Kotobukiya is currently at the fore front of “mecha musume” or “bishoujo plamo” with their Frame Arms Girl and Megami Device lines. With more manufacturers following suit, K…
May 12, 2022 • Subscribe
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Shizuoka Hobby Show 2022: New Kotobukiya “The Brave Fighter” Kits
Next in my selective coverage of the Shizuoka Hobby Show 2022 reveals would be those from Kotobukiya. I’ve been following them closer today than in previous years mainly…
It’s Back! Shizuoka Hobby Show 2021: Kotobukiya & Aoshima
Moving on to the next vendors on the show floor, we have upcoming releases from Aoshima and Kotobukiya. Now, I’ll be upfront and say that I’m quite underwhelmed…
Shizuoka Hobby Show 2022: New MODEROID “Brain Powerd” Kits
If you’re in the hobby of collecting and building mecha model kits, then one of the more exciting events of the year is Shizuoka Hobby Show where manufacturers…
It’s Back! Shizuoka Hobby Show 2021: Gunpla
I admit to be quite disappointed with the Gunpla reveals during Bandai Spirits’ Hobby Next Phase thing, which was timed around Shizuoka Hobby Show 2021. I thought they’d…
It’s Back! Shizuoka Hobby Show 2021: Bandai Spirits
Of course, I’m not forgetting Bandai Spirits for this very biased Shizuoka Hobby Show 2021 coverage. Technically, they are branding this as “Hobby Next Phase 2021 Spring”, but…
It’s Back! Shizuoka Hobby Show 2021: Max Factory PLAMAX
Yes, the Shizouka Hobby Show is back after its absence last year due to reasons we’re very familiar with. This means we’re now getting our Spring 2021 hobby…
Shizuoka Hobby Show 2023: “Gundam Build Metaverse” is basically Gundam Build All Stars
With Shizuoka Hobby Show 2023 happening this weekend, Bandai Spirits has started their reveals with upcoming Gunpla from the Gundam Build 10th Anniversary project Gundam Build Metaverse. They…
Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE, Gundam Build Fighters, Gundam Build Fighters Try, Gundam Build Divers
Shizuoka Hobby Show 2023: Bandai Spirits taking some “Votoms” Profit from Wave with HG Scopedog
Votoms is one of the definitive “real robots” out there, we have been getting great and accessible 1/35 “desktop-scale” kits of various armored trooper units from Wave. Band…
All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2022: Let’s Talk MODEROID
One of the more active companies and product lines in recent years, or at least that’s visible to me, is Good Smile Company’s MODEROID line of plastic models.…
Get Ready to be Excited (or Disappointed): All Japan Hobby & Model Show 2022 + Hobby Next Phase 2022 Autumn
Before anything else, let’s get this thing out of the way. Thanks to the sleuths scouring for new Japanese trademark filings, we already have wind of an upcoming…
SHIZUOKA 静岡 Shizuoka Prefecture
At the end of July, I found myself in Shizuoka City. I was originally there for a purpose, but I’m not one to go somewhere and not visit…
All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2022: Let’s Talk High Grades, the Exclusives
I’ll just put this under the All Japan Model & Hobby Show because not much was revealed regarding these, and they’re all exclusives in some fashion. Yes, several…
All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2023: Bandai Spirits New Hobby (Non-Gunpla) Items
All Japan Model & Hobby 2023 is right around the corner and around this time, the Bandai Spirits Hobby Division usually does a Hobby Next Phase Autumn online…
Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism Brief Review (Spoiler Free)
Stumbled upon this anime a while back and we’re just getting to reviewing it now. Bit of a change from the usual fantasy / isekai stuff, of which…
Hobby Next Phase 2022 Autumn: Let’s Talk Master Grades
I don’t really talk about Master Grades on this blog since I’m more of a 1/144 person, but they did have a couple of interesting announcements for Hobby…
All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2023: Good Smile Company MODEROID
Now before anyone points a finger and tells me that I’m such a shill for Bandai Spirits, here are some MODEROID kits from this year’s All Japan Model…
