Lupin falls in love with her as he kisses her hand. She falls in love with him back smiling and playing tag with each other as they run around a tree. He then makes a promise to her as she can no longer survive without the flowers.

The plane sprays gasoline that then using what appears to be a rocket launcher, Lupin fires at the flower bed, forgetting that Linda needs the flowers to live. Lupin wants to save her, but Dr. Heilein shoots her.

Medicom Stylish Collection - Lupin the 3rd : Daisuke Jigen 次元 大介

 

Wikepedia :

Daisuke Jigen (Japanese: 次元 大介, Hepburn: Jigen Daisuke) is a fictional character created by Monkey Punch for his manga series Lupin III, which debuted in Weekly Manga Action on August 10, 1967. Jigen is the marksman, aide-de-camp and best friend of Arsène Lupin III. Along with colleague Goemon Ishikawa XIII, he joins Lupin in pursuit of riches acquired typically by theft. Traveling across the globe, Jigen has garnered fame as a gunman with a wildly capable speed and accuracy.

Lego Brickheadz MOC Princess Leia Organa Boushh Disguise

My Own Creation (MOC), is a term Lego builders used to differentiate their own design and build using Lego bricks as medium. It does not need to be an exceptional build to say that your build is a MOC. As long as it is original, one and only.

Lego has a series of build blocked figures it call the "Brickheadz" which encompasses across many licenses. Star Wars is one of it. However the speed of Lego releasing each Star Wars character is somewhat slow like on an average 2 sets per year. Sometimes the character they chose to release is also questionable when there are more iconic character to make instead.

Fret not, there are many MOC creators in the community who will have no qualms to showcase their talent plugging the holes in between. Some versions of MOC Brickheadz Leia Boushh were created. This entry is to showcase 2 of it I have from different creator for comparison - specifically from my own point of view - which one takes the cake.

Lego has yet to make an official Brickheadz version of Leia Boushh.

Disclaimer - the Brickheadz shown in this entry are not my creation per se.

Bandai S.H.Figuarts Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope - Princess Leia Organa

One of the main protagonist in the ever expanding Star Wars universe. Leia was the 2nd of it to appear in the first Star Wars movie [A New Hope] (ANH) (1977), right after Darth Vader (6 years later, we know he is also her father). This figure represented the same Leia in that scene.

There is no need for further elaboration of this character for even the most casual Star Wars fans knew enough of Leia Organa to spare further writings. Carrie Fisher was the actress portraying this character. She reprises the same role in its Sequel Trilogy ie [The Force Awakens] (2015), [The Last Jedi] (2017), [The Rise of Skywalker] (2019) as an aged Leia Orgna.

A digital (deepfake?) rendition of a young Leia Organa - pre-Stormtroopers invasion on Tantive IV - was added to the end scene in Star Wars, [Rogue One] (2016). Personally I think it is badly done and although share some resemblance but one can tell immediately it is not the real Princess. There is even more likeness to this figure's sculpt comparing to that digital clone.

BanDai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Old No.2 Nigo【仮面ライダー 旧2号】& Modified Cyclone 【サイクロン号, Saikuron-gō】

Cyclone (サイクロン号, Saikuron-gō) is the original personal motorcycle of Kamen Rider 1 and 2.

In this post, S.H.Figuarts (SHF) Old Kamen Rider Nigo came packaged together with the Modified Cyclone.

Maximum Speed: 400 km/h (248 mph)

Jump Power: 30 m (40 m after alteration)

Engine: Nuclear Engine, 200 horsepower.

Designer: Professor Midorikawa; Tobee Tachibana (Kamen Rider)

Base Model: Honda SL350K1 (Remodelled Cyclone)

Usage of this Modified Cyclone version can be quite confusing. This YouTube video gave a fair explanation on its history. Note video is in Mandarin narration.

Kamen Rider TV series back in the 1970s were made with little consideration for smooth flow and logic. Within a single episode, the Kamen Rider can be seen riding on 2 or more different "Cyclones". A logical explanation is different snippets filmed on different times, were stitched together scenes. Recycled scenes were also used in different episodes on Kamen Rider riding his machine(s). Therefore Hongo was also seen riding this vehicle. As the series move on, it is quite clear Kamen Rider Old Nigo should be the rightful owner of it.

