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.

Kado Senshi Chogokin GD-60 Gundam ZZ

Here's a mini review for the Kado Senshi Chogokin GD-60 ZZ Gundam

First off, I'm a hard core Gundam Universal Century nut.. and the double Zeta has got to be in my top 5 gundams of all time. This particular rendition of the ZZ has got to be one of my favorite mecha in my collection. That said, I'll try to be as objective about the toy as I can, but be warned, I might be a bit biased..



Box Front


Box Back and Contents


Comparison Shot with its Master Grade Counterpart, MG is 1/100 scale while the Kado Senshi Chogundam is 1/144 scale.

I guess one of the reason's why I like this particular toy is because of its "secrets". If you're familiar with the ZZ design, you'd immediately notice that the shin panels on the sides are supposed to be leaning outwards, its a simple aesthetic that does a lot in terms of adding the cool factor for the ZZ design. It has not been mentioned in the manual, but the leg panels are not supposed to lock in order for the mech to look anime accurate. The locks are only used when transforming the ZZ into its alternate G-fortress mode.


Another secret I suppose is that the beam saber "sheath" on the back pack has holes on the sides that you can use to plug the twin beam rifles when not in use.

As a frustrated Gunpla modeller, I can appreciate the panel lines on this particular gundam. The lines on the head, shoulders, chest etc. are all clean WITHOUT bleeding.. even the Hi-mega Cannon has been panel lined, I haven't used a magnifying glass to check if the "ZZ" inscription on the bottom of the Hi-mega Cannon is there, its suppose to have one based on the ZZ gundam line arts I saw back then, but make no mistake, there is a patch of line art there on and at the bottom of the HI-mega Cannon! 


The front of the Chest can be opened up to reveal the Neo corefighter and the Cock-pit.


As the ZZ Gundam was a mobile suit designed for space/flying combat, I found it fitting to use a Bandai 1/144 Gunpla stand, in order for the ZZ to utilize its fair amount of articulation.

The ZZ Gundam has articulations on the ff points:

1. Dual ball joints (Head and Neck)
2. Shoulders (diecast joints can be extended for greater range of motion)
3. Biceps
4. Elbows (3point swivel joints inside)
5. Swivel wrists plus ball joints
6. Swivel waist
7. Ball jointed hips
8. Rotary leg twist
9. Double Jointed knees
10. Ball jointed ankles
11. mid foot joint

As you can see, the ZZ gundam is quite an articulated mech, however due to the bulky design, it sort of limits the range of motion for the joints. If you think the articulation is not enough, blame the ZZ design itself and not the toy. 


Hyper Beam Saber




Dual Beam Sabers


"White Devil"


Backpack missile launchers


The ZZ Gundam can seperate in its variable mode, with the Core top.


And the Core base, the Neo Core fighter can also seperate from the Core base.


When the core top and the core base is combined, they form the G-Fortress, rock solid, I just love the feel of the G-fortress when held, this is the only version of the ZZ that has a very stable G-fortress mode.. all toys I have had of the ZZ has floppy G-fortress modes..

The G-fortress can transform into the ZZ Gundam without parts swapping. (assuming you use the closed fists for the ZZ)


Twin beam rifle.

Another "secret" I suppose is the beam effects for the sabre being used as beam "blasts" for the twin beam rifle, although to be honest I have been doing it with my previous ZZ gunplas before so I was not that surprised when the trick also worked for this chogokin version! 




I don't recommend displaying it with the beams attached though a s gravity will soon deform the tip of the Beam effects when held for a prolonged period of time. The beam effects can also be used on the other end of the beam sabers when in G-fortress mode.


Gems from the Chogokin Kado senshi line.


The ZZ gundam has great chunks of diecast on the shoulders and (almost) everything from the waist down are diecast. (sans the panels)

If you're a fan of Gundam In general I don't think you'll be disappointed with this toy. It seems Smarty toys has been disposing its GD-60 supply for low low prices on the local market. I highly recommend getting one, if you're a ZZ Gundam fan, its the best rendition of the mech to date. No other version comes close. (I don't think even the upcoming HG gunpla upgrade would compete with this one.) I almost feel guilty not getting it as soon as it came out back then..

