Calling all Gundam Fans - A reason to get a Playstation Portable (PSP)

Enuf said. Let's count down for the release on 28 Nov'08 :D...

Black Jack Neo: Old Storyline with New Outlook

2 days back my wallet was"taking damages" at the comic shop and came to see this new release. The original story was called "Black Jack" and was released in the 1970s. It was written by the great Osamu Tezuka, whom did titles like "Astro Boy" and "Cyborg 009". If you have read any of the titles mentioned above you would know the writer style of drawings were pretty nostalgic and curvy-looking characters. The new release was drawn by Masayuki Taguchi, who gives a sharper design and a darker interpretation of the story.

Summary extract from wikipedia:

Most of the episodes involve Black Jack doing some good deed, for which he rarely gets recognition—often curing the poor and destitute for free, or teaching a capitalist fat cat and his pompous colleagues a lesson in humility. They frequently end with a good, humane person enduring hardship, often unavoidable death, to save others.
Osamu Tezuka drew on his knowledge as a physician in writing Black Jack, and the manga contains frequent medical details. However, Tezuka chose to generally eschew medical plausibility in his manga: Black Jack is superhuman, regularly performing spectacular and impossible feats of surgical virtuosity, such as operating in absolute darkness completely from memory, and transplanting body parts without any risk of rejection. (However, rejection is accounted for in some anime episodes.) The Black Jack stories also frequently include pseudoscience and science fiction elements.

Reading after thought:

Personally I have not read most of the original chapter, due to the "astro boy-like" drawing style (sorry, Osamu Tezuka san), but this new version gives a more mature and artsy impression of the storyline. The story is still in early stage development, so there's not pretty much strong elements to captivate the readers. If you like to reading pseudoscience, science fiction comic and can stand the gorginess of some images, this is the book for you.

Overall rating: 2.8/5

Pit Stop: BB Collection

Hee missed out this box during my "collection photo shoot" previously. Keroro Gunso is one anime that Gundam Fans should watch. They made many parody of Gundam 0079, some of which are really hilarious. The storyline is about this alien frog platoon (yes, they are frogs from outer space) came to Earth to take over the human race. However, their captain, Keroro, spend half the time working as a housemaid to earn money building his Gunpla empire.

Anyway, this is the GodKeron DX model kit. It includes 5 mecha controlled by each alien frog and can "gattai" into one giant mama.

However, this is not an official review of this model kit. ^_^

As you can see, i have use the box to store my BB Senshi and other collections.

My SD Gundam "Musharetsuden Zero" series. All packed in plastic bags individually to avoid damages and paint marks. Still short of BB267, BB275 & BB279 to complete my collection. If anyone whose reading this and have any ideas where i can get my hands on them, please let me know :D

Other collections include "1/35 Code Geass" series. Only got Guren, Vincent & Lancelot. Only hope Bandai can produce some more Code Geass model kit.

The mechas and the pilot frogs below.

"Kerokerokero.. Tamatamatama.. Girogirogiro..Kurukurukuru..Dorodorodoro.." (Catchphrase of the anime when they are "resonating" with one another).

Onimusha 3: Demon Siege

I always wanted to play this game when it first launched, but back then I didn't had Playstation 2. Now that I have the console, this title has diminshed from all local game shelf (actually all PS2 games to be precise).

Lucky me, I was at "Sin Tian Di"(Comic Cafe) and i saw this game title that they are selling off as consignment good. "$6.00", i tell myself for a original second-hand game, hell why not. Without further hesitation, i paid for it and ran back home to give it a "test-run".

The manual is still in near-perfect condition and the game is running smoothly.

A little bit about the game plot from wikipedia:

The game opens with Samanosuke Akechi (Takeshi Kaneshiro) destroying the monstrous Genma army in Japan 1582. It then jumps to modern-day Paris 2004, featuring Jacques Blanc (Jean Reno) riding on his motorcycle to help his friend Philippe. The Genma army then begins its invasion of Paris near the Arc de Triomphe.

The game returns to Samanosuke in feudal Japan fighting his way to Honnō-ji Temple, which is on fire from a raging battle. Samanosuke battles and kills Ranmaru Mori (Joshua Keaton) and approaches Nobunaga Oda. However, before they can fight, a portal opens in the floor and Samanosuke is pulled through it.

