Figure Review: Pirate Hunter Zoro from One Piece FigLife! by Bandai Namco/ Banpresto

 

   Before joining the Straw Hats, Roronoa Zoro was know as Pirate Hunter Zoro. A fearsome bounty hunter an an expert swordsman, Zoro is also a noble and kindhearted man who goes out of his way to rescue a young girl from the vicious pet wolf of Helmeppo, the son of the dishonorable Marine captain, Axe-Hand Morgan. While the Marines plan to execute Zoro (or simply just allow him to die), they lie to him by telling him if he stays tied up to a pole for a month they'll let him go and he'll have earned their respect. It's while tied up that Zoro meets Monkey D. Luffy and is asked to join his pirate crew. Initially Zoro declines but after he learns that the Marines are planning to execute him, the Pirate Hunter changes his mind, is rescued by Luffy and Koby, and joins the crew, getting his revenge. Zoro tied up to a wooden pole is really our first introduction to the character and a pretty memorable image. I was pretty interested in this figure (non-articulated) when I saw him go up for preorder and I picked him up about a month or so ago from my local GameStop. It wasn't until I had him in hand and started taking pictures that I realized that something is missing: The crossbeam that Zoro's arms are tied to. Where is it? It turns out that this figure of Zoro is actually a pencil or pen holder. No, I'm serious! As I've mentioned in previous reviews of the statues from Bandai Namco and Banpresto, they have multiple product lines for these non-articulated figures and this one is called One Piece FigLife! What's that mean? These are figures/ mini-statues that also function as a desk accessory in some way. There are paper clip trays, smartphone stands, and pencil and pen holders. So that's why the crossbeam for Zoro is missing; you place your pencil or pen there! Interesting. Let's check this one out after the break and see how a One Piece office supply turns out...

Figure Review: Brogy from One Piece Senzozekkei by Bandai Namco/ Banpresto

 

   Are you ready for another tale of RossCon goodness, toy fans and collectors? Just a weekend or two ago I was at a Ross and found a few new One Piece figures. Not action figures, but collectible figures that are more like miniature statues (or stactions!) which you quickly assemble and put on your shelf. Bandai Namco/ Banpresto has multiple product ranges for this type of figure and today I'm checking out Brogy from the One Piece Senkozekkei line. What does Senzozekkei mean? It apparently means "flashy, spectacular scene" and features characters in much more animated and action-packed poses than the usual figures. They also are usually able to pair with another figure in the line, allowing you to create a battle scene or a diorama. Brogy, one of the Giant Warrior Pirates residing on Little Garden, can pair with his best friend and rival Dorry. Guess what? A couple days after finding Brogy I found Dorry, too. These are really new figures that a lot of stores haven't even received in stock and Ross has them. Crazy! Brogy and Dorry first appear in season 2 of the anime and it looks like they'll appear in season 2 of the live action show as well. Ready to check out this small-scale version of the almost 70 foot tall giant? Then laugh along with me ("gababababa gababababa") and join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Moss Man from Masters of the Universe Origins: Cartoon Collection (200X)

 

   I haven't picked up many Masters of the Universe Origins figures over the past year or two, but when Mattel puts out a new Moss Man? Well, I just have to jump on that. Moss Man is one of my favorites and the 200x / Mike Young Productions era didn't use him much but, when they did, they really made some great changes. Moss Man felt less like a sasquatch or bigfoot type of creature and more like a nature spirit, kind of like the Green Man. Moss Man didn't get an all new figure in Mattel's original 2002 line; instead, he was an exclusive that was, once again, a repainted Beast Man with green flocking. This guy is the first figure that really tries to capture his unqiue look from the MYP animated series. Moss Man only appeared in three episodes during the show's short run but he made an impression for sure. While the MOTU Origins releases based on the vintage line and other toy related concepts have been exclusive to Mattel Creations for at least the past year or so, the Cartoon Collection figures have been available at most retailers who stock MOTU stuff. I picked mine up at Needless Toys and Collectibles in Lincolnton, NC back in early January but he's available at plenty of other places, too. Ready for another look at the Heroic Spy & Master of Camouflage? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Chatsworth from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction

 

   Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's Operation: Monster Force line has made my Top Ten Toylines list for the past 2 years. With an incredibly cool and lovable minigun wielding sasquatch joining the Operation: Monster Force lineup this early in 2026, it sounds like BBW & FMF are already firing shots to get a place in my top ten list for 2026. Today I'm checking out Chatsworth, the newest member of the good guys in the Operation: Monster Force team. Chatsworth is listed as a release from part 2 of Operation: Monster Force Season 3: "Red Moon Requiem" but considering the Season 3: Part 1 figures haven't shipped yet, that doesn't mean much. I mean, even if you had no story context and didn't know that Chatsworth is one of the last members of the Venerable Tribe of the Mountain Folk from the Rocky Mountains, a kind-hearted sasquatch who loves 1980s television, having a good time, and doughnuts, and whose strength is tapped by the Monster Force team so he can serve as a heavy gunner, would you really care? Wouldn't a cryptid wielding a heavy weapon and a Rambo inspired headband be enough on it's own? Let's check out this mysterious legend from the wilderness after the break...

