Devilman Dynamic Classics (S.H. Figuarts)

Devilman is the eponymous hero of an anime series created by Go Nagai. Also known for creating Mazinger Z, Getter Robo, and many other classic anime and manga series Go Nagai took Devilman to darker places.

Devilman is a demon who has taken possession of a human teenager but fights against his brethren. In the anime since it was aimed at kids they basically treat Devilman like any other henshin hero except that his human identity is a big jerk and the monsters he fights are hella grotesque.

The manga series from the same time was WAY darker and much more disturbing. And from what I gather all the later incarnations of Devilman are more akin to the manga than the anime. So I'll stick to the zany ridiculousness of making a kids show about demons fighting each other where the horror is reasonably tame. 

She-Ra (Masters of the Universe Classics Club Grayskull)

For the honour of Grayskull! Adora uses the Sword of Protection to transform into She-Ra, Princess of Power! A former Force Captain in Hordak's Evil Horde Adora learns she is the twin sister of He-Man and can wield the mystic powers of She-Ra in service of the Great Rebellion.

This figure comes from Super7's continuation of Masters of the Universe Classics which is more focussed on the designs from the Filmation cartoon series and since that's my main connection to this world I'm all for it. I got on the train to Etheria a bit late so the earlier Mattel releases of She-Ra were much harder to come by so I'm extra happy to be able to add this version to my collection.

Fancy slipcover over the box.

Freddy Freeman (DC Universe Classics Signature Series)

The only superhero who can't say his own name...

"Lame Newsboy Freddy Freeman says the name of his idol and is transformed into Captain Marvel Jr." *Sigh* One would think that by the early eighties they would have rephrased that...

Ok, so I was quoting (from memory) the opening narration of the 1981-1982 Filmation Shazam! cartoon. Freddy Freeman himself first appeared in 1941 where Captain Marvel rescues him from Captain Nazi who had just murdered the young newsboy's grandfather and only living relative. Freddy needed a crutch to walk in a very "Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol" kind of vibe and was dying of his injuries sustained in the Nazi attack prompting Billy Batson to share some of his magic lightning and when Freddy Freeman says "Captain Marvel" instead of "Shazam!" he becomes the blue suited Captain Marvel Jr. 

Beethoven Ghost & Benkei Ghost GC-06 (Ghost Change)

Another Unlikely Duo!

Here we have the Benkei and Beethoven Ghost set for Kamen Rider Ghost. I was certainly surprised (but intrigued) when Ludwig van Beethoven was included as one of the historical figures to lend his "powers" to Kamen Rider Ghost. Perhaps less shocking is that this form didn't get used as much as some of the other more combat oriented ones. 

Benkei was a warrior monk who became part of Japanese folklore for his strength and devotion to honour. These two forms share a bit more of a monochromatic colour scheme. I'm not sure if that was intentional in pairing them up or if it was more related to the order in which they appeared on the show. But it was a mildly interesting factoid that jumped out of my brain. 

(Beethoven Ghost)(Benkei Ghost)

Samurai Leonardo (Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012)

Heroes in a Half-Shell! And Samurai Armour!

I really enjoyed the 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series but was able to resist picking up any of the figures until the final season's "Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" gave us an awesome Usagi Yojimbo figure. 

And since the (nonexistent) toy gods were conspiring against me and I saw all four of the Turtles in their Samurai gear at once I scooped them up which gave me enough of a "completion" vibe to satiate the collector lust. The articulation is better than the original TMNT figures from the 90's but not to the level of say Marvel Legends or other larger scale figures. But they are a fun little slice of nouveau nostalgia (patent pending). 

Buzzsaw Hordak (Masters of the Universe Classics)

Leader of the Evil Horde (Who calls us that?!) Hordak is second only to Skeletor in terms of cartoon villain coolness. This figure is an update of an action feature variant of Hordak's vintage figure. He's basically the same design as vintage Hordak but now his chest opens and a crazy double buzz-saw is revealed. This is a pretty subtle variant so I'm on the fence about whether or not I need to track down the original release of MOTUC Hordak or not. This guy definitely does the job of representing a non-Filmation Hordak.

In terms of Masters of the Universe I'm more of a She-Ra fan than a He-Man fan so I've definitely gravitated toward the Princess of Power and Evil Horde figures. For the cartoon Hordak's colours were brightened and his design streamlined a bit so it's neat to see him be more foreboding and sinister.

Thunderbird 5 (TakaraTomy Tomica)

Thunderbird 5 is the orbital monitoring station for International Rescue, generally staffed by John Tracy.

It's a very 1960's conception of a space station and provides the initial set up to many episodes of Thunderbirds. These little Tomica vehicles are very nicely detailed and decorated, pretty close to perfect versions of International Rescue's fleet.