The Planet of the Apes Collection

Using metaphors to highlight human folly is a reliable and standard practice in sci-fi, but for some reason using apes helped the message hit closer to home. Perhaps because we know how similar to us they are genetically, and if evolution had taken a slight detour a few millennia ago...?
If ever you get the opportunity, stare into an ape's eyes and note what you find. There's a level of intelligence that you don't often see in 'lesser' animals.
With regards the films, parallels in how societies develop over time is an obvious thing for me to call attention to, but I know firsthand that something being obvious doesn't mean it's never overlooked, so I'm mentioning it.

Note: Links will take you to the relevant posts on the other Nut blogs (opens in new tab each time).

The Novel:
01. Planet of the Apes (1963) (aka Monkey Planet)

Original Films:
01. Planet of the Apes (1968)
02. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
03. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
04. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
05. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)

Television Series:
01. Planet of the Apes (1974)
02. Return to the Planet of the Apes (1975)

Remake Film:
01. Planet of the Apes (2001)

Reboot Films:
01. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
02. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
03. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

What I Have For James In My Silent Hill Collection

This is going to be conducted entirely downstairs, as it constitutes a catastrophic spoiler of the highest order for Silent Hill 2. As weird as it may be, I'm intensely grateful that I was exposed to the company that allowed it to be birthed. I cannot imagine a more fitting weapon for James, even if it didn't come from a seasonal Halloween chain.

Spirit Bloody Axe w/Holster ()

As usual, not perfect, but damn good enough. Once Henry has the Rusty Axe, you don't need anything else. Hyperbole, yes, but not by much. This is sold with a shitty vinyl holster that went straight into the donation pile. Don't get me wrong, it's serviceable enough to survive a Halloween or three, if you're careful, but I wasn't dressed as a woodsman that year. Yes, I did attempt Henry, wig and all. Of all of the Spirit accessories I've covered, this is the one that's safest to purchase online, as it has the most consistent paint detailing, across individual pieces. That said, the head is a fair bit squishy compared to those others.

Because of the spoiler-y nature of James', and the vagueness consequently required, I'll be linking it in here, to help direct traffic over there.

2½ Super Weapons Casually Left Amidst the Bar Peanuts out of 5

Silent Hill Homecoming Playing Cards ()

This set is a goddamn mess. A picture of the cards can be found below the cut, as they contain spoilers for the game. If you've played it, go down there and have a look before reading on. "Neg, you're only showing half of the cards!" Yeah, because the red suits are both the same, and so are the black suits. Lazy. Would anyone care to explain to me why only three of the bosses are present, and they aren't all on the aces? Why are two of the parents missing? Why is there a hammer? Why is that not Alex's combat knife or the Ceremonial Dagger? Where's my boy, Curtis? You think his circular saw is enough? You're wrong.

This is an insanely sloppy offering and the only reason I own it is because I like cards and I'm a fanboy. Also, because Silent Hill merch usually amounts to $300 (before shipping) statues with shitty face sculpts. Thanks Konami.

The 1 Boss You Omitted is My Favorite. GJGJ. out of 5

Kobalt 36" Hexagonal Wrecking Bar ()

Unlike the other items in my Silent Hill collection, this one is very real. That works in my head, given Alex's status as the most combat oriented protagonist in the series. I'm very used to scaled-down weapons, to the point that when I see props in actors' bare hands, it feels intensely alien to me. Undeniably awesome, but still alien. Consequently, it's pretty trippy to hold this. The weight is intense and the metal makes minute sounds when my fingers leave its surface. The kind of thing that has to be added in post, because it's waaaaay too quiet to capture on a microphone. I know the color of the one in-game is debatable at the very best, and entirely capable of making this one completely incorrect, at worst. It's all cool, mang.

I'd love to have an accurate Ceremonial Dagger, but that'd require hitting up a professional customizer, or more likely a straight-up prop maker. I'm good.

2019 Update: There's a Spirit Crowbar out there, this year. It's MUCH smaller than this one, though also much safer and cheaper. I can imagine it being an appealing proposition for many. I do think that if you're an adult and a huge Alex fan, this is still the way to go.

5 Proficient Porcelain Pryers out of 5

Why was this a 3, for years? I didn't say a single negative thing about it. I have problems.