It’s Only a Model – Busou Shinki Spoiler Review
So, some time ago I reviewed Frame Arms Girl, a show based on a line of plastic model kits, depicting the mecha musume girls from the kits as…
Raye and Roze Are Engaging Kotobukiya Figures
Mobilize your wallets. Japanese figure and model maker Kotobukiya has brought to life two Engaging monsters from the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. Sky Striker Ace – Raye and Sky…
Redemption for Wufei! Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring: HGAC Shenlong Gundam
How did we get here? Why does the reveal of this upcoming kit come with a redemption for a certain character? What did Wufei do wrong? Well, that’s…
Pre-order on Day 1! Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring: RG GaoGaiGar
Bandai Spirits’ Hobby Division has started their Hobby Next Phase 2020 Spring week-long new model kit reveal extravaganza. And right off the gate, we’re treated to one heck…
Hobby Next Phase 2022 Autumn: New HG THE WITCH FROM MERCURY Kits
Okay, I know there were announcements for the new MG Zeta Gundam Ver.Ka. and MGSD Freedom Gundam. But High Grades are my bread and butter in this hobby,…
![Featured image for Everything Else is Underwhelming. Hobby Next Phase 2022 Summer: 30MM Spinatio [Knight Type]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220622/1655898176.38192.67484.jpg)
Everything Else is Underwhelming. Hobby Next Phase 2022 Summer: 30MM Spinatio [Knight Type]
Day two and pretty much the whole of Bandai Spirits’ Hobby Next Phase 2022 Summer has ended and to say that I was underwhelmed by the reveals is…
New Kotobukiya “The Brave Fighter” Solicitations: Dran & Great Parts
Kotobukiya has recently opened solicitations to previously announced kits, and revealed new ones for their The Brave Fighter lineup. This first one is to complement the already-released Sky…
New Kotobukiya “The Brave Fighter” Solicitations: Duke & Fire Parts
The other set Kotobukiya has opened solicitations for is Duke & Fire Parts from Brave Police J-Decker. Similar to the earlier Dran & Great Parts set, this one…
Another Day 1 Pre-order! Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring: HG Amplified IMGN Ryujinmaru
Continuing my selective coverage for the opening day of Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring, we have yet another interesting model kit. This is obviously a spin-off of the…
Time For Some Mid-Season Upgrades! Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring: HG Kenbu Zan
The last day for Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring is focused on Kyoukai Senki or AMAIM Warrior on the Battlefield, especially with its latter half making a return…
Shizuoka Wants to Toll Mt. Fuji to Curb Overtourism
To prevent overtourism, Shizuoka Prefecture wants to charge users of its three Mt. Fuji trailheads. The problem? It doesn't own them.
Tokyo Game Show 2022 - Photo Gallery
Tokyo Game Show held its first in-person event in three years from September 15-18. From Sega to Capcom, Konami to Square Enix, VR to Blockchain, and even...
DIY: Find a New Hobby with Anime
Hunting for a new hobby? There's an anime for that! Ember Reviews takes a look at the sporty, casual, and artistic hobbies featured in our favorite shows.
Kenichi Sonoda, Lumroid, and Hobby Shop Musasiya
Before he started working for Gainax and ARTMIC, a young Kenichi Sonoda illustrated a series of popular advertisements for a hobby shop in Osaka.
![Featured image for Yep, I’m Still with Kotobukiya: SMP [Shogukan Modeling Project] Might Gaine](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220620/1655725976.38079.67350.jpg)
Yep, I’m Still with Kotobukiya: SMP [Shogukan Modeling Project] Might Gaine
During the SMP 100 Next Evolution Project reveal a month ago, one of the teases they made was for Brave Express Might Gaine, the next Brave Series they’ll…
Should I Get the First One? Megami Device ✕ Busou Shinki Arnval Tranche 2
Looks like here’s another mecha musume kit getting my attention, and could potentially have me purchase a kit that I’ve been hemming and hawing but not to the…
Scenic Sunday! Shizuoka prefecture is a splendid sight to behold.
