Super Ninja Steel Christmas Special Preview

One thing I've appreciated about Ninja Steel is it's working the Christmas specials into the timeline of the show, instead of existing is some nebulous time frame. I also look forward to seeing Sledge again, so this looks fun! Hopefully the confused and possible drunken Santa from last years special makes a return. There HAS to be a outtake of him throwing a curse laden tantrum somewhere.

Dude was literally dragged into something he clearly didn't want to do.

What the heck did I do this weekend?

 

Enjoyed another peaceful weekend. Friday morning before coming home from work, I stopped by Walmart and scored Devastator leaving only the G1 reissue Minibots left to acquire. Kinda hoping they do more later, but at the same time don't look forward to trying to buy them before they sell out. Saturday I stopped to get groceries and breakfast on the way home as later that night the Mrs and me went to see The Nun at a later evening showing.

Before leaving and after some sleep, I caught up with my DVR. Cyberverse was excellent this week. I really enjoy this show and it's getting better each week. Usually a cartoons first episodes are the worst and the first episodes weren't bad! At this rate I wonder if the series end will be amazing. I enjoyed seeing Shockwaves little drones, making me wonder if the toy's eventual repaint will be a troop builder of those. Makes me think of that old BotCon idea of using the Megabolt Megatron mold as a bug like army for Cryotec.

Ninja Steel was decent, the 'lesson' of this weeks show was decent, just felt like it needed a little more something. Basically, Calvin gets a job as a mechanic and quits school. Decides to go back to school after helping fix the Lion Fire Megazord with Mick, with Mick showing him what to do. Though the message is solid and boy I liked this weeks monster, it felt a little uneven on the lesson part.

The Nun was great. We enjoy the Conjuring movies as a whole and this one was pretty top notch. Maybe not perfect, but pretty close. I really liked the setting, pretty much what I wish Universal would have done with Dark Universe. Here we had basically an updated 'old timey' spooky movie in a castle that had substance AND style. Action packed with scares, this was a great movie. I like The Conjuring moves as a whole, but I didn't like the Annabelle moves as much as the main movies while I feel this one might actually be better than the main movies. Just an overall good horror movie.

Afterwards we went to the nearby Walmart to check out it's Halloween section and I picked up the rest of the Bumblebee Speed/Legion series wave 1. It's funny, these toys are $5 again while the Last Knight ones jumped up to 8-9$ last year. Weird. We got some Steak and Shake and came home. Great night. Sunday was spent similar to last weeks, more work in my toy room and just a nice day at home. I learned of a new smaller Authentics Grimlock being found, so this morning I looked without luck for one this morning while doing some errands. One day little Grimlock... one day.

Western Yokai Dracula/Dracula

What did I do over Labor Day Weekend?

 

Honestly, not a whole lot. I played Switch, watched TV and just relaxed. It's been something I've been needing to do as I haven't taken much time off this year, so some down time was certainly in need. Of note, news today came out that Beast Morphers will start airing in February! I was figuring March/April, so this is most welcome news! Also of note, Friday news came out that Bandai released an Evil Red Ranger figure to coincide with the 25th Anniversary Power Rangers episode last week. I've been on the lookout since, so hoping I find one soon. I guess for a what the heck I did this weekend post, this one was lame. But, I honestly didn't do much at all. So, bear with me as I get Zone Base back up to speed after a few days off.

Power Rangers 25th Anniversary Special

August 28th is now International Power Rangers Day as it was the day Mighty Morphin Power Rangers debuted in 1993. To celebrate the occasion, a special crossover episode of Super Ninja Steel was shown in prime time last night featuring several past Rangers teaming with the Ninja Steel gang to fight a dimension hopping bad guy who's building a army of evil clone Rangers. This was easily the best crossover special they've done as basically the entire episode was a summary of what everyone says when they talk about Power Rangers. Tommy is the best one. Oh sure, there's always the standard wannabe nerd hipster that auto complains about anything popular, but facts are facts and Tommy is the most popular one. So he pretty much steals the show here. I didn't mind as he's my favorite regardless of how stereotypical that might be.

Seeing as the episode just aired under 24 hours ago, I won't go into any spoilers as not everyone has seen it yet. Though I will say, it was probably the best episode of Power Rangers in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though I do wish there was a little more to it. I guess with a 30 minute show filled with so much, you're only getting cliff notes to work with, but man did they use those 30 minutes. I really wish the show was normally like this. If you get a chance to watch this, I recommend doing so. Even if you have only the most casual enjoyment of Power Rangers, it's still enjoyable enough on it's own strengths.

Bright Light Monday

He's practically a light source.

I've been particularly busy this weekend. I don't know if any of you reading this might have noticed, as I scheduled all of the past few days posts ahead of time. It dawned on me as Monday is sort of a dead posty day around here, that I should make a semi-regular Monday post. Like a, what the crap I did this past weekend post. I mean, sometimes I post during the weekend among the scheduled posts. Sometimes I don't. I assure you this is very important to do. I think. I'm sure.

