The 6th Christmas Toy Fair 2011/1st Philippines Diecast & Custom Car Show at the SM Megamall

The 6th Christmas Toy Fair and the 1st Philippines Diecast and Custom Car Show concluded it's successful three-day event yesterday and I was able to make my pilgrimage that morning to the Megatrade Hall 1 located on the 5th floor of the SM Megamall. Luckily I was able to reach my point of destination in no time since I left early to avoid the horrendous Yuletide traffic that has become a huge nightmare for commuters like me for ages! Though the organizers for Toy Fair & Diecast Car Show managed to get hold of just one hall for its venue, the number of participating toy shop owners wasn't, in a way, that many unlike during the annual ToyCon being held during the month of June, but somehow it was enough to satisfy all toy enthusiasts with their insatiable craving for bargain toys up for sale. I immediately went inside and began scouting the place to check what's in store for me and for the other attendees as well. I never got to take photos at first since I noticed that morning there was not even one individual holding a camera and taking snapshots inside, so I dashed my way to every stall that I could find and began rummaging on their stuff and got hold of some goodies that I'll be needing as backup, I can say that I was now able to have more than a handful of toys in tow unlike last June during the ToyCon where I only got two items from that event. It was only shortly before lunch when I got to see camera flashes ring out from one spot to another and so it was time to take out my camera and shoot me some photos for both my Made in X Facebook page and for this blog as well.


The build up of people flocking to the Toy Fair was somehow bearable and close to normal so I was able to move around freely and took photos of those stalls who were gracious and kind enough to let me... but unfortunately, there were some who turned us down (I've given a hint on our Facebook page so you guys might as well check it out ü), but nevertheless I was able to take a good number of photos both from the Toy Fair and the 1st Philippines Diecast & Custom Car Show which catered to all car enthusiasts with a fairly huge number of toy cars, big and small, diecast and scale model kits... name it, they have it on display. Aside from toys and cars, the regular folks from the cosplay world were there and from time to time the organizers held toy auctions to the delight of the crowd. My friend and Made in X admin member Adrian and his brother Bryan followed shortly to the event and since I'm done with my business there, I accompanied the two as they did some rounds in checking out the stalls. Though tired, exhausted and somewhat "broke", we had a grand time the entire day and we're now bracing ourselves for the next main event which will happen this coming June for the 2012 ToyCon.


I have posted here some of the photos I took yesterday and if you want to check out the rest of the album, please do find the time to visit our Facebook page by clicking here. 'Til next time folks, stay safe always!


Credits: BigBoy's Toy Shop, Akihabara, Randy, Sir Bong of Bong's Collectibles for being so nice and accommodating after granting me permission to take some snapshots of his stall.


(*Click on the images for larger view and more photos inside)

First toy feature for the month of December: Bandai Chogokin Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Aegis

It's that most wonderful time of the year and yes ladies and gentlemen, Christmas is just around the corner and everyone's in a hustle and bustle mood preparing for this joyous occasion which will be happening in a week's time... And here on Made in X, we usher in the yuletide season with our very first toy feature this December and it's none other than that lovely PVC figure of Aegis (or spelled as "Aigis" for some) from the popular Playstation game 'Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3' manufactured by Bandai Chogokin.


I was very much aware of the Persona game made for the Playstation, in fact I remember getting so engrossed in playing with the very first Persona game on the Playstation 1 console many years ago and though the graphics and gameplay may not be that grand and mind-blowing unlike on the PS2 and PS3 platforms, but getting to kick your opponent's booty with some real nifty stuff like mixing and matching those elemental cards to concoct a spirit guardian (sorry folks I can't remember anymore the right terms used for that game) that you can summon to crush your enemy to smithereens... it was like playing Final Fantasy 8 with a touch of Final Fantasy Tactics on the side. Sadly I never got to play the other Persona series on the PS2 mainly I was focused on playing other game titles like Gran Turismo, Silent Hill and Resident Evil, I only learned about the new series when I eventually "retired" from playing the PS2 though I plan on doing some catching up on the game through its PSP version.