But then again, all this from a Gundam nut, so different strokes for different folks I guess! 

Bandai Armorplus: Yoroiden Samurai Troopers Rekka No Ryo

Eversince Bandai's announcement at its tamashii event, I have been waiting anxiously for their new Armorplus Yoroiden Samurai Troopers Rekka no Ryo.

Now that it has been released, was it worth the wait and anticipation? Here's my thoughts on this newest rendition of this character (and hopefully new Samurai Trooper line) from Bandai.

Click the pics for hi-res pic links.

The figure comes in a beautifully illustrated box showing both Ryo donning his Rekka (wildfire) armor as well as the armor in its  object state. The box also features an exclusive illustration of Ryo Sanada, though I have yet to find out who the artist is but the illustration is properly credited on the box , although  it's a shame that I can't read japanese..

The box features an opening  cover complete with velcro attachments, and the toy is gloriously displayed in the window box underneath the top covering.

The toy has two tray layers, the upper tray stores the Ryo figure,  unsheathed sword, armor parts and the Dummy Samurai Spirit body so that you can display the Samurai armor in its object form. The lower tray includes some more armor parts,fused katana (double bladed naginata) and Sheathed swords.

Thanks to this opening window, in store buyers can inspect first the item for quality control issues before purchasing the item.






Before  I go on with the mini review, since Samurai Troopers aint exactly mainstream anime and quite an old anime at that.. here's a few vids you might want to check out first in order to  better appreciate this character/toy.

Yoroiden Samurai Troopers TV Opening  1

Yoroiden Samurai Troopers TV Opening 2

Samurai Troopers Armor up!!!

Yoroiden Samurai Troopers as an anime, features one of the best opening sequences IMO. With songs sung by famed Japanese Singer Hiroko Moriguchi (Zeta Gundam, Gundam F91).

Anyways, here's some loose pics of the toy and my thoughts about it..



Ryo Sanada, The figure sans the armor features anime accurate sculpting of the face and inner armored gear. The figure boasts at least 32points of articulation, maybe more, and includes ball joint on the shoulders, thighs, wrists, neck and head.


The figure is mainly made of plastic but the feet not including the "U" shaped bars at his heels is made of solid diecast metal.

Ryo includes optional parts for the hand, (3pairs) neck,and head.




Here is my lame attempt at Ryo's armor up sequence... (I do hope you watched the armor up vid link above  before looking at this pic sequence.)

"Bussssooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!"

"Reeeeekkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"

Now this is where this figure really shines, Both figuratively and literally. The armor has decent amount of diecast parts on the feet, knee caps (yep including those spikes!), shin guards, thigh armor platings, (front,side and back skirts), Front chest piece, back armor, shoulder armors and those elbow spikes.


At first I was a bit dissapointed that Bandai didn't made the swords  in a way that it can be sheathed and drawn. They just included a pair of hilts, sheath and drawn katanas as well as a combined katana that forms a double bladed naginata.
 
But after opening and inspecting the  toy I realized that this was for the better, so as to avoid scratching the  chrome parts of the swords from the eventual sheathing and unsheathing. If Bandai had chosen to go with the sheathable swords route I'm sure they'd have tons of hate email and complaints flooding them right now!
The armor also includes a seperate front half without the face guard on.

Action Shots..

This has got to be one of my favorite shots of Ryo with his armor.

Overall I'm very pleased with this particular purchase. Pricewise I think  its a little steep, this toy would've been perfect if it costs around the 2-2.5k PHP range, but at the price I got it I guess its decent enough, not too marked up, not too good of a bargain but just right. If you're a Samurai Trooper fan, this is no doubt a must have collectible, it simply makes all the old playmates and Takara toys obsolete. I just hope Bandai follows  it up with the other four troopers as well as the Inferno Armor, as for the villains, I could live without those, but might get them too if ever they do get released and the price is good enough. For non fans who collects japanese toys well, this is really a great anime accurate action figure with diecast parts,  that alone is a great selling point to ponder, besides, how cool is it to have a Samurai Figure with diecast Samurai Armor on your shelf right?

Thanks for looking!