BanDai S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Old No.1 Ichigo【仮面ライダー 旧1号】& S.H.Figuarts Cyclone 【サイクロン号, Saikuron-gō】

Kamen Rider Wiki

Rider Statistics

    Rider Height: 180 cm

    Rider Weight: 70 kg

Rider Senses

    Eyesight: 15 km

    Hearing: 4 km

    Enemy Sensing: 100 m

Ability Parameters (Initial → Trained)

    Punching Power: 15 t

    Gripping Power: 10 ~ 15 times human

    Kicking Power: Approx. 11.3 t → 22.5 t

    Maximum Jump Height: 15.3 m

    Maximum Jump Distance: 48.7 m

    Maximum Running Speed: 100 m per 12 seconds

    Maximum Swimming Speed: Approx. 100 m per 9.7 seconds

Because he was meant to be Shocker’s greatest altered human, Kamen Rider 1's capabilities are far greater than a normal man. He has the ability to hear at distances up to 4 kilometers away. He can break a meter thick tree trunk or a metal rod 10 cm thick with his Rider Chop. His Rider Kick has enough power to bend steel supports of buildings. Even when he wasn't fully transformed, this form was strong enough to withstand a 50 thousand volt electric shock.

Unlike in his later forms, Takeshi can't transform automatically in this form, needing external wind to jump start the Typhoon's turbine and give him access to his suit and most of his fighting strength. That wind is generally generated by riding his bike, but it also can come from other sources, like an explosion that pushes hot wind towards the Typhoon belt. It is thinkable that becoming Kamen Rider 1 has granted him a degree of immortality and immunity to organic diseases, viruses, bacteria and poison due to becoming a cybernetic human.

Ultrasensitive Antenna: Sense the presence of enemies and incoming attacks

Cat's Eye: Allows infrared night vision

Signal O: A brainwave transmission device that can detect other cyborgs

Crusher: The face plate that can break chains

Artificial Lungs: Can recycle oxygen for two hours

Pulmonary Converter: Catches wind power to convert it to energy, also acts as a radiator

Power Converter: Capsules on the belt that store energy

Typhoon: Transformation belt which is an anemometer which measures the Rider's energy

Artificial Muscle: Gives the Rider the strength to jump like a giant grasshopper

Jump Shoes: The soles are elastic-like springs.

Star Wars Black Series 6" : Luke Skywalker with Yoda in Jedi Training (Dagobah)

The Rebels had their asses kicked in Hoth by a superior Galactic Empire forces. Number One task was to get their sorry asses out of the icy hell base that was overan by AT-ATs and Snowtroopers and a stomping huffing and puffing Darth Vader hot on the heels. While the rest of the Rebels buddies, that manages to take off, were still working on evading Imperial Destroyers and TIE fighters, our pal Luke Skywalker decide to divert himself (and R2-D2) to a swamp planet Dagobah seeking out a Jedi warrior, Yoda, to further his Jedi training becoming a Jedi Knight eventually. Seeing how his first teacher, Ben Kenobi, fell to the blade of badass Sith Lord Darth Vader, he reckon a much worthy teacher should be seeked. Same sentiments as Ben when he appear in Hoth egging a wampa-traumatize Luke on to Dagobah.

Yoda, he found. Training, he does. Hot headed, he is.

S.H.Figuarts Ultraseven (ウルトラセブン Urutorasebun)

Ultraseven (ウルトラセブン Urutorasebun) :
The third Ultra-being to come to Planet Earth (first and only in the spin-offs). He came to the planet after being sent to map the Milky Way, but this planet caught his attention and arrived here, he took the appearance of a brave man and renamed himself as Dan Moroboshi, and joined the UG. Ultraseven defended Earth from countless alien invasions for an extended period of time, until he went back to the Land of Light after sustaining serious injuries and fatigue.

BanDai S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider New No.2 【仮面ライダー 新2号】

Pictures in this product review posting are taken with a new camera Sony RX100 Mark IV for the first time on this blog. Although officially, Hokkaido Toy Run - 19 to 26 Dec 2022 is the very first one however it is not a product review posting.

 

Kamen Rider Wiki :

 

Rider Statistics
    Rider Height: 172 cm
    Rider Weight: 65 kg

Ability Parameters
    Punching Power: 25 t
    Kicking Power: 30 t
    Maximum Jump Height: 15.3 m

Originally created to best and kill the traitor Takeshi Hongo, Hayato was modified to be capable of transforming via stylish hand positions to absorb wind power as opposed to Takeshi's need for a outside source of wind power to charge him, becoming a more versatile fighter as a result. However, Hayato was rescued by Hongo before being brainwashed, and fights against Shocker during Takeshi's absence. Like Hongo, Ichimonji seems to require no food or water whatsoever.

The original manga gave an in-depth analysis of the entire schematics used by Hongo, Ichimonji, and the Shocker Riders.

    Ultrasensitive Antenna: a radar from the antenna
    Cat's Eye: allows infrared night vision
    Signal O: a brainwave transmission device that can detect other cyborgs
    Crusher: The face plate that can break chains
    Artificial Lungs: can recycle oxygen for two hours
    Pulmonary Converter: catches wind power to convert it to energy, also acts as a radiator
    Power Converter: capsules on the belt to store energy
    Typhoon: transformation belt which is an anemometer which measures the rider's energy
    Artificial Muscle: gives the rider the strength to jump like a giant grasshopper
    Jump Shoes: the soles are elastic-like springs.

