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.

Super Robot Chogokin Mazinger Z and Weapons pack

Big big thanks to a fellow ptker Swaldem for getting me these when they were released in HK..

Great things come in small packages! 

Super Robot Chogokin Mazinger Z and SRC weapons pack

contents

thoughts on the figure:

It's a pain to put the pileder on maz's head, took me about 3-5mins. just to put it in place, the pileder is tiny, plus the sharp edges of the pileder's fins and maz's earhorns make it scary to force the issue.

very nice clickety joints, its like a revoltech figure but not that annoying or scary to pose, that paranoia of breaking a ratchet joint won't be felt on these srcs!

Love the metallic colors of the breast fire plates, the scrander wings, as well as the gold trim on the kyoukagata rocket punch. They are very shiny, its like socs meets saint cloth myth shiny goodness..

Lovin' the package as well as the peek-a-maz window.

Be careful of maz's chin and his neck, the ball jointed neck its so poseable that maz's chin paint CAN be scratched on his own neck, yep, happened while I was putting on the pileder, make no mistake guys, remember how hard it was when koji was trying to dock the pileder on maz in the anime? You'd get that same sensation on these here src.

The rocket punch effects is really not compatible with socs.

As for the diecast parts, I'd say its about 50% of the figure, specifically the chest, and shins (blue part of the legs). Aside from that I think there are diecast parts inside as the hip joints are solid diecast ball joints. It's true that the figure is light as opposed to regular socs, but when you hold it, it feels like a real soc, an soc that has been shrunk. Although its a few hundred grams lighter than socs, its also proportionally heavy given the size, its like how the transformers ths-02 convoy feels, small but solid.

Take note though that these are my own personal thoughts, others might have other opinions on the toy.

that said.. on with some funshots!

Swordsmechs

Maz vs. doublas

With SRW Buddies (sorry, too lazy to add more mechs on this pic) 

These srcs are not replacements for soc, but they sure are awesome to play with,  and great for dios too, really tempted with changing my displays from the usual static with bases to an srw free for all diorama battle!

This is the best mazinger out there right now, If bandai decided to 2upped this one, and release him in SOC form, its another Maz I'll surely welcome! 


Based on one of my fave eps of Mazinger Z, before the jetscrander upgrade, Maz had to resort to using Aflodai-A's rockets to fly and defeat his enemies!

future src tamashii exclusive? 

Rocket Punch!!!

Another great classic Mazinger Z collectible.

Here's hoping the Photonic Research labs/institute SRC base pushes through!

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!