The biggest product announced under the new Synergenex label is a Zoids x Transformers collab! Fans have been asking for many years why Zoids didn't have a transformers collab, and now it does! This announcement focuses on the Shield-D-Prime, a Shield Liger transformer based on the long-running 1/60 scale Diaclone series.

 Diaclone are modular in nature, allowing for figures to be disassembled and combined in different ways. In spite of being a transformer, the Shield Liger is quite convincing as a Zoid, so even if you're not a Transformers fan, it's a figure you can easily enjoy. Many of the newer products of this series run at higher prices comparable to other diecast figures, but we don't yet know the price of this one. The product is currently slated for 2025, so look forward to more news.

 Takara Tomy's AMZ Berserk Führer has been getting a lot of coverage over these past couple of months, including being displayed at Yodobashi in Japan. The official product page collects tons of images showing off each form and its poseability, and it seems they've taken some extra steps towards quality of life additions, such as a hangar frame that, similar to Chogokin, allows you to display the unused armor separately. The standard AMZs were shown off at the Tokyo Toy Show. Here are some details from the recent updates.

• It's scheduled to be released in March 2025 for 44,000 yen (roughly $300 USD)
• It measures about 350 mm from nose to tail tip
• It includes a Zoid Core
• Includes a gold pilot figure
• Includes a Hangar Frame (display stand) as well as additional armor frame.
• This is a painted figure / kit
• Die-cast parts are mostly included in the legs to help keep the Zoid balanced
• LEDs are included for the eyes and Charged Particle Cannon

Hobby Watch Interview

 An interview with Nakase, the man in charge of this product was held by Hobby Watch. As always, they never fail to deliver some interesting tidbits about the development process and what went on behind the scenes. Below I'll list some of the details, but I highly recommend checking out the article itself.

• Takara Tomy was planning to start an alloy line around the same time that the Chogokin collab was in talks.
  
  
• The first Zoid in the AMZ series was originally going to be Murasame Liger, but because of the ongoing AZ series, the idea was shelved. Afterwards, it came down to the Berserk Führer or Geno Saurer, but again, with Geno Saurer being involved in another upcoming line (RMZ), Führer became the new flagship Zoid.
  
  
• The Wild Form's eyes are a larger clear red piece that also forms a 'brain' inside the head. Wild Zoids traditionally have their brains inside the Zoid Core, making this purely for aesthetics. However, the team wanted owner's of the AMZ to feel the lore behind wild Zoids, as if they were building them up from their wild forms to their weaponized forms.
  
  
• AMZ is intended to continue as a line even after the second figure, the AMZ-02 Blade Liger. They'd like to explore additions such as CAS units and other Zoids. Which brings us to our next news post...

- Review Video

- Preview Video

 The Hobby Watch article above mentioned an interest in exploring CAS units for the Berserk Führer, but specifically hinted towards ones that may've only existed previously as illustrations... Well, now they've officially announced that the Sturm Unit and Jagd Unit are entering the planning phase! This is exciting news, because the Jagd has never been manifested as an official kit or figure before, making this a momentus occasion. The fact that Takara Tomy as a whole is exploring Zoids that never got to be a kit elsewhere has spiked imaginations, leaving us wondering what comes next in the best possible way.

 These 1/100 scale figures are a collaboration between TT and Kotobukiya, and like the Adamas Machina line will branch out to other franchises besides Zoids. Designed by Nidy-2D- this series has shown two Zoids girls so far, Blade Liger and Fine/Fiona wearing armor from Sieg/Zeke. We don't yet know much about this series, how the products will be packaged, or what all will be included. It's slated to begin in 2025. So, let's look forward to learning more in the future!

 Two pages have been added under Action Figures in the Art Statues section. These include the Zoids Amusement Figures and the Zoids Genesis Figure Collection. The Bio Tyranno of the Figure Collection was already added, but mislabeled as an Amusement Figure. Its review has been redone entirely, including new, clearer photos.

 Hobby Japan posted an article looking at the CAS Units coming out for the Chogokin Liger Zero. This article features early samples, with the final version said to be even more polished. As is, the units look great, maintaining the dynamic movable parts known to the their respective forms.