Spirit Horror Double Axe (2014)

It's not at all a perfect replica, and the fire axe is a more apropos choice for Murphy, I fully admit. Yet, it was there in front of me, and I was taken with it. I could stand to bring it closer to form with some electrical tape, and I just might, at some point. I'll always respect the developers for not simply throwing a one-time use breakable weapon into the game as a pre-order bonus. No, the codes were leaked and result in your chosen pair of weapons being consistently strewn about town. Your decision lives in your game's meta-data until you delete it entirely, on the chance that you want to experience another of the three available sets. Good show! Back to the business at hand: as with the black detailing on Travis's hammer, the level of blood splatter and smudging varies WIDELY on these, and I consequently suggest even more strongly that you examine them in-store. The handle on this one has the least amount of coverage of any I've seen over the years.

The codes, other secrets, and spoilers can be found here.

3 Coattail Riding Nailguns out of 5

Spirit Foam Sledge Hammer ()

We might as well continue on today by rounding out the protagonists of Silent Hill's central storyline with a weapon for Travis Grady. This fine fine hammer is reminiscent of the ones found about town in Origins, even if it's the type designed to be used with one hand. It looks properly scaled at a glance (when not next to size references...) and takes up less room than a long-handled one would command. It's pretty awesome that way. It's also a sturdy core (metal rods perhaps?) covered by painted foam, and while I know that's very likely to degrade over time, it's absolutely perfect given that Travis's do the same! As with all of the prop weapons I'll be covering that originate from Spirit Halloween, the level of wash and paint detail will vary from piece to piece. If that aspect of the detailing is critically important to you, I recommend choosing one in-person, instead of ordering from their website.

3½ Stairwell Armories out of 5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:Leonardo('s) Katana (2015)

As with the Light Saber already in my Silent Hill collection, I care not for the actual origins of this piece. I was bought plenty of 'Turtle' toys as a child, but I've never had a real connection to the characters, emotional or otherwise. This is all orgasmically fitting, given that this is my weapon choice for Harry Mason, Heather's father. You know, that foul-mouthed, Beam Saber-wielding girl in the running for greatest character ever? I'm super pleased with this katana. There's a number of variants out there, Halloween props and otherwise. This one can be found at Party City, yes, but some of the tooling is actually toy-aisle worthy! The blade isn't bent, that's just how it's sculpted, as it's rather thick. It's costume accessory quality, but definitely at the high-end of that range. The hilt is what resides in Toy Town, as it's held together with screws! I know, I know, Hollywood-style square guard, but I'm not going to be rolling over it in the shadows. It's resting next to the Light Saber (in the same manner as my Spin Sword was stored, actually) and that's all it needs to do.

The price is overly steep, but at the time I thought it was completing my collection,  so I accepted it. Yes, this is a 2017 Update and they are still just as expensive. I'd honestly say pass, at this point, unless you specifically want it for its intended purpose. Otherwise, get this!

3½ Good, Then Bad (Or Was It The Other Way Around...) Endings out of 5

The Trilogies Collection

Who doesn't love a threesome? When it comes to film there's something oddly satisfying about a trilogy. If the first one is lucky enough to be a success then a sequel can build upon it or tie up any threads that were left hanging. A third film can serve as a timely farewell. Or may in fact exist solely to milk cash from completists.

Because what's below the cut is alphabetical, to make life simpler for myself I'm not including the titles of individual films. Instead, I'll put the title by which they're known collectively, followed by links that'll take you to the relevant post on the relevant blog (opens in new window each time). It's a BIG list.

Ultra Pro Screwdown Card Frames ()

These come in a few readily available configurations. I own singles, 1x3s, and this 2x3.

Pros:

• They wipe down quickly and easily, especially by hand.
• Larger ones have tabs akin to carded merchandise for hanging purposes.
• They come in some handy capacities for regular card collectors.
• the 3x3 is directly akin to a standard card sheet!
• singles are infinitely classy, especially as...
• Single-height frames can balance on acrylic display easels, yet...
• 2x3s and 3x3s CANNOT.