 

Hokkaido Toy Run - 19 to 26 Dec 2022

Covid 19 pandemic has effectively halted any oversea traveling be it for work or for holiday. The world is gradually opening from up mid of this year when entry requirement to a country has been the most stringent. It has relaxed over the months to a state where it is right for restarting our holidaying abroad.

Hokkaido was a planned trip for year end 2020. We had that realized now, 2 years later. Going to the land of the rising Sun will undoubtedly have a toy list in the hope to be able to get at least 1 or 2. It is not Tokyo nonetheless and the expectation is to be much lower. Worst come to worst, a couple of Gashapon, at the airport, as consolation is already a successful endeavor I feel.

Ultimately, I hope to find S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou (SKC) Kamen Riders, any one from the Showa era, will be a big successful coup. (Picture here gives a very resounding successful operation eh?).

Details leading to each of the pictured items going into my pocket will be published scrolling down this posting.

Hasbro 2003 SAGA Collection 1/6 scale Star Wars Garindan

Garindan :

 

"I can tell you where to find them... for a price."

―Garindan

 

Garindan ezz Zavor, also called Long-Snoot, was a Kubaz who was considered to be the "greatest spy in Mos Eisley spaceport." was a male Kubaz who had been forced to work as a spy for the Galactic Empire. In private, Garindan loathed his Imperial overlords and sought to return to his clan and free his homeworld of Kubindi from Imperial rule. Prior to the Battle of Yavin, Garindan received news that his family was in danger. In an attempt to buy passage home, Garindan provided information about the location of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2 to the Galactic Empire during a battle on the desert world of Tatooine. Despite the failure of that job, Garindan accepted another job to help Derrida the Ketton spy on the Rebel Alliance.

Star Wars Black Series 6" : Bib Fortuna

Writings from inside Sideshow 1/6 scale Bib Fortuna box :

A tall, pale-skinned humanoid, with distinctive, curling lekku and pulpy chin roll, Bib Fortuna is the very epitome of male Twi'lek glamour. But, in truth, beneath the pallid complexion and behind the soulless, pink eyes beats the limp heart of a cowardly Hutt lackey.Though he exalts in the respect and obedience his station, as major-domo to one of the Outer Rim's most feared crime lords, demand from those around him, Bib knows he is really little more than an errand boy and vassel for the will of his bloated master.

Under Jabba the Hutt's direction, the Twi'lek lieutenant orchastrates shady deals and illicit substances and contraband. At his master's bidding, he trades in slaves of his own kind, purveying and exhibiting their bodies for Jabba's amusement and that of his sycophantic guests. Little of the wealth and power that passes through Bib's clawed hands ever remains his own to keep. Even the act of ambitious treachery that elevated him to the position of Hutt's second were merely blind plays, made by a weak-willed man, caught in the tide of the criminal underworld and trying to stay afloat. The Twi'lek even fancies that he might one day overthrow the slug in some kind of glorious mutiny, seizing Jabba's assets as his own, but if he were truly capable of such steely initiative, it would have happened long ago.

Now it is too late, for with the arrival in Jabba's desert palace of two droids, gift of the self proclaimed Jedi Skywalker, the dice are tossed in a game of fate far bolder than Bib could have conceived. Time has run out for Jabba and his criminal empire, and his act of self-aggrandizing debauchery will finally swallow him and those who serve him too, for the Jedi are returned.

Medicom RAH 1/6 Ultraman Jack - Hideki Gō 郷 秀樹

Ultraman Wiki :
Hideki Go (郷 秀樹 Gō Hideki) is the human host of Ultraman Jack and the protagonist of the Ultraman Series' fourth entry, Return of Ultraman.
A young race car driver who died while rescuing a little boy and a dog from falling rubble caused by a fight between Takkong and Zazahn. His valiant sacrifice is noted by everyone, even his friends and the new defense force MAT, but an unseen being also took notice. Looking over him was Ultraman Jack, who was so touched by his heroics that he decided to merge his own life-force with Hideki's, thus bringing him back to life (just like the original Ultraman did with Shin Hayata), much to everyone's astonishment. MAT asked him to join the team, to which he agreed, especially since, in this frightening new "Age of Monsters", the Earth would need a savior. In times of crisis, Hideki Go would raise his right arm, and by force of will, transform into Ultraman Jack to fight monsters.

Medicom RAH 1/6 Ultraman Ace - Seiji Hokuto 北斗 ホクト 星司

ultra.fandom.com :
Seiji Hokuto (北斗 星司 Hokuto Seiji) is Ultraman Ace's male human host. His female partner and former fellow host was Yuko Minami.
Seiji was a truck driver for an orphanage, and was delivering bread for the children when the first Terrible-Monster Verokron attacked Tokyo. Seiji bravely continued on his way back to the Orphanage to evacuate the children with his truck but the missile Terrible-Monster obstructed his truck off to the side of the road. Undaunted, Seiji continued to the Orphanage. After arriving he help a nurse, Yuko Minami, move all of the children to a save bunker. Both Seiji and Yuko return into the Orphanage building to rescue any remaining children, however Verokron's missiles brought the building down on the two brave humans, killing both of them. Ultraman Ace saw the heroic action of the pair from afar and gave to them his life and the Ultra Rings, so that the three of them would fight against the Terrible-Monster and their evil master, Yapool.

Medicom Star Wars 1/6 Boba Fett - Return of the Jedi version - Republish

Another republication of an old posting.

This time the iconic Boba Fett gets another chance in the limelight. This is the Medicom version that was the only high end 1/6 ROTJ version of the bounty hunter, released in 2010 under the Real Action Hero (RAH) category, until Hot Toys made their version in 2016 (standard and deluxe with Sarlacc diorama base). Sideshow did made an ESB version of Boba Fett in between and even an all white proto armour version but never a ROTJ one. Reason only Sideshow themself know.

Star Wars Black Series 6" : Ponda Baba "Walrus Man"

 

Wookieepedia :

"Negola dewaghi wool dugger?"
"He doesn't like you."
―Ponda Baba and Evazan, to Luke Skywalker

Ponda Baba was a male Aqualish thug who rescued Dr. Cornelius Evazan from a bounty hunter. The two formed a partnership and began to smuggle spice for the crime lord Jabba the Hutt, resulting in him becoming a wanted man. Shortly before the Battle of Yavin, he was a patron in Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina on the planet Tatooine, where he instigated an argument with Luke Skywalker while bored and drunk. Evazan claimed that Baba did not like Skywalker and began to threaten the youth, leading to a brief confrontation with Obi-Wan Kenobi, who, after failing to calm tensions with the pirates, used his lightsaber to sever Baba's right arm. Kenobi, who was secretly one of the last remaining Jedi Masters of the nearly extinct Jedi Order, wounded Evazan with a slash across the torso when the pair drew their blaster pistols on the old man. Evazan later tried to reattach Baba's arm using his medical training, but ended up nearly killing the Aqualish in the process when the procedure failed.

Star Wars Black Series 6" The Mandalorian : Cobb Vanth, "The Marshal"

Wookieepedia :

Cobb Vanth, also known as "the Marshal," was a human male who lived during the Galactic Civil War and subsequent New Republic Era. Once a slave, he rose to become marshal of Mos Pelgo on the planet Tatooine. He despised the Red Key Raiders, a syndicate attempting to establish itself on the planet. Immediately following the Battle of Endor, Vanth fled into the desert following Mos Pelgo's takeover by the Mining Collective. He then encountered some Jawas and traded a camtono of silicax oxalate crystals for a set of Mandalorian armor.

Hot Toys MMS090 Predator (1987) - Republish

Did the word "Republish" in the title trigger the curiosity? No, this is not a Hot Toys remake of the MMS090 Predator figure, there never is one anyway. It is also not the Classic Predator that was released under the <Predators> (2010 film) banner.

This is the first ever "upgraded" posting on a previous entrance in this Blog of the very same figure - and I mean the same physical figure, not a 2nd purchase, but the original. This Predator was uploaded here in 2010 with pictures taken with a "weaker" camera and a lesser Photoshop-skilled me.

MMS090 is an impressive figure - even with today's standard - which deserve a better showcasing. 12 years on, about time.

Wikipedia : Some backgroud story to re-kick start it all over again.

Predator is a 1987 American science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and written by brothers Jim and John Thomas. It is the first installment in the Predator franchise. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the leader of an elite paramilitary rescue team on a mission to save hostages in guerrilla-held territory in a Central American rainforest, who encounter the deadly Predator (Kevin Peter Hall), a skilled, technologically advanced alien who stalks and hunts them down.

Predator was written in 1984 under the working title of Hunter. Filming ran from March to June 1986 with creature effects devised by Stan Winston; the budget was around $15 million. 20th Century Fox released the film on June 12, 1987, in the United States, where it grossed $98.3 million. Initial reviews were mixed, but the film has since been considered a classic of the action genre.

The success of Predator launched a media franchise of films, novels, comic books, video games, and toys. It spawned three direct sequels: Predator 2 (1990), Predators (2010) and The Predator (2018), and an upcoming prequel titled Prey (2022). A crossover with the Alien franchise produced the Alien vs. Predator films, which include Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).