Bandai Robot Damashii or Robot 魂 entry for the Full Metal Panic series arm slave ARX-7 Arbalest, perhaps is one of a solid action figure mecha and yet affordable compared to the Alter Mechanical Model ARX-7 from my previous entry.

Packing is not impressive, as it comes with a typical Robot Damashii box.

For a fun toy which is not premium price, there is nothing more to expect from a standardized packaging.

The accessories as well as the figure is just pack in a single plastic bubble tray. At least the time taking the action figure or Arbalest out from the packaging is minimal compared to any Deluxe Transformers toys.

One of the important element is missing from this package is Action Figure stand. Which in my opinion is important to strike dynamic poses. Perhaps it is a sound business decision to up sell Action Figure stands.

Most part of the ARX-7 mecha, is made of durable plastics, the only part which is made of PVC is the fists and extra hands. Unlike, the high end Alter ARX-7, the action figure of ARX-7 is intuitive just like an action figure, there is no need to make adjustment a parts near to the joints to make full articulation. Of course this is one of the selling point in the Robot Damashii line; fun to play action figure which can take more abuse, an embodiment of Bandai brand name.

First step is to attach some back attachment to Arbalest.

True to the anime, knives and combat shotgun is included as accessories for Arbalest.

The combat shotgun have pump action as well as a collapsible stock.

The combat knife that I will highlight is a almost shaped like a combat knife, it comes with a sheath.

Both the combat shotgun and combat knife can be attached to the back of ARX-7, with help of an attachment. However, the hardpoint which is at the back of Arbalest pelvic needs to be swapped.

Other than stowing the combat knife at the back, it can be attached to a built-in hard point on either side of the mecha thigh.

Bandai has not left details in its Robot Damashii ARX-7 even it is an action figure toy that majority can afford.

One of the gimmick that comes with this toy is, it is able to be transformed converted into its super mode in the manga or Anime. In the fictional universe of Full Metal Panic, arm slaves equipped with lambda drive when would be able to do kung-fu and gun-fu attacks and amazing acrobatic feats. You have to watch the anime or read the manga to visualize better.

To start the swap, take out both armor plates from both upper arms. And remove 2 attachment at the back of Arbalest. Replace it with the opened armor plates; in the anime it indicates the lamda drive is activated and extended lamda drive component.

The converting process is simpler compared to the Alter ARX-7. The details after conversion is not too shabby compared to the premium version.

One of the gimmick that Robot Damashii outshines Alter ARX-7 is its feature to change Arbalest mouth piece with an attached anti tank dagger; just like in the manga and anime.

What is needed is swapping the lower part of the head with the head with anti tank dagger. However, Arbalest head needs to be taken off from the body.

To complete the swap, place the upper part of the head which is very closely resembles a helmet onto the half face to complete the face swap.

With the head or face swap, ARX-7 looks more ass kicking. Unfortunately, the anti tank dagger cannot be detached.

Arbalest in the Bandai Robot 魂 rendition has articulation which can simulate every Full Metal Panic! fan’s favourite scene.

The poses is due to the design of ARX-7 which the weight is properly distributed. Hence, it can be posed standing up with a single leg without support or any assistance from action figure stand.

As a summary, Bandai Robot Damashii ARX-7 Arbalest is an overall better toy which is affordable and fun to play, it can recreate more scenes in the manga and anime compared to the Alter counterpart. As long as the details such as cockpit, the build-in anti-tank dagger compartment in the body as well as the lambda drive component inside the body exclusion is not important for you.

Autobot Drift, one of the Transformers character in the IDW comics universe. The story about redemption. My first impression of Autobot Drift, some badass cybertronian Samurai that takes confrontation up close and personal.

Autobot Drift comes in the hasbro bubble package under the deluxe class. In the bubble card package, Drift comes in it alternate form which is a white sports car. In which coincidentally looks more like a tuner car which is manufactured in the far eastern asia.

Perhaps it is in the designer mind that a cybertronian Samurai needs to use far eastern machines as their alternate mode.

The accessories which is a long double hand sword can be kept with Drift in alternate mode.

The details of Drift in the alternate mode, is simple yet appealing. One of the my wish is either Hasbro makes the toy as an alternator or as Human Alliance scale, that would be awesome.

Just like most deluxe class of Transformers, the transformation is pretty simple and straight forward.

First step, is to split open the alternate mode bonet. In which will reveals Drift’s head.

Once the bonet is split open, the front sides of the wheels will be able to be loosen up. Then slide the sides outwards. Followed by sliding the windshield up to protect the internal part of the chest.

