Ollie Barder
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cacophanus.bsky.social
Ollie Barder
@cacophanus.bsky.social
280 followers 48 following 150 posts
Game Designer, Forbes contributor, Mecha Damashii founder, and self-sufficient introvert. "Japanese Mecha Expert", apparently.
https://allmylinks.com/cacophanus
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cacophanus.bsky.social
Ollie Barder @cacophanus.bsky.social · Jun 14
I will endeavor to post here more here, but in the meantime, here are some mecha anime recommendations starting with Blue Comet SPT Layzner.
docdro.id/P3BtyQB
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cacophanus.bsky.social
Master Chief Gets A New Coat Of Paint For Sentinel’s RE:Edit Figure
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Master Chief Gets A New Coat Of Paint For Sentinel’s RE:Edit Figure
Back in 2020, Sentinel released a wonderful figure of Master Chief from the first 'Halo', and now it’s back with a more game-accurate coloring.
www.forbes.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:52 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Xi Gundam And Penelope To Get New Robot Damashii Figures
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Xi Gundam And Penelope To Get New Robot Damashii Figures
Following the release of the new 'Gundam Hathaway' movie, 'The Sorcery of Nymph Circe', we’ll be getting updated Robot Damashii toys of the Xi Gundam and Penelope.
www.forbes.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:18 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery Of Nymph Circe’ Review: Sweet Child O’ Mine
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‘Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery Of Nymph Circe’ Review: Sweet Child O’ Mine
Following the events of the first 'Gundam Hathaway' movie, its sequel makes some interesting additions that are genuinely impactful.
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January 30, 2026 at 12:16 PM
cacophanus.bsky.social
The Gattai Dairyuga Toy Review: Truly The Ultimate Dancouga
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The Gattai Dairyuga Toy Review: Truly The Ultimate Dancouga
Following my review of the entirely huge and impressive The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga, we now have The Gattai Dairyuga, and there’s a lot to unpack here.
www.forbes.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:24 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Dragon Ball’ Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Video Scored By Hans Zimmer
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‘Dragon Ball’ Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Video Scored By Hans Zimmer
With this year being the 40th anniversary of the 'Dragon Ball' anime, we’ve been graced with a new video scored by Hans Zimmer and details on a new anime series.
www.forbes.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:51 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
I've also started a new mecha game column at Automaton, and my first article is all about Armored Core 3.
automaton-media.com/en/reviews/a...
A Western Perspective On Mecha Games. Armored Core 3: A Brilliant Game That Renewed My Faith In The Series - AUTOMATON WEST
A column on Armored Core 3 by Ollie Barder.
automaton-media.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:09 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
With a new VOTOMS anime announced, I was asked to do a special edition of my mecha game column. I even managed to get a new comment from Ryosuke Takahashi, too!
www.gamespark.jp/article/2026...
メカゲームにおける「装甲騎兵ボトムズ」の独自の影響―高橋良輔氏語る、ATが4mになった理由【オリーさんのロボゲーコラム特別編】 | Game*Spark - 国内・海外ゲーム情報サイト
高橋良輔氏からの特別コメントも。
www.gamespark.jp
January 21, 2026 at 8:39 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Patlabor EZY’ Will Be Released As Three Movies, Starting This Year
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‘Patlabor EZY’ Will Be Released As Three Movies, Starting This Year
It’s been a good while since we had any news on 'Patlabor EZY', but it’s finally coming out as three movies. The first of these will be released in May this year.
www.forbes.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:47 PM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Upcoming ‘Gundam Hathaway’ Movie Will Have Opening Song By SZA
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Upcoming ‘Gundam Hathaway’ Movie Will Have Opening Song By SZA
In a rather interesting move, the upcoming 'Gundam Hathaway' movie, 'The Sorcery of Nymph Circe', will have its opening song done by SZA.
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January 16, 2026 at 11:34 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Here Are Some Of The Best Japanese Games You May Have Missed In 2025
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Here Are Some Of The Best Japanese Games You May Have Missed In 2025
Last year saw some truly great Japanese games released, and here are some of my personal favorites you may have missed.
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January 15, 2026 at 6:49 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
New VOTOMS Anime Is Out Later This Year And Directed By Mamoru Oshii
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New VOTOMS Anime Is Out Later This Year And Directed By Mamoru Oshii
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sunrise, we will be getting a new 'Armored Trooper VOTOMS' anime directed by Mamoru Oshii.