Cons:

• The screws can be a mite finicky, especially with larger, clear variants.
• So long as you don't over-tighten them, you can easily back them out and line up the halves of the frame again.
• The backs ARE open, but doubling up on cards will lead to damage.
• The guide squares are only a single-card deep.
• You can line them up, but the screwing process invariably misaligns them, inviting disaster.
• If you're okay with affixing cards back to back, as these are, go ahead.
• They don't seem to offer 1x6s for Sentai/Power Rangers purposes.

4 Across? I Can Think of a Few Rider Uses for Those out of 5

Miniature and Large Acrylic Display Easels ()

These are pretty indispensable for collections of many different flavors. If you need something to stand up, and it's small enough to not cause these to instantly fall over backwards, these are near perfect. I've used them to hold a few 1:12 scale weapons and accessories, but most prominently, I use them in conjunction with Ultra Pro Screwdown card frames. There are some cautions I must make in regards to both, however. Depending on the quality of paint on the former, and the average temperature of your display space, items can become slightly stuck to these. I've never had paint come off of the one piece of mine that this occurs with, but it easily could in a hotter climate, or on something bearing a lesser quality of paint/finish. In regards to the latter, single height frames work great. 1x3s are easily held with a single easel, but 1x4s may require two. I can't personally say. 2x3s and 3x3s, however, DO NOT work with these, even the larger variety.

You may be able to find these someplace that shares its name with the fourth Rider series of the Showa era~

3½ Vastly Under-appreciated MCU Movies out of 5

Goseiger Gashapon Headder Series 1:Visored Phoenix Headder (2010)

It can be seen attached to the Gosei Mic here.

It’s something that’s not focused upon often, but the Goseiger’s main Headders undergo a change when they’re summoned specifically to be attached to their Gosei Blasters or Microphones. The most consistent transformation entails the Headders’ visors sliding down over their eyes. Gosei Dragon’s mouth opens to a noticeable degree, but Phoenix is physically altered the most. Spiked protrusions raise up and the semi-circular design cues on the sides become more angular. 

The front of this gashapon release lacks black paint, but the same is true for the regular DX version, on Gosei Great. The side detailing is absent, as well, and no stickers are provided. However, it does have that purple sheen I adore~ There are wheels on the bottom and if you turn them (they don't catch well on surfaces), they make the mouth open and close. The Visored Headders are more things that are absolutely not necessary, but it should be pretty clear at this point that I simply cannot say no to Goseiger.

Availability is discussed below the cut.

2 Plex/Bandai/Toei Executives With Bigger Boners For Eri Than Even I out of 5

Go-Busters Gashapon Series 1: Yellow Buster (2012)

On a technical level, this particular vending machine rendition of Yoko is lacking. Part of my disappointment was admittedly the result of the ambient heat it was exposed to on its journey to the NegLiner. It was very gummy when I first laid hands upon it. It feels much more solid, now, but it's still a mite soft for my tastes. Positioning the supporting block by twisting her foot is of utmost importance, as if it's not at exactly the right angle, this will topple over readily, even if you set it down carefully. Her head is strangely on a swivel and comes apart in halves, even though it arrives already attached. It's entirely unnecessary, to be frank. I'd love to wax philosophical about this, as Brother Roberts of Bardic Broadcasts does with his statues, but I've done that enough. Plus, this isn't a pose that evokes her emotional and narrative significance.

It's really just kinda sexy, innit?

Sometimes That IS Enough Reason 2 Buy Something out of 5

Power Rangers Action Card Game Series #1-4 (2013)

Given that toku fans in the West don't have access to Dice-O machines, it was a serious boon (for those of us who like cards) that BoA saw fit to release the four waves of the Power Rangers Action Card Game. These not only reproduced some Dice-O cards, but also provided many Western exclusives! Best of all, some of them are straight up Gosei Cards!!! I'll list some notables below the cut, by wave, but I'll gladly mention the highlights for a Goseiger (and Shinkenger and Go-Onger) fan like myself:

• I like the female molds, but the male Ultra Megaforce molds are a bit too bulky, for me.
• Outside of sofubis and cell phone straps, Super female Shinkengers are hard to come by. I'm not sure a Super Kaoru exists, at all.
• The above may be the ONLY physical piece of Hyper Go-On Red merchandise.

