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Not to be confused with tonkatsu, which is a breaded pork cutlet (and one of my favourite foods), tokusatsu is a Japanese genre of television shows literally meaning “special filming.” What it usually means is live-action superhero shows using considerable amounts of special effects.

The most famous tokusatsu show is probably the Japanese version of Power Rangers, but there are some other famous ones liked Masked Rider and Ultraman, which both had brief stints in North America. In Japan, there are lots of toys for all three of these shows made by Mega Bloks. We’re no longer producing them, but wickedlemon on Ranger Board has amassed quite an impressive collection!

Limbo Studios started causing quite a stir in the Mega Bloks Halo community when they began posting beautifully composed photographs on the Mega Bloks Halo Facebook page some months ago. A one-man-team based in West Virginia, Limbo is headed up 18 year old Jacob T. Teague. We got in touch with him this week to ask him some questions about his work and how it relates to Mega Bloks.

One of the first photos of Limbo's that we saw.

How did you get into Mega Bloks? Did it begin with Halo or something else?

I’ve had some smaller sets from various lines, but I think the older Dragons series — not Dragons Universe — was the first Mega Bloks line that I really got into. That was a great theme. Then just a few years ago when the Halo Wars line came out I really got into that, since I think I’d consider Halo my favorite game. And here we are now.

Dragons! That’s a pretty old line. What drew you into it so much?

Back then I was really into knights and dragons, and the detail that went into the figures, structures, weapons, etc. (as well as all the other lines) was — and still is — amazing. Everything you guys make looks really great.

An old Dragons set.

You’re also adding your own detail to our designs with custom paint work. Were you doing stuff like that before Mega Bloks Halo?

I actually haven’t done too many custom paint jobs until recently. I’ve done a couple of helmets and prop guns before Mega Bloks Halo, but that’s pretty much it.

Some of Limbo Studios' custom painted weapons.

What made you decide to start doing custom work again?

All the customs from other people in the Mega Bloks Halo community. There’s some really great stuff out there, and that really encouraged me to give it a try.

Custom distressed Hunters.

On your page it says you’re a filmmaker as well. I hope we’ll be seeing an entry from you in this year’s Toymation Contest!

I’m definitely looking forward to this year’s contest! Aside from reading a couple books on the subject, I haven’t had any training at all. Right now I’m focusing more on photography and animation, since I’m working as a one man band right now … so it’s mostly a “trial and error/search the web for tutorials” system of learning.

Have you been doing photography for a long time now?

I got my first camera about 4 years ago and started taking pictures of things here and there, But I’d say this past year is when I’ve really gotten into photography.