Robotech - LISA HAYES!

Robotech - Action Figures Series 2 (Macross Saga) - Lisa Hayes - Toynami 2021

Being a Robotech fan and collector can be really problematic for me. I loved all three chapters of the Robotech Saga so much. I love that the story spans generations, three different alien invasions, and introduces us to tons of unique and interesting characters. Those characters are what make it for me. Without them it would just be like Top Gun in space. And I think a lot of fans would agree. But when it comes to the toys, it seems like 90% of the focus is on the transforming planes and motorcycles. In the show, these vehicles create a great dimension to the battle scenes and are very cool in their own right, but when that becomes the focus of all the toys, especially in lieu of the human characters, I get bored quick. There as been a pretty steady flow of Robotech merchandise over the years, but this current Toynami series is the first to focus on humans in more than 30 years. It's long overdue. Lisa Hayes is the Commander of the SDF-1 Battle Fortress and a very deserving of more toys. Let's check her out below!

Robotech - CLAUDIA GRANT!

Robotech - Action Figures Series 2 (Macross) - Claudia Grant - Toynami 2021

When the first Toynami Robotech 3.75" action figures came in 2018, I immediately developed a huge wishlist in my head. I'll admit the top of my list was characters from Robotech: The New Generation, but with the hunch that they would stick to The Macross Saga, my number one wish was Claudia Grant. Claudia was an impressive character. She was third in command of the SDF-1 Battle Fortress under Captain Gloval and Commander Lisa Hayes. Lisa was rather stiff and by-the-book, but Claudia was more relaxed and confident and all the other women on the bridge looked up to her. She wasn't all business though. Claudia had an intriguing relationship with bad-boy pilot Roy Fokker. It was also very rare to see a woman of color in action-based animation back in 1985. I can only think of two others: Astrea from Space Sentinels and Lt. Uhura from Star Trek the Animated Series (FYI Netossa come in 1986). Overall she was a standout in a huge cast and it's amazing she finally got a toy. Let's check out Claudia below!

Robotech - LYNN MINMEI!

Robotech - Action Figures Series 1 (Macross Saga) - Lynn Minmei - Toynami 2018

I really love animation. Especially properties from the 1970s and 1980s. And even if a movie or show is terrible, I still usually find find some silver lining and appreciate the overall effort. Consistently though, my biggest issues have revolved around music. Specifically when a character or characters sing an irritating song. My number one example is Rankin and Bass's Return of the King from 1980. The music makes that film (almost) unwatchable for me. A close second is Lynn Minmei's song stylings in Robotech. In the show she is a beauty pageant contestant and pop star in Macross City.  The memories of those songs still make me cringe. Although I must admit I recently rewatched the whole series on Netflix and for the first time I was able to sit all the way though her performances. Minmei is the only figure from the 1985 Matchbox line that I never picked up, so I'm super glad we got this great updated figure in the first wave. And she's actually wearing my favorite outfit of hers. Let's check her out below!

Robotech - MIRIYA!

Robotech - Action Figures Series 1 (Macross Saga) - Miriya - Toynami 2018

Robotech is one of those 1980's properties that was just way ahead of its time. In fact, I honestly didn't appreciate it until the mid-90s while it was in heavy syndication on the SciFi Channel (and later Cartoon Network). Robotech is composed of three independent Anime series edited into once long multi-generational space odyssey - which is blasphemy for anime purists, I know - but it was my first real exposure to Anime so I will always adore it.  In the mid-80s there was a commendable toy series from Matchbox and Harmony Gold. It was missing tons of core characters, but it included at least five females from across the three chapters. The problem is that all the figures had really weird headsculpts. They made early GIJoes look like masterpieces. Surprisingly it took 33 years to get new action figures, but they are gorgeous so it was worth the wait. Now I just want a Lisa Hayes and Claudia (Not to mention all the characters from the Masters and New Generation). Let's check out Miriya below!

UNKL DC Comics Heroes & Villains - HARLEY QUINN!

UniPo DC Heroes & Villains - Blind Box Harley Quinn - UNKL/Toynami 2013

My Harley Quinn collectibles hobby has been booming lately. It seems like every time I head into my comic shop or Hot Topic there is another little red and black jester taunting me. I first saw this UNKL Harley Quinn a few years ago in the Toynami booth at ToyFair 2013. For me it was an easy pass. I thought these figures looked like a bizarre cross of Funko Pop and Mighty Muggs with the facial stylings of Beavis & Butthead. Then I waited for her to show up in stores (just to solidify my criticisms in person). She never appeared. The preorder dates on websites kept being bumped later and later. I started getting mildly obsessed with finding her. Then finally a couple weeks ago I was picking up a few Dorbz at Hot Topic and I saw the UNKL blind boxes. There was a sale. It was destiny. I bought one with fingers crossed. It was my lovely Harleen. Now I'm kind of obsessed with this odd little addition to my collection. She's definitely ugly, but in a quirky way that I can get down with. Let's check her out in detail below!

Skelanimals HARLEY QUINN!

