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Ollie Barder

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Game Designer, Forbes contributor, Mecha Damashii founder, and self-sufficient introvert. "Japanese Mecha Expert", apparently. allmylinks.com/cacophanus

Joined March 2024

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · 15h
Blaze Mazinkaiser Figure From Ember Toys Is Now Open For Pre-Orders www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Blaze Mazinkaiser Figure From Ember Toys Is Now Open For Pre-Orders

At the end of last year, I covered the upcoming Blaze Mazinkaiser figure from Ember Toys, which is a fascinating gimmick-ridden figure, and it’s now open for pre-orders.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · 15h
‘Super Robot Wars Y’ Gets A Big Free Update And Second DLC Set www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Super Robot Wars Y’ Gets A Big Free Update And Second DLC Set

Now that a big new update and second DLC set for Super Robot Wars Y have been released, there’s a lot to cover.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Feb 3
Master Chief Gets A New Coat Of Paint For Sentinel’s RE:Edit Figure www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Master Chief Gets A New Coat Of Paint For Sentinel’s RE:Edit Figure

Back in 2020, Sentinel released a wonderful figure of Master Chief from the first 'Halo', and now it’s back with a more game-accurate coloring.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Feb 2
Xi Gundam And Penelope To Get New Robot Damashii Figures www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Xi Gundam And Penelope To Get New Robot Damashii Figures

Following the release of the new 'Gundam Hathaway' movie, 'The Sorcery of Nymph Circe', we’ll be getting updated Robot Damashii toys of the Xi Gundam and Penelope.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 30
‘Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery Of Nymph Circe’ Review: Sweet Child O’ Mine www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery Of Nymph Circe’ Review: Sweet Child O’ Mine

Following the events of the first 'Gundam Hathaway' movie, its sequel makes some interesting additions that are genuinely impactful.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 28
The Gattai Dairyuga Toy Review: Truly The Ultimate Dancouga www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
The Gattai Dairyuga Toy Review: Truly The Ultimate Dancouga

Following my review of the entirely huge and impressive The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga, we now have The Gattai Dairyuga, and there’s a lot to unpack here.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 25
‘Dragon Ball’ Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Video Scored By Hans Zimmer www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Dragon Ball’ Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Video Scored By Hans Zimmer

With this year being the 40th anniversary of the 'Dragon Ball' anime, we’ve been graced with a new video scored by Hans Zimmer and details on a new anime series.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 22
I've also started a new mecha game column at Automaton, and my first article is all about Armored Core 3. automaton-media.com/en/reviews/a...
A Western Perspective On Mecha Games. Armored Core 3: A Brilliant Game That Renewed My Faith In The Series - AUTOMATON WEST

A column on Armored Core 3 by Ollie Barder.

automaton-media.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 21
With a new VOTOMS anime announced, I was asked to do a special edition of my mecha game column. I even managed to get a new comment from Ryosuke Takahashi, too! www.gamespark.jp/article/2026...
メカゲームにおける「装甲騎兵ボトムズ」の独自の影響―高橋良輔氏語る、ATが4mになった理由【オリーさんのロボゲーコラム特別編】 | Game*Spark - 国内・海外ゲーム情報サイト

高橋良輔氏からの特別コメントも。

gamespark.jp

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 20
‘Patlabor EZY’ Will Be Released As Three Movies, Starting This Year www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Patlabor EZY’ Will Be Released As Three Movies, Starting This Year

It’s been a good while since we had any news on 'Patlabor EZY', but it’s finally coming out as three movies. The first of these will be released in May this year.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 16
Upcoming ‘Gundam Hathaway’ Movie Will Have Opening Song By SZA www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Upcoming ‘Gundam Hathaway’ Movie Will Have Opening Song By SZA

In a rather interesting move, the upcoming 'Gundam Hathaway' movie, 'The Sorcery of Nymph Circe', will have its opening song done by SZA.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 15
Here Are Some Of The Best Japanese Games You May Have Missed In 2025 www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Here Are Some Of The Best Japanese Games You May Have Missed In 2025

