areaseven

Soul of Popynica PX-02: Kamen Rider & Cyclone ( 仮面ライダー & サイクロン号 ) Bandai, 2000 Contents - Cyclone motorcycle - Kamen Rider figure - Forearms (x6) - Open-fist, closed-fist and bike handle grip - Chest Plating (x4) - Boots (x2) - Antenna (x2) - Henshin Belt - Belt Ring - Red Scarf Exactly one week ago, I visited HobbyLink Japan to see what was on sale. What caught my eye was this Kamen Rider figure with Cyclone going for Y5,460 (rougly US$50) - down from its original Y7,800 (US$70) sticker price! Being a Kamen Rider fan, I had to pick this up. This afternoon, it arrived at my doorstep (man, HLJ's express shipping really works!). I immediately opened up the packaging to see Kamen Rider, Cyclone and some extra parts neatly packed in styrofoam. But how is the actual toy itself? First, let's talk about the figure (which stands at 4" when completed). It's basically a plastic skeleton wrapped in a leather jacket and pants. The chest plating sticks to the jacket via velcro while the Henshin Belt snaps around the waist. The skeleton has at least 16 points of articulation. Adding the antennae, forearms and boots gives the figure 26 points of articulation. Such versatility enables the Kamen Rider figure to execute trademark poses like "Rider Henshin" and "Rider Kick", as well as some acrobatic maneuvers. It also allows Kamen Rider to sit and do a riding pose on his Cyclone. Now going to Cyclone, the motorcycle is a remarkable piece on its own. Like the diecast motorcycles available at K-B Toys, Cyclone has rubber tires and a functional steering mechanism. However, Cyclone steps it up on detail level with brake hosing, working suspension and a kickstart pedal that pivots up or down. Flip a switch under the bike and you turn on the headlights (powered by two LR44 lithium batteries). Overall, I'm very happy with my latest toy acquisition. Excellent detail and articulation make this Soul of Popynica toy the best Kamen Rider figure today. Now if Bandai were to continue the Kamen Rider series with Rider #2 and V3... Detail: B+ (Kamen Rider) A+ (Cyclone) Features: A- (Kamen Rider) A+ (Cyclone) Articulation: A (Kamen Rider) A+ (Cyclone) Special Thanks to HobbyLink Japan

Saw the episode today, but since I'm still learning Japanese, I won't post a review on it until a fansub is available. Otherwise, I wasn't too impressed with the lack of mecha action.

Denji Sentai Megaranger (電磁戦隊メガレンジャー) TV Asahi/Toei Co. Ltd., 1997-1998 Previously exploited by Saban in 1998 as Power Rangers in Space. Running Time: 25 minutes per episode Not Rated (Suggested TV-Y7). Contains martial arts violence and mature situations. Cast Kunihiko Oshiba as Kenta Date/Mega Red Atsushi Ebara as Koichiro Endo/Mega Black Masaya Matsukaze (Ryo in Shenmue) as Shun Namiki/Mega Blue Eri Tanaka as Chisato Jogasaki/Mega Yellow Mami Higashiyama (Earth Girl Arjuna) as Miku Imamura/Mega Pink Satoru Saito as Dr. Eikichi Kubota Tetsuo Morishita as De. Hinalar Asami Jo (former AV Idol) as Shibolena Ryuzaburo Otomo (Abdul Hakim in Cowboy Bebop) as Javious (voice) Hirotaka Suzuoki (1950-2006) (Bright Noah in Mobile Suit Gundam, Kaifun in Macross) as Yugande (voice) Tomokazu Seki (Sousuke in Full Metal Panic!, Domon in Mobile Fighter G-Gundam) as Bibidebi (voice) "Install! MEGARANGER!!!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdrK951pHsM Synopsis After defeating a skilled opponent on a 3D fighting game, Kenta Date is recruited by members of INET to come with them at the NASADA space research facility - in exchange for a yakiniku (Korean barbecue) dinner. Meanwhile, four high school students - Koichiro Endo, Shun Namiki, Chisato Jogasaki and Miku Imamura - trespass within NASADA to work on their research project. All of a sudden, the evil Nejirejia forces appear out of nowhere and wreak havoc on the facility. With the fate of the world at stake, Dr. Kubota gives the five teenagers Digitizers which transform them into the Electromagnetic Task Force Megaranger. Lowdown Ever since I got hooked on Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, I decided to dive into the Sentai archives and give the previous titles a look. The first two were Kyoryuu Sentai Zyuranger (1992) and Gosei Sentai Dairanger (1993), which I'll review later this year. The third Sentai title being this one: Denji Sentai Megaranger. While Dekaranger borrows elements from Men in Black, Megaranger's use of the arcade machine as a testing system is reminiscent of the 1984 sci-fi classic The Last Starfighter. The series' VR subplot also seems to borrow from the 1995 TV series Sliders. The characters themselves are a very interesting bunch. Instead of Dekaranger's hotheaded Ban/Deka Red, Megaranger's Kenta/Mega Red is an arcade gamer who likes to eat a lot. The other rangers are computer geniuses, managing to use all types of electronics to get out of any situation. In terms of design, the Megaranger outfits look very much like updated versions of the suits in Choudenshi Bioman (1984). Because of this, they're already among my favorites. Megaranger weapons are pretty nifty as well. The Megasniper shows that Deka Red wasn't the first to dual-wield in a Sentai series. Making things more interesting is the ability of each Ranger to combine their Megasniper with their own weapon to form a more powerful weapon. No doubt that these toys sold out in record time when this series came out in Japan. For its time, Megaranger has some great special effects (except maybe for the cheesy "computer simulations") and excellent use of scale models. Even though I've only seen the first episode, I'm already hooked on it. It's what Power Rangers should've been in the first place. Rating: B+ Links Super Sentai's official Denji Sentai Megaranger Homepage (Japanese) References Wikipedia The Internet Movie Database