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January 15, 2026 at 4:53 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Samus Aran Chogokin Now Available To Pre-Order For Its August Release
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December 30, 2025 at 1:23 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
This is a new column I've started at Game*Spark about mecha games.
www.gamespark.jp/article/2025...
国際的に見た、ロボゲーにおける、非常に独特な文化的交差点の理解【オリーさんのロボゲーコラム】 | Game*Spark - 国内・海外ゲーム情報サイト
日本国外のビデオゲームにおいて、メカがどのように、そしてなぜ日本とは大きく異なる形で解釈されているのかについて。
www.gamespark.jp
December 28, 2025 at 9:03 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Perfect Blue’ 4K Blu-Ray Review: Still A Mind Bending Masterpiece
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December 23, 2025 at 12:13 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Wings Of Rean’ To Get New Blu-Ray Release And Soundtrack Next Year
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December 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve’ Looks Incredible And Is Out Next Year
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‘Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve’ Looks Incredible And Is Out Next Year
It’s been a good while since we had a new mainline 'Ace Combat' game, and now it appears that 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' will be out next year.
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December 12, 2025 at 4:44 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Planetes’ Blu-Ray Review: A Gem Of A Hard Science-Fiction Anime
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‘Planetes’ Blu-Ray Review: A Gem Of A Hard Science-Fiction Anime
There are very few “good” hard science-fiction anime out there, but 'Planetes' is definitely one of them, albeit one wrapped in a warm, cosy blanket of comedy.
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December 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Classic Shmup ‘R-Type III’ Is Getting A New Port Next Year
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Classic Shmup ‘R-Type III’ Is Getting A New Port Next Year
In a rather interesting announcement, ININ Games will be publishing 'R-Type Dimensions III' next May, bringing the classic SNES shmup to modern platforms.
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December 11, 2025 at 6:45 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga Toy Review: Huge And Impressive
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The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga Toy Review: Huge And Impressive
Over the years, there have been many excellent Dancouga toys made, but this is by far the most impressive and easily one of the largest
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December 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Platinum Trophies In The ‘Dragon Quest’ HD Remakes Are A Joy To Earn
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Platinum Trophies In The ‘Dragon Quest’ HD Remakes Are A Joy To Earn
Now that all three of the original 'Dragon Quest' trilogy have been remade in HD, it’s time I shared my thoughts on getting Platinum trophies for both releases.
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December 8, 2025 at 11:33 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
The ‘Virtual On Masterpiece’ Collection Is Now 70% Off
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The ‘Virtual On Masterpiece’ Collection Is Now 70% Off
Following the 30th anniversary of the first 'Virtual On', the 'Virtual On Masterpiece' collection is now 70% off on the PlayStation Store.
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December 7, 2025 at 4:25 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
A Quick Rundown Of The Hidden Unlocks For ‘Metroid Prime 4’
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A Quick Rundown Of The Hidden Unlocks For ‘Metroid Prime 4’
Following my review, I have completed 'Metroid Prime 4' on both Normal and Hard difficulty and unlocked everything, so here are a few helpful pointers.
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December 5, 2025 at 1:21 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Giant Gundam From The End Of ‘GQuuuuuuX’ Gets Massive Toy
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Giant Gundam From The End Of ‘GQuuuuuuX’ Gets Massive Toy
One of the fun parts of the finale for 'Gundam GQuuuuuuX' was the appearance of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam, and its “hyper mode” version has a toy out next year.
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December 4, 2025 at 4:33 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
Samus Aran Finally Gets The Chogokin Toy She Deserves Next Year
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Samus Aran Finally Gets The Chogokin Toy She Deserves Next Year
Thanks to those great people at Bandai Spirits, Samus Aran from 'Metroid Prime 4' will get a diecast figure released next Summer.
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December 4, 2025 at 4:04 AM
cacophanus.bsky.social
‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ Switch 2 Review: C’est Vi-O-La
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‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ Switch 2 Review: C’est Vi-O-La
It’s taken a long time for us to get 'Metroid Prime 4', and the game is certainly excellent, but did it really need to take 8 years?
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December 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM