Alright, fellow toy collectors, let's all shout it out together: SUPER! Today, our Toy People expedition team is on its first mission after the holidays, heading to Taipei City Mall's 12th Plaza for "Mecha Smile Impact 2024 WINTER in Taiwan," hosted by Japan's GOOD SMILE COMPANY. Prepare yourselves for the stunning impact of a massive lineup of new robot figures!
[Mecha Smile Impact 2024 WINTER in Taiwan]
Event Dates: February 16 (Fri) – February 18 (Sun), 2024
Event Times: February 16 (Fri) 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
February 17 (Sat) – February 18 (Sun) 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Event Venue: Taipei City Mall, 12th Plaza
Event Address: B1, No. 100, Section 1, Civic Blvd, Taipei City, Taiwan
Ticket Information: Free Admission
Official Event Page: https://event.goodsmile.info/event/event-7050/
This event primarily showcases three toy lines from GOOD SMILE's sub-brand, Mecha Smile: the "MODEROID" plastic model kits, the "THE GATTAI" pre-painted figures, and the "PLAMATEA" character plastic models. It brings a rich collection of new releases from series like "Brave Bang Bravern!," "Mado King Granzort," the "Brave Series," "Expelled from Paradise," and more. Plus, there are two ultra-new items making their debut in Taiwan! Let's dive right in.
First, upon entering, your attention is immediately captured by the imposing form and size of the giant "King's Style Granzort" statue, making its first appearance with an intimidating presence.
Next, we move to the "Mado King Granzort" themed area. Both the MODEROID "King's Style Granzort" and its transformed Face Mode are on display. As expected of a new creation reinterpreted with modern technology, the details are not only rich but also beautiful. Viewing it from a low angle reveals the hexagram symbol inside its chest—a detail that toy fans attending in person should definitely crouch down to see.
▼ One of the ultra-new items making its Taiwan debut, which I mentioned earlier, is this: MODEROID "Metal Biker"!
Next up, we have the recent smash hit anime that combines real and super robots, "Brave Bang Bravern!" The famously talkative robot (lol), Bravern, is here not only in its DX version, showcasing both its robot form and its high-speed vehicle form, Bravesonder, but its in-development MODEROID version is also on display.
▼ Also from the series is the realistic humanoid armored weapon, the TS: M2 Exceed Rhinos.
Arriving at the zone for the popular animated film "GRIDMAN UNIVERSE," adapted from the tokusatsu series "Gridman the Hyper Agent," we find not only the new forms from the movie but also a complete remake in "THE GATTAI" series of "Full Power Gridman," a combination from the TV series that was previously released as a DX toy!
● figma Gridman (Universe Fighter)
● THE GATTAI Super Dragon King Combination Rogue Kaiser Gridman
● THE GATTAI Full Power Gridman
● MODEROID "Majestic Prince" RED FIVE
The prototype for protagonist Izuru Hitachi's personal unit, "RED FIVE," is also on display. The final product is expected to include its Beam Cannon, HEP Cannon, and other armaments, and will be able to replicate its full burst mode with its second pair of eyes and light wings deployed!
● MODEROID "Tekkaman Blade" TEKKAMAN BLADE
The transformed form of protagonist D-Boy, "Tekkaman Blade," joins the MODEROID lineup. On display is the unpainted prototype, showcasing its slender, sharp, and refined physique!
● PLAMATEA "Expelled from Paradise" Angela Balzac
You can see that PLAMATEA Angela features excellent color separation and part division. The extensive use of translucent green parts adds a sense of technology and lightness to the overall figure. Coupled with articulated joints co-developed with Max Factory, she can be posed in even more dynamic ways.
▼ The successor to "Arhan," the "New Arhan," also makes its appearance in the MODEROID series, featuring the ability to transform from its egg-shaped storage form to its robot mode! The intricate mechanical inner frame is outstanding and absolutely worth seeing in person.
● MODEROID "Getter Robo" Shin Getter Dragon
▼ In addition to Mazinger ZEST and Mazinkaiser, this time we also have the ultimate evolution, the strongest Mazin, "Mazinger ZERO." The ZERO Scrander, made with clear parts, is definitely a standout feature!
