Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

To all our readers and supporters thank you for a all your support in 2010 and as such, from all of us here at ODU we would like to wish you a belated Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Despicable Me

I'm sure many of you are wondering what has suddenly happened to ODU? well before I start my review of the movie despicable me lets just say Hiroki has been banned till next year, we thought he was getting a little too crazy :). Now for those of you that don't know me I'm the resident movie buff.

Now onto the review so today I watched the movie despicable me and I LOVED IT, I haven't seen such a funny animated movie in years. But I suppose you shouldn't expect less from actors such as Steve Carrell (Evan Almighty), Jason Segel (How I met your mother), Julie Andrews (Sound of music) and Russell Brand.

So that I don't ruin the movie I will just summarise the plot. The movie is about Super-villain Gru who wants to steal the moon so that he can be the best villain, but he can't until he gets a loan from the Evil bank. Unfortunately they will not give him a loan until he retrieves the shrink ray, so to retrieve the shrink ray he discovers he needs the help of 3 little orphaned girls who he adopts.

Now for those of you who finally can control the power of analysing everything as a result of high school English, the movie will keep most people entertained and of course there are parts of the movie where you may think duh!! that was obviously gonna happen, but overall it was an entertaining movie which was funny to watch and it kept me hooked even though the credits.

Tosaka Rin 1/7 Scale PVC Figurine

Hot on the heels of the recent release of Saber - Triumphant Excalibur, Good Smile Company has now announced they will be releasing a Tosaka Rin figurine next year.

The proto-type of this figurine was around since last year, but Good Smile has revealed very little until recently.

Proto-type has no command spell on Rin's right hand

When these images were released, I really hoped that this will be on the "Coming Soon" list. As expected of Good Smile, the level of detail on this figurine is nothing short of fantastic. Fast forward to 2010, and Fate Stay Night fans should be happy about this release. I know I am, and will be purchasing this when it comes out.

Even though this figure is said to be released in May 2011, as with Good Smile, I'm not expecting it to be released until around August 2011. The reason why I say that is that Saber Lily and Saber- Triumphant Excalibur were both delayed by a few months. I don't really mind waiting as long as the final product lives up to expectations...which I know it will.

 

 

 

 

Command Spell visible

Another feature of this figurine is that the hand is also interchangeable. You can have Rin hold the pendent as in the image above, she can have the gems as well as the Azoth sword. I prefer to have the pendent, as that is synonymous with Rin.

MG Deathscythe Hell first preproduction shot

Fresh from my HTC Desire... sexiness I found this shot while blog surfing on my phone my girlfriend's internet connection being cut left me with this option only but hey I like this more cellphone blows will be on their way once I get the ropes of this app.

EDIT 4/12/10:

Now I'm really digging these wings. They extend and can be posed upwards for more dynamic posing

And of course the shroud mode!

Iron Man anime

I am currently nine episodes into this anime. I have to give credit to Marvel for this one because to impress an otaku like myself with an American superhero turned anime series is a pretty mean feat. Apart from the weird Mista Starku (Japanese people attempting to say Mr Stark) this series actually rocks! Okay without spoiling too much the basic plot is that Stark is ready for retirement and is handpicking a task force of Iron Men to wear the Iron Man Dio mass production suit.

As part of the reform of Stark Industries, Tony Stark begins a plan to build arc reactors all around the world to provide the next generation with an environmentally sustainable free energy source. The first nation to have this system installed is Japan. It is in Japan that Stark has to face the challenges of a public questioning his motives and at the same time protect them from harms way.

I love Stark's car its fast, has weapon systems, auto pilot and also a spare fully operational Iron Man suit

WATCH THIS ANIME NOW!!!!

PG Strike Freedom Decals

Hiroki is a happy man! Bandai have given the builder a choice of marking from either Eternal or Arch Angel decals. Its quite obvious which one I'm choosing!

RG Char Zaku.... The Unboxing

Only released two days ago in Japan this kit is showing as much promise as the Gundam release! True to the Real Grade line of products this one really is quite a stunner!

Shots from the manual

The parts and inclusions

Now this was a pleasant surprise it even comes with its own display platform!

Hiroki is hoping this is the boxart for the PG Strike Freedom!

Seems like this little blog has some persuasion power afterall! Earlier on I posted comments about being turned off by the box art seems like theres another version out there and I like it please please please be the official one!

Hiroki needs help!

