Tamashii Nation 2024 came and went this past weekend and there was a whole slew of figure displays, for both tagged as commercialization confirmed and those who have the “display only” name card, much to the frustration of collectors. I wasn’t interested with anything Gundam-related but there are a couple of confirmed figures that got my attention.
First is “SAM” or the Fyrefly Type-IV strategic assault mech, which was announced several months ago and caused quite the excitement in the community. Both for those playing Honkai: Star Rail and those who just want amazing action figures, I belong to the latter by the way. Despite being a mech in designation, it’s more of a beefed-up power armor with a knight aesthetic and ornate markings. No release information has been confirmed but at least it’s only a matter of time before pre-orders open.
The other interesting display for me was this new project by Tamashii Nations. Not sure if this will become an anime, game, or something else, but they’re calling it MechA+I: The Story of REG4 Unit.
100 years have passed since the extinction of humanity due to the attack by Isaac, an invader from the moon.
A next-generation android “Humarian” – “Aria” – has been given a human “heart.”
She lives in the “Fourth Protected Area.”
She calls herself the cleaning lady and is looked down upon by those around her as “Useless Aria.”
She doesn’t seem to mind and lives a peaceful life.
However, Isaac suddenly attacks the Fourth Protected District, and the town was reduced to a sea of fire overnight.
Aria pilots the mechanical beast “REG4,” which was developed to fight Isaac.
She becomes embroiled in a fateful battle with Isaac.
The MechA+I display includes the main protagonist Aria, and her companion dog, as well as the titular REG4 unit. I’m inclined to think these would be S.H.Figuarts and The Robot Spirits releases though outside of the website they just opened, we only know that it’s coming in 2025.
So far, both the Bandai Hobby and Tamashii Nations reveals didn’t get me excited, which is a very good thing for my wallet and finances. It should also allow me to actually focus on reducing my backlog more than anything.
