Sometimes I wonder how Kaiyodo do it! How can it be possible to squeeze so much detail into such minuscule figures, what sorcery is at play in the ChocoQ lines? The mystery Kaiyodo sculptors are clearly masters in their field, and the humpback whale figure (Megaptera novaeangliae), part of the ChocoQ Animatales series (series 6), is one such example of that mastery.
Brand: Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.
Kidako Moray Eel (World Fishing Monster Fish by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
4.1 (7 votes)
I recently discussed a pair of figures from a Takara Tomy set featuring some unique fish species that are visually or culturally striking. Species that are notable for being scary looking, notorious, and somehow engaging for fishing (I think). I tried to translate the papers and it appears to be called World Fishing Monster Fish, but I can’t be certain.
Killer Whale, adult and calf (ANIA by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
4 (7 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
Contrary to their common name, killer whales (Orcinus orca), also known as orcas, are a species of oceanic dolphin, although they can be considered whales as all dolphins are considered whales but not all whales are dolphins. They are the largest of all dolphins, reaching lengths of 500 cm to 960 cm with males getting to greater lengths than females and also sporting larger pectoral and dorsal fins, with some getting higher than 180 cm (that’s taller than I am!).
Marbled Flounder, Greater Amberjack, Splendid Alfonsino, Alaskan Pollock & Largehead Hairtail (Primary Saltwater Fish by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
5 (4 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
Over the last few years, various companies have given us a whole slew of fish figures: Yujin with their accurate depictions of the Finding Nemo characters, along with some obscure species like the pineapple fish in their first Saltwater Fish in Colour set; Kaiyodo pumping out obscure fish species like the dorado, Kidako moray, and the Clark’s anemone fish for their Aquatales lines; Colorata with their various fish sets: the Fossil Fish and Deep Sea Fish sets are two examples; Safari Ltd.
Ocean Sunfish (ANIA by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
3.8 (4 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
Evolution has created a lot of weird organisms and there is no place stranger to find them than in the oceans and seas: the five-eyed Opabinia, the recently described eagle shark Aquilolamna, the various deep sea life like the goblin shark and the telescope fish.
Ocellaris Clownfish (ANIA by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
5 (1 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
Sea anemones paralyze their prey with their stinging tentacles with the aid of little harpoons. However, there are a few animals that use these stinging tentacles to their advantage, mainly to seek refuge from predators. But the most famous of these animals to take advantage of these stinging tentacles: the anemonefish.
Red-eared Slider, baby (Primary Turtles in Colour by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
3.3 (3 votes)
Review and images by JimoAi; edited by bmathison1972
Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are a semi-aquatic species of turtles (in some places, they are also known as terrapins). They are found in most freshwater habitats of North America, including the southern United States and Northern Mexico. Juveniles are typically a green colour with a ‘red ear’ (hence the name) but as they get older, they turn to more of a brownish colour and the red ear fades.
Red-lipped Batfish (Encyclopedia of Strange Creatures: How Did This Happen? by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.)
5 (2 votes)
Wow, that is a mouthful of a title, but that is what the set is called! Looking at the paper that came with the figure, it looks to be a collection of natural oddities: a penguin of sorts, koala, parrot of sorts (kakapo?), a horned lizard squirting blood out of its eyes, and the focus of today’s review, the red-lipped batfish, Ogcocephalus darwini.