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Because receiving your parcels one by one is too easy and mainstream
Went to a courier service outlet yesterday morning to pick up parcels containing my purchases that I asked the vendors to withhold shipment for many many months. ^^ Four boxes came in - two really large ones and another two smaller ones. The vendors were kind enough to inform me of the boxes' dimensions, so I was prepared before going to the courier's office. Still, bringing the boxes back was a challenge. ^^;

I was ready to slow and get my stuff in two trips, but luckily, my car is amazing in the storage department. ^^


The rear seats can be collapsed to let the box be slid through the trunk.
The top cover can be removed as well actually, but I didn't find that to be necessary when loading the box.

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Buy buy buy!
On top of chocolates and cookies, I did get myself a bunch of hobby-related items from my four-day stay in Singapore. ^^





Takara Tomy's "Transformers: Prime" Arms Micron AM-28 Leo Prime
(From China Square Central)

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Discovering some long lost items
Currently in Singapore but I'm still talking about my trip in Bangkok.

Day 5 (March 4) - Japanese collectibles at Fantasia in Siam Discovery.

Random (114)

Because of nostalgia, that's why
Earlier this month, I got myself an old 1/144 scale Tallgeese II. ^^ I got it mainly because of my liking of the MS, but I must admit that there was a bit of nostalgia factor that influenced my decision then. The old 1/144 scale series of "MS Gundam Wing" and "After War Gundam X" were the starting point for me in this hobby of Gunpla-ing, so not enough at being happy to see an old kit from said series again after all these years, I had to buy it too. ^^

Interestingly, I saw a bunch of old Gundam Wing kits in a large toy store in a local shopping mall last Sunday. ^^ Seeing small-boxed Gunplas in a toy store that doesn't normally carry Japanese hobby goods, I felt like I was back in earlier 2000s on that day. XD

As with that Tallgeese II, seeing the kits wasn't satisfying enough, I went ahead and added them to my collection. ^^


Gundam Deathscythe and Shenlong Gundam.
Disregarding the many kits I have yet to assemble at this point, I have to own these two vintage kits. ^^ I have no idea when I'm going to assemble them, if I do plan on assembling them at all. ^^

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Vintage awesome Gunpla get!
Found this old gem in a souvenir store of an equally old shopping complex today. ^^

Random (101)

怨念之购
Normally I'm very excited when anticipating my pre-order to arrive. ^^ Since I don't live next to Mr. Japan, I usually get whatever new stuff he puts out much later than folks who do live closer to him. XD For that matter, there are usually tons of reviews on those new releases posted on the Internet long before I received the same item that I pre-ordered for. While reading those reviews seems like looking at movie spoilers sometimes, it doesn't actively diminish my interest for those new items. I buy what I like because I like them, not to get them faster than others. Also, I suppose I'm very used to seeing others playing with their toys before getting mine after all these years that I no longer care. ^^

However, as they say, there's always an exception to the rule. ^^; For breaking that usual enthusiasm that I have for my pre-orders, this model kit will forever be the first item that I think of: Kotobukiya's 1/144 scale Super Robot Wars OG Original Generations Gesterben Kwai [Serena] ^^;

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Impulse decision trumps all indecision
Note: Nothing extravagant about the 100^th posting in the Random series, since I have absolutely no idea about anything special to do about it. XD

Just got myself a new Transformers figure recently. ^^



Released in April 2013, this is Hasbro's Transformers Generations Thrilling 30 Voyager Class Autobot Springer. ^^ Along with its Sandstorm variant, I think this version of Springer is one of the best Transformers designs from Hasbro in a long while, and based on many reviews I had read before getting mine, many Transformers fans have the same opinion as well. ^^ Before eventually getting Springer, I actually struggled for a while deciding between him and Sandstorm. ^^; I like Springer's more conventional armored vehicle design, as opposed to Sandstorm's dune buggy alternate mode which gives its robot form two huge wheels on its backpack. I also like the clever design of Springer's sword, which turns into its helicopter blades. It's a weapon that is not available on Sandstorm. Then again, I like Sandstorm's orange on dark yellow color scheme much more than Springer's highlighter green on bright yellow scheme. There are great qualities on either version that I find really difficult to choose. ^^;