Meanwhile, the French military is fighting several monsters from 1582, but the soldiers cannot hold them for long. Jacques arrives on the scene finding Philippe injured from the battle. Suddenly, Samanosuke appears from a portal in a Paris alley right where Jacques is fighting the Genma monsters. Jacques Blanc runs out of ammo just as he and Philippe are ambushed, but Samanosuke manages to rescue them. Samanosuke and Jacques meet but are unable to properly communicate.

The time portal reappears and pulls Jacques and Philippe through to Japan. Samanosuke makes his way towards the center of the hysteria, the Arc de Triomphe. Samanosuke first meets Michelle, Jacques' girlfriend, near the Arc and makes his way towards the roof. There he encounters Guildenstern and finds out he is actually over 400 years in the future in Paris. Samanosuke then fights and destroys Brainstern, a robotic creation.

Jacques Blanc and Philippe arrive in 16th century Japan. Unfortunately, Philippe dies of mortal wounds from the previous battle after the time warp. Jacques encounter a different Samanosuke in an alternate timeline on his way to Honnō-ji Temple. Both men realize that to return to their own time period, they must save the current time from destruction. The Samanosuke in 2004 Paris teams up with Michelle and Jacques son to save the city from destruction while Jacques and Samanosuke (not player controlled) struggle to fight Nobunaga in feudal Japan. The two men work together across time to solve puzzles and access new areas.

After thought on gameplay:
Storyline maybe cheesy, but the gameplay is considered great back then when it first launched. Different weapons can be acquired throughout the game and you can to play different characters. Lots of puzzles to keep this game title away from the usual slash-and-hack genre. Overall I would say a 4/5 star ratings (Takeshi Kaneshiro & Jean Reno in the game deserves a star each) XD

Second Stop: Figure Collection

This is one hell of a crazy week for me at work since it's the end of the month. Nevertheless, i took some time to complete my posting on my existing collection, that is my figurines.

1) Saint Seiya Myth Cloth

Really makes people wonder when is this series gonna end. I would really be excited if they decided to embark on projects such as armored police metal jack, shurato, or yoroiden samurai troopers.

As of now I only look forward to complete my hades spectors & poseidon scales collection.

As you can see my collection has jam-packed the top of my wardrobe.

2) Super Imaginative Chogokin (S.I.C.)

I remembered when i first came across this series i was pretty blown away by the artistic interpretation of kamen riders. The edgy-looking sculpture & the various articulation points allows you to pose your super heroes with your wildest imagination. Picture below shows kamen riders from "Blade" series, "Hibiki" series, & "The First" movie. Others include "Garo" series & Ultraman by Super Reborn Chogokin -S.R.C. (a pity that they didn't continue other productions).

Below is my bikers clan. There's Cloud Strife from "FFVII Advent Children", Dark Knight by S.I.C.: Movie Realization, Agito bike and Faiz bike. The next series that I'm aiming for would be "Final Fantasy Play Arts" series.

3) SOTA Toys

I grew up playing Street Fighter and I'm always intrigued by the moves they made. I got my first SOTA figure(centrepiece, SOTA exclusive) thanks to my colleague Desmond. I'm still left with Ken, Akuma, Gouken, Chun-Li, Vega & Balrog to complete my SOTA collection.

4) Others

As you can see, there's only one figure in this category..lol.. I'm looking for Revoltech Dan Board from "Yotsuba&!" series to keep her accompanied. On the left is a drum set kit that i got it from Tiong Bahru Hobby shop. Can't imagine what it will look like when i assemble it and put my S.I.C. "Hibiki" series to it... XD

Gundam 00 by Shunya Yamashita

Found this illustration on Gundam 00 by Shunya Yamashita. His work is amazing and you can get to see more of his illustrations over here.


So far Gundam 00 season 2 has been airing for 3 weeks. Have you watched it yet?

First Stop: Mecha Collection {Part II}

After a long week it's the weekend now. Best part of all, it's a public holiday on Monday XD

Having that extra bit of time, i'm gonna complete my mecha collection part 2 now ^_^

Most of the mode kit box are used to store my gunplas. As you can see below, i "tend" to group the same series in the same box.

Gundam Seed

Earth Federation VS Z.A.F.T.
--> MG Aile Strike Gundam X 1
--> 1/100 Aegis Gundam X 1
--> 1/100 Blitz Gundam X 1
--> 1/100 Duel Gundam X 1
--> 1/100 Buster Gundam X 1

A closer look at how i packed my gunplas.

Gundam Seed Destiny (Part I)

Final Battle of Seed Destiny~!