Althoug heavily disputed I accept this to be the ending for the Gundam Seed TV series. I have decided that my PG Strike Freedom will have ZAFT decals instead of ORB ones. The thing is I need MG Freedom decals hahaha I only need the Eternal01 one. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I can't seem to find them on Ebay or Hobbyco and Hobby Dream help will be greatly appreciated!

WANTED BY HIROKI

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE DECALS?

MG Deathscythe Hell

I'm sure many will be pleased about this little piece of news! The MG Deathscythe Hell was confirmed after the recent Deathscythe release. This Gundam's origin was from the Endless Waltz OVA its an awesome design which has stayed in my top ten of favourites for a long time! This MG release is scheduled for a February 2011 release.

While you guys are waiting for this release I shall treat you guys to my own 1/100 HG Deathscythe Hell!

Complete PG Strike Freedom Frame!

Peace is derived from the one who pilots a Gundam with a frame made from 24k gold!

Bring in the bling!

sexy from the front to back

The articulation and frame details are crazy, Bandai has increased the bar for PG releases once again!

Hiroki is watching Gundam 0079

I always wanted my own copy of this classic! I was more motivated recently to get it after watching the second Unicorn movie and building my RG. I find the gripping suspense and storytelling of 0079 to be much better than newer series. Char has always been a character who has captivated me and many other self proclaimed otakus. I'm looking forward to watching more of this anime I'm five episodes into it right now and absolutely loving it! The rivalry between Char and Amuro is building up!

Hmm I wonder where this iconic attack was reused recently? Hehehe

Gundam UC: Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Movie 2: The Red Comet- Marida Cruz screenshots

Many of our readers seem to have an interest for Marida Cruz so I posted pics of her in all the different costume changes she had in the movie. However as this movie focused on Full Frontal aka the Second Coming of Char her screen time was cut compared to the first movie.

PG Strike Freedom final presentation!

The kit now has decals and it seems like the golden inlets on the wings are staying. At first I didn't really like them being there but they rubbed off on me after playing Another Century Episode R (which I may write some comments on some time later).

MG 00 Qan[T] pictorial review

The 00 Qan[T] has been released for sale now! Fiona from Hobby Dream has told me it would be in stock next week. A few Japanese reviews have been released now, I grabbed the best points from each review and came up with my own review for the kit based on my experience as a gunpla builder.

Box Art

I love the art its magnificent theres so many things going on in the background it truly depicts an epic mobile suit casually flying by in an intense battle zone.

Runners and Decals

True to the MG range the colour seperation is done pretty well the silver/grey like frame colour is a refreshing change from the traditional grey used in MG kits.

Frame

The frame is based from the MG Exia frame but this one is more ariculate than its predecessor



Replication

This announcement was a sudden surprise I had my suspiscions at first if this kit would shave any corners in terms of details. To me it has minimal panel lining which I don't like but given that its from the 00 series these shortcomings can be forgiven because the designs are simplistic in natue.

Articulation 



A feature of the 00 series kits is that they are highly posable (of course except Virtue, Seravee and Raphael), this tradition has been carried on with this latest MG release it can crouch, kick and also do the splits (the first time I've seen this happen in a MG kit)!

 Gimmicks and inclusions

The shield can be posed to replicate the deployment of Setsuna's GN Bits

Its not a MG without the little pilot figure!

Similar to the GN Drive from the MG Exia this one lights up too

The machine does not belong to Setsuna if it doesn't have blades! (I like thetransparent green)

The GN bits have handles and can be posed with the model

The GN Bits can form a buster sword or buster rifle although the model can carry the weight of the combined weapon by itself a stand (which is included) is needed if you want to pose it in a more dynamic action pose.

The Qan[T] has one GN drive on the back of the unit and one inside the shield this is how the twin drive connects when Qan[T] uses it's Quantum System which is a superior technology which suceeds the Transam Burst system used by the 00 Raiser.

In Quantum mode the Qan[T] purges many armour pieces and the GN condensorrs pop out to amplify Setsuna's quantum brainwave activity.

Verdict

The Qan[T]'s main attraction is its GN bits which offer a wealth of dominant and powerful poses unfortunately posing them as GN Bits (either as floating pieces or for the Quantum System isn't posible without further modifcation. Considering that it is a MG release, the model doesn't even come with its own stand! They should have include a stand similar to the Robot Taimashi figure series.

 However as a whole this kit is a worthy member for the MG stable. It is detailed, has many inclusions and is highly posable I would give this kit a solid 7/10