Latest news with #BandaiSpirits
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Samurai Troopers' Is Back With A New ‘Demon Slayer' Infused Anime
'Samurai Troopers' is getting a new and quite shiny anime. The 80s anime classic Samurai Troopers, known internationally as Ronin Warriors, is getting a new anime, and it looks great. The original show's premise dealt with a demonic invasion being thwarted by plucky heroes in mystical samurai armor, which worked sort of like power armor. The mecha linkage wasn't an arbitrary one either, as mecha anime veteran Ryosuke Takahashi handled the series' composition. As for this new series, it seems to follow on from the original and takes a decidedly Demon Slayer-esque approach to the animation. The whole demon element to the story also lends itself well to leaning on Demon Slayer's mindshare, especially as Samurai Warriors would have acted as an inspiration for that series anyway. The other aspect to all this is that, back in the day, the original Samurai Troopers received all manner of amazing toys. Even recently, the series has had some more modern toy releases courtesy of Bandai Spirits. So it does make sense to create a new Samurai Troopers anime from the toy standpoint alone, and it seems Bandai Spirits is already involved in coming up with toys for this new show. In any case, a new Samurai Troopers anime is entirely welcome, and if you're curious about the original anime, you can pick up the Blu-ray via Crunchyroll's online store. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Sunrise Spirits Will Bring Classic Mecha Toys To Western Fans
Sunrise Spirits is a new toy brand for classic mecha anime. Sunrise is responsible for most of the major mecha anime ever made, and Bandai Spirits is now looking to honor this legacy with a new toy brand. Heading up this new Sunrise Spirits initiative is Yoshinari Kimura, Assistant Manager on the Robot Product Planning Team at Bandai Spirits. Following the increased accessibility and popularity of Sunrise mecha anime outside of Japan, Kimura wanted to ensure that Western fans weren't left behind. 'Given that people can now easily discover and watch Sunrise titles through social media, the official YouTube channel, and an ever-increasing selection of streaming platforms, we felt it was important to build an accessible solution for fans to purchase Sunrise merchandise. Through this initiative, we wanted to create a 'three-dimensional portal' for fans, both new and old. Furthermore, we wanted to clarify where people were able to purchase our products and figure out what would be necessary for us to sell them on an ongoing basis. The Tamashii Nations store in New York is one of many outside Japan. 'After carefully analyzing the balance between supply and demand, we concluded that the best way forward was to sell products through our own stores and an official online shop. Finally, when thinking about how to present the lineup within our stores in an accessible manner, we settled on the project name: Sunrise Spirits. 'The purpose of Sunrise Spirits is to serve as an entry point for both new fans and those who already have fond memories of Sunrise titles, and to maintain our lineup as a permanent platform. Thanks to our fans' passionate support, we have already expanded our presence to eight stores in Japan and another eight official Tamashii Nations store locations overseas, including New York City.' FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Considering the depth and breadth of Sunrise mecha anime, the Sunrise Spirits brand has its work cut out for it, but it's already well on its way to covering off some of the more major titles. 'We currently have seven products available for purchase, including five from 1980s-era series such as Dunbine, Dougram, and Xabungle (shown below), as well as Zegapain from the 2000s. In addition to developing this extensive lineup, we have also updated each product's key visuals to make them more appealing to a wider audience. The classic mecha Xabungle is also getting the Sunrise Spirits treatment. 'In addition, we also plan on adding Robot Spirits Villkiss from the 2010s anime Cross Ange to our lineup in 2025. There are numerous exciting animated series out there, so we plan to continue exploring product lineups that cater to different age groups while reviewing the status of existing items. 'We really want our overseas fans to enjoy the same purchasing experience and potential for discovery that are available to Japanese consumers. With characters becoming something of a global language these days, we feel it is important to offer both virtual and real-world entry points and touchpoints. 'In the years to come, we expect that continued internet and social media usage will result in decreased language barriers and a more border-free world. As manufacturers of physical goods, we believe it will be increasingly important for us to offer a platform where fans can purchase our products. Our goal is to create opportunities for consumers to experience, across numerous contexts, the reassurance of purchasing products on-demand directly from an official supplier. Additionally, with initiatives like the Sunrise Robot Laboratory, we can now explore new ways to present and share classic series. In 2025, Sunrise Spirits will feature products from both Walker Gallia and Xabungle. We look forward to people visiting our stores and checking out these exciting new releases for themselves. In the meantime, we hope fans will continue to enjoy and support our work.' Sunrise Spirits toy releases are currently available at the Tamashii Nations New York store as well as online via Amazon. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Fire Valkyrie From ‘Macross 7' Gets A Great New Toy This October
