Dennis' Top Ten Toys (TTT) 2015

1st - Variable Action Hi Spec Orguss Orgroid Megahouse 超時空世紀オーガス for the most accurate Orguss made by far

2nd - Aldnoah Zero KG-6 Sleipnir Variable Action Figure as Aldnoah.Zero is one of the most mind blowing mecha anime of the year and great to have an action figure of it.

3rd - Knights of Sidonia 1/100 "17th Guardian" Tsugumori Model Kit. So glad that Kotobukiya decided on this ideal scale of 1/100 like the size of MG Gundam standing approximately 8".

4th - Code Geass Lancelot Model Kit. My favourite and most heroic Knightmare that stand between the Imperial and Zero Black Knight.

5th - Valvrave I Hito Model Kit. Valvrave's mecha design is somehow humanoid which explains the high articulation for many great poses.

6th - Linebarrel Mode-B Megahouse Variable Figure. Took me a long while to finally managed to get hold of a Linebarrel action figure after having watched the anime. One of my fond mecha anime with in depth character development and good fighting scenes.

7th - Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse Takemikazuchi Type-00F Yui Takamura Model Kit. Bought this Deluxe Edition Kotobukiya Kit of Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse Takemikazuchi Type-00F Yui Takamura during my Japan trip when coincided with the released.

8th - Escaflowne Guymelef Action Figure. 7"action figure which is a collector set based on an animated series from Bandai Entertainment. It come with the two main protagonists of the anime, Van Fanel and Hitomi Kanzaki.

9th - Space Battleship Yamato Mechanic File. I was looking for a budget toy of Space Battleship Yamato and was lucky to get this toy or should I say toys from an assembly of 8 trading figure boxes, released back in 2005 by Bandai.

10th - 9" Aura Battler Dunbine Limited Edition Romando Japan Pre-painted Garage Kit. Rare found of a vintage limited edition colorway on local handphone buy/sell/trade apps Carousell at a really good deal considering this a resin-cast model.

MG MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki Version 1.0

We don't see a lot of chrome coated Mobile Suits in the past and I would say Hyaku Shiki is the first for Gundam series even though at that era the anime could only illustrate it in yellow. Well, Bandai did produced both two version of Hyaku Shiki in Master Grade kit. The yellow version came with ballute system (orbit entrance gear) and the chrome coated version is what in my collection. MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki odename: 'δ Gundam' (Delta Gundam) is a mobile suit built by Anaheim Electronics as part of the 'Zeta Project', It's more like a by product of Zeta and in 'Unicorn Gundam', we see Delta Plus as its predecessor. If you break the words 'Hyaku Shiki', 'Hyaku' basically means "hundred" like the model number MSN-00100 suggested and 'Shiki' is interpreted as 'Shiny'. The epic moment of Hyaku Shiki is really its smooth surface deflecting laser beam when shot at.

It's incorporated with the "movable frame" technology found in the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II. The Hyaku Shiki becomes the main mobile suit of Quattro Bajeena (aka Char Aznable) until the end of the Gryps Conflict. It is badly damaged following a confrontation between Char and Haman Karn of Axis Zeon at the end of the series. The suit is later recovered, repaired, and used during Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ primarily by Beecha Oleg. My collection is kind of lay back as you can see I don't have MG Hyaku Shiki version 2.0. 

Nonetheless, I'm happy to have the version since the kit had be assembled and in my opinion more than decent for display. Despite that the waist was not as small, not as proportional less sleek legs and pointy feet. Both the beam rifle and bazooka can be latched on the jet pack. It has a unique beam saber that that is translucent yellow while most other beams are pinkish red. Striking gold plated pieces have very fine sprue attachment points to make assembly easy. Just use care in removing the numerous perfectly plated gold pieces from the tree. As usual with a Bandai MG series everything moves via poly-cap joints. Leg and arm armor can be removed. It's a real attention-getter on display.

Shin Shuuyu Hyaku Shiki - Zhou Yu

Brave Battle Warriors Gundam based on 'Romance of Three Kingdom', featured one of the greatest naval commanders during late Han dynasty, Zhou Yu. Skilled, young, smart and handsome! Super Deformed (SD) Shin Shuuyu Hyaku Shiki was inspired by none other than Hyaku Shiki from 'Z Gundam' series. The very first released was the yellow plastic version and later in this chrome coated version. Just like the historical character, the kit possessed high level of charisma with expressive large clear blue parts. Beside the Byakkotou (白虎刀) saber received from Sun Quan, as a symbol of authority, the kit also came with bow arrow set Hakuzoukyuu (白爪弓). 

We don't see many Sangokuden kits with archery set. When not in used, the bow split to two and mounted onto both sides of the backpack. Zhou Yu Hyakushiki ultimate move was having the bow fixed to Tenrai Kahou (天雷火砲) tiger head , firing arrows like super mega launched. Another cool gimmick was the optional, naval blue visor, like sunglasses to protect Zhou Yu Hyakushiki from glares and UV while firing arrows. Here's the anime/manga version of Zhou Yu formed a powerful navy in the suppression of Koto (江東). In the battle of the Red Cliff, he destroyed half of the metal fleet with the Tenrai Kahou. But was shot in the chest during an attack by the Keishuu troops. After the battle, he ascertains the growth of Sonken and silently falls asleep.

Hasbro Remote Control Star Wars BB-8 Droid

Star Wars Episode VII has successfully drawn the curtains to its latest droid, a new generation droid that comes rounder and cuter. Never did I expect that it could be made into a toy as realistic as this. In fact, I was overwhelmed when I first saw the demonstration. What fascinates me is that the body of BB-8 actually rotates without the head dropping. Very intelligent toy IMHO using balancer and magnetism. Not exactly perfect as the head may occasionally fell off. Likely due to my improper control. Lolz ... Controlling the droid can be a bit challenging for starters, but with some practices, you will be fine. Just make sure that the head is well aligned to the magnetic area.

I would say the pricing is quite reasonable given the technology it provide. Moreover, it's fun and did the job of thrilling my kiddos since their memories of the movie are still fresh. What's more is that the toy makes sounds of BB-8 at random when stationary or when the head was controlled to rotate. The height of approximately 10" makes Hasbro Remote Control BB-8 rather easy to handle and pretty ideal for display as well. The toy itself has some pre-painted weathering and looks even more movie accurate with some panel lines drawn and extra weathering added. Kenny even goes to the extent of modifying the antennas on head and adding red/blue LED lights circuit to the head.

A short video of the toy 

Wishing all Merry Christmas and may the force be with you

Infinite Stratos Cecilia Alcott - SEGA EX Suit Figure

Cecilia Alcott (セシリア オルコット, Seshiria Orukotto) is a 1st year student at the IS Academy in Class One and the IS Representative Candidate of the United Kingdom. She is the 2nd heroine to be introduced to the Infinite Stratos series, Blue Tears IS pilot, more of sniping abilities and Gundam fin funnel alike armament. For her IS practice and battles, she wears the blue version of their training uniform (Its hugging IS suit, almost swim suit), just like this SEGA EX suit figure. Non-scale standing approximately 17cm. Who won't love prize figure for the affordable prize for a character you adore. Despite the pricing, this gorgeous statue sculpt, managed to portray the English character in classy style. Cecilia posed in way, she turned around to look back at you with a smile when you caught her attention. She wore a blue hair band over her long blond flowing golden hair.