DC Skelanimals 3" Vinyl Figures - Series 01 - Marcy/ /Harley Quinn - Toynami 2014
 
I've been impressed with Toynami's Skelanimals line since I first discovered them many years ago at a Hot Topic.  This was before skulls became a popular mainstream design motif on kids' clothing so it was something of a shock to see a plush cat skeleton.. especially a cute one.  I intended to buy them for all my friends' little babies, but every time I either couldn't find them or had second thoughts about their appropriateness for a 2 year old.  I actually just wanted one for myself, but couldn't justify having a stuffed animal amongst all my "super mature" collectibles.  Then at Toy Fair last year I finally saw a perfect Skelanimal for my picky sensibilities:  The Harley Quinn 3" Vinyl figure.  It took forever for her to be released and ever longer for me to find her in store, but she was worth the wait.  Now I can't wait to get all those upcoming DC Hello Kitty products so she's not so lonely in her adorableness.  I didn't realize till I had her in my hands that the 5 figures in Series 1 are all existing Skelanimal characters dressed up as DC Heroes.  In this case Marcy the Monkey is dressed as Harley (the curly tail tipped me off).  Let's check her out!

Thundarr the Barbarian's ARIEL!

Princess Ariel - Hanna-Barbera's Thundarr the Barbarian - Toynami 2003
 
Thundarr the Barbarian is easily one of the coolest cartoons I've ever seen.  The setting is a post-apocalyptic Earth in the year 3994 AD where a runaway comet nearly collided with the planet but instead broke the moon in half and drastically altered the climate and geography of Earth.  The civilization that emerged in later millenia was steeped in sorcery, hyperscience, mutations, and barbarism.  The show began in 1980 and ran two seasons with 21 total episodes.  A standard episode consists of Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla the Mok arriving on horseback to a recognizable human landmark (NYC, Mt. Rushmore, Seattle, etc) where they help resolve some form of injustice (a'la the A-Team).  It combined so many different facets from so many different properties that it was hard not to enjoy it.  Princess Ariel is a Sorceress with a mysterious past (mostly just because it was never explained).  She talks a lot of her stepfather's library where she learned about magic and the history of Earth.  Because of this, she leads the educational tone of the show (in historical geography at least).  Let's check out this gorgeous figure below.

The I-Men Collection GRAVITY GIRL!

The I-Men Series - Adventure Superstars - Series 2 - Gravity Girl - Toynami 2002

I always thought this would be a weird little figure to review, but I'm extremely fond of her and I somehow doubt we'll ever see this character in plastic again.  From 1967-69, Hanna-Barbera produced an amazing cartoon segment called Birdman and the Galaxy Trio.  The half-hour segments consisted of two Birdman cartoons with a Galaxy Trio short in the middle.. each being between 6-8 minutes long.  I loved the Galaxy Trio.  The team consisted of three extra-terrestrial superheroes travelling through space and finding adventures - each of the three harnessing an elemental-type power which coincided with their names: Vapor Man, Meteor Man, and Gravity Girl.  The cartoons were simple, fun, and classic.  In the early 2000's, Toynami produced an amazing array of action figures based off some of my favorite properties of all time (ie.. Classic Silver Age Hanna-Barbera Super-Heroes).  I really wish we could've seen these characters in 6" scale, but these early block-figures are still great.  Let's check her out below!

Toynami's EMILY THE STRANGE!

Emily the Strange: Problem Child Action Figure - Toynami 2004

Emily the Strange is one of many characters that had somewhat humble beginnings as a simple company mascot only to explode into a merchandising goldmine.  Domo and Hello Kitty are prime examples of what can happen when a mascot takes on a life of its own.  Emily began as a sticker illustration advertising the clothing brand Cosmic Debris Etc, Inc, which was founded by artist and skateboarder Rob Reger, racing car driver Matt Reed and Nathan Carrico (Emily's designer).  She has since grown to become the darling of the Hot Topic generation, a fashion icon, a comic book star, and a future film bigwig (movie in production now).  These "Action figures" produced by Toynami  were released in 2004 during a particularly popular time in her life.  I put Action Figure in quotes because, despite the label on the package, these are more of a hybrid doll/figurine and hardly have any of the qualities we associate with action figures.  Nonetheless, it's a pretty great toy and a perfect likeness of little miss grumpypants herself. 

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - OTHER BRANDS!

Bandai (SHFiguarts) - Toynami - NJCroce - McFarlane - Little Mates

The Herculoids TARA!

Hanna-Barbera's Herculoids Heroine from Toynami 2003

The Herculoids are quintessential 1960's Hanna-Barbera.  I wasn't exactly born yet when the original episodes aired, but I was around for their reincarnation in 1981.  This early era of Hanna-Barbera adventure titles spawned such classics as Birdman, the Galaxy Trio, Space Ghost, Mighty Mightor, Blue Falcon, Jonny Quest.. the list goes on and on.  I'm rather addicted to these old classic cartoons and pretty much buy every box set they release on warnerarchive.com.  The Herculoids star a family of (seemingly primitive) adventurers on the planet of Amzot and their beastly companions as they defend their world from various threats.  It's simple adventure entertainment at it's best.  Toynami is an amazing toy company.  Every toy I have from them is extremely well made, playable, and perfect likenesses of the characters they are meant to represent.  Some of their brilliant past licenses include: Voltron, Robotech, Thundarr, and of course, Hanna Barbera.  Check out the full review below!