Brachiosaurus marks the fourth prehistoric animal Takara Tomy produced for their Animal Adventure (ANIA) line, following Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus. The figure is a decent – if unremarkable – depiction of the long-necked giant, which I think it’s safe to say has eclipsed Apatosaurus/Brontosaurus as the default iconic sauropod.
Author: Fembrogon
An aspiring artist, Fembrogon (who goes by Eric in real life) has been drawing dinosaurs and strange creatures since he was capable of walking and talking, and probably will be for a long time to come. Although energetic and admittedly absent-minded at times, prehistoric life is one of a few subjects which has never failed to engross him wholly. Dinosaurs – theropods in particular – are unsurprising favorites (special shout-outs to the remarkable Dilophosaurus, the massive Giganotosaurus, and the bizarre Deinocheirus); but he admires a wide range of prehistoric life from Cambrian invertebrates to pterosaurs. Fembrogon first discovered the Toy Blog (and Forum) around the year 2012, and found it an indispensable reference for the expanding world of dino collectibles. Since joining the review team, he’s enjoyed covering a varied assortment of figures, from classic to modern and mainstream to obscure. When he isn’t absorbed in prehistory, Fembrogon also enjoys modern wildlife (birds & reptiles are favorites), nature walks, special effects films, and traditional animation.All reviews by this author
Review: Balaur (Beasts of the Mesozoic: Raptor Series by Creative Beast Studio)
4.8 (49 votes)
An unfortunate case of science outpacing merchandise, this highly-detailed and articulated dino-bird still has many merits.
Balaur bondoc is a good example of how quickly scientific understanding can change, as well as how risky reconstructions from partial fossil remains can be.
Review: Stegosaurus (Animal Adventure/ANIA by Takara Tomy)
3.5 (6 votes)
Takara’s figure is a pleasant little rendition of the roofed reptile and a compliment to its fellow dinosaurs from the same line. It’s no surprise that Takara Tomy opted to include the “roofed reptile” as the third prehistoric entry to their Animal Adventure (sometimes branded ANIA) toy line.
Review: Triceratops (Animal Adventure/ANIA by Takara Tomy)
3 (5 votes)
Triceratops is one of those dinosaurs too iconic for manufacturers to leave out of any toy line, yet it’s one of the genera that can easily fall victim to old stereotypes. This review covers Takara Tomy’s take on the classic three-horned face, which reflects some of these ups and downs of the dinosaur’s media depictions.
Review: Palaeoloxodon naumanni (Dinotales Series 4 by Kaiyodo)
3.5 (6 votes)
A smaller relative of true Cenozoic giants, this diminutive figure bears itself in a convincingly lifelike manner with plenty of detail.
Earlier this year, Eofauna floored collectors with their release of Palaeoloxodon antiquus, one of the largest known land mammals ever. While the figure is exceptional, it’s not the first time one of the Palaeoloxodon species has been recreated in toy form.
Earlier this year, Eofauna floored collectors with their release of Palaeoloxodon antiquus, one of the largest known land mammals ever. While the figure is exceptional, it’s not the first time one of the Palaeoloxodon species has been recreated in toy form.
Review: Dinos (Toob by Safari Ltd.)
3 (26 votes)
Safari’s very first prehistory toob is charming, but largely showing its age in the details and aesthetics of the figurines.
Toobs might be the unsung heroes of Safari Ltd.’s toy lines. I see them wherever Safari products are sold, even when their larger, standard-sized kin are absent.
Toobs might be the unsung heroes of Safari Ltd.’s toy lines. I see them wherever Safari products are sold, even when their larger, standard-sized kin are absent.
Review: Straight-Tusked Elephant (Eofauna)
4.9 (35 votes)
Eofauna once again brings their A-game for this release, with astonishingly rich and lifelike details to a stellar prehistoric elephant model.
I must admit, as a kid, I usually overlooked mammals in favor of dinosaurs, reptiles, etc., but even though my preferences still lie with the scaly (and sometimes feathery) folk, I’d be remiss to ignore the impressive fossil record of the mammals, who have their own fair share of oddities, wonders, and sheer giants.
I must admit, as a kid, I usually overlooked mammals in favor of dinosaurs, reptiles, etc., but even though my preferences still lie with the scaly (and sometimes feathery) folk, I’d be remiss to ignore the impressive fossil record of the mammals, who have their own fair share of oddities, wonders, and sheer giants.
Review: Styracosaurus “Gnawhorn” (Plasma Dinosaurs by MegaBloks)
1.6 (10 votes)
Between 2006 and 2008, Mega Bloks produced a line of small toys called “Plasma Dinosaurs” (and Dragons), which could be assembled and re-assembled with each other. Mega Bloks doesn’t appear to have had scientific accuracy in mind for these little monster figure, but as a child’s toy their in-hand playability is decent enough.
Review: Pachycephalosaurus (Soft Model Series 1 by Kinto Favorite)
4 (8 votes)
Despite the figure’s small size, there are plenty of fine details to appreciate on this release from Kinto/Favorite’s earlier days.
Favorite Co. Ltd is among the better dinosaur toy producers currently in the market, even though many of their figures are either out of production or exclusive to Japan.
Favorite Co. Ltd is among the better dinosaur toy producers currently in the market, even though many of their figures are either out of production or exclusive to Japan.
Review: Dusty the Diplocaulus (Paleo Pals)
4.9 (8 votes)
“I dig these things.”
Dr. Robert Bakker was speaking more literally than figuratively when making the above statement regarding the genus in question (he has excavated numerous fossils of this particular animal), but there is also a genuine seal of approval in there from the esteemed paleontologist.
Dr. Robert Bakker was speaking more literally than figuratively when making the above statement regarding the genus in question (he has excavated numerous fossils of this particular animal), but there is also a genuine seal of approval in there from the esteemed paleontologist.
Review: Allosaurus (Soft Model Series 1 by Favorite Co. Ltd.)
4 (12 votes)
Despite representing the same genus, Favorite co’s first take on the famous Jurassic theropod is remarkably different their their currently-produced version.
Although Allosaurus is less of a star in dinosaur pop culture than it used to be, the genus is still a mainstay in toy lines.
Although Allosaurus is less of a star in dinosaur pop culture than it used to be, the genus is still a mainstay in toy lines.
Review: Allosaurus “Raptillion” (Plasma Dinosaurs by Mega Bloks)
1.9 (16 votes)
This little oddball of a dinosaur toy might not win any beauty or accuracy contests, but is it a decently entertaining piece in its own right?
Between 2006 and 2008, Mega Bloks released a line of small toys under the “Plasma Universe” title which included dragons and dinosaurs.
Between 2006 and 2008, Mega Bloks released a line of small toys under the “Plasma Universe” title which included dragons and dinosaurs.