 Hobby Japan has announced that it'll be covering the Chogokin Liger Zero CAS units in the August 2023 issue! If you're interested in picking it up, the issue is still available to order on Amazon JP.

 As we approach the release date of Bandai's Chogokin Liger Zero we've been seeing more and more updates. Tamashii Web posted a blog about the Liger Zero, going over some of the specifics and showing off the box art. It looks like the main box is actually, in a surprise twist, inspired by the original Tomy box art! This is a cool shoutout. The main box is covered by a black dust sleeve which features images of the figure. The amount of articulation in this kit is insane, more than I could cover here, so I highly recommend checking out the article!

 Some highlights include that the Zero is covered in a coat of gloss, with metalics used for key parts. The pilot is gold chrome, the eyes light up using LEDs, it includes a metallic red removable Zoid Core, and by replacing the pilot seat with clear parts, you can increase the brightness of the eye glow. The figure comes with its own stand as well. Dengeki Hobby Web posted an article about the Tamashii Nations World Tour Tokyo event, where these figures (the CAS and frame) were on display.

Twitter Campaign

Tamashii Web is also holding a twitter campaign from June 8th until July 18th, where they'll be giving away a variety of items, including 15 Chogokin Liger Zeroes. This event is for Japan residents only.

 The Tamashii Web article linked above also showed off some images of the CAS units for the Chogokin Liger Zero. What was a big surprise though is that the armors will come with their own suspension stand, allowing you to display one of the armors as if it were still in the hangar. This is an incredibly cool inclusion, as it means that, even if you can't afford 4 Chogokin figures, you can still put some of your armors on display rather than packing them up in a box. These armors are expected to ship out in January 2024 as a full set of armors (Jager, Schneider, Panzer) for 29,700 yen (tax included).

 In addition, a Liger Zero (Frame Mode) has been announced. This means you'll be able to order just the bare Liger Zero without any CAS units (including the basic Zero armor) attached. For those who aren't able to pick up the first release, this is a great opportunity. The Liger Zero (Frame Mode) is also scheduled to release in January 2024 for 27,500 yen. This Zero will also come with one of the suspension stands. If you happened to miss the earlier pre-order window for the full Chogokin Liger Zero, you may be happy to hear that it's also getting a second run, with some scheduled to ship out around August.

 The website for the Chogokin Liger Zero over on Tamashii Web has been updated sometime in the last few months, featuring a variety of cool graphics. This figure is scheduled to be released in June for 32,000 yen, and was also featured in a recent magazine interview, which we're working to be able to provide soon.

 A shocking new collaboration was announced between Bandai and Takara Tomy, which will result in a brand new Liger Zero action figure! For Takara Tomy's side, they're recreating the Mobile Suit Gundam "White Base" within the Tomica line. Meanwhile, Bandai is recreating the Liger Zero within its Chogokin line. Chogokin figures include metal alloy parts, and typically run in the higher price ranges. It's expected to be released sometime in 2023. The twitter account for Bandai Spirits posted a look at this figure, both with its final form, and with the fully-detailed armorless variety!

 An article on Hobby Watch showed off more images from the event, with the Zero in a leaping pose. Furthermore, they showed the interesting prototypes, which (from left to right) were the Initial Mechanism Trial, Appearance Trial, and Appearance / Mechanism Modification Trial, with the final result at the end. Mantan Web showed a second view of the kit.

- Dream Together

 Goodsmile has posted a blog going over some more photos of their upcoming Hagane Works Blade Liger, scheduled to release in November for 27,900 yen. While the release date is a ways off, the pre-order date is only until September 2nd, so if you were planning to pick up this kit, make sure you submit your pre-order by then! We have this kit linked down in our pre-order table at the bottom of the home page, to AmazonJP which seems to have the best price so far. I am not sure if the deadline applies to other sites like AmazonJP.

 A blog post over on Ameba showed off some additional photos of the Hagane Works Blade Liger, including some comparison shots of it next to a figure from another series. We also saw a brief twitter video exhibiting its click joints.