There's actually a perfect blend of the two versions: Takara Tomy's Transformers Cloud Hot Rodimus. It's basically Springer with Hot Rod's paint scheme. ^^ Unfortunately for me, and folks outside Japan, it's a Takara Tomy Mall limited item. ^^;

My own indecision was the main reason I skipped over this figure a couple of times when it was made available on local hobby webstores that I frequently visit for Transformers items, but when I saw the figure on the shelves at the toy division of a departmental store recently, and holding the box in my hands, I said to myself, "Forget it, I'm getting this." XD That instance of impulse decision pretty much ended an extended period of pondering over the two versions, which is good since I don't have to carry on arguing with myself until Springer is out of stock. ^^; Then again, giving a win to toy-purchasing impulse always feels like a dangerous business to me. ^^;

Random (94)

No thanks for the really unnecessary details
This mini monster just came in yesterday. ^^



Released by Takara Tomy just two weeks ago, this is Devastator (AD13) from their Movie Advanced series. ^^ As I tweeted in April, I was really looking forward to getting this rehashed Transformers set. ^^

Good thing I gave up on a pricey eBay EZ Col. Devastator some time ago. It'll be back in May ^^http://t.co/IqvYMtM5OM pic.twitter.com/n0oS7YVY6s

— Chang Ngee Khiong (@Ngeekhiong) April 19, 2014

While the Movie Advanced series's launch was clearly for the upcoming fourth Transformers movie, "Age of Extinction", many of its releases are actually repaints from the previous three movies. AD09 Protoform Optimus Prime for example, was a figure that came out for the first movie seven years ago. Folks who already own these figures, or those who wish to see more newer items would probably be disappointed with the lineup, but for those who missed out on some of these gems when they first came out, people like me, this series provides a great opportunity to strike off some old Transformers items from their to-get lists - stuff that would otherwise stay on those lists forever perhaps. ^^;

Some time last year, I almost had the opportunity to get this movie version of Devastator, in a set of seven separate EZ Collection figures that was. I managed to contact someone on eBay who had kept the whole set in unopened form, but unfortunately, the deal fell through in the end. ^^; I was a bit disappointed about that failed transaction for a short while, but in hindsight, it didn't seem like a bad thing at all. ^^ Not only did I managed to get a brand new set of the same item I was looking for all this while, I got it for a lower price than that EZ Collection set as well. ^^

Great success! ^^


A fantastic illustration of Devastator on the front cover.
But hold on, what's that little hook doing down there? ...


... it that ...
... Don't tell me it's ...


Agent Simmons (John Turturro): I am directly below... the enemy's scrotum.



That's seriously something unnecessary in either said illustration, or even that disappointing second Transformers movie where Devastator appeared in. ^^;

On a separate note, I find it funny that I used the word 'disappointing' so many times in this posting, even though it's supposed to be about the joy of this latets purchase. XD

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Evil bosses
Adding another four action figures to my collection. ^^


Takara Tomy's "Triple Combination: Transformers Go!" Deluxe Class Hunter Arcee, and Hunter Nemesis Prime, Hasbro's Star Wars The Black Series 3.75-Inch Darth Vader, and 41^st Elite Corps Clone Trooper.





