Takeda Shingen (white) [Sembo Block X Mosho Toys Progenitor Effect]

@robfromzonebase Takeda Shingen (white) [Sembo Block X Mosho Toys] #zonebase #semboblock #moshotoys #blindbox #sembo ♬ 復讐の呪い (Curse of Vengeance) - Akuma Dollz

It's always fun discovering something new, or at least new to you. Recently, my wife went on a blind box shopping trip with a friend and picked up a few Sembo Block kits. Sembo Block is a company similar to Blokees that started out producing building block sets before moving into model kits. Like Blokees, they also offer blind box sets. I've been seeing Sembo Block kits in various robot model groups for a while now and have been curious about them, so I was pretty excited to finally get my hands on some.

Recently, I assembled the first of the kits the Mrs. got me: Takeda Shingen from a collaboration with Mosho Toys. Takeda Shingen is from the Progenitor Effect mecha series, which I know absolutely nothing about. I wish I did, though, because the designs are really neat. This particular character is normally red, but because this was a blind box, I ended up with the white version. From what I can tell, there's also another white version with some teal. All of the color variations look fantastic, though, and I'm really happy with the one I got.

The lion design on the white version immediately makes me think of Liger Zero from Zoids. Takeda Shingen's overall design is really neat, looking like an oni wearing lion-themed samurai armor. The combination of the armor and mechanical lion elements gives me plenty of Zoids vibes, while the hair sticking out from behind his helmet makes me think a little of Digimon. I definitely plan to learn more about Progenitor Effect.

He also came with two different trading cards featuring some really great artwork. I'm not sure if they're part of a game or just included as collectibles, but I love it when model kits and toys come with cards or stickers. Or both!

Assembly was pretty neat and a little more involved than I expected going in. There's a mixture of parts on sprues and loose pieces, along with a nice instruction manual that's mostly easy to understand even though it's in another language. I did have a little trouble figuring out a few of the parts, but that was mostly because I had a variant and the colors shown in the instructions were more generalized. Nothing was actually wrong with the instructions. It was more of a "Oh yeah, I have a different version" moment.

The only actual complaint I have is that the plastic quality was a little lacking on two parts. The ball joint that Takeda Shingen's head sits on is a little loose. That could either be because of the grade of plastic or because the socket in his helmet is slightly too large. It's an easy fix, so it's not a huge problem, but it's worth mentioning.

The only major problem was one of his hip armor plates, which arrived with a faulty connector. The plastic was misshapen in the box and couldn't connect properly. For now, I've got it held in place with a tiny nub of sticky tack until I can properly repair it with some wire and glue. It'll probably always be a little loose, but at least it'll be functional.

Aside from those two points, this is a very sharp-looking kit, and the finished figure has a surprising amount of articulation. It's pretty impressive! I especially enjoy the basic skeleton that needs to be assembled before the armor is added. That's not unique to Sembo Block, but it's something I can really appreciate. It reminds me of trying to make figures with Sculpey by starting with a little wire skeleton.

Sometimes I wish I'd continued with that project. I managed to make a Grimlock and Shockwave, which are probably now in pieces at the bottom of a box somewhere. I have no idea what happened to them. 

Takeda Shingen comes with open and closed hands, along with two katanas and a naginata. The katanas can also be stored on his armor. Thanks to the impressive articulation, he can wield all of them in some really neat poses.

Overall, my first experience with Sembo Block was a pleasant one. I've got a few more kits waiting for me, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they're like. Hopefully they don't have the same little issues this one did, but even with those problems, Takeda Shingen was a really fun kit to put together.

Now I just need to figure out what the hell Progenitor Effect is.

Light Your Way At Burger King

I've said it a few times and for land's sake I mean it. You need a good light when out trick or treating. It's just the right thing to do. There's this weird paradox in which driving a car on Halloween night makes the driver unable to see people not normally in the street dressed as Power Rangers. All caution is to the wind and the only thing keeping you safe is a good light.

Fortunately Burger King is here with free flashlights and treat bags to use when you go trick or treating. Assuming the manager didn't take them all home. In all honesty, that's a pretty great freebie for a fast food place. Those are the type of flashlights normally sold at stores. Not too shabby Burger King! You might recognize it as the old flashlight your grandmother keeps by her bed.

So take your flashlight and be safe out there. Later, your parents will happily take your new flashlight and keep it by their bed. Another word of advice, wait until it's night time to use your flashlight. That damn kid's going to run out the battery before sunset.

Originally Posted 9/01/2020

Weekly Update 8/17/26

Monday rears its ugly head once again, threatening the sanctity of peaceful vibes the weekend gave us. Don't fear, Zone Base readers! I've got another fun week of robots, monsters, and misadventure lined up for your eyeballs.

Pumpkin Spiced Mayhem is spooking right along as our annual Halloween party gets underway. You know, sometimes people wonder why I start celebrating Halloween so early, yet every year by late July everyone seems to be chomping at the bit for spooky season. I originally started doing it because it was fun, but now I honestly don't understand why more don't. Maybe it's because I'm not monetizing the site and spending all my time trying to capitalize on my readers. 