Basically, for forms that are hard or impossible to get physical representation of otherwise—or for ones that exist unsatisfactorily to one's personal tastes—these series are great. Also, if you're in the market for the most central Gosei Cards. There is a place online selling a lot of these cards individually, if you look hard enough. Otherwise, I imagine you can think of something~

These cards will not fit in the Tensouder.

Gosei Cards do fit in the US version, however, for delightfully random effects.

4 Locked Doors Blissfully Dissolved Out of Existence out of 5

Gosei Microphone (2010) YES!

Phoenix Headder not included.

You can accept that this isn’t technically a role-play toy (it’s a toy instrument and voice modulator), or you can consider me a hypocrite. Either way is cool with me 😁 I’ve always not-particularly-secretly wanted this dumb thing, even if I’ve said things to the contrary to convince myself otherwise. There’s a mystique to it, as it only appears in the show’s ED. I have no idea why these are going for utterly insane prices, if they’re boxed. I paid a pittance for this one.

This is going to run excessively long as I’ve never come across an English review of it, outside of CS Toys' demo (Mr. S <3). I’ll see you downstairs, if you’re morbidly curious, but the short of it is simply that if Goseiger makes you feel ridiculously happy when you think about it, calms you, and gives you euphoric, transcendent feelings, then sure, you could grab one from Mandarake and be satisfied. Otherwise, no, of course not. Avoid it like the plague as most of the world already does.

3 Entirely Logical Alternate Pose-Orders out of 5

The Shinkenger / Power Rangers SamuraiRole-Play Collection

The Shinkengers' individual weapons don't combine in any traditional sense, but their powers are unified and fired via the Oozutsu Mode of Takeru's Rekka Daizantou, in the form of their Origami Hiden discs. While I don't personally feel that these discs are representative enough to justify purchasing the items with which they're packaged, some of those toys are worthy in their own right. Their changers are cell phones, but are creative efforts, and their mascot character functions not only as a DX robo, but also as a role-play lantern and jitte. The year-end super weapon does sport a combination and I think Bandai of America did it better. Outside of the changers and omissions, BoA did a commendable job. Still, this is another line that I feel necessitates the skills of knowing when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em, when to walk away, and when to run.

Changers:

01. Henshin Keitai Shodophone // Samuraizer Morpher
02. Henshin Keitai Sushi Changer // Samurai Morpher
03. Hiden Kaisekiki Inroumaru // Black Box Morpher

Gimmicks:

01. Hiden Discs (DX, Gashapon and Candy Toy)
02. Origami (Shinken-Oh comprises a complete set of Emblem Modes)

Side-Arms:

01. Hiden Saiseito Shinkenmaru // Spin Sword
02. Samurai Megablade (American Exclusive Cockpit Weapon)

Individual Weapons:

01. Two Mode Henkei Rekka Daizantou // Fire Smasher (BoA didn't make one.)
02. Water Arrow // Hydro Bow (discussed in the Water Arrow nut)
03. Heaven Fan // Sky Fan (Neither BoJ nor BoA made one.)
04. Wood Spear // Forest Spear (BoA didn't make one.)
05. Land Slicer // Earth Slicer (Neither BoJ nor BoA made one.)
06. Zangeki Kanjoto Sakanamaru // Barracuda Blade
07. Hiden Chochin DaiGoyou // LightZord

Super Weapon:

01. Hiden Sotenju Mougyuu Bazooka // Bullzooka

S.H. Figuarts Usada Lettuce (2013)

I did not reinforce Bandai for making incomplete teams. I purchased this after Sentai Figuarts were dead in the water, on SEVERE clearance. The only person who benefited from this purchase was me.

If your head is stuck, simply apply consistent, gentle pressure until it begins to move. It didn't seem to be an issue of being paint-stuck on mine, so I won't go into repair shenanigans and the like. The voice clips and the fact that the SSBL scales with Sentai Hero vinyls (which comprise my Go-Busters display) make it the winner in my book. This one is predictably packaged with Yoko.

UPDATE: If you're willing to base your scale on this stage show, the SSBL does kinda work with the Figuarts Yoko.

