Bandai is at the 2016 International Tokyo Toy Show, showing off some model kits from both their Star Wars and Dragon Ball lines. A 1:2 scale BB-8? More Battle Droids and Clone Troopers to make the wait even harder. And then another shot of S.H. Figuarts EPII Obi-Wan Kenobi. Whew.
For those who don’t listen to me go on and on about the Bandai Star Wars figure model kits on The Fwoosh YouTube channel, the next releases in the line are Clone Troopers and Battle Droids. Clones are due this month while the Droids come out in August.
The Clone Troopers include both Phase 1 and Phase 2 helmets, two weapons, and macrobinoculars. I already love the classic Stormtrooper model kit so I’m anticipating a lot of the Clones coming home to rest on my shelf.
The Battle Droid includes the STAP vehicle. Like the Figuarts, the droid itself can fold down to transport position. While the Figuarts version is awesome I think the model will be slightly larger to better fit the overall collection, but the addition of a vehicle bumps the price up to about $37. A little heavy for crazy army building but I can see a few of these in the toy room.
These mashups are included in the display but I’m pretty sure they are customs, showing the possibilities of the out-of-the-box model. Damn fine customs, though.
On the Star Wars vehicle model front, we’re finally getting a 1:72 scale Millenium Falcon, along with Poe Dameron’s X-wing.
Weirdest of all though, Bandai is displaying a 1:2 scale BB-8 model kit. We already have a 1:12 scale version, and it was a blast to build, but half scale? That’s crazy talk, mister. I would write this off as a display piece for the booth, like the 1:12 scale Vader’s TIE Fighter that we’ve seen a couple of times, but this BB-8 has a placard and everything. Of course, Bandai is Bandai and we’ve seen placards with more than a few Star Wars S.H. Figuarts figures in displays that have not yet seen the light of day. So we shall see.
But don’t let me fool you. If this does see pre-order I’ll be buying it. Still crazy, but I now need it.
And then there’s a line where I don’t know the property in-depth but it’s a figure model kit line so it’s on my list now. Dragon Ball Figure-rise.
The Figure-rise Standard and Mechanics Dragon Ball display is about the same as we saw at the Shizuoka Hobby Show. But Bandai did release this awesome commercial, giving more info on Series 2 and 3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mQcTZw_e0s
Poor Vegeta.
Series 1 is Super Saiyan Son Goku and Frieza and is coming this month.
Series 2 is Super Saiyan 2 Son Gohan and Cell.
Series 3 will be Super Saiyan 3 Son Goku and Majin Buu.
Finally, here’s another look at the S.H. Figuarts Star Wars EPII Obi-Wan. It looks like this release will also come with Qui-Gon’s lightsaber for some reason. Quit teasing and make with the Qui-Gon, Bandai!
Obi-Wan will drop in November.
Pics via Tag Hobby and Dengeki Hobby Web
Well, your positive tone made me buy 2 geo battle droids from Figuarts just now. ?
I’d like to think they will, but they haven’t done a lot of re-releases. Just R2, if I remember right.
Do you think they will ever do like a battle droid 2 pack, maybe in the orange brown color? These are more army builders than scouts and the molds are already there.
I’d love a 1:2 scale BB-8. Space can be a premium and it’s perfect for myself. I don’t need things like that 1:1 scale 🙂
And here I’m gonna contradict myself lol
Now that I think about it, I guess 1 foot takes quite a bit less room than 2 feet, so it would be kinda nice. Depending on how affordable it is, I might actually be interested in it.
A half scale bb-8?
Might as well go full scale at that point, but still, pretty dang awesome. Wondering what that price tag is gonna be like tho
And before you say anything, I’m not stupid, I know half scale is obviously half of the real size and saying “Might as well go full scale at that point” sounds kinds dumb, I just think that if you are going that big (about 13 inches), why not just go all-out? Half scale is just kind of an odd scale, and seemingly pointless if you ask me. Just go another half larger and bam, you got a full size replica. That’s just me though.
Yep, I totally agree..they should definitely put out a 2 or 3 battle droid set.. Since they’re so thin and small. We all would be happy to army build then.
In a perfect world they’d also make a set with like 1 or 2 Battle droids and 1 droideka.
I’m still hoping for a Biker Scout Only set, would also like to have a few more in my collection..
That Falcon looks good – I wonder how it will compare with the Fine Molds one. Even the reissue of that by Revell is pretty expensive on that so I’d be very interested on the price point…
Geeze, between that BB-8 and the new 1/72 Falcon, we’re all gonna have a hard time finding space for them haha
I’ve built the 1/144 Falcon, and that was a nice decent size… But I’m a sucker and will do the newer, larger version as well
That’s why I didn’t army build Biker Scout. I’m fine with a couple of them with their bikes. But battle droid are meant for army build. I got 4 figuarts, and if the Bandai were like $15 per unit I’d happily buy 8 of them. If they’re $37 with the vehicle I might buy one or two and that will be all, I guess.
I don’t know, I can’t help but compare it to the Biker Scout with Speeder Bike. I would have loved a few more Scouts but I don’t need that many bikes, and they never did a single release of the figure.
I hope the Battle droid is released later in a 2 units set. Otherwise it’s difficult to justify the model for almost the same price of a Figuarts, even including the vehicle. I’m fine with one of those, but I just don’t want a lot of them.
There seems to be more than a bit of reuse on the EPII Obi-Wan from the EPI version, and the EPI version came with Qui-Gon’s saber, so they may have just thrown it in here too.
I’m figuring the BB-8 is about 12 inches. The 18 inch JAKKS version is said to be a couple of inches short, so half that. Still, that baby would go on the coffee table in the living room. Or the dining room table. No room in the toy room so it has to go somewhere.
Edit: Just looked, the real BB-8 stands 2’2″, so half scale would be about 13 inches.
Going to need lots and lots of Clones and Battle Droids.
I’m all over each of these releases. I just got my A-wing model kit in the mail today, and after a quick peak at the parts it’s a super simple build. After that I’ll be getting a few of the Clones.
Please, please, please! let that 1:2 scale BB-8 be a real obtainable kit! What would that be like 18 or 20 inches? Maybe less.. I’m only guessing here.
I’ll also probably get quite a few of those DBZ kits.
Oh, and what’s up with the Figuarts Episode II Obi-wan having a green lightsaber?? This is the 2nd time (at least) he’s been shown at a show with a non-blue saber. The first time I just chalked it up as a probable error by whoever set up their booth… But now, again? Very weird