Its Wabbit Season!!!

Third of February 2011 mark the beginning of a New Lunar Year for Chinese all around the world. Most of us knows that its the year of the Rabbit but how many of us actually knows the detail behind this Lunar Year? Here are some quick facts I found in the net:

1. The Year of the Rabbit is an erroneous translation. There are no native rabbits in China but there are 7 native species of hare. So the correct translation should be Year of the Hare.

2. The hare is the fourth animal in the 12-year cycle. The Vietnamese Zodiac which has similarity to the Chinese Zodiac has the rabbit replaced with the cat.

3. As of 2012, we are in the Metal Phase of "Wu Xing" (Five Movements/Phases/Steps/Stages, commonly known as the Five Element) so this is the year of the Metal Hare. It will take approximately 60 years for us to revisit the Year of the Metal Hare which is in year 2072.

You should check out wikipedia if you are interested to know more on the topic. With that, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.

Welcome Odd 2011!

Its the beginning of a new year and there are going to be some changes around here. First of all, I will try to work on a new look for this rundown blog of mine. Its been the same for more than 2 years and it can definitely use a face lift.

Secondly, I have decided to spend less time on scale modeling due to numerous reason. I know those stash wont build themselves but I have to set my priority. Going to miss it a lot but it is all for the best.

Last but not least, there will be more non hobby-related post starting this year. Its not that I am running out of topic to blog but it never hurts to have a bit of a variety. Its more refreshing that way.

With that, lets give 2011 all our best!

Max Factory Bio Fighter Collection #8 Neo Zx-Tole

After his humiliating defeat in the hand of Aptom and losing all of his comrades, Zx-Tole begs Doctor Barcus to reprocess him in hope of improving himself so that he can have his revenge. The abilities of all of his fallen comrades were spliced into him transforming him into a Lost Number. However, this new found power comes with a heavy price...


Zx-Tole was formidable Hyper Zoanoid before he was reprocess. Now, he is a rampaging monster bent on vengeance. He gains mass and now took on the physique of Derzerb.



If he looks like a Stag Beetle before, now he looks like a Stag-Rhino hybrid. Notice that most of the surfaces on this figure are reflective.



The primary weapon of Neo Zx-Tole is its beam weapon. The beam weapons are concealed in the forearms, thighs and forehead.




Next in line is Thancrus' high frequency blade. The blade is similar in nature to the Guyver's high frequency blade.



Concealed in his shoulder's are Gaster's biological missile. These missiles are created using Zx-Tole's own body mass.




This figure comes with a pair of transparent wings for Neo Zx-Tole. These are the exact wings used for Aptom and Zx-Tole. Neo Zx-Tole with its outstretched wings are really a sight to behold.




The most destructive weapon on Zx-Tole's arsenal is his Final Blaster Tempest. He absorbs heat energy from the sun and channel it to the cannon situated in his torso. In a bid of desperation, he fired the Final Blaster Tempest at Gigantic Guyver. The attack is so powerful that the feedback disintegrate Neo Zx-Tole, ending his tragic life.

Max Factory Bio Fighter Collection #7 Zoalord Gyuot

Gyuot was the first Zoalord introduced in the series and he is practically the first boss in the first arc. He is a tall, powerfully built man with a commanding presence. He is considered as the second strongest Zoalord after Archanfel.


This is Gyuot in his Zoalord form. His form tends to be more biological in natural compare to the other Zoalords.
 



The eyes, Zoacrystal and gravity orbs are made from a transparent material.


The sculptor took alot of efforts in crafting this figure. The detail is on every inch of this figure including the backside.





This figure comes with a pair of open palms. These make it possible to recreate all the action shown in the manga/anime.



Gyuot comes with a Unit Remover which is the bane of all Guyvers.








As a tribute, Max Factory has given Gyuot a set of armour which is befitting of a Zoalord. These armour was never shown on the manga or anime but the sculptor did a great job with it. Gyuot looks like a totally different figure with its armour in place.

All in all, this is another figure from the Bio Fighter Collection series that should not be missed.

Max Factory Bio Fighter Collection #6 Zx-Tole

Zx-Tole is the leader of the Hyper Zoanoid Elite Five under the wings of Zoalord Barcus. He share a similar profile to Aptom whereas no one knows anything about him. The Guyvers were overwhelmed by the Elite Five and they could have easily deal with the Guyver insurgent if not for the arrival of Aptom.


The Japanese loves Stag Beetle so it is no wonder that there is a Zoanoid that is pattern after it.






Zx-Tole is one of the tougher Zoanoid. He is covered in carapace from head to toe which is able to shrug off most of Guyver's beam based weapon.


This is the best figure for Zx-Tole so far and he is one of my favourite character.


Time for some action pose!




The bulk of the armor restrict most of the movement for this figure but Zx-Tole still looks menacing.



The horn concealed a head beam cannon. It is powerful enough to vaporize anything in its path. The arms and torsos concealed a smaller pair of beam cannons. Zx-Tole is armed to the tooth.


The elytra (hard exoskeletal wing) concealed a pair of transparent folded hindwings.



This figure comes with a pair of extended hindwings that looks gorgeous on Zx-Tole. The wings do not only give the ability of flight to Zx-Tole but also power up the Blaster Tempest by absorbing heat around it.



The strongest weapon that Zx-Tole poses is the Blaster Tempest situated on his abdomen. The cannon is open up by pressing a level at the back of the figure.

All in all, this is another excellent figure from Max Factory. My only issue regarding this figure is the lack of articulation but I guess you can't have both articulation and beauty at the same time.