Candy Toy Ranger Key Series 02

It's been a while since I visited the Sunday CSC Flea Market but nothing too outstanding as usual...

One small little thing worthy of mention would be the supposedly new Angry Birds Playset which features plastic game characters that can be launched at the plastic blocks and pigs. It's quite funny that people would actually buy the lame toy when the game is much better in that sense. Okay, maybe because I don't get the Angry Birds craze in the first place?

Yamakawa did a better job at importing the Gokaiger Candy Toy Ranger Key Series this time, I could see a number of shops and tables carrying them. However, I'm not so desperate as to fall for their stupid pricing; one was selling for S$30.00 while another was for S$35.00.

Unfortunately, the set was sold out at Ng's Collections though the Auntie offered to reserve it for me at Wheelock Place. I declined politely because it was too out of the way. Besides, I still have two more options for me to check out.

Bought the set at La Tendo where there's plenty of stocks around (without having to check Robo Robo). Plus, I could use the membership discount so it's S$23.75; cheaper than the standard S$25.00.



I would have just bought the GoseiKnight and GaoSilver keys (exclusive to Candy Toy) instead of the set, but those were snatched up in the opened cartons. Nonetheless, I'm fine with getting the set since the Candy Keys are well-painted and stickers are not too troublesome to apply.

Speaking of which, since some Ranger Keys are exclusive to Gashapon only, I have to hunt for BoukenSilver for Gashapon Series 02 which has arrived in Singapore but not yet sighted.

Attention! Wing Booster!

Managed to catch a friend going to Hong Kong for his graduation trip and get it for me.



Rocket Booster (or originally Rocket Dagger) is my final weapon addition to my Go-Onger collection. Unlike the other weapon sets which I got them for Engine Souls, I actually wanted to get this as a weapon for its functions. If you didn't notice already, it doesn't come with any Engine Soul... So with this, my Go-Onger collection is more or less completed based on my own criteria.

You must be wondering why I didn't get it back in 2008 when Go-Onger was on air. I bought the Wing Trigger first from Ng's Collections because of budget considerations (despite the Uncle asking me why I'm not getting the Rocket Dagger as a set). At that moment, I've decided that the henshin devices would be a priority over weapons since I normally don't collect weapons and my wallet has been taking a huge hit with Go-Onger back then...

Little do I know that the weapon turned out to be so popular and was sold out soon after I bought the Wing Trigger back then. That was also when I felt that the Rocket Dagger was quite cool in the show itself and realized that the Wing Trigger was sort of incomplete without it.

In between the years, the Rocket Dagger didn't appear in any toy clearance sales like the other Go-Onger weapons, so there was no chance to get it at all. Strangely, it was also quite rare online and available sellers were asking for very high ridiculous prices. Hence, the only chance would be to wait till the Hong Kong re-issue now.

Brief Review:

For the price of approximately S$40.00 after conversion from HKD, I was rather happy with the purchase.



For a start, it was life-sized and not shrunk like most weapons. The grip was good and the weight of the dagger was well-balanced. The paint applications on the weapon were beautiful, I like how Bandai Japan did not scrimp on paint to rely on the white plastic color, like what Bandai America did to the Cloud Hatchet. The semi-gloss pearl color paint certainly brings out the aesthetics of the toy while providing great contrast.

The functions are exactly the same as in the show saved for the special effects. Basically, there are 3 switches which can activate a total of 6 unique attacks at any one time. You simply cycle through the switches using simple math; 1-3 are straight forward and 4-6 are achieved using the addition of 1-3, specifically 4 = 1+3, 5 = 2 + 3 and 6 = 1 + 2 +3. In addition, the Rocket Dagger will shout out "Mission X" based on which attack you want to use followed by the special attack sound.



Lastly, the Rocket Dagger can combine with the Wing Trigger to form the Wing Booster which performs a final finishing move when you press the trigger. The Rocket Dagger will then shout out "3, 2, 1, 0, Full Power!" and a stream of special sound effects.

That's all for the review, cool huh?

Pre-Ordered Ranger Key Sets

What to do when there's such a popular anniversary season like Gokaiger? PRE-ORDER!

It's crazy! Gokaiger toys are selling like hot cakes and almost every other item is out of stock (even after multiple restocks online). Blame Bandai Japan and its evil ingenious schemes. LoL.

This is especially true for the Ranger Key sets especially when they are the main selling gimmick of the series.



