Once again welcome back to the 2017, Holiday Buyers Guide! Today, for day four we have animated series and their collectibles. Starting off the list is the ever-popular Transformers series, that spans between Hasbro’s and Takara’s releases. We then follow up with some products from popular anime and video game titles. Closing out this selection is Sunrise’s/ Yoshiyuki Tomino’s iconic series, Mobile Suit Gundam.
Transformers
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Transformers Movie MPM-3 Bumblebee $79.99
The live-action Transformers movies are now 10 years old! To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the cinematic series Hasbro and Takara have begun to make new Masterpieces. The Masterpiece Movie Bumblebee is a highly sought-after collectors’ piece, due to the wonderful engineering to match Bumblebee’s onscreen appearance for roughly the first three films. We would have chosen Optimus Prime, but the problem is we barely found it ourselves in stock at our basic retail stores.
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Titans Return/ LG Titan Class Trypticon MSRP: $149.99 or 27,000 JPY
Last year, Titan Class Fortress Maximus was one of the most sought-after Transformers, even though it had such a high price. Now, this year it is replaced by the Titan Class Decepticon, Trypticon; who is remembered for being a Godzilla-like robot/ fortress and Metroplex’s rival. Trypticon is also paired with the Deluxe Class figure Fulltilt, who can combine with him. In addition, Fulltilt is now a Titan Master which means he is a Headmaster; that partner is named Brunt. One can either display Trypticon as its dinosaur form, or as a base for various Titan Masters to Deluxe Class figures to battle atop of it as a playset!
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Takara Legends Targetmasters MSRP: 3000 JPY
This year Takara thought to include the Targetmasters with various figures in the Legends line. However, not all Targetmasters are properly paired with their partners! Yet, for the ones correctly paired together, they are the best to own. Those pairing consist of Hot Rod with Firebolt, Kup with Recoil, and the Decepticon Targetmasters (Triggerhappy, Misfire, & Slugslinger). Whereas, the rest of the Autobot Targetmasters have different partners like Doublecross, and Windblade. It is slightly discouraging, but the fact Takara remembered the Targetmasters is impressive never the less!
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Premiere Edition: The Last Knight Voyagers MSRP: $29.99
Transformer the Last Knight released this Summer, and now on home video. Now, the toy-line is soon wrapping up as the last few waves of deluxe figures are hitting select areas. However, the Voyagers from this movie line have been the most sought-after products. Whether it is Optimus, Megatron, Hound, Nitro Zeus, or Scorn these Voyagers are some of the best figures throughout the series. The only lacking Voyager is the reissue/re-paint Age of Extinction Grimlock. If fans are having trouble obtaining the final Voyagers even as of now, check Amazon; they seem to be heavily stocked there!
Anime Toys & Collectibles
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Dragon Ball Stars Figures MSRP: $19.99
Bandai America is making their own collectible Dragon Ball figures! Currently the series spans from Dragon Ball Z to Dragon Ball Super for its roster of characters. They are roughly in scale with the Power Rangers Legacy Figures, and feature a Build-A-Figure gimmick. What is interesting is that the first Build-A-Figure in the series is the Eternal Dragon, Shenron!
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Digivolving Spirits Wargreymon MSRP: 7000 JPY
Remember the Digivolving figures back in the day? Well the cool thing is that they are back for the adult collectors! Kick-off this new series of Digivolution figures is Wargreymon, an overly popular character from the franchise. However, Wargreymon is not the only figure as it will soon be joined by MetalGarurumon, Diaboromon, and Angewomon!
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S.H.Figuarts Sora Kingdom Hearts II MSRP: 6000 JPY
PlayArts are not the only high-end figure line to make Kingdom Hearts characters! Now, Bandai and Tamashii Nations has the rights to create amazing collectible figures. The first Kingdom Hearts S.H.Figuarts is of the series main protagonist, Sora. Yet, rather than start with the first installment Tamashii Nations chose to go with Sora’s character model from Kingdom Hearts II!
Gundam Kits
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High Grades
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Gundam Barbatos Lupus Rex MSRP: 1400 JPY
The definitive version of Mikazuki’s Gundam featured in Iron-Blooded Orphans season 2! The Gundam Barbatos Lupus Rex is a savage Mobile Suit due to its claws, and tail. Now, as for the actual kit, it is splendid! However, we insist that one might want to keep a close eye on an issue the series has with the IBO frames’ loose chests. Best solution is just tiny amounts of glue on areas that will not affect articulation!
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Amazing Strike Freedom MSRP: 2200 JPY
The Amazing Strike Freedom is a Gunpla used by the Meijin, but it is only seen as a manga exclusive model kit. However, the release of the actual product is at retail, making it available to everyone! A majority of the kit re-uses the recent version of the HG Strike Freedom, but the additions from the Meijin allow it to stand out.
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GM/GM MSRP: 1600 JPY
The GM/GM is a Mobile Suit of the Gunpla Mafia, as seen in Gundam Build Fighters: GM’s Counterattack. For being a very basic remodeled Mobile Suit, the kit features several ways to be customized! From including multiple pieces for basic builders, or simply made for pro-builders to turn it into something else; anyone will find joy in own this High Grade.
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Real Grades
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MBF-P01-Re2AMATU Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Mina MSRP: 3000 JPY
The last version of the Gundam Astray Gold Frame is now a part of the Real Grade series. However, it is the second Astray to become a Real Grade. Now, this kit is popular for originating from Gundam Seed, but has an awesome design that resonates with most fans.
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RX-0 Unicorn Gundam MSRP: 3000 JPY
The titular Mobile Suit from the Gundam Unicorn series is replicated in Real Grade from. This 1/144 scale model kit features an impressive frame with clear psycho frame bits. It also contains the ability to transition between Unicorn and Destroy Mode. The kit includes one beam rifle, a grenade launcher, a transformable shield, two beam sabers, and three optional parts for the horn.
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Master Grades
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MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka MSRP: 6000 JPY
A Master Grade that was highly desired, the ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka was issued out to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the series. The Ver. Ka is an all-new version of MG-026 featuring improved articulation, and proportions as well as fully transformable. The kit includes two transformable FXA-07GB Neo Core Fighters, an Action Base 1 adapter, a Judau Ashta figure, and the Double Beam Rifle features Iino Abbav figure.
Now, those have been our choices for what Transforms, and Anime products are must haves item for this year. Check back with Hero Club tomorrow for Day 5 of the Holiday Buyer’s Guide!
