Super Robot Chogokin godreideen

Super Robot Chogokin godreideen

I always planned on getting this when it was announced, cept' I knew I won't be getting it asap. So when I found it for a good price at Singapore's China Square Central, I knew its time to get one.

godbreaker

While godreideen is not that heavy because the metal legs are hallow to accommodate the transforming gimmick, I was a bit surprised that the figure included a decent amount of metal on the legs, hips, limb joints and upper torso, Although I was actually disappointed that he was no fun to play with.  One of the marketing points of the src line is its high amount of poseability and great play value but with godreideen, it's hard to pose this thing, sharp points all around and tight joints makes this src a chore to play with. Imagine posing a sea urchin, that’s how it feels like... L Though the fault is mainly due to godreideen’s physical design itself and not the toy.

godblock

Another thing is, godreideen doesn't have those clicky joints, again which takes away the fun of posing him, while he does have ratchet joints, you can only use it when in godbird mode, since its the legs of the godbird that has the clickety sounds. Plus the black portions of the limbs makes it feel like you're playing with an sh figuarts action figure and not an src, the black portions just feels as though you're posing a humanoid figure and not  a mech.

godvoice

godreideen's wings have additional articulation points to imitate its godvoice move.

godgorgon

Probably the coolest looking weapon for godreideen is the godgorgon, Again, Bandai made good use of translucent parts on the bow’s energy string, just as how they'd use them on other src effect parts.

godbird

This is undeniably the redeeming factor for this particular src release. godreideen just looks incredibly good in godbird mode, and is more playable in this form imo.  Too lazy to count the additional articulation produced by the talons, feet and legs, but trust me when I say that they are a lot.  Plus those talons are sharp. You could practically injure yourself if you're not careful. The transformation is also solid and I was actually thinking that bandai did a heck of a good job in executing its godbird mode. The legs has a folding peg on the sides to provide additional stability when joined together. Also while the manual shows that you need to parts swap the head and remove the hands to transform him in godbird mode, I think even without doing this godbird looks great just the same. It's just that when you look at him topside you'd see godreideen's face staring back at you.  But I still think it adds more fun seeing as how you can change him back and forth both modes without really needing to remove or swap anything.  The wings also looks more magnificent in godbird mode. I'm really surprised and glad how bandai was able to execute one of their first transforming srcs.

godreideen is not an amazing figure. He looks good visually and would make a great display piece, but if you're looking to pose and play with him, you'll be a bit disappointed, that said, the godbird mode alone I think is worth the purchase for this particular src.  I enjoyed transforming him and trying to put the godbird in cool poses with its talons trying to look threatening. I would highly suggest getting him if you can get him around the same price I got him for which is 45sgd. I intentionally passed on src normal reideen seeing that I already have him in soc form, but now that I think about it reideen might be the better release of the two because his body design is more mech like, more poseable and probably more fun to play with, I will definitely consider getting it if and when I see it for around the same price I got godreideen.

ROBOT DAMASHII HEAVY METAL L-GAIM MKII

Robot Damashii Heavy Metal L-gaim MK-2




Box back art

I was eagerly anticipating Bandai to release the LGaim mk2 on the soc spec line seeing as how they were able to roll out HM LGaim, but sadly, it seems that idea has been abandoned.. fans were clamoring for the mk2 that it even garnered the no.1 spot at last year's Tamashii Feature's voting polls. I was glad that mk2 won the voting, but sad at the same time knowing that it will not be released in the soc spec line. Well, beggars can't be choosers.. if Bandai is releasing it in plastic Robot Damashii form, I might as well get it until a better version comes along.




I knew right off the bat that it will be small seeing as how the spec lgaim was towering over regular socs, but I was really surprised to find out that the RD LGaim mk 2 was unusually big, considering that most RD's are smaller in size.. It is still not in scale with the spec LGaim but I don't think they look bad together either.




Love the details on mk2's eyes, makes this robot all the more enigmatic.




Power Launcher, glad how they made it easier for the power cables/wires to plug in easier on this RD version.



Beam sabre


Buster Launcher, although the RD version buster launcher is smaller, it now has better detailing and features a more fitting gun metal paint finish.



Lgaim and Lgaim mk2 Buster launchers



Mk2's Landbooster mode, The mk2 can transform into its landbooster mode, and the hinges on the mk2's shoulder armor serves as a handle for other heavy metals to latch and hold onto, just like a regular landbooster/jetpack.



I didn't notice it during the photoshoot, but after playing with it a bit more, I discovered that the nose cone can still be extended for a more sleeker look, as well as the head being stored more snuggly under the nose cone on landbooster mode.



Finally, a group shot of the Super Robot Wars EX real robot aces. I think I only need a decent rendition of the Nu Gundam and the Aura Battler's Dunbine and Billbine and I pretty much think the group is complete. During the older renditions of the SRW games, there were only a few Real robot licenses available back then, evangelion was non existent, dragonar wasn't even licensed yet, nor was macross, nadesico, Full metal Panic etc. Anyways, to make a long story short there were only 3 licensed real robot shows incorporated into the SRW games, Gundam, Aura Battler Dunbine and Heavy Metal L-gaim. No matter how strong the attacks of your Super Robot troops were, they were a pain to use during annihilation of the enemy cannon fodder phase of the game, thats when you have to rely heavily on your Real Robot aces. These guys can deal damage comparable to super robots but at the same time actually hit their targets as well as evade the enemies attacks, without using SP/Magic. Sometimes I kind of think they were much more important to the game, but was easily neglected, and relegated to the background because of their Real Robot status. Still, for me, I think they were the ace fighters from the game along with other SRW OG mechs like Cybaster, and have always wanted decent renditions of them in toy form. I Hope Dunbine and Billbine is next in line.