Ace wo Nerae! ( エースをねらえ! ) TV Asahi, 2004 As if this will ever see a U.S. release... Not Rated (Suggested 13-Up). Contains mature situations. Cast - Aya Ueto as Hiromi Oka - Rio Matsumoto as Reika "Ochoufujin" Ryuuzaki - Masaki Uchino as Coach Jin Munakata - Yuu Yoshizawa as Takayuki Todou - Ayana Sakai as Ranko Midorikawa Synopsis On her first day at Nishi High School, 16-year-old Hiromi Oka watches star tennis player Reika Ryuuzaki practice in the court, prompting her to join the Tennis Club in hopes of befriending Reika. One day, a man named Jin Munakata enters the court and addresses himself as the Tennis Club's new coach and has the club undergo rigorous training. Despite her inexperience, Hiromi's perseverance prompts Munakata to select her as one of the club's five regular players. But with all the peer pressure from her seniors, does Hiromi have what it takes to aim for the Ace? Lowdown After spawning several anime adaptations, Sumika Yamamoto's best-selling manga is among the latest to receive the live-action treatment. Much like the boxing manga Ashita no Joe, Ace wo Nerae! is a sports drama focusing on an underdog's desire to be the best in her sport. Many anime fans know that Ace wo Nerae! was the basis for GAINAX's anime masterpiece Gunbuster. And it shows on this new adaptation. If you've seen Gunbuster, you'll immediately recognize almost every scene on the first episode. Remember when the heroine first meets her senpai, who gives her some pointers on how to excel? How about the thumbtack incident which prompts her to ask the coach why she was chosen? Or how about the bully senpai who challenges the heroine to a duel in hopes of humiliating her? It's not a case of deja vu at all. Aya Ueto and Rio Matsumoto do an impressive job playing the show's two main characters, but it's Masaki Uchino who captures the essence of the story with his cold and sometimes menacing portrayal of the coach. The show isn't all drama, as there is a lot of humor in it - especially when the characters are first introduced. The music for the series is pretty good, featuring an updated version of the anime's title track. In addition, the upbeat ending theme "Ai no Tame ni" is performed by Aya herself. Personally, I've never seen the anime series nor have I read the manga, but I found the live-action Ace wo Nerae! very enjoyable. Now if only the fansubbers would go beyond the first episode... Rating: B+ Links TV Asahi's Official Ace wo Nerae! Homepage (Japanese) Download episode 1 here. Reference Anime News Network

Well, looks like someone else here also likes Gad Guard. Your turn, Guppy.

Time's up. Next question: In Gad Guard, when Hajiki discovers a Gad that transforms into a Tekkoudo ("Iron Giant"), what does he name it?

Yeah, but why would Queen Beryl want to make herself look ugly?

SPOILER ALERT!!! Do not read further unless you've reached episode 32. Well, nothing much happened on this episode. Usagi-chan wanted to go to London to look for Mamoru, but got tricked into working with a male idol, who was possessed by a Yoma. Then, from out of nowhere, Mamoru, in his royal outfit, saved Usagi-chan from getting killed. And so, Usagi-chan and Mamoru are together again. Next time on Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Rei-chan is harassed by her father again. And Ami-chan's changing schools?