Last year saw some truly great Japanese games released, and here are some of my personal favorites you may have missed.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Jan 15
New VOTOMS Anime Is Out Later This Year And Directed By Mamoru Oshii www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
New VOTOMS Anime Is Out Later This Year And Directed By Mamoru Oshii

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sunrise, we will be getting a new 'Armored Trooper VOTOMS' anime directed by Mamoru Oshii.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 30, 2025
Samus Aran Chogokin Now Available To Pre-Order For Its August Release www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2025/12/29/samus-aran-chogokin-now-available-to-pre-order-for-its-august-release/?/cachebust=advfafda/

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 28, 2025
This is a new column I've started at Game*Spark about mecha games. www.gamespark.jp/article/2025...
国際的に見た、ロボゲーにおける、非常に独特な文化的交差点の理解【オリーさんのロボゲーコラム】 | Game*Spark - 国内・海外ゲーム情報サイト

日本国外のビデオゲームにおいて、メカがどのように、そしてなぜ日本とは大きく異なる形で解釈されているのかについて。

gamespark.jp

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 23, 2025
‘Perfect Blue’ 4K Blu-Ray Review: Still A Mind Bending Masterpiece www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2025/12/22/perfect-blue-4k-blu-ray-review-still-a-mind-bending-masterpiece/

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 14, 2025
‘Wings Of Rean’ To Get New Blu-Ray Release And Soundtrack Next Year www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2025/12/14/wings-of-rean-to-get-new-blu-ray-release-and-soundtrack-next-year/

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 12, 2025
‘Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve’ Looks Incredible And Is Out Next Year www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve’ Looks Incredible And Is Out Next Year

It’s been a good while since we had a new mainline 'Ace Combat' game, and now it appears that 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' will be out next year.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 11, 2025
‘Planetes’ Blu-Ray Review: A Gem Of A Hard Science-Fiction Anime www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Planetes’ Blu-Ray Review: A Gem Of A Hard Science-Fiction Anime

There are very few “good” hard science-fiction anime out there, but 'Planetes' is definitely one of them, albeit one wrapped in a warm, cosy blanket of comedy.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 11, 2025
Classic Shmup ‘R-Type III’ Is Getting A New Port Next Year www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Classic Shmup ‘R-Type III’ Is Getting A New Port Next Year

In a rather interesting announcement, ININ Games will be publishing 'R-Type Dimensions III' next May, bringing the classic SNES shmup to modern platforms.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 10, 2025
The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga Toy Review: Huge And Impressive www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga Toy Review: Huge And Impressive

Over the years, there have been many excellent Dancouga toys made, but this is by far the most impressive and easily one of the largest

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 8, 2025
Platinum Trophies In The ‘Dragon Quest’ HD Remakes Are A Joy To Earn www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Platinum Trophies In The ‘Dragon Quest’ HD Remakes Are A Joy To Earn

Now that all three of the original 'Dragon Quest' trilogy have been remade in HD, it’s time I shared my thoughts on getting Platinum trophies for both releases.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 7, 2025
The ‘Virtual On Masterpiece’ Collection Is Now 70% Off www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
The ‘Virtual On Masterpiece’ Collection Is Now 70% Off

Following the 30th anniversary of the first 'Virtual On', the 'Virtual On Masterpiece' collection is now 70% off on the PlayStation Store.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 5, 2025
A Quick Rundown Of The Hidden Unlocks For ‘Metroid Prime 4’ www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
A Quick Rundown Of The Hidden Unlocks For ‘Metroid Prime 4’

Following my review, I have completed 'Metroid Prime 4' on both Normal and Hard difficulty and unlocked everything, so here are a few helpful pointers.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 4, 2025
Giant Gundam From The End Of ‘GQuuuuuuX’ Gets Massive Toy www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Giant Gundam From The End Of ‘GQuuuuuuX’ Gets Massive Toy

One of the fun parts of the finale for 'Gundam GQuuuuuuX' was the appearance of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam, and its “hyper mode” version has a toy out next year.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 4, 2025
Samus Aran Finally Gets The Chogokin Toy She Deserves Next Year www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Samus Aran Finally Gets The Chogokin Toy She Deserves Next Year

Thanks to those great people at Bandai Spirits, Samus Aran from 'Metroid Prime 4' will get a diecast figure released next Summer.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 2, 2025
‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ Switch 2 Review: C’est Vi-O-La www.forbes.com/sites/games/...
‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ Switch 2 Review: C’est Vi-O-La

It’s taken a long time for us to get 'Metroid Prime 4', and the game is certainly excellent, but did it really need to take 8 years?

