Convention - SDCC 2025 : A Journey Through Toynami’s Booth – Military Grit Meets Anime Nostalgia

By Mulder, San Diego, Convention Center, 25 july 2025

On July 25, 2025, the San Diego Convention Center was once again transformed into the beating heart of pop culture for San Diego Comic-Con, and among the maze of stands, photo ops, and fan gatherings, Booth #3229 stood out like a beacon for serious collectors and nostalgic dreamers alike. Toynami’s return to SDCC was not just a simple showcase; it was a carefully staged celebration of two very distinct yet complementary worlds — the grim, war-torn, hyper-detailed landscapes of Acid Rain World, and the sweeping, romanticized sci-fi legacy of Robotech. Walking into the booth felt like stepping through a time portal and a dimension warp all at once — on one side, you could almost smell the gun oil and damp earth of a post-apocalyptic battlefield; on the other, you were bathed in the light of a mecha anime fantasy that defined an entire generation of Saturday mornings. The air was electric, filled with the low hum of anticipation and the satisfied gasps of fans holding exclusives they had queued hours for, while photographers from across the globe — including Boris Colletier for Mulderville — tried to capture every meticulous detail for posterity.

The Acid Rain World display dominated one half of the booth, anchored by the FAV-SP33 Marine Tidebreaker MC4m, a rugged, amphibious vehicle designed for swamp and wetland missions. Even as a 1:18-scale collectible, its realism was uncanny — complete with a remote-controlled weapons station, dual MG-5 machine guns, and a battle-weathered paint job that made it look like it had been deployed for months in hostile territory. Collectors hunched over to study the suspension details and subtle rust effects, some murmuring to each other about how the vehicle would perfectly complete their diorama setups at home. Nearby, the FAV-SP34 Maelstrom Explorer figure stood like a sentinel, representing the elite Agurtan Army’s 303rd Rapid Response Team. Outfitted for nearly every combat scenario imaginable, the figure came with a staggering loadout: an ASMG23 submachine gun, dual pistols with silencers, a grenade, and a handheld tactical computer. One fan, visibly thrilled, joked, “This guy’s more prepared for battle than I am for Comic-Con.” Completing the gritty trifecta was the FAV-SP35 Eradik8, a cybernetically enhanced bounty hunter that radiated menace even behind glass. With its OG-21 shotgun, OR-14 revolver, battle rifle, kukri, pistol, and heavy pack, it looked like a nightmare pulled straight from a pulp-sci-fi fever dream. Each figure and vehicle wasn’t just painted — it was weathered, scuffed, and aged in a way that told a story before you even opened the box.

Breaking the tension of the militaristic theme, Toynami’s booth designers had cleverly placed the Miyo’s Mystic Musings: Little Embers Tie-Dye T-Shirt display right beside the Acid Rain lineup. The contrast was almost theatrical — from war machines to pastel swirls and adorable baby dragons. Designed by artist Miyo, the shirt was more than just merch; it was a wearable art piece that seemed to draw in both hardened collectors and casual passersby. Watching a group of cosplayers in heavy armor stop to gush over the dragons’ detailing was a reminder that Comic-Con thrives on these moments of tonal whiplash — where the darkest of fictional worlds can happily coexist with the most whimsical of creations.

Yet, the gravitational center of the booth — the place where cameras clicked nonstop and fans queued in winding lines — was undeniably the Robotech 40th anniversary display. Here, the Super Veritech Morpher – Rick Hunter VF1J Edition, limited to just 1,000 units, was positioned like a crown jewel. Its crisp detailing and faithful proportions felt like a love letter to long-time fans of the series, while newcomers were drawn in by the figure’s sleek lines and impressive transformation capability. Beside it, the Admiral Hunter’s Exclusive VR-052F Cyclone commanded equal attention, a premium collector’s edition in Skull Squadron colors with an exclusive Admiral Hunter head sculpt, interchangeable hands, and intricate accessories. Limited to only 500 units, this was the piece many attendees admitted they had come to the booth specifically to secure. The display was flanked by apparel exclusives — the Skull Squadron T-Shirt and New Generation Skull Cyclone T-Shirt — allowing fans to literally wear their fandom. These shirts weren’t simply slapped with logos; they were designed with an eye for detail, incorporating subtle nods to the series’ lore that only the most dedicated followers would immediately catch.

Conversations around the booth were peppered with personal stories. A middle-aged attendee in a faded Robotech convention shirt from the late ’90s leaned in close to the Morpher display and said softly, “This… this takes me back to watching Robotech on a tiny TV with my dad. I never thought I’d see something like this made with this level of care.” Another fan compared the meticulousness of the Acid Rain World sculpts to vintage model-kit building, noting how “these feel alive, like they’ve been somewhere.” The buzz was so constant that George Sohn, Toynami’s founder, was spotted chatting with collectors, fielding questions, and reminiscing about the company’s origins in the early 2000s when Robotech was their core license. Observers could sense the pride in his voice as he spoke about how Toynami has expanded its portfolio to include not only beloved anime properties but also complex original worlds like Acid Rain, proving the company’s ability to bridge nostalgia and innovation.

In the end, the Toynami booth at SDCC 2025 wasn’t merely a product showcase — it was an immersive narrative. Each exclusive on display told its own story, and together they formed a tapestry of fandom history, technical artistry, and emotional resonance. For veterans of the con, it was a reunion with old friends in collectible form; for newcomers, it was a gateway into worlds both imagined and remembered. And as the crowds eventually thinned late into the day, the displays remained lit like beacons — tiny, perfectly crafted reminders of why fans line up year after year for this unique intersection of memory, craftsmanship, and pure pop-culture magic.

You can discover our photos in our Flickr page

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville