Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse

I have kept myself updated on recent episodes of Gundam Age and so I tried out other anime by watching Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse, as recommended by Guy'A'. It's mecha anime is about mankind desperately defending earth from alien invading, a bit like Evangelion.  The first two episodes of Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse, apart from the donning of plug-suits, it's super violent and gruesome all the way. Scary! Culture shock to switch from Gundam Age to this! 

Damn serious fight with high standard of anime drawing took me by surprise. Totally from heaven to hell to think that this is an anime from eroge game origin. Aliens eating adorable gals are no fan service. Don't what other otakus would think?  

Third episode introduced the whole team where the focus will be on. It looks like the anime got me acquainted to some of the characters then killed them off to make viewers on an emotional roller-coaster. Saddened me when such characters were axed off when I least expected. Totally dramatic!

Some really cool mecha were introduced in this anime and some had been marketed as Kotobukiya model kits and action figures in the form Revoltech. Really tempting.

Synopsis 

Since 1973, an invasion of aliens known as BETA upon Earth is driving human civilization into nearly collapse. Facing an enormous mass of enemy force, mankind has developed large humanoid arms called as Tactical Surface Fighters and deployed them to its defense lines through out the world. 

However, all those efforts could slow down defeats but could not stop BETA, and mankind is forced to abandon major area of the Eurasian Continent. For 30 years, mankind is bogged down in an endless war against BETA without any hopes of victory. In 2001, the Imperial Japan faces difficulties in the development of a next-generation main Tactical Surface Fighters (TSF) as it defends the front lines of the Far East. The UN has proposed a joint development program between the Imperial Japan and the United States as a part of its international mutual development project of TSF, the Prominence Project. 

Yui Takamura, a surface pilot of the Imperial Royal Guards of Japan, is given responsibility for the project and sets off to Alaska. Meanwhile, Yuya Bridges, also a surface pilot of the US Army, was heading to the same destination.nnYet they never knew that their encounter would change their destiny drastically. This story with exciting human dramas and robot actions takes place in the development of a new Tactical Surface Fighters, the most important and effective weapons against BETA, at a crisis of human extinction.

HG Sinanju On Head Display

Met William yesterday at a gathering where he showed me pics of his latest project, the HG Sinanju on Sinanju head display stand. There were only 3 related pics on his iPhone, one with the HG Unicorn Gundam Destory mode, which I had previously featured, but the kits look awesome and nicely presented. He told me the backdrop was only his cupboard while Guy 'A' and I  joked that the pics were good enough for Dengeki Hobby magazine. 

The Sinanju head display stand is a gift that came with Gundam Ace Jan 2011 issue and I remember William buying it. Anyway, the price of the bundle pack had also factor in the cost of the gift. Anyway, I just saw some of these display head selling without the magazine the other day at hobby shop, not sure if they were genuine. 

I always think William has a lot of potential in Gunpla building and are often impressed by his works.  Cool gunmetal spray on the fist and inner frame, the metallic red on Sinanju and details to the originally plain looking display stand.   

Batman - The Dark Knight Rises

  

A movie date with my wife don't come easy especially after having 3 kids, so we both took leave to watch 'The Dark Knight Rises'. It's the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy which in my opinion had beautifully ended. I would consider this a long duration movie of nearly 3 hours to sum up the story that makes your money well spent on the tickets. I don't want to a spoiler so all I can say is that the story tells how Bruce Wayne walked out from despair after 8 long years and dramatically answered to the call when Gotham needed him during the most desperate and darkest hours. This 3rd  installment really shows the benevolence of Batman, casting aside vengeance. "You have done enough for the people of Gotham. They don't deserve this". An addition bonus would surely be Anne Hathaway as Catwoman... Meow (she didn't do that cos it's too cheesy)... The moment she got up the Batpod turns male audiences on. For local who wants a glimpse of those awesome Batman movie costumes, you can go down to 'Bugis Plus', formerly known as 'iLuma'. Batman merchandises are already available at all leading stores.

Gundam Wing Hero Collection Trading Figures

I was initially looking for Zechs Merquise figure when unintentionally found other Gundam Wing character figure of Quatre Raberba Winner, Trowa Barton, Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Chang Wufei and Princess Relena. They came in a set of 7 and mine is the Korean release judging from the packaging. From checking the butt of Heero, it suggested that Bandai had released the figures in year 2000. 

These non-poseable figures are pretty tall, with Zechs Merquise, being the tallest at almost 5”. The plastic quality and paint job only fair average but they look awesome when you put the individual character beside their MS, be it action figure or model kit. Only Relena is without any MS, nevertheless she should be able to compliment Heero or Zechs. Since Relena is among the figures, the title on the packaging seems rather inappropriate cos Relena is a heroine. In my opinion, it should be renamed ‘Gundam Wing Character Collection Figures’. 

I bought the set from Ebay International since I don’t them selling in Singapore. I am keeping Zechs, Heero and Trowa and had sold the other to fellow Gundam collector, a good friend whom I had known during the Gundam journey. Arvin! I’m talking about you!

Singapore Toy Game Comic Convention STGCC 2012 Coming

It's events back to back from late August 2012 to early September 2012 from Gunpla Expo World Tour Singapore 2012 to Singapore Toy Game Comic Convention 2012, in short STGCC. Good thing I had conserved my annual leaves for these days to come. All these years, STGCC had faithfully put together and covered all angles of popcultures, I supposed from toys ranging from anime...movie replica...game characters... designer concept and especially 'Hot Toys' exclusive (yet to announce and I bet you guys want more of Ironman and Batman). STGCC gives you the most up-to-date games, the hottest games and I would expect hot game promoters as well... Hee! Hee! They have invited renown comic artists and also a chance for you to be talent spotted. Not forgetting cosplayers roaming around, making the event a lot more carnival-like @ Marina Bay Sands this year!

PS: Click here to the link of my past years experiences @ STGCC...