The next transformation phase of Drift, will requires the transformation of the back of tuner car into legs. From my point of view, Drift’s most relatively complex happens at the legs. The side armor which doubles as short sword sheath needs to be swing further our to make the legs transformation easier. Transformation of the legs, need to have the back of the tuner car to be splitter into half.

After splitting the legs, the formation of the legs is folded like an origami, no pun intended.

Once the legs, is transformed, what is left in place it to take out the arms which is hidden at the front sides of the car.

Once transformation of Drift is completed, it will feel balanced. Unfortunately, there is no articulation at the ankle of the mecha or robot mode. The shoulder articulation of drift is very limited due to the large piece of shoulder armor.

However, with limited articulations did not hindered the articulation of Drift. Though the accessories are limites, which is 2 short swords which is kept at the sides and a extra long two handed sword; the accessories is good enough for Drift to strike intimidating poses.

On top of the accessories, the design of Drift’s head is well done. With proper lighting Drift’s blue eyes will glow.

Short fact, I got Hasbro Drift due to an impulse buy, there is no regret getting this figure due to its Samurai-ness no gun policies. Other than that the brother Blur, mold that uses same design with different head sculpt, using pistols and big rifle and colored blue. TakaraTomy has release the rendition of Drift with better paint job and more premium price.

P.S. : Sorry to my frequent visitor for not updating this site for more than a year. Been jumping into different profession for the past 1 year and have been juggling my priorities.

My MITF 2010 stash

With exception of MP Grimlock at the background, others TF toys and Hi-Metal VF-1J, those are freebees as well as things bought from MITF.

The most treasured item for the event is of course the Exhibitor’s tag Thanks to TransMY.

This post will be highlighting the some of those figures in closer view. Of course from my point of view

Heroes, villians and in betweens...

G1 toys, Heroes and villians side by side.

In the 1980s the Transformers G1 toys is definitely the craze of the childrens. Well at least as far as I can remember. If we can turn back time and show to your peers the G1 Transformers toys you have, you will becomes the school instant celebrity. Everyone is your friend LOL

Takara G1 Optimus Prime

Everyone needs a hero. Optimus Prime or Convoy is basically plays the role of model. Natural leader, charismatic, strong, wise, brave and of course personification of all good. Would dare to bet that those watches Transformers idolizes Optimus Prime/Convoy.

To think of the relation, Transformers, as well as Gundam cartoons or movie is just another form of product placement as well as advertisement. For Transformers toys are actually children of a toy time known as Diaclone.  Well not going details into it, may check out with others TransMYians or any dedicated Transformers community.

G1 Devastator

Devastator from my most fondness childhood memory is the first Transformers in cartoon that actually all the vehicle is individual robots and are able to combine their soul and body to becomes devastator. Devastator is really a bad ass in those early Transformers cartoon. Just like in all story there needs to be a villain, and of course Devastator fits well as the biggest muscles of the bad guys.

Then come the dinobots, the anti-thesis of Devastator. Unfortunately they does not combine, which is a waste.

G1 Dinobot toys

As far as I know, the gimmick of Transformers were its transformation mechanism… so called robot in disguise. It was impressive at those old time. Of course other than the elaborated commercial, it too provide entertainment worth as well as a moral story.

G1 Megatron and Optimus Prime side by side.

Despite playing bad guys, they are important to create tension and perhaps provides the motivation and plot to the story. All hail Megatron !!!

Ah despite all this rambling, moment for closer shots of customized figures under courtesy of Wan De Real .

Transformable MP Ultra Magnus

The base body is using Takara Master Piece Ultra Magnus, styrene sheet and some joint are added to make the Ultra Magnus armour to ensure ecstatics of cartoon accurate Ultra Magnus.

Customized MP SixShot

Customized MP Six Shot is definitely a sight to behold, heavily modified joint added with articulation. As well as details such as wheels, tank caterpillar threads were added.

Customized MP Sound Wave

Quintessons Fixed Pose Figure

Customized MP BumbleBee

According to Wan, the MP BumbleBee, is actually created using a customized method known as shelling. The Volkswagen Beetle is actually a die-cast car, which were carefully separated and added in robot parts into the model.

Customed MP Preceptor

Of course these are the highlights of the customized TF figures. In which will take a longer time to complete. In a way it is one of its kind in the world.

Customed painted ROTF SoundWave by TCracker

Customed painted ROTF Voyager Optimus Prime by Robowarrior_prime

Seeing how much details on the customs figures, we can know that each of those customed job whether scratch built or impressive paint job requires labour of love. Long live the customizers for personalizing and adding character to their toys making it truly one of its kind in the world.

Another toyline which is featured is Macross by Macross Fan of Malaysia.