3 Not-So-Secretly Jealous Smart-Asses out of 5

The Reboots Collection

Some films didn't fit comfortably under the Remakes heading and are best described as Reboots. It's usually undertaken because the studio had run the original series into the ground but still wants to milk it, so they make it shiny and new with actors and actresses that are more appealing to a younger audience. (We're probably all thinking it, so I'll go ahead and say it: sometimes it means that men/women are hired based on looks rather than talent.)

There might be some duplication of titles that are currently in the Remakes post. That's because they're either confusingly both or I've not personally seen them and can't make a judgement call on where they belong. I'm happy to take advice and/or suggestions from folks, either in relation to "add this title," or "remove that one, prick!" Sincere thanks to anyone that contributes.

S.H. Figuarts Yellow Buster (2013)

I did not reinforce Bandai for making incomplete teams. I purchased this after Sentai Figuarts were dead in the water, on SEVERE clearance. The only person who benefited from this purchase was me.

The most premium of Yokos is pretty fantastic. The joints are tight and smooth. The ball joints on the wrists look and feel robust, unlike some subsequent Figuarts. I never had a huge problem with the Shinkengers' shoulders, but I have to admit that these are glorious in comparison. No gaps and no fiddling with floating parts. Her skirt is two overlapping pieces and even though the articulation suffers slightly in comparison, entirely removing the need to bisect her to change out for abysmal looking broken-up skirt pieces is more than a fair trade-off. Sometimes her head looks a bit squished and sometimes it doesn't. The arm joints are black, not yellow and silver, but those are moving parts and were going to be inaccurate one way or the other. Black is a prominent part of the color-scheme and they don't look out of place, to me, at a glance.

Overall, she's brilliant. With Sentai Figuarts, it's beyond the point of voting with your wallet. Vote with your heart from what was actually released.

Further details are below the cut.

4 Musings About Whether or Not A Houdini Damashii Would Fit on Her out of 5

NECA Cult Classics: Series 7: Beetlejuice (2008)

Seven inches of plastic that's SFW, unlike the character it represents; i.e. the titular ghost with the most as portrayed by Michael Keaton in the Beetlejuice (1988) movie. (There’s also a larger eighteen inch model available.) Besides the weird hairline, the face sculpt has some detail and looks decent in profile.

The best joints are in the neck and shoulders. The shoulder pins allow for the arms to be lifted, lowered or swivelled forwards and backwards to various degrees. The head can be spun around and tilted to look slightly up or down.

Elsewhere, his feet swivel 360 degrees at the line where hem meets boot top; it's very odd. There are holes on the underside but he comes with no stand.
His elbows and hands do the same 360 degree swivel motion as the feet.

The package includes a trio of accessories: two snakes and a copy of The Handbook for the Recently Deceased, all to scale. The snakes aren't bendable, but can be stuck inside his coat for shits and giggles. The book rested on an open palm turned upwards (as pictured) is the only way he can hold it.

2½ black and white candy stripes out of 5

Go-Busters Premium Logo Pin Badge (2012)

To my knowledge, there were only ever two premium items produced for Go-Busters, specifically. There's a few Ranger Key sets that include some of the characters, of course. I picked this up because, if I recall correctly, it set me back the exact same amount as the MBAF set. The scant benefits of loving an infinitely underrated series, I suppose~ Given what I got it for, I had no problem whatsoever with actually utilizing it. It was on my belovéd hoodie for a decent while and I even wore it to a job interview. I've been very pleased with it. It's a quality pin with a massive screw-on cap(?), so it won't be coming off of whatever you put it on, without a glorious fight.

The other premium item? A real camera strap for the Ichigan Buster. For years, CS Toys had at least one in stock, but they/it seem(s) to have sold. I can't believe someone actually paid ¥6000‎ o_O

4 Fashion Statements Actually Worth Making out of 5

Gosei Pink / Megaforce Pink Ranger Figure (2012)

The regular figure of Eri / Emma that BoA released is pretty swell. It stands like a champ, unlike her Super iteration. Also unlike that figure, this one comes with a screen-relevant card: her change card! The generic Headder on the Gosei Blaster is actually round and mushy enough to pass for all of theirs, except Mouné's. The Skick Shot may be completely white (take some pink and gold Sharpies to it), but it can combine with the others' weapons via friction and good will. If you need an articulated Eri or Emma, I definitely recommend this one. Even if I initially got it to match Yoko's Figuart, I quite fancy it on its own merits.

