FirePower Robo [BeastBox/1/4 Squad]

Following up on SacredPower Robo is FirePower Robo from 52Toys. FirePower Robo is another homage to old school super robots as a BeastBox and a really cool one at that. Instead of Chinese Mythology, this time we've got a group of vehicles rolling into the battle! Just like last time, I also acquired the special edition of this set and got the fancy slip cover and keshi set of pilot figures! FirePower Robo units are also able to combine with SacredPower Robo members for unique team ups. While I've loved both sets and this idea... I'm definitely a bigger fan of FirePower Robo. This was much to my own surprise as going in, I thought it would be the reverse. The vehicles make for less kibble and a more solid combined mode. Not to mention, he just looks cool.

Each vehicle can form it's own little box that can be combined with the others to make a standard sized box mode. Like before, I couldn't figure out how to get the weapon inside the Box Charger... so I'm really hoping someone points out just how to do that. Let's talk about the individual units. Peacemaker Railgun is a heavily armed bullet train that forms the mecha's legs. It's fairly articulated and can snake around. The cannons that form the combined modes gun are from this train. There's also some additional cannon along it's body that can be raised or lowered. Peacemaker Gunship is a boat that splits in half to form the arms. It has some cool turbines and cockpits that can be folded out of the way when converting (something I forgot to do in the pic). Peacemaker Tank is a really neat blue H-tank that forms the body. I'm really fond of it's shape and color. It's a really neat little toy. Finally, we have Peacemaker Fighter. A jet that forms the head and shoulders. Peacemaker Fighter looks great in it's black and silver color scheme.

FirePower Robo comes together very easily and hold sturdily. It's fairly articulated, though some part maneuvering will be needed for some poses. Even though Bismark/Ramrod wasn't a combiner, I can't help but to draw similarities due to the hat. I really like this one, it's got a Machine Robo look going on... and you all know I can't resist that! The bonus keshi drivers are really neat too. Each one is individually sculpted in a cool military themed armor. They look great in the blue color that they were cast in. I swear this is the cast from some PC-98 game. FirePower Robo is another excellent BeastBox release and I'm loving the 1/4 Squad series. The old school robot toy box, the keshi drivers, the entire package is great. I really hope more of these follow.

SacredPower Robo [BeastBox/1/4 Squad]

52Toys BeastBox never ceases to amaze me. A few weeks ago, when I first saw news of SacredPower Robo and FirePower Robo (whom we'll be looking at later this week), I was blown away. A homage to combining Super Robot teams of old in the form of a BeastBox? Yes, and they pulled it off spectacularly. Today we're looking at SacredPower Robo, whom is composed of robots based on creatures from Chinese mythology. I was fortunate enough to acquire the First Edition Bonus package which included the teams Ranger pilots in keshi form! This was actually a treat as they were packaged separately with box boxes together in a nice sleeve. The main toys box is a wonderful homage to old school super robot packaging. I love this thing.

I was initially worried transformation would be a challenge, but was pleasantly surprised to find myself doing all the steps without consulting the manual. Just the picture on the back was needed to form all the modes. The individual beasts are small, but decently articulated for their size. Each one also has a small Box Mode, which the four can be stacked up to form a traditional sized Box Mode. Forming the combined mecha is pretty simple as well. Qinglong (the dragon) forms the legs and waist, while Xuanwu (the black tortoise with the snake) forms the torso. Zhuque (the Vermilion Bird) is the head and shoulders while Baihu (White Tiger) splits in half, forming the arms. Some of the bests parts remove during this process. They combine using the Zhurong System Arms Merge to form a sword.

The combined form draws mental comparisons to Voltron/Go-Lion, it's a cool robot. There's a good deal of articulation, though you may need to adjust some of the parts for some poses. The bonus keshi figures of the teams Rangers (whose names I currently forget) are really cool little figures. They've got individual sculpts and really pop in bright red. It's a great little extra for buying this version of the set that I really like. In box mode, the team fits comfortably inside their Box Charger. Though I couldn't figure out how to store the weapons or tiger butt that becomes the back of the robots head. Here's hoping a more enlightened owner points out how to do so. I don't have anything bad to say about this set and am really happy with it. You can also swap parts with FirePower Robo whom we'll be looking at later this week.

Lupinkaiser and Patokaiser are swell

I really like Lupinranger vs Patoranger. Really hope Hasbro makes it a Power Rangers series one day so I can get the toys for a good price (man I'd love to get my hands on these). I particularly love Lupinkaiser's combination lock themed transformation. It's just so dang clever and imaginative.

YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

 No words, just motions of extreme excitement and happiness.

Miniforce is on Netflix!

They're cute and cuddly and they will kick your butt.

A few years go Miniforce started showing on Korean tv. I've been watching the clips online for some time and was overjoyed to discover it was put on Netflix just recently (June 1st to be exact!). So I put my watch through of Attack on Titan on pause (eventually I'll watch it all) and immediately began my binge (add to list, check).

The show is also on Youtube if you don't have Netflix. Being on Netflix though gives me hope that the toys will be released here in the US and potentially easier/cheaper to get. It's the same kind of hope I give that eventually the super cool Tomica Hyper Drive heads (man, they are cool and expensive) will find it's way here. Being that Super Wings is on US tv and it's toys are now on American shelves, I don't think it's too much of a stretch to hope to see these guys at my local Toys R Us.

The show is obviously aimed at smaller children. Each episode is about 13 minutes long, so you can really watch a bunch of adventures in no time. The Miniforce is a gang of smaller animals who spend the first few minutes of an episode being silly at home with their human companions. Shortly after the episode starts we see where the bad guys have sent the monster of the week, the gang changes into their Invincible Miniforce forms and rush off to battle. From there the show is an action packed animated Sentai/Super Robot show. When the big Mechamon of the week is turned giant, they call upon their Forcecars/Transcars to take them out.

The Forcecars are sleek vehicles that transform into larger robot modes and can even combine together to battle the larger threats. In all honesty, if the younger demographic cares you away from this show, it's really just in the opening of each episode where we see the gang at home. Once the action starts, it would probably be easier to swallow for you. It's a fun, albeit silly show that I dig 100%.

Between odd clips, discount DVD bins, and random toy finds. I've developed a casual interest in Korean robot/sentai shows that I'm happy to divulge in as the means to enjoy them becomes more readily available. With Miniforce getting a more mainstream push being now on Netflix, I hope it continues.