Among the four, "Triple Combination: Transformers Go!" Hunter Nemesis Prime would have to be the most exciting purchase, since it's an Japanese exclusive release by Takara Tomy, and there's no Hasbro equivalence of it at the moment. I love the Nemesis Prime treatment on this version of Optimus Prime from "Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters" because of its bulk. With a pretty involved transformation design, I was very tempted to get the original Voyager Class release by Hasbro, but I dislike the maskless face design. ^^; With the face plate restored, coupled with the nice evil color scheme, I didn't hesitated in picking up this "Transformers Go!" version. ^^

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First Gunpla purchase of 2014
Was hoping to get it since a long time ago, and had the interest further ignited when it was reissued in Japan in November last year, and now it's finally here in my collection. ^^


High Grade 1/144 G-Saviour (Space Mode), and Build Custom GP Base.
Looking at the content of the kit, now that I have it, I can see that some of its engineering is quite dated by today's standards, which is to be expected since G-Saviour (Space Mode) came out 14 years ago, but overall, it's actually a very normal High Grade kit. ^^ So, despite its age, the build experience isn't going to be too different from working on other HGs I think. ^^

Random (86)

Year of the monsters
With the year winding down to a close, I look back at some of the stuff that I got for the last 12 months, and realize that I managed to stuff my room with more large-sized items than ever. ^^;

Some of the giants were shown on the blog when I got them, for example "The Avengers" 1/6 Black Widow, "The Dark Knight Rises" 1/6 Selina Kyle/Catwoman, "Resident Evil 4 HD" 1/6 Ada Wong from Hot Toys, and Transformers Masterpiece MP-02 Soundwave from Hasbro, but there are others I didn't post about. After recently acquiring another item that is undoubtedly a giant - G.F.F. Metal Composite Psycho Gundam Mk-II (Neo Zeon Ver), I thought it would be good to reveal the other unnamed large-sized items that I got throughout the year. ^^


Giant robots, and huge figures. ^^


G.F.F. Metal Composite Psycho Gundam Mk-II (Neo Zeon Ver)


The reissued G.F.F. Metal Composite Psycho Gundam


Takara Tomy's Transformers Asia Premium Series ASP02 Brawl



Hasbro's Transformers Masterpiece MP-01 Acid Storm


Square Enix's Variant Play Arts Kai DC Universe Variant Batman and Wonder Woman



Original Effect's Army Attractive 1/6 Viola, and Hasuike Sunayuki .
I mentioned about Transformers Asia Premium Series ASP02 Brawl a couple of times in the past I believe. It's pretty much Takara Tomy's repaint version of the original Leader Class Brawl from "Transformers: The Movie" released in 2007, but with heightened sense of realism through more militaristic paint scheme and richer details. As a replacement for that original Brawl I didn't manage to get because of budget, I'm really glad to have this new version in my collection now. ^^ The two G.F.F. Metal Composite figures share pretty much the same story as Brawl in terms of their purchase reason. Psycho Gundam was originally released in August 2007, and Psycho Gundam Mk-II exactly a year later. With little budget to spare for large-sized completed figures, I wasn't able to get them when they first came out. When Tamashii Nations announced that these two Gundam figures were going to be reissued earlier this year, I didn't hesitate when deciding to get them. ^^ The reissued Psycho Gundam came out in May, while Mk-II in October. With its Neo Zeon deco and new packaging, The Mk-II is technically a new product. It's even being listed as a separate item on Tamashii Web, but since everything else is exactly the same as the original release that came out in August 2008, I look at it as more of a reissue than a new item. ^^

I mentioned about going for Hasbro's Transformers Masterpiece MP-01 Acid Storm after getting Soundwave in September, and I followed through on that wish. I can just imagine how outstanding a large fluorescent green F-15 is going to look when it been displayed alongside other figures on my shelves. XD

Among the few items shown above, the two Play Arts Kai figures are the smallest, but their size is still very intimidating when compared to S.H. Figuarts figures and Figmas. This is especially true for the heavily armored, extremely masculine Batman. It's obviously smaller than a 1/6 scale figure, but its size is definitely impressive. ^^ Besides their size, the sculpture, paint work, and detailing are just tremendous for these two figures. Even without removing them from their boxes, Batman's layered armor design, and gradient paint work for Wonder Woman's skin tone are already very impressive to me. They are very expensive, even in the Play Arts Kai series itself, but the quality is good enough to match the price tags I think.