Wow...WWE desperately wants your PPV money next month. This June, we'll have not one, but two WWE PPV events. On June 13, RAW presents Bad Blood, featuring Benoit defending his World title against Kane. HBK and HHH square off in a Hell in the Cell match. Randy Orton faces Shelton Benjamin to keep his Intercontinental reign intact. Then on June 27, SmackDown! presents The Great American Bash. So far, no matches have been announced yet, but God forbid another Eddie/JBL match. The Great American Bash, huh? Guess what the October WWE PPV will be called...

Last night on RAW: - Where is this Lita/Matt Hardy/Kane love triangle going? This is probably worse than the last love triangle. - Last week, The Rock put Eugene over as a face. Tonight, it was Benoit that teamed up with Eugene against Garrison Cade and the Coachman. Eugene is a good wrestler and all, but his gimmick must go. - The feud between HBK and HHH intensified beyond Bischoff's control. At the end of the show, it took nearly the entire RAW roster to separate the two. Bischoff announced that the two will settle their scores once and for all in a Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood. It would be much better if both of them were to stay away from TV for at least a couple of months.

Well I'll be damned. HobbyLink Japan has the Holy Grail of Kamen Rider merchandise coming this July. Too bad the price is beyond my bank account. DX Faiz Gear (Adult Size)

This Wednesday, I'll be attending an advanced screening of The Chronicles of Riddick. However, seeing that it received a PG-13, it may not be as good as it should be.

Toei's official website has released photos of a new SPD mecha more powerful than Dekaranger Robo. Presenting: Dekabase Robo. Dekabase Robo will make its debut on episode 16: "Giant Destroyer 「ジャイアント・デストロイヤー」" this Sunday on TV Asahi.

Drink at your own risk.

It's unfortunate that Apocalypse Zero (Kakugo no Susume) had to be one of Big West's works. And it was a total waste of talent: Staff Director: Toshihiro Hirano (Dangaio, Hades Project Zeorymer) Cast Koichi Yamadera (Spike in Cowboy Bebop, Togusa in Ghost in the Shell) as Kakugo Megumi Ogata (Shinji in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Yukito in Cardcaptor Sakura) as Harara Shinichiro Miki (Allen in Escaflowne, Kurz in Full Metal Panic!) as Kazu Yuko Miyamura (Asuka in Neon Genesis Evangelion, video training girl in Battle Royale) as Megumi Why Media Blasters bothered to license this title is beyond comprehension.

That's the best Macross Lego construction I've seen in a long time.

Wait a minute - was Takumi even carrying tofu during the race?

Shin Getter Robo ( 新・ゲッターロボ ) Dynamic Planning/Brains Base/Bee Media/Bandai Visual, 2004 Geneon Entertainment, 2005 Directed by Jun Kawagoe (Getter Robo Armageddon, Transformers: Energon) Rated 16-Up for extreme violence and gore, nudity, mature situations and strong language. "CHANGE! GETTER ONE!" Earth is terrorized by demonic beings known as "Oni." With majority of his robots being decimated by the Oni, Professor Saotome acquires the services of three men - delinquent martial artist Ryoma Nagare, crime lord Hayato Jin and monk Benkei Musashibou - to pilot the powerful Getter Robo and crush the Oni threat before all life on Earth is lost. "GETTER BEAM!!! Story: B If you thought Getter Robo Armageddon had a dark atmosphere to it, you haven't seen this new TV series. The Oni are, by far, the most gruesome set of villains in any of Go Nagai's super robot titles. As a matter of fact, the violence and gore levels of New Getter Robo are so high, it makes Fist of the North Star look like A Little Snow Fairy Sugar. Story-wise, New Getter Robo appears to have a plot direction - unlike Getter Robo Armageddon, which went nowhere in the second half of the series. Hopefully, this new series will leave fans extemely satisfied in the end. Animation: B- While much of the animation is smooth and stylized, the artwork is a bit messy (and I'm not talking about the overall body count). The new Getter Robo design really matches the dark setting of the series. Soundtrack: B+ Try Force is credited in composing part of the soundtrack, but don't expect the techno-style music heard on Heat Guy J. Instead, New Getter Robo uses an orchestral score that's pretty good, but not as memorable as that of Mazinkaiser. The series also has a couple of catchy theme songs from JAM Project. Cast Reprising their roles from Getter Robo Armageddon are Hideo Ishikawa as Ryoma and Naoya Uchida as Hayato. New Getter Robo also features Kiyoyuki Yanada (Leon in Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, Zabine in Mobile Suit Gundam F91) as Benkei, Takako Honda (Kiriko in Shinkon Gattai Godannar!!) as Michiru, and Yoshitaka Arimoto as Professor Saotome. The Bottom Line It may be bloody as hell and gruesome as Ogrish.com, but New Getter Robo appears to be the best of all the recent Getter Robo installments. Reference Anime News Network