4 Sudden Realizations That She's Holding A Victory Charge Card out of 5

Go-Busters Buddyroid Hero Series 03:Usada Lettuce (2012)

The nice thing about Usada's R2-D2-esque design is that all of his articulated figures have the two points necessary to create the one pose of which he is capable. I.e.,  'arm' and head swivels. This one is lacking a bit of paint, but the visage of his associated Buster Machine is fully detailed, including the eyes. It comprises his back, if you don't know, which makes it all the more impressive that it's given proper treatment. I of course recommend his Super Sound Buddyroid over this, but if you're an even more absolute stickler for matching figures than I am, and have the Busters' Hero Vinyls, this will absolutely scratch that itch to satiation.

This line also has Nick, Gorisaki, and J. Their paint suffers a bit more than Usada's.

RH-03 out of 5 (Yes, I will do that whenever possible~)

Gashapon Ghost Eyecon Set 08: Kamen Rider Gaim (2016)

An explanation of the Eyecons can be found in Neg's first Ghost related post. I'll add only that they're approx 55mm in diameter, about the size of a small mandarin fruit or one of Henry Rollins' testicles [unverified claim]. It seems like they might comfortably take a knock or two and not fall to pieces; i.e. drop it on carpet and it should be fine, but drop it on concrete and there'll be tears.
The Gaim version, as featured in episode three of KR Ghost: Legendary! Riders' Souls! (2016), has an orange coloured iris, referencing Gaim's Orange Arms form. The other three sides are as you'd expect, with the number being R15.

For someone who really enjoyed Gaim and unashamedly likes clicky-clicky buttons (me on both counts), it's a fun and manageable addition to the shelf.

3½ grateful nods to Neg out of 5

The Remakes Collection

They suck, right? Mostly they do, but not always. In some cases your preference will depend upon which version you saw first. In others, there'll be a clear winner and only a fool would try to argue otherwise, which is not the same thing as loving something for personal reasons.

Below the cut is a list of films that are reviewed here on In a Nutshell and a few TV Miniseries that are reviewed over on Nut Box. The original/first version is on the left, with the remake/subsequent version(s) following. I'm not going to make a distinction between 'actual' remake and 'adapted from same source'. I'm sure I've missed some. Don't be shy. Point them out.

Neg's Tokusatsu Gimmick Collection

Gimmicks are the (usually) tiny trinkets of meaning found in most tokusatsu toylines. They’re designed to empty your wallet while seemingly filling your heart. Toei invariably justifies them narratively and emotionally, in worthy series, while Bandai inevitably packages them with gigantic hunks of plastic adult collectors would otherwise avoid like the plague, for all series.

Toku giveth and it taketh away (your money).

Rider
These nuts contain information and/or comparisons between tiers either above or below the cut.

          1. Rouze Cards (Blade)
                   A. DX cards
                   B. Rouze Card Archives (Premium)

          2. Fuestles (Kiva)
                   A. DX (Candy Toys discussed)

          3. Gaia Memories (W) 
                   A. DX
                   B. Gashapon
                   C. Candy Toy
                   D. Premium

Sentai

          1. Souls (Go-Onger) 

                   A. Engine Souls 

                           i.  Candy Toy

                           ii. DX

                   B. Change Souls

                           i.  DX

                   C. Special Souls 

                           i.  DX

                           ii. Gunpei Soul

         
          2. Hiden Discs (Shinkenger) 

                   A. Candy and Gashapon

                   B. DX

          3. Gosei Cards (Goseiger) 

                   A. Dice-O Cards (retail released cards discussed) 

                   B. Datas Hyper cards

                   C. Additional details are shared here. 

          4. Ranger Keys (Gokaiger) 

                   A. DX (Gashapons discussed) 

                   B. Candy Toy

                   C. Additional details are shared here.

Bandai of America Equivalents are linked below the cut.