The two 1/6 scale action figures from Original Effect are very interesting purchases to me. ^^ The highly sexualized image of the characters, especially Viola is very attractive to me. I've never seen large-sized action figures quite like the ones from this series before to be honest, and their accompanying comics are super-violent, sadistically and bloodily so, much to my evil delight. ^^ They are perhaps borderline permissible to be released to the mass market I suppose, as you can get them through pretty much all major hobby sites. ^^ According to many reviews right after the figures' releases, they are very poorly made, with tons of amateurish quality control issues. Looking at the actual figures that I got, I have no problem agreeing with those assessments. ^^; The characters are awesome, but the figures are very crappy, unfortunately. ^^; Given their overly sexual image, perhaps offensively so to some, I would probably have to do a Sci-fi Revoltech Jason Voorhees styled review for the two the next time I bring them out of their boxes. ^^;

More monsters are set to arrive next year, with Tamashii Nations' DX Chogokin YF-29 Durandal Valkyrie Isamu's Unit, 303 Toys' 1/6 Guan Yu, Sideshow Collectibles' 1/6 Baroness, and a couple other 1/6 scale figures on my pre-order list. ^^ I'm certainly looking forward to seeing all of them soon. ^^


"Anybody saw me in the first picture?" XD

Hot Toys Resident Evil 4 HD Ada Wong Get

王小姐驾到
After the usual long period of waiting, Hot Toys' 1/6 scale Video Game Masterpiece Ada Wong from "Resident Evil 4 HD" has just arrived. ^^





Very nice artwork on the white area of the front cover, which compliments Ada Wong's costume design at the same time.


Multiple layers of clear covers and plastic wrappers disallow clear view of the figure's face sculpt without thoroughly unboxing her. ^^;


Unlike Jill Valentine BSAA Ver. from the same series, Ada Wong's elegant design means she won't be able to carry many of the weapons, despite an arsenal that comes with the figure. ^^;


Very nice~ ^^


I placed my pre-order for her in late October 2012 - exactly one year ago. ^^ She's going to be the last of any new Hot Toys figure for me in quite a while, most likely all the way till the end of next year when 1/6 Mark 38 (Igor) is released, since there'll be no more cutie after Ada Wong from Hot Toys from now till then. ^^;

After a year filled with great releases (to me ^^) like Black Widow, Catwoman, and Ada Wong, a "drought" is upon fans looking for 1/6 scale cuties from Hot Toys in the coming year. XD

S.H. Figuarts Dragon Ranger, Tyranno Ranger & Ryu Ranger Get

三龙行
All the "dragons" I was aiming to gather since their announcement in April are all here. ^^



I didn't get the trio in one go actually. Each of them arrived in separately according to their individual release schedule, with Ryu Ranger being the latest, and the last of the three. Tyranno Ranger, or more familiarly known as just Red Ranger for those of us who grew up watching "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" is my definite favorite of the three. He wields one of the best-looking swords of all Super Sentai teams in my opinion.

On the other hand, it's kind-of depressing to me that the rest of Zyurangers' and Dairangers' team members are coming out as Tamashii Web Shop limited releases. ^^; It's not a surprising arrangement, as the captain of a Super Sentai team usually gets a regular release, while others limited releases instead. This happened to Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, and Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger. I pre-ordered Ptera Ranger, and Kiba Ranger when they were first announced, but I was well aware of the extra expense that I need to put out if I wish to gather everybody for both teams. At that stage, it seemed to me that all remaining members of the two teams are going to come out as limited releases. ^^; The cost to assemble the teams is extremely high. ^^; As a result from that realization, I didn't place my pre-order for Mammoth Ranger when he was recently revealed.

Despite dismissing Mammoth Ranger willfully, realizing that I'll not be able to complete the Zyuranger team because of that is still quite disappointing. ^^;