Statue Review: Angel Devil from Vibration Stars: Chainsaw Man by Bandai Namco/ Banpresto

 

   Ready for another Chainsaw Man review? I hope so because today we're checking out the Vibration Stars figure/ statue of the Angel Devil from Bandai Namco/ Banpresto. Let's chase a rabbit for a minute, though; By now I'm sure that you're familiar with RossCon. Yes, the discount clothing retailer Ross has been getting a crazy amount of action figures and collectibles over the past year or so including stuff that's really, really new. Sure, there are multiple items that are clearly overstock and closeout items, but lately I've been finding Bandai Namco figures from One Piece and Chainsaw Man that don't even seem to have been released at most specialty stores and importers yet. What is going on? Last weekend I was at a nearby Ross and found some One Piece figures with manufacturing dates of 10/2025 and 12/2025. Crazy! I found this guy on a shelf at Ross back during the first week of January and he's definitely a new release that I don't believe truly made it to the US until this year. In Chainsaw Man, Division 4 of the Public Safety Devil Hunters utilizes some of the devils and fiends that are more friendly to humans to aid in their work. Enter the Angel Devil. He has some characteristics of a devil, sure, but he also has some angel-like characteristics. He can syphon off the lifespan of humans who come into contact with him, causing them to lose time off of their lives with minimal contact or even causing them to die painlessly with long enough contact. He first appears in chapter 36 of the manga and in episode 11 of the animated series, where he helps Division 4 assault a terrorist stronghold. Ready to check out the Angel Devil? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Bradley "Big Lob" Sanders from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Hasbro is starting off 2026 with some slam dunks in the G.I. Joe: Classified Series line. Don't believe me? Then check out the first of the newest series of figures out there: Big Lob! Big Lob didn't appear in the vintage toyline; he's another character from the 1987 G.I. Joe animated movie that never got a vintage action figure from Hasbro. A grenade throwing basketball? Add him to the roster of other sports themed Joes like Bazooka, The Fridge, Hardball, Captain Gridiron, Red Dog, and Backstop. No, not all of those guys are in the Classified Series yet (only Bazooka, so far) but don't worry; they'll get there. Big Lob never had a vintage figure but the G.I. Joe Collector's Club released an o-ring version in 2010 as the annual membership figure and a generation 3 version in 2017 as the annual exclusive. Those were made by the G.I.J.C.C. though, so technically this is the first time Hasbro is tackling Bradley "Big Lob" Sanders. Why Bradley Sanders? He was given the same file name as his voice actor, Brad Sanders. Cool detail! Big Lob has been showing up at Walmart in a hanging display box (with Lifeline, Hit & Run, the Mole Rat [Stage 2], and the Night Viper) and on Hasbro Pulse, but he should be everywhere soon. Ready to see if Big Lob shoots and scores? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Chainsaw Main [Chainsaw Man-The Movie: Reze Arc] from S.H. Figuarts: Chainsaw Man by Bandai Namco/ Tamashi Nations

 

   Last year I didn't just get into One Piece; I also took an interest in Chainsaw Man, too. Like I've said a few times before: Apparently, getting into anime is my midlife crisis. I grabbed a few of the manga volumes out of curiosity and really like them. I liked them enough that I read past the Reze Arc in the manga and then picked up some of the figures here and there, too. I've watched all of the Chainsaw Man anime available currently and I'm waiting for the movie to hit physical media  or streaming at some point before I watch it (I still cannot bring myself to purchase a "digital" film). Apparently the movie did quite well, so I'm optimistic we will see a physical release sometime soon. If you're not familiar with Chainsaw Man and the main character, Denji, the titular Chainsaw Man, keep reading. I'll try to throw the main points into the review. The manga and anime are both quite good and kind of remind me of something like Hellboy and the other BPRD books. Ready to check out the newest S.H. Figuarts figure of Chainsaw Man? You already know this one made my 2025 "Best of the Rest" list, so that means this one is pretty good. Join me after the break...