Look what I have bought! SOC Expansion Tamashii SPEC

A piece of Soul of Chogokin (SOC) Expansion Tamashii SPEC figure from Bandai, shipped from Hong Kong, would cost at S$70 (U.P.) and above. I happen to have the first XS-01 EVANGELION-01 of the SOC Expansion Tamashii SPEC series. I could not resist the urge but to score the XS-02 SPT LAYZNER and XS-03 EVANGELION-01 (New Movie Version) at a promotion rate of S$75 A PAIR!

XS-02 SPT LAYZNER
R.P.: 8,200 Yen (estimated S$115)
Codenamed the "Blue Comet", The SPT Layzner is a 140mm-tall action figure with diecast metal inner core frame with intricate mechanical details and optional armor parts to assemble in either SPT-LZ-00X Layzner or E-SPT-LZ-00X-B New Layzner. A unique feature of the XS-02 is the cool display base that resembles the control panel in Layzner's cockpit, the "Gunpla Stand-like" stand allows Layzner to be displayed in a many flight poses and also features a sound system that plays 22 different sound effects from the anime (Two AAA batteries are not included).
I was not too excited about getting the XS-02 Layzner since the design of the mecha is not really my cup of tea. Most importantly, I prefer to take this as an F.O.C. toy from buying the XS-03 EVANGELION-01 (New Movie Version).


XS-03 EVANGELION-01 (NEW MOVIE VERSION)

R.P.: 6,200 Yen (estimated S$87)
I already have the XS-01 EVANGELION-01 which I love so much!! When Bandai decided to collaborate with Yahoo! Japan to release a version of YAHOO! JAPANxBANDAI SOC Expansion Tamashii SPEC Limited XS-01 EVANGELION-01 SYNCHRO RATE at 400% (quite a mouthful), it did not get me sold. The limited XS-01 features bandaged mask, eyes, teeth of EVA-01, broken left arm and re-born left arm, which appeared in a famous scene called where the EVA-01 is in Synchro Rate at 400%. Apart from the differences in some parts, the box is of the same length and width, but slimmer in thickness. The weapons are exactly the same as the XS-01 that I have. As expected with Bandai, new releases with slight changes adding to pre-existing moulds are not new to collectors. The release of XS-03 EVANGELION-01 (New Movie Version) got me sold! The XS-03 is modelled after the EVA-01 in the new "EVANGELION:1.0 You Are (Not) Alone" movie. The design of the box of XS-03 is diferent from XS-01. As with the toy itself, the main difference is that the EVA-01 has a Gatling Gun in XS-03, while it wields twin swords in XS-01. A small difference is the new design of the shoulder panel which has a neat looking dagger release mechanism. This figure itself would have easily cost me S$75 (U.P.) or at one shop quoting S$120 (bundled with XS-02 LAYZNER). Now I am paying S$75 for the XS-03, plus a FREE XS-02! DEFINITELY MUST BUY-BUY-BUY!


Shown above are the Revoltech No.004 EVA-01 and SOC Expansion Tamashii SPEC XS-01 EVANGELION-01.

Bandai is definitely very competitive against Kaiyodo (REVOLTECH) is releasing EVANGELION figurines from the "EVANGELION:1.0 You Are (Not) Alone" movie. I have earlier bought the EVANGELION figures from the REVOLTECH range. Bandai has released the HCM Pro figurines based on the movie. In November 2007, Bandai will be releasing a special box set of whopping 27cm long POSITRON RIFLE to add-on to their existing SOC Expansion Tamashii SPEC range. At a later date, XS-04 will be released! XS-04 is none other than EVANGELION-00 (New Movie Version) equipped with ESV Shield. Another DEFINITELY MUST-BUY-BUY-BUY!

Images from Tamashii WEB.

XS-01 EVANGELION-01
CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW COMPLETE GALLERY

technorati tags
Bandai Soul of Chogokin SOC Toy Tamashii SPEC XS-02 SPT LAYZNER XS-01 XS-03 EVA-01 Neon Genesis Evangelion EVANGELION-01 POSITRON RIFLE EVA EVA-00 EVANGELION-00 ESV Shield EVANGELION:1.0 You Are (Not) Alone Toys