For the record, I'm sure I've said this before here, but I'll say it again for clarity and because... because. I work overnight. Generally from 6pm -7am with a few extra hours put in Saturday morning to assure I don't need to come back in to finish anything up. So, usually my weekends are spent with my wife whom I don't see a lot during the week (thus the mostly scheduled posts). Today, I actually had to come in a few hours earlier for a work related class. So my internal clock in way off.

Saturday, after getting home, instead of going to sleep for a few hours, the wife and I went out after I showered so we could hit a few stores as they first opened. Following the beginning of Halloween several stores have their official launch of seasonal products, so we wanted to get to Bath & Body Works as well as Yankee Candle to get an early start on their Halloween products for this year. Well my wife did, it's more her thing, but I felt like coming along. We also hit up Walmart and Target where I scored a Dracula Mego and POTP Novastar. I had intended to grab the Cyberverse Scout Starscream and Megatron, but the Cyberverse toys were wiped out. That's right haters, they're selling. I live in the rural outskirts of a major American city, so I don't know if that's much of an indication, but you know... perhaps. So it looks like I have to wait for a restock on the remaining Scouts but was happy that they sold well.

After waking up, I watched the new episode of Ninja Steel on my DVR. I enjoyed how it obviously segways into the 25th anniversary episode showing Tuesday night (Happy Early Power Ranger Day!) and introduced the Blaze Megazord into the show. People crap on Ninja Steel (go figure), but this was a pretty decent episode. The use of classic Power Ranger music in recent episodes is a definite plus.

Cyberverse finally showed on my DVR listing so I set my recording schedule. I'm aware that a few episodes are already available on Cartoon Network's site and app, but I plan to watch them off my DVR as they broadcast. Though, keep such things as Cartoon Network posting them on their app and site or setting a DVR in mind for when people who manage to watch shows that don't come on in their country complain about the shows time slot.  Just watch, somehow they just can't figure out how to watch it.

Speaking of Cyberverse, earlier today when I was making myself sleep all day so I could be functional off my normal schedule, I spied some stock photos of upcoming toys online. It's nothing new, toy's we've known are coming, but it did sell me on Acidstorm. Before I hadn't noticed just how freaking eye searingly bright he is. Maybe even brighter than Actionmaster Thundercracker and that's saying something! So, of course I have to have it. He's so bright, he might just make a good back up flash light.

Power Rangers 25th anniversary new trailer

Power Rangers 25th Anniversary Special trailer

I got a big Zord

Earlier today I went out with money from birthday cards and had some fun. One thing I did was swing by my local Toys R Us to see it one last time before it's gone for good and bought the Lion Fire Megazord on liquidation for quite a steal. Kinda stoked about this as I've wanted it for a while and it was around the price of a regular Megazord rather than the 100$ it had been going for. I'm going to have to wait until this weekend to check it out though as I ate some lunch and took a nap when I got home, upon opening it I discovered it requires assembly. That's a 20inch play set and probably an hour or so of time.

Fox Megazords *spoilers*

Now that it's been a few days since the Power Rangers mid season finale, I feel comfortable talking about the cliffhanger. If this is still spoilers for you, feel free to scroll down fast.

I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger for the mid season finale of Ninja Steel, but I'm not complaining as it was a really cool fight and  introduced a new threat with what's most likely going to lead into the Blaze Megazord being introduced. I know at best the Fox Megazord will only get an action figure, but I'd love a full size Megazord toy complete with fox drones.

Super Mid-Season Break

This weekend will bring the mid season finale of Super Ninja Steel. Not that it will be a giant cliff hanger or anything, but it will be the last episode until fall. Hopefully the Galactic Ninjas will stick around longer as I'm quite enjoying them. I've definitely enjoyed the last few episodes using music from MMPR as it's definitely added something to the show.

With Beast Morphers coming next year and frankly looking like the next big thing, it's putting a shadow on this show, which is super enjoyable, but could use some improvement.

Two reasons you should buy a Blaze Megazord

1. His left arm is a fish. He's going to punch you with a fish.

2. His chest shoots ninjas.

Ya'll folks like BBQ?

I've been very busy today, so here is a picture of the Bullrider Megazord for no reason.

I don't need no stinking reason to post it.

It's a cowboy.

I got the Blaze Megazord this weekend

I was ecstatic to finally get my hands on this guy this weekend. I've been wanting it for quite some time and literally jumped directly into the air upon seeing it. I even took it over some Power Of The Primes voyagers I also wanted. My wife and I give ourselves a weekly spending allowance to keep ourselves in check. She was a little aghast when she saw me pick it over the Grimlock I had been toting. Not that I didn't want the Grimlock, just man you have no clue how much I wanted this insane thing (I'll get Grimlock, I promise). Right now I'm at an odd place where there is literally a ton of stuff I want on the shelves at the same time (Power of The Primes, Voltron 84, Power Rangers Legacy Zords) that I'm making some decisions each week that I have to live with until I slowly accumulate everything I want. Fortunately it's the first quarter where everything is slow to get restocked.