Valkyries from Macross Zero

Assortment of Macross collectibles and toys

Macross Frontier

Macross Plus, missing Isamu the loose cannon

Regarding about Macross Plus, did Guld did it ?? Any Macross fans can give me an answer ? Did Guld really did it ?

One of Macross collector nice chatting with you

Not forgetting the Malaysia – Brunei Outpost of the 501st Imperial Army.

Someone going to have a very bad day with Vader

Photo session with Vader at the 501st Booth

Desert Storm Trooper, really impressive.

More Troopers

Taken a pot shot at a cool looking Imperial Grunt

It is great to know there are local comics as well as local CG studio. I am referring to Gempak Starz and Lescopaque. There are also other local artist some of the work is nice too.

Les' Copaque Booth

Gempak Starz Booth

Featured Artist from Gempak Starz

I missed the chance to get autograph from the artists for the comic bought last minute before closure. Perhaps better luck next time

Sean Lee @ Shabowl Brothers

Sean Lee @ Shabowl Brothers produces nice colorful caricature.

That is pretty much the sum up of what interesting at least from my perspective.

There is gaming event too.

MITF Game station 1

MITF Game Station 2

I guess computer games is a sub genre of electronic toys

Some shots of cosplayers

Noname sith

Aye! Aye! Jack Sparrow

Taking picture with a Shinigami anyone ?

Back again to the Transformers rare toys.

Destron Overloard toy from Masterforce

Masterforce toy Destron Overlord

StarSaber from Transformers Victory

Its a shame that StarSaber and Overlord mold pulled a Houdini else it is worth getting an Encore version of this toy Just too bad.

Hopefully in the future the MITF fair can make vendors and showcasers 50/50 .

Wish to see those 12″ figures kit bashes, Kamen riders, Sentai Rangers, Bandai Soul of Chogokins and a lot more to mention.

Signing off from this post, thanks for visiting

Yes that is all.

If you are still reading this are you expecting something extra ?

I’m pretty sure I have uploaded most of the highlights.

Still not reading ?

1, 2, 3… The end

Want more ?

Perhaps next time.

Still not give up yet ?

Still insist that the Post has not ended ?

You are a strong believer.

To reward you of your persistance.

Till the next toys fair in the near future.

A good bye from this 2 sweet girls

To my regular visitor, sorry for the lack of update. Hopefully, next month onwards I am able to make updates more regularly.

For the Toys, I have went to MidValley Mall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as early as 9am GMT +8. Security were pretty tight for non-exhibitors need to wait until the official opening time.

MITF Main Podium

We were lucky via Wan De Real we are able to get a nice place in the Exhibition. Yes the TransMY booth show casing Transformers is situated directly opposite of the  MITF main podium.

Most of the toys were from different type of genre. We have designer toys as well as local toys shop join the array.

Dweey's Toys for Designer

Though designer toys are not something new, it was introduce to me by some of my toys collecting comrades. But did not pay attention to it until my sister has introduce me to the toys of this genre. For this genre, I have liberated her coverage to be used in this blog.

What intrigues me, is the toys comes in plain white or other base color, then it can be used as a base for artist, professionals as well as hobbyist to engage in innovating the plain toy into a work of art.

Solid White Dweey

Dweey with Park motif

Dweey with different design

Other various taken by Miss IB for ladies and those has soft spot for soft toys as well as designer toy.

Tofu Cube, another type of designer toys

Another type of designer toys

Pink bear/monkey

The name is...

Various brand of designer toy

Old master Q figurines

Piglet in Gold

Hey It is Krauser from Detroit Metal City...

Tiny Designer Golem

Big eyed doll

Next part is dedicated to the TransMYians that has helped in this event.

Wan De Real in person

Thanks Hady for the great effort of providing graphics and parameter solutions.

Regular contributors

"Lou Tai" Wong

"Lou Yee" Monk at the far left

Of course the rest of the team, will glad to post up the overall team after the end of the MITF second day. Though it is tiring, but it is fun to meet up and work face to face with TransMYian in this event. It is fun.

To the visitors, who has approached TransMY booth, I regret to inform you that the toys is for show case only. Most of the toys I believe is the each of the TransMY member’s precious, sorry for our attachment to our toys

Though I did take a quick snap on some of the visitors that has give us alot of moral support just by your attendance and enthusiasm.

Random Snap Shot 1

Random Snap shot 2

Random snap shot 3

Random snap shot 4

A shot at the crowds

The moment that you have been waiting for, show cases of Transformers at TransMY booth.

Customized MP seekers

Customized MP Dirge

Custom Painted TFTM 2007 Megatron

Beast Wars Showcase

G1 Transformers dedication

Customized but Transformable MP Ultra Magnus.

Customized showcase 1

Customized show case 2

Customized Show case 3

The customized Transformers toys is proudly provided by Wan De Real. Should you have any enquiry you may visit his website which is stated at the begining of this post.