--> MG Strike Freedom Gundam Full Blast Mode X 1

--> MG Destiny Gundam Extreme Burst Mode X 1

--> 1/100 Legend Gundam X 1

--> MG Infinite Justice Gundam X 1 (Coming Soon) ^_^

Gundam Seed Destiny (Part II)

Minerva Crew

--> MG Force Impulse Gundam X 1

--> 1/100 Phantom Zaku Warrior (Rey) X 1

--> 1/100 Phantom Zaku Warrior (Heine) X 1

--> 1/100 Zaku Warrior Gunner (Lunamarie) X 1

--> 1/100 Saviour Gundam X 1

Gundam 00

Celestial Being

--> 1/100 Gundam Exia X 1

--> 1/100 Gundam Dynames X 1

--> 1/100 Gundam Kyrios X 1

--> 1/100 Gundam Virtue X 1

Z Gundam, ZZ Gundam & Char's Counter Attack (Part I)

The Good...

--> MG Super Gundam X 1

--> MG Zeta Gundam 2.0 X 1

--> MG Double Zeta Gundam Full Armor X 1

--> MG Nu Gundam X 1

Z Gundam, ZZ Gundam & Char's Counter Attack (Part II)

... & The Bad

--> MG Sazabi X 1

--> MG Qubeley X 1

The rest of my gunplas are not assembled yet; mostly are my Gundam 0079 series and my "Magnificient Five" below.

I'm really looking forward to get MG Sinanju and am praying hard for Bandai to produce MG Shin Musha MK-II. Maybe even MG Crossbone X-3, MG Blu Duel Gundam, MG Verde Buster Gundam, serialized BB senshi musha to MG :D.... (Sorry I'm lost in my own fantasy again XD)

Alright that's all for my mecha collection. Once i get my lamps I'll do a review on individual gunplas in the future.

First Stop: Mecha Collection {Part I}

I remembered i had my first gunpla when i was only 9 years old. It was a BB gundam No. 53 Samurai Hyaku Shiki Kai. The colourful instruction manual and different runners to build this sweet devil was a struggling yet fruitful experience for a kid. Before I knew it, I was totally sucked in by the sweet seduction of model kit building.

Over the years, i have expanded my collection from BB bandai into 1/100 grade, 1/60 grade to Master Grade. Till date i have collected close to 50 gunplas (I think?) and am looking forward to build up my gunpla empire (pretty much inspired by Keroro's collection). XD Now, behold my gunpla stash!

Currently didn't had the proper place to display them. Mostly ain't assembled yet.

Close up of my gunplas, transformers masterpiece, binaltech/alternators & voltron masterpiece

Let's take a look at what's inside these boxes.

Action Base!!

Total: Transparent X 10

Crystal Green X 4

Crystal Red X 4

Acquired this giant baby from Hobbysearch.

MG Perfect Zeong: Who say legs are for decoration only?* XD (Catch phrase from Gundam 0079)

A comparison with my RX78-2.

Another comparison with my other gunplas. Now who's your daddy? ;)

Next, the remaining 2 boxes.

Adidas shoes & gunpla?

Secret revealed!

--> MG Shining Gundam X 1

--> MG Master Gundam X 1

--> MG Gouf X 1

--> MG GP-01 Fb X 1

--> MG GP-02

More gunplas!

--> MG Gouf Custom X 1

--> MG Kampfer X 1

--> MG NT-1 Gundam Alex X 1

--> MG RX79[G] Gundam X 1

--> MG RX79[G] Ez8 X 1

How much more?!?!?

--> 1/100 Heavyarms Custom X 1

--> 1/100 Deathscythe Hell X 1

--> 1/100 Deathscythe H Custom X 1

--> 1/100 Sandrock Custom X 1

--> 1/100 Altron Gundam X 1

--> 1/100 Tallgeese II X 1

--> 1/100 Tallgeese III X 1

--> 1/100 Serpent X 1

Final box. As you can see it's from hobbylink Japan.

BB Senshi Sangokuden collection!!

Not assembled yet. Haven got the time to do it. The last column is my evil empire collection.

Alrightly i'm going wrapped up from here. Spent an hour just to gather all of them and take pictures. Now to put all of them back into their hideout.

Ciao!

It's been a long while since i did blogging again. I remembered the last time round was about 4 years ago and I didn't really had the time then to maintain. Now, I have begin a different blog on my conquest to build up my very own galeria* (means gallery in italian). Hopefully, i can also meet up with new people around the world whom share the same interest as i do. So, to those whom are visiting here, "Ciao!"* (means Hello in italian). ^_^