Back to the Blaze Megazord, it's awesome. You got six super neat Zords that form into the Megazord using the Zord builder combination system, meaning it's possible to use other Zord parts to create even more interesting Megazords. It has a unique missile launcher, the missiles are the individual Rangers that launch from their cockpits to attack bad guys. It's a weird, non-nonsensical attack in a show that doesn't bother to make sense. 

It's so stinking rad.

Super Ninja Steel

Set those DVR's!

Super Ninja Steel packaging is super nice

Pic from @TokuNation

Pic from @TokuNation

Pic from @TokuNation

Man, I've been really looking forward to these new Megazords enough already, but in the new Super Ninja Steel packaging makes me want to never open them. Seriously looks like a premium toy.

Ninja Steel and Super Ninja Steel trailer!

Oh my. Sledge is back and does Levi make a heel turn?

NYCC 2017 reveals

Credit:TFW2005

New York Comic Con is starting up and with it came the initial reveals. Hasbro was showing off plenty of their upcoming Power of the Primes toys to my happiness. I finally got a good view of more of the upcoming Primemasters and couldn't be happier. I want these so bad that it's bordering scary. I'll cut you man. Looks at the new Terrorcons and Dinobots were also great. The new black repaint of the POTP Rodimus Prime was unexpected and I love it. Taking cues from prior black versions of Rodimus and even the Shattered Glass versions beard, the toy looks great and even uses Unicron in the naming making me think about those old Marvel UK TF stories with Rodimus possessed by Unicron. Was really disappointing to miss out on getting a chance to buy the NYCC Grotesque (in the style of the Hascon Arcee) as it was put on Hasbro Toy Shop before I was aware. Fortunately, news of it being available at Toys R Us soon took away a little of the sting. Just hoping I get a fair shot at that one. There's a ton of great pictures and reports at TFW2005.

credit: Tokunation

There was plenty of Power Rangers reveals to my delight. The Mini-Pla kits of various Zords really have my attention, as I'd love to get all the kits from MMPR (hoping they're fairly affordable). I think my biggest surprise though was seeing that the upcoming Super Ninja Steel is delving more into Ninninger footage and we're getting a US version of this guy. Really happy for this as it's a great design and would like to just stroll into Target and pick it up. There's a ton of great pictures and reports at Tokunation.

I've seen a few glimpses of the upcoming Pacific Rim Uprising toys, but am really waiting until tomorrow to go more into it when the trailer goes up. So far they have a teaser of the trailer up that's really wetting appetites over here at Zone Base HQ. Which means me. I'm really excited.

Ninja Slash!

It's here! Our exclusive new trailer for the return of Power Rangers Ninja Steel! All new episodes on August 12, only on Nickelodeon! pic.twitter.com/PH9X8mhy70

— Power Rangers (@PowerRangers) July 20, 2017

I've been so buried with all the cool news from SDCC that I almost forgot to mention the new episodes of Power Rangers Ninja Steel will be starting soon! Looking forward to it after the long hiatus.

Ninjas have particular steel

That would make a great Trapper Keeper.

The new Power Rangers show, Ninja Steel, is starting soon and I'm pretty excited for it. I've always been pretty casual fan of Power Rangers, but this one has me stoked. I've always been a fan of Godzilla and other giant monsters in movies. It wasn't until much later in life I learned the word kaiju, but damn I knew I loved them. Fortunately, TBS showed one practically every Saturday afternoon hosted by Grandpa Munster.

As I got older, USA started showing Dynaman late Friday nights. They dubbed the show with hilarious comedy and I loved it. Then a few years later, Ultraman started showing on local channels in the afternoon. By the time I was in high school and Power Rangers started, I knew I liked this kind of show that was like Godzilla. So, I watched Power Rangers every afternoon after school and eventually VR Troopers and Super Human Samurai Cyber Squad joined my viewing. I watched Power Rangers regularly up until the end of Power Rangers Zeo.

That was pretty much when it became a show I watched when it was on and I was in front of a tv, versus make time out for every day. I've pretty much been like that with Power Rangers and similar shows since then, if it's on when I'm watching TV, I'm watching. So, I fairly admit to being a pretty casual fan. I know of it's Japanese origins and have watched some of different toku shows in subtitles, but I just like good old cheesy Power Rangers. Regularly older episodes of different Power Rangers shows and similar shows would be on my cables in demand menu, so I'd watch them.

This past summer I finally became a regular Netflix user. Before I'd off and on have a membership, but the wife and I decided to use the service more regularly and oh hey... pretty much all those shows were now available all the time. So, my usual Saturday night routine of watching tv while working on a 6 pack of beer, has became watch old episodes of Power Rangers while I work on a 6 pack of beer.

I've bought toys from these shows off and on. Not a lot, just a few. I just enjoy watching the shows. Ok, I've pretty much gotten all the Imaginext Power Rangers, but can you blame me? They're awesome.

So when the various adverts for this new series starting soon popped up online, I was pretty interested. I like the way the show looks and dude, pretty much all the monsters are contestants on a intergalactic game show.  So I've decided to watch this one completely. Just like I used to, but instead of after school, it would be off my dvr instead of watching reruns of The Middle before work. I'm kinda looking forward to it. I like ninjas.

And there is no way I can't watch this little guy