DX Ranger Key Sets 06-08

Nice! I didn't expect La Tendo to be this efficient because these were released in Japan only 1 week ago.



As pictured, Ranger Key Sets 06 to 08 are team releases of the recent 3 series which made sense since kids would be more likely to remember them. I like how the packaging is customised to reflect its original theme from their respective years, and not some recycled Gokaiger design.

Also, I know that a number of people has been complaining about the repeated releases of Go-OnRed, ShinkenRed and GoseiRed but I would like to point out that they are not exactly the same keys. The gold paint on the 3 Ranger Keys has been improved to provide a much better contrast in terms of details. This way, the whole team will also look more uniform and better together because of the new gold paint rather than with the old keys.

Having said, more DX Ranger Keys coming next month which would complete all 35 Red Rangers for Super Sentai.

Takashimaya 15th Craziest Toy Sale

Initially, I thought that there wouldn't be one this year since Takashimaya normally held it during July or August.



Anyway, the sale is on from 15 September to 02 October at the B2 Square.

Compared to the previous years, last year was probably the best and this year probably the worst. It's also interesting to note that the arrangement of toys are slightly different this time; the Sentai/PR toys are no longer at the same spot.

For Sentai/PR collectors, there weren't much bargain items to choose from (just like I expected) since a lot of stuff were cleared last year and during the Compass Point sale this year.

Nonetheless, these are some of the stuff that I saw:

[Power Rangers]

PR Jungle Fury DX Jungle Pride Megazord - S$23.00

PR RPM Repackaged Sentai Hero Figures - S$5.00 for 2

[Super Sentai]

Magiranger DX DialRod - S$10.00
Magiranger DX Magi Punch - S$15.00

Boukenger and GoGo Vehicle Set - S$5.00 each (Red, Black and Blue)

Spin Action Gekiranger - S$5.00 each (Red and Blue)

Go-Onger DX Toripter - S$10.00
Go-Onger DX JumboWhale - ?
Go-onger DX GoRoader GT - S$20.00

Shinkenger SakanaMaru - ?

Goseiger GoseiMic - S$15.00
Goseiger DX LeonLaser - S$30.00
Goseiger DX GoseiWonder - S$35.00

Accurate as of 1:50pm

Popular Appeal of Power Rangers Samurai Toys

Even though "Power Rangers Samurai" has yet to air on TV, kids are already attracted by the new toys on the shelves - A phenomenon that was absent in the previous few series in the franchise.



I dropped by Toys R Us (Tampines Mall) on my way back home and was very surprised to see that about 1/3 of the toys for Power Rangers Samurai is already sold! There were no more Deluxe Samurai Megazords and among the popular items were the Disc Cycles and 4" Mega Rangers.

Despite having no promotions to speak of yet and the expensive price tags, Power Rangers Samurai Toys can be regarded as an astonishing start compared to the failing series under Disney. Ironic isn't it?

Is it just because Shinkenger was a very good source material to base on? Or could it be that Saban (together with Bandai America) knows how to handle the franchise better?

All in all, it's good news that Power Rangers is gaining back some popularity.

Pre-Ordered S.H. Figuarts GokaiPink

Apparently, Bandai Asia has recognized the market demand for Tamashii Nations releases and will be making more web-exclusives more accessible to collectors in South Asia.

The S.H. Figuarts GokaiPink is the second exclusive Super Sentai Figuarts to be offered the special pre-order campaign.



Similarly, this campaign is available at the following local hobby stores - Ng's Collections, Robo Robo, La Tendo and Movie Replica. The pre-order ends 21 October 2011.

Originally, I wanted to pre-order it at Uncle Ng's since I was his regular customer. However, I was shocked when he put the price at S$70.00 instead of S$65.00. Hmm... business must be really bad for him to do this, so I headed over to La Tendo instead. S$5.00 is really a huge difference...

Hopefully, Bandai Asia will continue to provide us with more affordable web-exclusives from Japan, otherwise it's really burning holes in the pocket.