Last December 11, I was with my buddies and fellow toy enthusiasts Adrian and Francis and later that afternoon at Adrian's place, I had that rare experience in getting a closer look at this wonderful Chogokin figure of Aegis and as soon as it got unboxed and placed inside the lightbox, my camera clicked away and was very much satisfied with this beauty. I can truly say that this is a must-have for all Persona fans out there. I have other photo samples of Aegis posted on this article and if you guys would want to see the entire set, please do visit our Facebook page by clicking here and see why this lovely PVC figure is worth to have in your collection. 'Til next time guys, stay safe always!


(*Click on the images for larger view and more photos inside)

X-23 toy figure from Toy Biz (Marvel Legends): In a nutshell...

Laura Kinney a.k.a. X-23 from X-Men

Last November 26 I accompanied my friend and former co-worker to get her laptop from a service center located somewhere in Libis. It has been almost like two years since we last saw each other and so we decided to hangout in Eastwood after getting her beloved laptop named "Hades" and spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with lost time with a good, lengthy conversation over cigarettes and Starbucks fraps. It was around 7 p.m. when we decided to call it a night since she lives in Las Piñas and she had to catch the shuttle in Makati going back to her place. After getting her a cab, I decided to hang around for awhile since it has been almost a year since I last went there and of course it was time for me to make another glorious pilgrimage to the 2Rats toy shop and check out some of their stuff that might catch my fancy. Surprisingly there weren't much anime gashapons on display unlike last year where you can get to choose a lot of varieties on display. I was supposed to get this cool-looking Bearbrick PVC figure for only Php 100 ($2.00++) but it was a good thing that I decided to stick around and searched thoroughly among their stuff... until I came across this loose figure of Laura Kinney or better known as Wolverine's teen female counterpart 'X-23' from the comic book series X-Men.

Full view of the X-23 toy figure

The shop had three X-23 loose figures, 2 of those are the ones that you see on the photos I've posted while the other one was a bit smaller and not too feminine in features, it kinda reminded me of a crossover between Lobo and members of KISS! Anyways, I decided to get the Marvel Legends from ToyBiz version since it has more feminine looks and its features, in a way, stayed true to the comic book character. Now for my personal assessment... Since purchasing it as a loose item, you are bound to experience flaws here and there on the item and I was ready for it, the figure's left arm was starting to loose up though with the right angle positions it is still poseable, but what I noticed was that her limbs, most especially with her jointed kneecaps, were quite stiff and using excessive force to bend it might damage the figure permanently. So as much as I wanted to make her do some action poses, I was limited to a few safe ones due to its stiff joints. And I always have to remind myself that this is just a loose item and rarely do you find second-hand toys in  tip-top condition. A few days later I found out from one dude who did a thorough review on this particular X-23 figure and from what I read, he seems to be totally dissatisfied with the figure as if everything was just a big joke, though his rants on his review are somewhat true and I can attest to the fact that it is not just pure hearsay.


Sculpting on the figure is just plain and dull, paint job not too fancy and lacking, the figure was made from "poor" plastic material, stability is not quite good and letting her stand on its own two feet is a balancing act and finally, articulation is quite bad on the neck, elbows and knees and one wrong move could mean permanent disaster on the toy. So I guess it was indeed a "joke" after all when Toy Biz released this X-23 Marvel Legends figure... too bad and they could have done a better job in making it look good instead of releasing it just for the sake of. But nonetheless I still wanted her since I couldn't afford to buy the Kotobukiya Bishoujo statue of her and I'll be using the lovely Laura Kinney as one of my upcoming characters in my existing web comics blog. Oh well, despite the flaws and all... I'm cool with it! 'Til next time folks!

November toy feature # 5 -- Maria Freed from UFO Grendizer

And for our last special toy feature for the month of November, here is one famous anime babe who is undeniably alluring and attractive that she's just oozing with pure sexiness from head to toe! She's none other than the lovely Maria Freed from Go Nagai's hit anime based on his third entry in the Mazinger trilogy 'UFO Grendizer' (or more popularly known in Canada as Goldorak.)

This exclusive and limited figure from Yamato USA was released in December 2009 and it shows Maria wearing an alternate and sexier black and purple uniform with some translucent portions that is definitely revealing and a must-see for all of you cheeky dudes out there! This PVC figure has long been discontinued and thanks to my pal Adrian I was able to capture some nice photographs of this rare beauty and here are some photo samples below.