As I've mentioned before, August is ghost month in several Asian countries. Japan celebrates Obon while other regions hold Hungry Ghost Festivals, and I always enjoy the influx of spooky stories that appear around this time of year. Lately I've been watching VHS transfers of older Japanese paranormal television shows uploaded to YouTube. Back during my tape trading days, I ended up with quite a few of these through various J-Horror circles. I've always preferred the reenactment-style ghost shows, and Japan produced some really fun examples of the format. Funnily enough, many of them were hosted by either Count Takeshi or Junji Inagawa, who many of you might recognize as Vic Romano and Guy LeDouche from "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge". Junji Inagawa is actually a famous ghost storyteller in Japan as well as a television personality, but it's almost impossible for me to see him without expecting him to say something completely ridiculous. Thinking back to those tape trading days, I probably watched more than a few questionable recordings copied from questionable recordings of questionable recordings. Hopefully I didn't accidentally end up cursed.

There's something else I'd like to tell you all about from last week. Some of you probably saw the Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary press boxes that have been showing up on various toy and news sites. Several months ago, I was contacted by the PR agency handling them and asked if I'd like to be considered for one. Of course I said yes. Unfortunately, I didn't end up receiving one.

Now, to be fair, these things are extremely limited and the email even makes it clear that receiving one isn't guaranteed. Still, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little disappointing to realize I had been passed over.

The Mrs. apparently noticed.

Earlier this week, while I was at work, she messaged me and told me some package had arrived from "PR People" and that I should open it when I got home. Sure enough, sitting there was a box covered in Transformers stickers with the words "PR BOX" written across it in pink marker.

Inside were several Cyberworld Cyber Changers and the Transformers Icons Optimus Prime figure.

To this day she's maintaining that she has absolutely no idea where it came from.

I can't begin to tell you how great that surprise felt.

Know what?

I got the better PR Box.

Transformers- News has been relatively quiet this week outside of retailer solicitations. Dear news sites: affiliate links are not news. Then again, considering how overwhelming San Diego Comic-Con season can be, a slower week is honestly kind of refreshing.

One item that did catch my attention was the discovery of the new Transformers Vaultz Big Heads blind boxes at some Walmart locations. These are stylized chibi-like Transformers figures that immediately caught my eye. You all know how much I love blind boxes, so of course I'm interested. The designs remind me quite a bit of the Bikkuriman-style artwork I'm so fond of, and from what I've seen they use the Evergreen character designs, which I'm perfectly happy with.

Even better, they appear to include both a trading card and a sticker.

That combination appeases me greatly.

From what I understand there are variants as well. The news originally came from someone who pulled a glow-in-the-dark Megatron.

That.

Is.

Awesome.

I fully expect to end up with several of these, and any extras will almost certainly become desk bots at work.

Also along similar lines, Jada has shown off their new Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Metalfigs assortment. These continue to use the roughly 2¾-inch scale they've stuck with for previous releases, which I'm happy about. It's a great size for the price point, and the die-cast metal gives them a satisfying heft. I've picked up quite a few of these over the years and am really looking forward to this movie-themed wave, which appears to contain mostly new characters.

Man, I really miss the days when Metalfigs Nanos were sold individually for a dollar.

Blokees- Adding to my excitement for the next Transformers Defender Version series (Battlestars MOFO!) is the news that Astral Rally Defender Version 01 and Transformers Wheels C04 are now available to order. I fully plan on picking up a case of each and adding them to the ever-growing backlog. I'm still working through Transformers Defender Version 07, Wheels C02, and Wheels C03, not to mention several other kits patiently waiting their turn on the build pile. I'll get to them eventually... probably.

The newest Wheels assortment includes a train mode Astrotrain, and that alone has me excited. Astrotrain has always been my favorite Triple Changer, so seeing his classic locomotive mode represented as a Wheels kit makes me ridiculously happy. There's just something about that original train design that I love. That said, I do hope Blokees eventually revisits the 2006 Classics version as well. I've always been fond of that design and would love to see it translated into kit form. 

The Weekend (written on my phone while I ate breakfast Monday morning)- This weekend was a good one, albeit super hot. It was that reverse hot that we opted to stay in the air conditioning and not go to the pool. We did get some weekend shopping in which included a trip to Five Below to pick through Over the Garden Wall blind boxes and looking at Halloween decor at TJ Max.  I managed to build my new new shelf for my desk, it's a great little spot for storage that will work just great by my desk. I built some Blokees and played my Atari Gamestation Go. Comiket was also this weeked  I'm enjoying the pictures from the show as their posted. That's another show I'd love to attend, definitely a Zone Base type of con. Good weekend.

As for toy pick ups, unfortunately Walmart had sold out of Mega Zarak whom I'll definitely order soon. I did pick up Nexus Prime who've I been wanting and putting off. Also another Blokees TF One part two blind, another Starscream, he's going into the custom pile. I also grabbed a Funko Mini Pops Dragonzord with tiny Green Ranger figure to pilot on clearance. I got the regular Megazord a few years ago, this will be a nice companion.

Speaking of that "PR Box" the Mrs gave me, it had Icons Optimus Prime (who I think looks great) and Cyberworld Cyber Changers Energon Surge Bull Megatron, Optimus Primal, Tank Megatron, and a Cyberworld blind bag that ended up being Skybite (woo)! In addition, I got a Five Nights at Freddy's Tiny Mights capsule that ended up a red Springtrap Freddy and a 3D printed skeleton keychain. Overall a good weekend haul.

Man, what did Usher's House ever do?

I don't always have a joke for these. Okay, usually I have something to say... but this is just a really great animation based on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher", and it's cool as hell.

Happy Halloween.