Tenjho Tenge: Aya Natsume Figure

It started off having the fixed posed variant figure of Aya Natsume with black hair. Thereafter, I wanted the original production that is closer to the anime. Still the same pose of Aya Natsume from Tenhjo Tenge, drawing her katana in school uniform, in an original paint scheme was designed by sculptor/designer Bome.

A well made figure with much likeness to the Aya Natsume in anime, the heroine with the impossibly small waist and incredibly big boobs. Often feeling inferior to her elder sister, Maya Natsume, at some point acted in a clumsy way. Aya might be perceived weak in the anime but when she subconsciously awakens her dragon eye, the powerful would be vicious and devastating. 

It’s a non-articulated PVC figure that is similar in scale and quality to the other best sellers, released by avex mode X KAIYODO . The figure stands approximately 8” tall with base with Japanese/Chinese character of Tenjho Tenge 天上天下, in blister card packaging. Even without the stand, the figure is able to balance on its own.

Project Toys Arvinangeles

You have heard of Arvin, been mentioned on my blog, today I shall do a proper introduction of him. I got to know Arvin through selling my Gundam toys on eBay Singapore. Basically, he's a great guy, really polite and accommodative and we had a lot to talk about during all the transactions and these good gestures had lead to a friendship bond by common interests. 

Arvin came from Philippines to Singapore to work but never fail to continue his pursue on hobby as a toy collector and kit modeler. His main hobby interest lays with Gunpla and had his empathy on Zeon. Needless to say his collection comprises mainly the mono-eye and he's definitely a fan of Char Aznable. 

Arvin stays with his friends at an apartment with lotz of toys and figurines cos they are all fans of anime. Japan pop culture had really infiltrated deep into Philippines I guess. As a kit modeler, Arvin customised his kits and would normally filmed his WIP before making them into video clips and uploading to YouTube. Arvin is seriously addicted to LED and cockpit so most of his customisation would target these two areas. I'm deeply impressed by his model kits engineering. 

EVA Unit-01 Action Figure (SEGA)

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Evangelion Shinji figure  not included

This is probably the first action figure line of Evangelion, at least to my recollection. The toy was made by SEGA, which I think they were better making console games then. The packaging was typical blister card so you clearly see the actual toy and accessories. The amount of accessories thrown in  provided a good reason for buying the toy and in my opinion had compensated the figure's lack of articulation. 

SEGA has also included a card with illustration of the mecha's pilot, Shinji Ikari. The action figure stands approximately 8" (good size for display) with more than decent sculpt and paint job. The elbows were the only parts with ball joints whereas other limb joints only allowed minimum movement, back and forth. Most of the poses were just standing and kind of rigid. Still, with some imagination, this action figure could produce relatively good poses.

1/55 VF-1A DYRL Hikaru Ichijo (Reissued)

A revisit to 1/55 Hikaru DYRL Skull VF-1A that was reissued by in 2001. Bandai had redesigned the packaging. Simple artwork with the toy is presented in plane (Fighter) mode whereas the vintage 1/55 VF-1A H Ichijo in robot (batteroid) mode. Can't be sure that the plastic quality of the reissued is more inferior as the white region on the chest had started yellowing. A common scene on many 1/55 scale. Nevertheless, the joints are very tight no stress mark whenever transforming it.

Sticker sheet comes with many extra. It's weird to saw 'Pilot Roy Focker' on it as the valkyrie is manned for Hikaru. I especially like the Minmay insignia. Think it will look awesome on the toy. I didn't apply additional stickers cos the imprints already had made the toy sufficiently nice.

Based on the 80s design, the toy is still at limited posing however sufficient for basic stances and stability. Landing gears made entirely of metal, giving it a solid foundation and increases durability of the toy. Mechanism of land gears are spring action and of you not careful, it can hit you real hard. As for the accessories, 2 heat-shield were included, one for plane cockpit cover and the other for robot mode with Skull Squadron insignia. Cool clip that allows the rifle to be clamped to the arm.

One thing that I feel Bandai can improve on is the packaging. The clear plastic insert tray could be replaced with styrofoam. I personally preferred the styrofoam insert cos plastic seems more inferior and is likely to turn yellowing with time. On the other hand, using styrofoam insert may appear to be less environmentally friendly.