Also from the mind of Go Nagai, "God Mazinger" may not be as widely known. It originally aired as an anime in 1984. The story follows protagonist Yamato Hino, who is summoned by the Mazin to the ancient Mu Empire of 10,000 years ago. He inadvertently awakens the slumbering God Mazinger and, together with its power, fights off the invading Dinosaur Empire.
▼ God Mazinger features clean, sleek lines infused with ancient and samurai elements. To see such a niche mecha—one that only true super-fans of Go Nagai would likely know—get a MODEROID release is simply fantastic!
The Divine Knights from Falcom's RPG "The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel" have arrived! The main attraction here is "Argreion, the Silver Divine Knight," with its massive lance being particularly impressive. Meanwhile, another popular character from the same series, "Arianrhod, the Steel Saint," will be released in the PLAMATEA line.
▼ The original series "TITANOMACHIA" by renowned Japanese professional modeler "NAOKI" also has several mechs from the MODEROID line on display.
● MODEROID Gatchaman F Gatcha Spartan
▼ The mini-figure of Ken the Eagle standing on the Gatcha Spartan looks so cool!
The latest product from the Eldran Series, "Kanzan Shouri Daiteioh," is "Daiteioh," a giant robot formed by the transformation and combination of three mechs: "Teioh," "Rikuoh," and "Kuuoh." You can see them all right here at the event!
The event not only features the giant Granzort statue, but also imposing busts of "Da-Garn X" and "Great Fighbird"!
● THE GATTAI Ga-Orn, Da-Garn X
● THE GATTAI Seven Changer
▼ The other ultra-new item making its Taiwan debut is "Sky Saber," formed by the combination of a jet, a space shuttle, and a jumbo jet.
● THE GATTAI Legendary Da-Garn X
● THE GATTAI "The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird" Fighbird
This figure perfectly replicates the transformation mechanism from "Fire Jet" to the robot form "Fighbird," and can even combine with the Flame Breaster for its "Armed Fighbird" form!
● THE GATTAI "The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird" Guard Star
It also features a transformation mechanism from "Fire Shuttle" to its robot form "Guard Star," and can combine with Fighbird to recreate the ultimate combination, "Great Fighbird"!
● THE GATTAI "The Brave Express Might Gaine" Might Gunner + Perfect Option Parts Set
● THE GATTAI "The Brave Express Might Gaine" Might Kaiser
● THE GATTAI "The Brave Express Might Gaine" Great Might Gaine Perfect Mode
(The wrist and foot parts were incorrectly assembled at the time of photography; this has since been corrected at the event.)
▼ The MODEROID mountain in the center of the venue is a grand assembly of the series' most popular mechs! My personal favorite, Villkiss, is there too!
In addition to three event-exclusive items released simultaneously with Japan—MODEROID "Strelitzia EX Color Ver.," "EVA Unit-01 Metallic Type Ver.," and "Three Mado Kings Set Metallic Color Ver."—the sales area has a full range of products waiting for you to take home!
▼ The event-exclusive T-shirts are also well worth buying!
Last but not least, we have a major announcement for all you toy collectors! It's the autograph session with Mecha Smile's General Producer, Hiro Tanaka, and the renowned mecha designer, Masami Obari! On the day of the event, the first 30 people who purchase over NT$5,500 worth of Mecha Smile series products will be eligible to participate! Attendees will receive a special A2 Brave Series poster signed on the spot by the masters, as well as a small gift. Furthermore, winners of a mini-game during the session will receive an additional grand prize! Hiro Tanaka will be there on Saturday, and Masami Obari on Sunday, both at 2:00 PM. You absolutely do not want to miss this!
[Mecha Smile Impact 2024 WINTER in Taiwan]
Event Dates: February 16 (Fri) – February 18 (Sun), 2024
Event Times: February 16 (Fri) 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
February 17 (Sat) – February 18 (Sun) 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Event Venue: Taipei City Mall, 12th Plaza
Event Address: B1, No. 100, Section 1, Civic Blvd, Taipei City, Taiwan
Ticket Information: Free Admission
Official Event Page: https://event.goodsmile.info/event/event-7050/