What would be a toys fair without cosplaying, others and others attraction.

Malaysian Bred Indie Band jamming

Cosplaying

Performance by famous comic/cartoon characters

Will provide more update and details tomorrow on day 2.

And extra cover before signing off this post.

Macross toys collectors

Macross Mech and characters show case

Grimlock look onward for the next post of MITF

Till the next post and thanks for visiting

ROTF Brawn paperback plastic bubble package.

ROTF Brawn package back shows biodata as well as feature.

However the rendition of Brawn in ROTF styled robot had made my jaw dropped all thanks to my friend TCracker.

The robot mode is the reason that I sought to get this Autobot, we will explore the reason later. The package comes with the toy, transformation sheet and catalog of transformers toys.

ROTF Brawn Transformation Instructions with non-attractive color.

ROTF Catalog colorful.

Continuing with Brawn. Out of the box, it is in Alternate mode.

ROTF Brawn alt mode.

In its Alt Mode Brawn is just a normal looking military 4WD truck with a minigun mounted on its roof. All the wheels is workable but it is made from plastics.

ROTF Brawn alternate mode with NEST logo at the side.

Too bad the doors as well as the windows of Brawn in truck mode is not functional. But the details of the truck is unmistakably beautiful.

There is not a single part of the robot visible at the back.

Unfortunately, the head and chest of Brawn can be seen from the bottom of the Alt Mode.

The robot head, chest as well as part of the feet is visible.

For transformation wise, like most figures of ROTF toyline even in Deluxe Class, the transformation can be considered as complicated compared to G1 Transformers. Due to the complexity of the transformation it seems that future toys are more worth the buck paid for its high tech design. As a summary, the bonnet of the alternate mode is its legs and feets, the back of the truck is its arms, and the middle part is the body of the robot.

First step is to unlock or open the main "lock".

Open the back cover of the back wheel.

Sway the roof to back of the truck.

Forming the legs.

Splitting off the bonnet to expose leg and form leg armor.

Tranformation of front truck to robot legs finally completed.

Twisting the waist to front of the robot body.

Fold down the part of the mud protector of the back wheels.

Moving the side plate of Alt Mode.

Folding of roof make form for Brawn arms.

By twisting the shoulder and arms, will complete the transformation.

Once the transformation complete, ROTF Brawn looks very beefy at the top, with big and long arms.

Top heavy ROTF Brawn Transformation complete.

One of the complain discovered during the transformation is, the ball joint of the legs connecting to the body is loose. The joint pop out from the ball a few times during transformation. With the heavy top, it is quite a feat to strike a pose with ROTF Brawn.

In term of sculpt and details, it is amazing for this Deluxe Class transformers figure.

The only thing that is giving weight is its "cloak".

The main cannon is stored in between the "cloak".

The next thing that worth mentioning is deployment of the main cannon to make Brawn looks like those highly stylized Japanese Mecha. Lets have a closer looks to the robot mode.

Darkened eyes but there are details.

Another perspective of Brawn robot mode.

Expect no slack in giving details to Brawn's arms.

Bumper as knee, half bonnet as leg armor.

On to review of deployment of the main cannon.

Details of Brawn's cannon.

Swivel up the cannon from original position.

Unfold the barrel of the cannon.

Make a full proper straightening of the cannon barrel to finish the deployment.

Once the canon is deployed, twist the root of the cannon which is attached to the back of Brawn the the left or right to make it a shoulder cannon. The only gripe is the cannon unable to be detached.

ROTF Brawn with full glory of its armaments.

Now on towards the twin blaster of ROTF Brawn.

Each pistol is a mirror to the other with same design.

Ventilation vents and blaster short barrel is added.

So much the same and there is also difference.

Next, articulation wise will leave the pictures to do justice for it. Just a note that the ball joints connecting the pelvic part and the legs is loose even for a new figure.

Arms and Legs stretch out.

Some random strike a pose before closing.

Robot Mode Brawn strike pose.

Gunfu inspired pose for ROTF Brawn.

ROTF Brawn bracing for cannon to fire.

ARC Brawn ?

Brawn at front of a bright backdrop.

As a conclusion, ROTF is not without flaw such as kibble at the bottom view of the Alternate mode as well as poor loose joint to support heavy top robot mode.

The detailed as well as Japanese mecha similarity is ROTF Brawn’s charming point for collectors.

Until the next post. Thanks for reading and visiting my site.

*Note : Finally able to squeeze time to update the blog. Do not worry as I will not abandon this blog. Also no cropping or white balancing. Just resizing and add water mark to the pictures to this post.

Let's Dance Pose - TF Edition.