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Dec 2, 2025
Masaaki Hayasaka On Remaking The Original ‘Dragon Quest’ Trilogy www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Masaaki Hayasaka On Remaking The Original ‘Dragon Quest’ Trilogy

Now that all three 'Dragon Quest' games of the Erdrick trilogy have been given the HD-2D treatment, I caught up with producer Masaaki Hayasaka on how they went about it.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 28, 2025
Takenobu Mitsuyoshi On His Game Music Career And Iconic Game Over Jingle www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Takenobu Mitsuyoshi On His Game Music Career And Iconic Game Over Jingle

One of the more colorful and fun people in gaming is Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, who has made a career of composing great game music and memorable voiceovers.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 27, 2025
Arcadia’s Massive SDF-1 Macross Toy Is Now Better Than Ever www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Arcadia’s Massive SDF-1 Macross Toy Is Now Better Than Ever

One of the most iconic designs in all of mecha anime now has a huge toy to do it justice. In short, the SDF-1 Macross has never looked so good.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 27, 2025
Classic Mecha Game ‘Virtual On’ Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Classic Mecha Game ‘Virtual On’ Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the original 'Cyber Troopers Virtual On', which was to be released in Japanese arcades and later worldwide.

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 26, 2025
‘Samurai Troopers’ Shows Off Its ‘Demon Slayer’ Infused Combat www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Samurai Troopers’ Shows Off Its ‘Demon Slayer’ Infused Combat

The upcoming 'Samurai Troopers' sequel anime is finally showing more of its combat animation, and it looks excellent.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 26, 2025
New DLC For ‘Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’ Is Actually A Lot Of Fun www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
New DLC For ‘Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’ Is Actually A Lot Of Fun

Over the past week or so, I’ve been playing the new 'Into the Abyss' DLC for 'Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion', and it’s been a lot of fun.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 23, 2025
Live-Action ‘Gundam’ Movie Eyes New Star Amid Worrying Story Outline www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Live-Action ‘Gundam’ Movie Eyes New Star Amid Worrying Story Outline

Back in April, Sydney Sweeney was attached to star in the live-action 'Gundam' movie, and now Noah Centineo is in talks to be her co-star.

forbes.com

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Reposted by Ollie Barder
マシーナリーとも子 barzam154.bsky.social · Nov 16, 2025
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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 20, 2025
‘R-Type Delta: HD Boosted’ Review: It Really Needed That M2 Touch www.forbes.com/sites/games/...
‘R-Type Delta: HD Boosted’ Review: It Really Needed That M2 Touch

Arguably one of the finest series of shmups ever made is 'R-Type', and 'Delta' may be its best entry. So this 'HD Boosted' edition has a lot to live up to.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 19, 2025
New Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Exhibition In Tokyo Is A Must-See www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
New Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Exhibition In Tokyo Is A Must-See

A brand exhibition has opened in Shibuya, Tokyo, featuring the work of renowned anime artist and manga creator, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and it’s a must-see.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 18, 2025
‘Evangelion 1.11 And 2.22’ Blu-Ray Review: You Can Actually Advance www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Evangelion 1.11 And 2.22’ Blu-Ray Review: You Can Actually Advance

Back when Khara announced they’d remake 'Evangelion' as a series of movies, we didn’t know how they would turn out, but the first two ended up being rather special.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 18, 2025
‘Once Upon A Katamari’ Review: The King Must Speak www.forbes.com/sites/games/...
‘Once Upon A Katamari’ Review: The King Must Speak