Candy Toy Ghost Eyecon Set 1: Musashi (2015)

By pressing the button on the right side of Ghost Eyecons, you can flip through four images: An iris, its specific number or letter (here, 01), the facial design of the form it grants, and the symbol of its hissatsu. If you have open shelves, or pets that have free reign around your collection, these may become a cleaning issue given their lenses. I had to open every candy toy and gashapon Eyecon I received to remove detritus from inside, right out of the box (or bag). The biggest issue I had was with Musashi, however: the stickers were printed off-center. I was able to fix them, but it wasn't fun, or particularly safe.

In gashapon and candy toy Eyecons, those stickers (and the ones up top) are flat, not glittery and holographic like the DXs'. The print quality isn’t fantastic, either. The QC issues and the print quality are bad enough, but at this point I find the idea of the gimmick itself quite silly. Of course it has a lot to do with what I feel about what happened with the show after the first arc.

A list of the availability of DX Eyecons is below the cut.

They Had 1 Last Shot and They Blew It out of 5

The Ace Attorney Collection

The Gyakuten Saiban/Ace Attorney series spins the incredibly simple (and perhaps initially off-putting) concept of donning the well-tailored blazers of defense attorneys (and sometimes prosecutors) into something much more. The morality of these stalwart advocates, and the judicial system itself, is inevitably placed under the microscope, but it is done through the lens of its impact on those who entrust their lives to these men and women—characters that are often as hilarious as they are endearing and relatable.

The Phoenix Arc of the progenitorial gaming series has been covered completely on our sister site, Nut Load.

1.) Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright
2.) Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright — Justice for All
3.) Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright — Trials and Tribulations

Opinions on the music from the same era can be found on Nut Suite.

1.) Gyakuten Saiban Sound Box
2.) Gyakuten Saiban Meets Orchestra
3.) Gyakuten Saiban Meets Jazz Soul

The film has been tackled, here.

Neg's Rider and Sentai Figure Omnibus Collection

Over time, my collecting philosophy has come to center on one ideal: having physical representations of the characters most important to me. Hard drives will fail and files will become harder to find, but if I take care of my toy collection, it should outlive its delicate, intangible source material; it will be there to remind me of all I have learned from tokusatsu.

As Rider is very individualistic in nature, I am perfectly content picking and choosing which I want on my shelves. Conversely, because of the collective nature of Sentai, I endeavor to have my teams as complete as they possibly can be.

Above the cut, I will link to examples of popular categories of figures on the market, as I’ve provided summary material within these particular nuts. Below it, I will strive to relay as much information as I personally possess about viable options for matching teams and the availability of various Riders and their forms.

Vinyl Hero Figures - pragmatically static; good for those focused on shelves,
                                       not play.

Sofubi Hero Figures - smaller vinyl figures. Some characters and forms are
                                      'exclusive' to this line.

Ranger Keys - attempting to become the (premium priced) standard for Sentai.

Souchaku Henshins - Forebears of Figuarts. Decently articulated with
                                       removable armor.

Figuarts - The current standard of articulation and detail at the 1:12 scale.

S.I.C.s - Stylized takes on Rider designs.

American Figures - Sometimes America does what Japan won’t. 
                                    Don’t front on Bandai of America.

Gimmicks - Easily utilized in place of figures for series that have them for 
                      every character.

Self-Defined Representations - Sometimes you have to assign 
                                                           meaning to/create for yourself what the 
                                                           world simply will not.

The Assassin's Creed Collection

I'm of the opinion that it’s because of Ubisoft’s aggressive marketing that the Ass Creed games sell as well as they do, because, if truth be told, for the most part they really don’t deserve to. The stories are often a jumbled mess, spending more time attempting to set up contrivances than they do delivering any kind of cohesive pay-off. The games are sometimes broken, necessitating post-release patches to get them into a playable state. Some are even sold incomplete, requiring additional but 'optional' paid-for DLC to fill in blanks.
I can say all of that with some degree of certainty because I've played most of the main series. I'm consoled by the fact that I've put very little money into Ubisoft’s pockets. Because of the yearly release schedule, if you wait long enough (about twelve months) you can get them new for less than £10.00. The enjoyment I get from side-missions is certainly worth that much.