As pictured, 3 repeats for the DX Ranger Keys: Go-OnRed, ShinkenRed and GoseiRed. Really nice, Bandai Japan...

Pre-Ordered the following at La Tendo:
- Ranger Key Set 06 (Go-Onger)
- Ranger Key Set 07 (Shinkenger)
- Ranger Key Set 08 (Goseiger)
- Ranger Key Set DX (Metallic Gokaiger)
- Ranger Key Set SP (15 Red Rangers)

Figured that it would be hard to depend on Uncle's stock since there's no guarantee that he could get the goods (or in some cases very late). Not to mention that Uncle's prices have become less competitive this year; I had to pay S$25.00 for a Ranger Key Set and it's the Bandai Asia Imported Version. In contrast, I'm now paying S$18.00 for the Japanese Version at La Tendo.

Currently, I'm holding back on the Gokai Tranger (Treasure) Box because I missed the pre-order at Fujiya. Hopefully, Uncle can get it for a cheaper price.



And it comes with the last Red DX Ranger Key - NinjaRed to complete all 35 Red Rangers! Brilliant, Bandai Japan.

High Octane Megazord Restocked!

After buying the DX High Octane Megazord for around 2 weeks, the Kiddy Palace at Century Square suddenly has been restocked with High Octane Megazords much to my dismay. Just when I thought they were running out of stocks...

On a similar note, I was surprised to see the High Octane Megazord at OG People's Park as well some time back. So this time round, I will wait for the other 3 Megazords to drop their prices further before I make any rash decisions again.

DX Ranger Key Set 04 and S.H. Figuarts ShinkenBlue

Bought the DX Ranger Key Set 04 at S$30.00 from a fellow HWZ forum member who managed to import a couple of these from Japan, while all the major online stores ran out of stock.

Unlike other Ranger Key Sets, this one is a little exceptional. Just a few days before its release, Bandai Asia has informed that it will not be able to distribute them due to copyright issues. As you can see, the center character is Battle Japan from one of the very early Super Sentai series produced in collaboration with Marvel. Due to the inclusion of this Ranger Key, RKS 04 is only authorized for sale in Japan alone, making this set somewhat Japan-exclusive. Therefore, it becomes harder to get it as stocks are much more limited. So, I'm a little lucky in some way.

Plus, it also includes TyrannoRanger (Mighty Morphin Red Ranger) which is enough to drive the Americans crazy just because it's MMPR-related.



After receiving my S.H. Figuarts ShinkenGreen, I waited for La Tendo to notify me (through e-mail) to collect my ShinkenBlue which would be a little slow since they are dealing with mass shipments. Surprisingly, their service was better than I expected; they actually sent two SMSes (instead of e-mails) to inform me that the item I pre-ordered has arrived.

Here's the exact SMS:

"Hi, the SHF Samurai Sentai Shinkenger - Shinken Blue you pre-ordered is available for collection now. pls let us know if you are not able to collection within 2 wks, Thks La Tendo."

Just nice, I went to La Tendo straight after meeting up with the guy who sold me the RKS 04. Wow, it was chaos at La Tendo because it was the first time I see so many people and they were also collecting their toys, mainly anime figurines as far as I can see.

This one's slightly cheaper than ShinkenGreen at S$82.80 if it's any consolation at all.

Update: Ng's Collections

Final Announcement from Uncle:



Please click on image for information.

DX Engine Machalcon Announced!

The final mecha has been revealed for the last quarter of Gokaiger toy releases, and it's none other than the Gokai Machine Series 05 DX Engine Machalcon (Mach + Falcon).



Now, who would have thought it's a new Engine (#13) instead of a redesigned Speedor (just citing an example). What's new and different is that it comes with a Deluxe Ranger Key which no other DX Mecha came with, and the return of Engine Souls! Not one, but two of them! Just when you thought that the Engine Soul collecting spree is over... I really have to give it to Bandai Japan.

Of course, this new Engine cannot be combined with Engine-Oh G12 so don't get confused. Instead, it's another Grand Power to be unlocked by the Gokaigers giving them the ability to form 'Complete Gokai-Oh'. From the catalog image, it's basically GokaiGalleon, Arms from GoJyuJin and Engine Machalcon. In other words, the rest of the mecha parts are discarded for the combination which is a huge pity.

Interestingly, a couple of fans have pointed out the design for 'Complete Gokai-Oh' resembling the Bandai America RPM Formula Transporter Toy! Wahahah. Is it just a coincidence or just basically recycling of ideas?