Power Rangers Samurai Toys Out In Singapore!

Who would have thought that Saban really meant it when he planned to launch the latest incarnation "Power Rangers Samurai" World-Wide through a series of aggressive marketing and promotional tools... and here we are!

Not quite sure as to when will the show start airing on Okto but Power Rangers Samurai Toys are now available in Toys 'R' Us stores! You can call it a sneak exclusive launch because the other departmental stores are still clearing Power Rangers RPM!



When the Samurai Toys first launched in UK and selected parts of Europe, fans were a little astounded to see that Bandai UK "conveniently" converted the US prices to British Pounds as if it's 1:1. In other words, a typical American is paying US$6.99 for the same figure which would cost GBP7.00 in UK.

Fear not, they are definitely not the worst! In this regard, Singapore certainly is worse-off in terms of inflation.

Anyway, a short introduction on the available merchandise:

4" Mega Ranger Figures - S$17.95 each

All 6 including Gold are available; and for the first time seeing the 4-inch figures, I can't help but wonder why do US toy companies scale down their toys so much? Compared to the usual 5.5-inch we have gotten all these years, well they are really puny. Doesn't make sense that the new 4-inch is more expensive than the 5.5-inch last year (S$16.95 each) right?

Battle Gear: Samuraizer, Spin Sword and Samurai Morpher - S$29.95 each

Both Morphers are released together but it doesn't really make much difference because they are both similar and cheap at the same time. You get no lights, just some generic sounds from pressing one functional button! That's it.

The Spin Sword is pretty decent, as reviewed and compared against the ShinkenMaru. You only get the Lion Disc for now; the other discs will be available later in the training set.

Disc Cycles with Figures - S$39.95 each

Again, all 4 colors are out so kids get to choose their favorite color. Get two if you want to combine with the DX Samurai Megazord for roller skating action! *Sarcastic*

Zord Vehicles with Figures - S$32.95 each

All 4 auxiliary Zords including the OctoZord are out, so you can combine into the Samurai Battle Cannon straight away! Gosh, the TigerZord looks especially cheap and the price tag is insane. Even some of the Japanese Shinkenger DX Origamis are cheaper.

Deluxe Megazords - S$69.95 each

Currently, only the DX Samurai Megazord is out. It doesn't look that bad in Megazord form but we have know for a while that the individual forms are quite disappointing.

That's all for now! Go Go Samurai!

S.H. Figuarts ShinkenRed (Shiba Kaoru)

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that Fujiya missed the ordering deadline and I didn't order from Yokatta Web (I couldn't even if I wanted to, because they closed it earlier as well). Otherwise, I would be forking out a lot more for this figure again (like ShinkenGreen last time).



S.H. Figuarts ShinkenRed (Shiba Kaoru) was released earlier this month on August 12th, and online prices are insane especially on Yahoo Auctions Japan.

Just so coincidental that last week while pre-ordering the S.H. Figuarts GokaiYellow, the Auntie was asking me if I bought the (restocked) ShinkenRed already. So, I replied yes and mentioned about the female version which was released in Japan as an store exclusive.

Surprisingly, she said that if I'm interested, she could get it from Japan because they got a close contact there. Nice! So, I confirmed and left my name and contact number and the Auntie will call me again.

I really have to hand it to the Auntie because she called me on Thursday saying that the figure has arrived and I can go down to CSC on Sunday to collect it. Efficient!

Anyway, my cheapest Figuarts exclusive at S$80.00. I'm quite contented! =)

Pre-Ordered Chime Mega Chara Fortune Plus Gokaiger

Can't pass these off since they are so cute.

Unlike the Chara Fortune Shinkenger last time, I do not need to get the whole box online and end up with 2 sets because La Tendo is offering them as 1 set.

Went ahead and pre-ordered with a deposit of S$40.00. The full set of 12 characters will retail for 4,788 yen (approx. S$75.25) with both civilian and ranger forms in late October.