I remember importing the Japanese version of 'Katamari Damacy' in 2004, and now, over two decades later, we finally have a new game, and it’s mostly good.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 17, 2025
‘Mazinkaiser VS Great General Of Darkness’ Blu-Ray Review: Super Robot Showdown www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Mazinkaiser VS Great General Of Darkness’ Blu-Ray Review: Super Robot Showdown

Following the first 'Mazinkaiser' OVA series, there was a wonderful follow-up movie, and it’s the movie that this Blu-ray wonderfully commemorates.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 17, 2025
Real Life ‘Nausicaä’ Glider Pilot Takes To The Skies One Last Time www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Real Life ‘Nausicaä’ Glider Pilot Takes To The Skies One Last Time

In a piece of rather fascinating news, a real-life replica of the glider from 'Nausicaä' was flown for the last time over the last weekend.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 17, 2025
Haruhiko Mikimoto On ‘Macross’, ‘Gundam’ And His Love Of Shoujo Manga www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Haruhiko Mikimoto On ‘Macross’, ‘Gundam’ And His Love Of Shoujo Manga

One of the most famous figures in anime character design and art direction is Haruhiko Mikimoto. So I sat down with him to find out more about his work.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 15, 2025
‘Metroid Prime 4’ Gets A Thorough Gameplay Breakdown And Looks Amazing www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Metroid Prime 4’ Gets A Thorough Gameplay Breakdown And Looks Amazing

With less than a month until release, 'Metroid Prime 4' has received some very interesting and thorough gameplay breakdowns that look very impressive.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 15, 2025
Why Don’t We Have The Whole ‘Brave’ Series On Blu-Ray Already? www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Why Don’t We Have The Whole ‘Brave’ Series On Blu-Ray Already?

With the ongoing releases of the 'Super Robot Wars' games internationally and the increased availability of anime in general, where is the 'Brave' series?

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 14, 2025
‘Macross Plus: Movie Edition’ Gets Screening In New York This November www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Macross Plus: Movie Edition’ Gets Screening In New York This November

The genuinely excellent 'Macross Plus: Movie Edition' is getting a theatrical screening in New York later this month, with an introduction by Shinichiro Watanabe.

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 14, 2025
‘Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’ Finally Gets A Proper Optimization Patch www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’ Finally Gets A Proper Optimization Patch

In the latest patch for the genuinely excellent 'Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion', a large number of issues have finally been addressed.

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 14, 2025
‘Super Robot Wars Y’ First DLC Brings Back Fan Favorite ‘The Big O’ www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
‘Super Robot Wars Y’ First DLC Brings Back Fan Favorite ‘The Big O’

The upcoming first DLC pack for 'Super Robot Wars Y', and one of the new series featured is the fan favorite 'The Big O'.

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 14, 2025
Tamashii Nation 2025 Finally Commemorates ‘Eureka Seven’ www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Tamashii Nation 2025 Finally Commemorates ‘Eureka Seven’

Following last year’s focus on 'Aura Battler Dunbine', Tamashii Nation 2025 finally does justice to the Nirvash from the classic anime 'Eureka Seven'.

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Time Extension timeextension.com · Nov 7, 2025
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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 8, 2025
Upcoming Mazinkaiser Figure From Ember Toys Could Be The Best One Yet www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
Upcoming Mazinkaiser Figure From Ember Toys Could Be The Best One Yet

The classic super robot Mazinkaiser is getting a new chogokin figure from Ember Toys, and it has all the gimmicks you would ever want.

forbes.com

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 8, 2025
Welcome To Armored Core - A Chronological Breakdown Of FromSoftware's Legendary Mecha Series www.timeextension.com/guides/welco...
Welcome To Armored Core - A Chronological Breakdown Of FromSoftware's Legendary Mecha Series

Core, blimey!

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Ollie Barder handle.invalid · Nov 4, 2025
The Gundam Marchosias Is Getting A Very Nice Metal Robot Damashii Toy www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
The Gundam Marchosias Is Getting A Very Nice Metal Robot Damashii Toy

With the upcoming 'Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans' movie, 'Urdr-Hunt', on the way, we now have a gorgeous Gundam Marchosias toy to look forward to.

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