The upcoming DX Chogokin Fire Valkyrie from 'Macross 7'. Now that the majority of Macross is available in the West, the Fire Valkyrie from Macross 7 is getting the DX Chogokin toy treatment. Over the years, the Fire Valkyrie has been given numerous toys, even back when its host anime was released in the 90s. From Yamato's and Arcadia's 1/60 scale efforts, both of which were lovely, and the more recent and smaller Hi-Metal R releases from Bandai Spirits. However, the mainline DX Chogokin releases have dealt with other Macross series and skipped over Macross 7 until now. What's a bit different about this release, apart from its bigger scale and extensive use of die-cast, is that it affords a version of the face with its mouth open. You even get the missiles stored in the calves. The styling is also great, with the speakers in the shoulders being done very nicely. If all of this feels a bit strange for Macross, it's worth remembering that Macross 7 is a bit of a different beast compared to the rest of the franchise. In that, the emphasis in Macross 7 is squarely on music and its direct effects on aliens, in this case known as the Protodeviln. To be fair, this is very much in line with the original Macross, but most modern fans entered the fandom around the time of Macross Plus, which is more straightforward as to its narrative underpinnings. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder As such, Macross 7 can be somewhat divisive amongst the fans, but I personally love the series and its numerous OVA and movie spin-offs. The music is also great, with the band of Fire Bomber and its members having their own musically equipped variable fighters, being very much the stars of the show. The Fire Valkyrie, then, is an iconic design for Macross 7, and with any luck, we'll also get a Sound Booster set at some point (especially as the recent Hi-Metal R release did). Priced at 36,300 yen (or around $253 at the current exchange rate), it's definitely expensive but also similar in cost to other DX Chogokin releases from Bandai Spirits. Released in Japan this October, this DX Chogokin Fire Valkyrie is definitely something I will be picking up, and with any luck, it should come Westward too. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Upcoming Char Aznable Action Figure Came Here To Laugh At You
The upcoming Char Aznable action figure from Bandai Spirits. In a curious move, Bandai Spirits has announced a new upcoming Char Aznable action figure from Mobile Suit Gundam. The reason why this is curious is that while shows like Kamen Rider and Ultraman get loads of action figures, characters from mecha anime tend not to get the same treatment. I learned years ago from a representative at Bandai Spirits that when it came to mecha shows, people didn't tend to want figures of characters but more of the mecha themselves. The reason for this is that the mecha in these shows act as cyphers for the characters, so buying a toy of the mecha they pilot is the equivalent of also buying an action figure of the character. However, the big change now is that series like Mobile Suit Gundam have a much larger international market share compared to a decade ago. As with other releases, this figure will have a very wide range of articulation. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder My guess is that this Char Aznable figure is meant more for the international market to see if character action figures from mecha anime can have more traction abroad. Naturally, this Char Aznable action figure also ties neatly into the currently airing Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime, where he is featured as part of the backstory for the series. Char Aznable is also arguably one of the most iconic characters from the Gundam saga, so it makes sense that Bandai Spirits would start here. Admittedly, this is by no means the first mecha anime-related character action figure, but they are a rarity due to the reasons specified above, so this does stand out as a more strategic release from an international standpoint. As with other releases, the figure comes with all manner of gimmicks, from different facial expressions to the Newtype 'flash' effect. This Char Aznable action figure will be released this October and cost 9,900 yen (or around $71 at the current exchange rate). As for the whole Char meme, admittedly, that is from Zeta Gundam, when Char called himself Quattro, but it still feels appropriate considering how snarky Char can be across the Gundam franchise. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
Forbes
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Reideen The Brave' Is Getting One Of The Most Expensive Toys Possible
With Reideen the Brave celebrating its 50th anniversary, the classic super robot anime is getting a suitably golden celebrative toy. Specifically, U-Treasure is making two gold statues of the titular Reideen. The first is made of pure gold and is priced at 3,520,000 yen (or around $24,000 at the current exchange rate), only five of these will be made. The second and more affordable option is made from silver and coated in gold and costs 352,000 yen (or around $2,400 at the current exchange rate). The reason why this is in any way an actual thing, is because the dormant version of Reideen in the anime is colored gold. Only once it is activated and controlled by its pilot does it change color. Reideen the Brave is also a very important anime on a number of counts. It was technically the first anime to feature transforming mecha, with the Reideen transforming into its flight form of God Bird. It also had many of the production team that would go on to make Mobile Suit Gundam. From Yoshiyuki Tomino as its chief director to Yoshikazu Yasuhiko for its character and mecha design. The latter mecha design was also helped along by the team at Studio Nue, just like the original Mobile Suit Gundam, most notably by that of Kazutaka Miyatake. Reideen the Brave also helped to inspire the creation of RahXephon, which is something various Super Robot Wars games have referenced over the years by having the mecha team up. Even Yutaka Izubuchi, the writer, director and mecha designer for RahXephon referenced Reideen the Brave in its creation. Not to mention the premise of Reideen the Brave, that of ancient mecha being brought back to life by one of its descendants, also inspired shows like Giant Gorg, which also involved the creative talent of Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. This is why Reideen the Brave is something of a cultural icon, and its ongoing popularity has finally necessitated an actual gold toy. In any case, pre-orders for both versions of this toy started yesterday in Japan. However, if you want a more affordable and articulated toy, you should check out the various releases from Bandai Spirits. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