- Twitter Video

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— ?? ?? (@gsc_hiro) July 22, 2020

 We have news on the Good Smile Company's Hagane Works Blade Liger! The kit will be released in November 2020, for 25,364 yen. The product weighs approximately 630 grams (before packaging) and has a total length of about 370mm. Surprisingly, it comes with the Attack Boosters already included! And there's no mention of pre-order or store-exclusive items, meaning you can pick your store of choice.

 To brush up on older details, Hagane Works is a relatively new line from Good Smile that focuses on part plastic (ABS), part diecast metal (zinc alloy) figures. The product line spans multiple series, so we may or may not see more Zoids. This could easily be a one-off. The figure is 1/72 scale, and will come fully painted. It'll also include 2 generic soldier pilots, with a double-seater cockpit. Since this product uses ABS plastic, please avoid pour-type pens for detailing, as they've been known to damage ABS plastic.

 This kit is still hitting stores for pre-order, and can only be pre-ordered until September 1st. This is because the product is being created-to-order, meaning they are basing the number of figures produced on the number of pre-orders received. So make sure that you can afford it before placing your order, as after that, you may not be able to cancel it! You can probably find it at your store of choice. Amazon JP seems to be the leader in best price Vs. shipping ratio right now, averaging just below retail after shipping.

 During Wonderfest we learned that the Good Smile Company, known best for their Nendoroid series, will be releasing a huge Blade Liger action figure as a part of their Hagane Works line! This is a brand new series of figures with only two other products released prior: The Demonsbane mech and a related additional parts set. As such, it seems Hagane Works will span various series. The standard so far (from what little we know) is that these are large, fully painted, part plastic -- part diecast metal poseable action figures.

 The Blade Liger's price is unknown, and although it was mentioned to be 1/72 scale, viewers of the figure at Wonder Festival noted that it was closer to the size of the Yamato Shield Liger. Which means it'll actually be larger than the traditional Tomy kits. It has an esthetic close to the anime Blade Liger, with a proper number of slats to the Shield Generator, narrower fangs, and a double-seater cockpit. It comes with 2 pilots, which seem to be standard Republican pilots, not existing characters.

 In the reveal image we can see bits of diecast metal along the body. For the Demonsbane kit, this was cited to be almost a full pound of diecast, so this kit will come with a significant heft. Interestingly, the kit was also announced on the Good Smile US twitter, although it is possible that this twitter account also covers big reveals from the Japanese side of things. There is no confirmation yet if it will come to the US, but that would certainly save on shipping.

 Price wise, we do not have a confirmed cost. Our only reference is Hagane Works' previous figure, the Demonsbane, which cost roughly $160. The additional parts set for Demonsbane was roughly $40 ~ $50. This isn't a bad price, considering Good Smile is known for high quality, beautifully painted products. It's worth noting that they are also known for having pre-order bonuses for ordering directly from their store.

    And finally I've added a review for the Zoids Aggressive Murasame Liger! I gotta say, the ZA series has been fantastic so far. I hope to someday get reviews for the others as the weather permits.

    Second is the ZA Mugen Liger! We were expecting to see this with the last two Murasames already well on their way. The details look amazing, and so far we haven't heard if there'll be any Kotobukiya Direct exclusives. Pre-orders are expected to open this month (February 2016.) Here are some more links!
    Kotobukiya Blog
    Dengeki Hobby Blog
    AmiAmi Twitter

    ZA has been keeping a fast pace, and it's not slowing down with the Mugen Liger. After the questionnaire results they have announced the next Zoids Aggressive, the Blade Liger AB! So far we've seen some prototyped images but it is excellent to see a new design, instead of a rehashed HMM, which I think a lot of people were expecting. Release date and price not yet announced, but here are some more links!
    Kotobukiya Blog
    Dengeki Hobby Blog
    AmiAmi Twitter

    Kotobukiya has posted pages for the Zoids Aggressive Hayate Liger! This Zoid is available for preorder. When ordering from Kotobukiya Direct instead of another store you will receive a special set of white stickers for the armor! It is scheduled for a May 2015 Release!

    Another awesome announcement is the upcoming Zoids Aggressive 'Hayate Liger!' Prototypes were seen with many more images accessible here. A release date is not yet known.