SPOILER ALERT!!! Do not read further unless you've reached episode 31. Mako-chan arrives at Crown and sees that Motoki's left arm is in a sling. He explains that he was moving and he hurt his arm in the process. She tells him she's cooking curry tonight and will give him some. Usagi-chan, Ami-chan and Rei-chan arrive at the secret room to see Mako-chan trying to eat potatoes. Sailor Luna explains that it's part of Mako-chan's training, as she hates potatoes. Meanwhile, at the Dark Kingdom, Zoicite and Nephrite talk about their past memories. Zoicite tells Nephrite that his master is not Beryl, but Endymion. Later that night, Mako-chan gives Motoki some curry as promised. He offers her two movie tickets in return. They play tug-of-war with the tickets until Motoki explains to her that one ticket is his. In the secret room, Mako-chan is arguing with Usagi-chan on whether or not to go out with Motoki. Sailor Luna tells Mako-chan that this may be part of her special training. Usagi-chan proposes to have Mako-chan change outfits using the saved images on her cell phone. Unfortunately, none of the clothes match her. She tries Rei-chan's cell phone, but gets a police uniform and a firefighter uniform instead. Mako-chan tries Ami-chan's cell phone. The clothes from the stored images appear to be sexier than the others, causing the other Senshi to stare at Ami-chan. Mako-chan then leaves with her own clothes. She meets up with Motoki at the moviehouse. After the movie, they're outside, where Motoki is crying over the outcome of the film. After receiving a handkerchief from Mako-chan, Motoki tells her she's very feminine. They both talk about living alone for a while. Right when Mako-chan decides to leave, Sailor Luna interrupts her, telling her to stick around with Motoki for a while. Mako-chan and Motoki are walking by the river. She tells him they can't be together due to her nature. He understands, and they part ways. Usagi-chan, Ami-chan and Rei-chan spot Motoki walking alone, holding the green scarf Mako-chan gave him not too long ago. He tells them he was just dumped. Back at the river, Mako-chan confronts a group of Yoma. She calls everyone to the scene. Minako-chan rushes in as well. Mako-chan: "JUPITER POWER! MAKE-UP!" The smaller Yoma are dispersed by Sailor Jupiter. Meanwhile, at the Dark Kingdom, Jadeite notifies Queen Beryl that a group of Yoma are loose. She has no idea who set them free, but she suspects the work of Queen Metaria. Sailor Jupiter attempts to finish off the last Yoma with her Supreme Thunder, but to no effect. On another part of town, Usagi-chan, Ami-chan and Rei-chan confront a group of Yoma similar to the ones Sailor Jupiter fended off. They transform into Sailor Senshi while Luna grabs her cell phone and once again does her weak impersonation of Kamen Rider 555. The Sailor Senshi fight the Yoma while Sailor Luna runs away. The Yoma disappear and reappear behind Sailor Moon. But before they attack her, they're interrupted by Sailor Venus. Meanwhile, in the forest, Sailor Jupiter is having a hard time with the Yoma. She sits cornered against a tree, thinking of the people who have left her in her life. Then, she feels a strange aura within the forest. Using her powers, Sailor Jupiter envelopes the forest in darkness. Lightning strikes her as she forms a more powerful version of her Supreme Thunder, destroying the Yoma in the process. Sailor Jupiter's powers have awakened. She explains that by fate, she lives alone and fights alone, but it should have nothing to do with being a Sailor Senshi. Zoicite continues to play the piano before being interrupted by Nephrite, who claims he sees nothing of his past. Zoicite then plays a tune, teleporting Mamoru to their dimension. Nephrite: "You are...Master Endymion?" Kunzite walks in along with Jadeite. The Four Generals are reunited with Endymion. Next time on Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Usagi-chan is going to London. And Mio is back.

I forgot to ask...which fansubs are you viewing? I was happy with L-E and Ideology's fansub until episode 2 crashed my PC. I'm currently checking out AnimeOne's version.