If you want to see her complete photo set, please do find the time to visit our Facebook page by clicking here and be sure to check out more special toy features in the coming weeks ahead. 'Til next time folks!

(*Click on the images for larger view and more photos inside)

Capping off our Toy Feature this November!

As the month of November comes to a close, we are capping off our Toy Feature special with one very awesome figure that I'm sure all of you guys out there will truly love! Be sure to check us out here and on our Facebook page this coming Tuesday (November 29) for the unveiling of this curvy and attractive heroine! See ya!

November toy feature # 4 -- Takara Tomy Transformers Creator Primus (2010 ed.)

This has got to be one of the most awesome toy feature ever presented here on Made in X... it's huge, it's transformable and he's the epitome of all things great and mighty! If Olympus has Zeus and Apple the late Steve Jobs, then the world of the Transformers has no other than but one great creator god, you've guessed it, Creator Primus or more popularly known as Cybertron.


It was indeed a sight to behold and being in the presence of this huge and mind-blowing action toy from Takara Tomy left me in blissful amazement! Every inch of this 2010 re-issue figure is oozing with fine, intricate details that makes Primus even more superior and powerful-looking, most especially when you get to see the small city-like structures embedded in and around his massive frame. And its twice the excitement once you get to see him transform into the planet Cybertron which is equally fantastic as his full-frame figure. This beauty of a toy is definitely a scene stealer and it can make any Transformers fan drool with sheer envy! And like always it was time for me to whip out my camera and photograph Primus at Adrian's place a couple of weeks ago.


Here are some of Primus' photo samples below taken that particular day and if you guys want to check out the rest of the album set, please do find the time to visit our Facebook page by clicking here. 'Til next time folks, thank you for dropping by and roll out!


(*Click on the images for larger view and more photos inside)

The creator god of the Transformers, the mighty Primus

November toy feature # 3 -- Mari Illustrious Makinami from Fräulein-Revoltech

We're on our third week this lovely month of November and what can be more delightful than to present to you another special treat which is our third toy feature and she's no other than that lovely and sexy anime babe from Neon Genesis Evangelion... nope it's not Rei nor Asuka and definitely not Shinji! She's that dreamy, bespectacled brunette we all know as Mari Illustrious Makinami .


This fantastic action toy figure from Fräulein-Revoltech is indeed one eye candy you can never truly resist whether you're an Evangelion fan or not. If I'm not mistaken this is now the second series release from Fräulein wherein the first Mari Makinami action toy was fitted with a pink plug suit which (personally I think) showed more of Mari's feminine side while her latest figure gives you the best of both worlds... She's sugar and spice and everything nice! Mari is now fitted with an attractive green plug suit along while a huge State's Helmet is included in the package that you can actually wear on Mari's head.


Detailing from head to foot is simply awesome and this baby is definitely worth having in your collection! Thanks to my pal Adrian and he was kind enough to let me take some snapshots of Mari. And just right down below are some of her photo samples that I took a couple of weeks ago.


And like always, if you guys do want to check out the rest of the album, you're more than welcome to visit our Facebook page by clicking here. 'Til the next feature, see ya!


(*Click on the images for larger view and more photos inside)

November toy feature # 2 -- Armor Plus Tekkaman Rapier

For our second toy feature this month of November, we give to you this super sleek and sexy Armor Plus Tekkaman Rapier figure distributed by Bandai/Tamashii. Everything about this very exclusive figure is just oozing with slender appeal that makes it more awesome and cool-looking. And not only that, she can kick butt once you get to see her awesome weapon of choice... a pointed, thin-bladed sword which, unfortunately, is not seen in this set of photos. But along with her sword is a crystal shard which is also part of the package.


This exclusive fig from Bandai/Tamashii is worth having in your collection and I have managed to see it up close a couple of days ago and I must say it even looked better, sleeker and sexier in person! I have here below several photo samples of this baby for you guys to initially enjoy and if you do want to check out the rest of the album, please do find the time to visit our Facebook page by just clicking here and see for yourselves what this armor-ridden warrior babe is truly made of! 'Til the next toy feature, see ya!


(*Click on the images for larger view and more photos inside)