GX-54 Tobikage and Kurojishi SOC Review by Gold

4.0/5 rating (1 votes)

Description

The following review was originally prepared by Gold on 8/2/10 on the Robot-Japan Forum:

 

Hi all, here's the review for the Gx-54 Tobikage with Kurojishi. :)


Tobikage Opening (The title is "Love Survival" in the original Japanese, in the US version it's changed into "Ninja Robots")
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Box
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Trays
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Tobikage
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Tobikage Weapons.

Sword

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Rifle
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Shield
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Shield and rifle combine into Thunder Arrow Gun
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Battle-Shot Blade
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His sword can be equipped on the scabbard as well. But I don't really recommend leaving it in Tobikage's hands for long as it will warp the fingers.
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Makibishi Launcher (shoots ninja caltrops in the show)
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Tobikage in action.
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The Tobikage starts out as an independent fighting machine, later Joe Maya is choosen by the Tobikage to "merge" with it.
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Joe Maya's first time piloting the Kurojishi and the transformation into lion mode.
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KuroJishi
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Kurojishi Weapons
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Beam Katana
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Ninja Katana (what? in case the Beam Katana runs out of batteries?)
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The KuroJishi comes with a "Gattling Gun". It's a bit difficult to equip it on the toy though due to the tight fists.
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The Kurojishi in Jyuuma (Beast) Mode
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Kurojishi transformation in CG from SRW Impact.
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The transformation's a bit of a tight fit for the Tobikage.
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The Kurojishi's Ninja Katana can be equipped in the Jyuuma mode.
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Since it's not clearly indicated in the manual, there are some hidden joints for the figure.
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The Kurojishi stands roughly 6.5 inches tall while the Tobikage stands roughly 4 inches.
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The Good
-Kurojishi weighs roughly 400 Grams, the Tobikage aboug 40 grams.


-Ratchet jointed shoulders on the Kurojishi.

-They put in a mid-torso joint for the Tobikage.

-Diecast parts include:

Tobikage
-Upper torso


Kurojishi
-Torso
-Shoulder joints
-Feet (Robot mode)
-Feet/Claws (Jyuuma mode)


-Relatively tough box. I was pleasantly surprised that the Gx-54 box was sturdier than I expected. I was half-expecting to get a box with a crushed back due to lack of a styrofoam piece but it came out alright. :)







The Bad
-No Tonfas for the Kurojishi.

-The Kurojishi Jyuuma/Beast mode/Lion mode can't change into it's final attack mode (involves the mane to open out).

-No extra dummy for the Kurojishi in Jyuma mode. Too bad, Bandai had the right idea with Baikanfu.
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-The kneepads on Tobikage tend to pop off easily, but I guess better to pop off than break off.
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-No display base (sigh)

-No chrome on the swords!

-Poorer quality control. Mine had gash right out of the box. Damn!
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-Manual is somewhat hard to decipher with regards to transforming Kurojishi legs.


The Ugly
-The groin joints on the Kuorjishi are INSANELY TIGHT! I wonder why they didn't equip ratchet joints here? As is, they're really hard to rotate in transforming it into Jyuma mode. Turning the legs to a 90 Degree position felt like trying to open a brand new jar of pickles. I'm not sure if it's just my unit.



Overall, a decent enough release and addition to the SOC line, it won't win Toy of the Year but it's still better than Bandai rolling out another Mazinger.

On a personal note though, I dunno, it really feells like Bandai cut a LOT of corners here. No base, no styro, slighly less than par quality control, no chrome on the swords. I just hope they make some improvements with the next two Tobikage SOCs.





Funfact : From what I hear, the Tobikage isn't technically allowed for sale outside of Japan (it's a licensing thing). That being the case, all units should come with this little piece of paper:

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It's called a QR Code sheet (QR means Quick Response). Basically if you have a high-tech smart phone, you take a picture of the code and the phone will automatically open up an internet connection to a specific webpage. This particular sheet is usually only found in Japan version SOCs.

A lot of other First World countries also use the QR Code for promotional and social networking. Ahh.. the future.. when will it ever get to the Philippines. ;D




Tobikage Ending credits
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:)
Gold

 

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