That was fast. Your turn, UN Spacy.

That was a hard one. What is Metal Armor Dragonar? Next question - also Jeopardy!-style: His middle initial is short for "Dokonokuminomonjawaresumakinishiteshizumetarokakora."

SPOILER ALERT!!! Do not read further unless you've reached episode 12. Shin had made enough kills to earn his freedom, but carelessly wasted his bullets before Kotori found herself locked on by the enemy. He drew the enemy's attention long enough for her to evade and attack, but sustained considerable damaged to his Tiger in the process. Meanwhile, Kanzaki had fired Shinjou through a phone conversation, which was secretly tapped within the base. The whole base found out that Shinjou was hired to photograph Shin's death, and they retaliated by beating him up and torching his photo equipment. The attacks stopped when everyone saw that Shin's plane was about to land. Because of an unstable landing gear, the Tiger skidded through the runway in flames. "I'm not going to die this way! RYOKO!!!" cried Shin. Back in Japan, Kanzaki gave Ryoko a Manila envelope containing photos of Shin. She was finally delighted to see her long-time fiancee, but Kanzaki then gave her some bad news, pointing at the dog tags and a death certificate inside the envelope. "I'm afraid that Shin is no longer in this world," he said. "That's a lie!" she replied. At Area 88, fire engines surrounded Shin's Tiger as he exited from it. He boarded a jeep with Kotori and met the rest of the team, who held a bloodied Shinjou. They told Shin what had happened, but he told him to let him go, as his beating was enough for him. That night, as Shin sat down by his desk, Shinjou entered his quarters. He told Shin photography was his life and he was willing to take any job; which is why he was sent to Area 88. Before he left, he told Shin that Kanzaki was to marry Ryoko. Shin's eyes widened in disbelief. Later, Shin went to McCoy's warehouse, requesting for a plane with vulcan ammo and enough fuel for long-distance flights. "Are you going for something we can't handle?" McCoy asked. Greg stared at Shinjou's photos posted at the mess hall. Micky asked him why the photos were still there. Greg sighed, saying he liked them and wanted to give them to his family that is no longer around. Meanwhile, Shinjou boarded a helicopter leaving Area 88. Kotori handed him his camera, which she hoped still worked. Shinjou told her to give Shin a message. All squadrons were ordered to scramble and intercept Shin. Kotori told Saki through the radio that she'll go for Shin first, as she was initially preparing for a recon mission. In the night sky, Shin dodged some gunfire from behind. Kotori warned him to turn around or she'll shoot him down for real. They both played a game of tag for a couple of minutes before the whole cavalry led by Micky arrived on the scene. Saki told everyone on the radio that an enemy squadron was closing in dead ahead of them, and if Shin were to indicate any signs of defection before the enemy planes arrive, they must shoot him down. The reward for Shin's head was US$200,000. On another side of the country, the helicopter crew escorting Shinjou received word that Shin was defecting. Shinjou frantically told the pilots to turn around. While everyone had their crosshairs on Shin, Kotori told him what Shinjou told her; that he was to return to Japan and tell Ryoko that Shin is still alive. As Micky was preparing to fire, Kotori told everyone to hold their fire as Shin dropped his fuel tanks. Shin radioed to everyone that they will attack the enemy from the west. Saki gave the orders for Shin to land and resupply his armament at a nearby base. Back in the helicopter, the pilots warned Shinjou that if he were ever to pull a stunt like that again, he'd be thrown in the middle of the desert. Then, without warning, a Tiger flew past them and turned around. Shinjou looked at the plane before preparing his camera. "It may not have his emblem on it, but it's definitely him," Shinjou said as he clicked away at the plane before it disappeared in the sunrise. In Japan, Ryoko was in her wedding dress, sitting nervously in her dressing room when she heard a knock. Shinjou entered the room. "Who are you?" she asked. "I'm just a photographer," he replied, handing her a photo. She glanced at the slighly blurry picture of the Tiger plane in the picture, knowing it was none other than Shin piloting it. She broke down in tears, thanking Shinjou for informing her on Shin's condition. "No, I should thank you. I didn't understand what was going on until now," he replied. Ryoko then ran to the backyard. "Shouldn't you take that gown off first?" Shinjou asked. "This is the dress I'll wear when I marry Shin," she replied happily, running across the grass while Shinjou took pictures of her.

He's saying that Paul Walker is a Keanu Reeves wannabe.