It was my love for green tea that led me to looking into where the prominent tea growing region in Japan happened to be. And within Shizuoka Prefecture…
Good Thing I Waited! Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring: Figure-rise Standard Ultraman Suit Tiga -Action-
It’s day two of Hobby Next Phase 2022 Spring and the reveals weren’t as exciting as yesterday. So, I’ll just continue with the one remaining kit I intend…
Infinitism is Still a Thing, I Guess? Hobby Next Phase 2022 Summer: HG Mazinger Zero (Infinitism)
In case you haven’t caught wind of this, but Bandai Spirits Hobby Division is having their Hobby Next Phase 2022 Summer online reveal extravaganza from June 21-22. Yes,…
Hobby Japan’s Experimental Otaku Subculture Magazine Mark 1
Way back in 1985, Hobby Japan (the biggest name in hobby magazines) attempted to diversify with an all-new periodical focused on the broad spectrum of otaku subculture. The…
Repaint: Hobby Boss Tiger 1 1/16 scale
Repainting my old Hobby Boss Tiger 1 1/16 scale. This Tiger 1 tank was one of my very early painting jobs I’ve done. This one was done in…
Hobby Japan’s Experimental Otaku Subculture Magazine Mark 1
Way back in 1985, Hobby Japan (the biggest name in hobby magazines) attempted to diversify with an all-new periodical focused on the broad spectrum of otaku subculture. The…
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Maki Zenin, 1/8 Scale “ARTFX-J” (Jujutsu Kaisen) By Kotobukiya [Figure Review]
Maki Zenin ARTFX-J is a winner! Unboxing / Assembly / Review Figure Review Maki 1/8 ARTXJ info Otaku Sinh’s collection I bought it here! Price $125.99 w/ Premium…
Ranji: The World of Images on Export Tea Crates (Verkehr Museum, Shizuoka)
Labels for boxes of Japanese tea for export, c. 1860s-1950s. While in Shizuoka last month, I decided to check out the Verkehr Shimizu Port Terminal Museum, a really…
2022 Wrap-Up, Award Show & Resolutions for next year!
Hi friends, I hope you’re all doing well! It’s that time of the year when I reflect and get a little emotional over all that I’ve accomplished not…
Anime News Network Tokyo Game Show 2022 Coverage Roundup
Head on over to Anime News Network to read up on all the games I got to try out at TGS 2022!
New Kotobukiya “The Brave Fighter” Reveals: Baan Gaan, Da Garn-X, and Dino Geist
As I mentioned in a previous post, Kotobukiya has revealed a new set of upcoming kits for their “The Brave Fighter” line up, and I didn’t expect any…
Bandai Hobby Next Phase 2021 Autumn: HG Chou Mashin Ryujinmaru
Bandai Spirits has completed their Hobby Next Phase 2021 Autumn event to varying degree of excitement with the announcements. That said, there’s one that has me curious, and…
Girls Doing Stuff: Agency and motivation in girls’ hobby shows
By their very nature, these series’ protagonists are driven and motivated young women—motivated by something other than romance and men—who experience visible development across the narrative. As a…
K-ON!, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Laid-Back Camp, Super Cub, Do It Yourself!!
HG Aussenseiter When? Hobby Next Phase 2023 Spring: HG DyGenGuar
Hot off the heels from the last Super Robot Wars OG High Grade kit, the HG Huckebein Mk-II, Bandai Spirits follows it up with possible one of the…
5 Animes that made me want to try a hobby
There are few better icebreakers in the world than having a cool hobby. Except maybe being very very attractive. That also works well when trying to socialize. But…
Bandai Hobby Next Phase 2021 Autumn: Entry Grade Nu Gundam
Let’s play catch up with a couple of days’ worth of announcements from Bandai Spirits’ Hobby Next Phase 2021 Autumn week. Kicking things off is the next Entry…
The Third Anniversary Post; Some Unsolicited Advice from a Hobby Blogger
As I’m writing this, I finally feel somewhat qualified to actually do this. Give advice on blogging of all things. During my time in this hobby, three years…
Anibros Podcast Episode 132 – It’s Not a Hobby, It’s a Parasite
This week, the cousins have decided to spread their wisdom upon the unwashed masses. We give our tips for how to stay caught up…