Video Games on Nut Load.
01. Ass Creed Series

Books and Comics on Nut Ink.
01. Ass Creed Series

Short films on In a Nutshell.
01. Assassin's Creed: Lineage (2009)
02. Assassin's Creed: Ascendance (2010)
03. Assassin's Creed: Embers (2011)

Neg's Sentai Mecha Collection Collection

Mecha are metaphors. They are the sincerest and most literal expression of the connections and convictions that exist between the members of teams actually worthy of bearing that moniker. The transcendent feeling that arises in me when I know that what’s combining is so much more than steel, fibreglass, and fabric, is nigh-indescribable.

These are the plastic embodiments of those machines (and spirits):

01. The Shinkenger Mecha Collection

02. The Goseiger Mecha Collection 
03. The Go-Onger Mecha Collection

04. The Buster Machine Collection
05. Digital Grade Imagin Gattai Kamen Rider Den-O Super Climax Form

Rest In Peace, Fujiwara Keiji-san.

Goseiger Gashapon Headder Series EX:Vulcan Headder (2010)

Thankfully, the only stickering required here is the central barrel and the nose. They were actually really good, considering they were tasked with wrapping around curves. The default sound is the jingle that plays when it's attached to the Leon Laser. Pressing the button ad nauseam (approx. 8 or 9 times) results in the "Summon Vulcan Headder" call-out. The DX version comes with the Leon Laser, and that's the only place it's used in the show, so this is solely for 100% Headder completion, in the absence of role-play toys.

I Appreciate That You Filmed 2 Unique Summoning Sequences, Toei out of 5

Goseiger Gashapon Headder Series 3:Groundion Headder (2010)

There's two main reasons you'd get this Groundion Headder. One is if you lost your DX version. Woe is you. The other is if you wanted one with an LED light. There is a third, hidden reason: you received it as a gift from an ebay seller and actually like how it allowed you to sell your Gosei Ground, with no regrets. I use it on my Gosei Great and I feel complete. Look at the Dragon Headder making the sword resemble a Tensword. Well, more specifically, the sword to which the Miracle Dragon Headder was originally affixed. ACES.

This is VERY grey, and the button for the LED isn't screen accurate. You can cobble it into a head for Ground Gosei Great, but don't.

There's 1 Person Out There Who Thinks Any Given Thing is Perfect out of 5

Final Form Ride Series 00 and 06:Kamen Rider Decade and DiEnd (2009)

If I dislike Decade so much, why did I buy any of the toys? Well, back then I still had a lot of optimism. I was deluding myself about OOO, and Fourze hadn't yet threatened to ruin Rider for me. Considering how much I liked so much of the rest of the Heisei era, it was almost a given I'd like Decade, and so I bit on these, because they were cheap. And, they are cheap figures. They don't transform like the rest of the line; their articulation approximates Souchaku Henshins. There is a charm to them, however. They aren't trash. They're reminiscent of American action figures and consequently a bit nostalgic. Don't ask them to do idiotic things like hold the Figuarts Blade Blade and you'll be fine. 

Their accessories are detailed below the cut.

3 Squid Thieving Bastards out of 5

Power Rangers Super SamuraiMega Bloks Blind Bag Series 2: Bulk (2012)

It's a Mega Bloks mini-figure. Wait, is that a Lego term? Don't care. You don't buy these for articulation. You buy them for the cute factor or because you like mini-figures. I bought a fistful, BECAUSE SHINKENGER. It's like a law. Nothing against Bulk, AT ALL, but that's not who this is on my shelf. You know Richard Brown? Why's he wearing blue, you ask? Well, who trained him? Uh-huh. Yep, this is my Shinken Brown figure. Awww, yeah.

3 Identity Revealing Jackets out of 5

S.H. Figuarts DaiGoyou (2011)

One of my life goals is to avoid discussing Shinkenger figuarts as much as I possibly can.* What? People reviewed Masterpiece Ratbat by itself! You're not getting DaiGoyou's humanoid form, and his head isn't even popped up, but outside of having a gigantic actual paper lantern reminiscent of him (which are out there), you aren't going to find another one that'll sit well with your figures. Unless you're alright with the Lightzord likely towering over them, that is. Whether it's with your Figuarts or any other 1:12 scale and below efforts, this guy will look fantastic.

4 Awkwardly Hilarious Interviews out of 5

*He comes with SHF Shinken Gold. The above figures are covered here.