A Kotobukiya kit that's Gundarium Tier AND It Transforms? | VARIABLE FRAME SYSTEM GARUDAGEAR

It's been a long time since I've built a Kotobukiya mecha model kit. It looks like it's bee too long!
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0:00 Intro
2:20 Unboxing and Build
11:00 Aesthetics
13:50 Accessories
19:31 Articulation
26:03 The Transformation
31:47 Verdict
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#modelkit #gunpla

[@SimonSater]

The jet mode looks like an original jet out of the last Ace Combat, and probably it is! It has the same aestethic and the same gimmicks, like the open/close wings

[@LockeLynx]

ace combat!

[@KeenMean0079]

Make it black and it looks like the dark star

[@2010toyotamatrix]

The tail end is a cross between the ADF-11 Raven and the XFA-27and the nose of the ADF-01 Falken

[@notbenithecow5920]

@@2010toyotamatrix you have a keen eye, my friend 😏

[@enricopaolocoronado2511]

If Electrosphere ever gets a remaster/remake, I can see an aircraft in a style similar to the Garuda Gear appearing as a high-end plane.

[@weregarurumon3202]

Wait this isn't Macross.

[@Blue-EyesWhiteDude]

I'm gonna be honest... considering painting one of these in skull squadron colors 😂

[@ngorekers]

Almost identicaly like valkyrie in macross.

[@playedit0ut290]

There are similar alright.

[@argarvany9488]

I'm thinking the same yoo

[@grassycrab]

The transformation is pretty close to a vf1.

[@stanb1604]

Wow, that transformation segment really flows together. This is one of the best transforming kits I've seen as of late.

[@translucentsquirrelofdarkn7138]

this thing reminds me of the CFA-44 Nosferatu and the ADF-01 Falken and I absolutely adore it for that.

[@corvus9359]

It's too bad it's not a 1/144 scale kit, otherwise it could fit in with Kotobukiya's 1/144 Ace Combat Jets.

[@pennywise9081]

The swinging wing also reminds me of the X-02 Wyvern, but instead of the switchblade wing the entire wing swings

[@translucentsquirrelofdarkn7138]

@@corvus9359 Yeah. What scale is it? I apparently missed that. Is it about the size of your average HG?

[@corvus9359]

@@translucentsquirrelofdarkn7138 Looks like it's taller than the MG RX-78-2, so about 1/100 scale, which is not going to fit in with 1/144 scale fighter jets.

[@mightyrobot42]

@@translucentsquirrelofdarkn7138 Scale is kind of meaningless here since a robot can be any size. Frankly, this could be a 1:1 scale kit for all we know. The size looks to be similar to a 1:100 model of one of the standard, 18-metre Gundams, though.

[@Vipermecha]

I can already see someone making a Zeta Custom using these parts, the transformation is flawless, it definitely deserves the Gundarium tier.

[@andrewowens4421]

If anything this seems to be a reimagining of the Zeta Gundam. Less complicated but still getting the desired result of a functional flight form.

[@ch-ev5ee]

@@andrewowens4421 it's more like the original VF-01 from Macross than Zeta tbh

[@henry605]

Mmm

[@joeycohen7533]

Their medabots kits r insanely good. I’m collecting em all. No stickers at all and they look phenomenal. So much detail😊

[@royale9985]

My favorite Kotobukiya kit has probably got to be the 2021 release TSUGUMORI Kaini from Knights of Sidonia. Really solid, fairly size-able at 200cm, water slides, etc. Highly recommend if you enjoy a more unique mecha design!

[@troloinkto]

it was discontinued, i recently had the chance to buy a kit so i ordered the manga version of the Tsugumori, and also pre ordered the Yukimori from the new movie

[@vamthedestroyer]

The Kotobukiya Metal Gear Rex is pure perfection.

[@arpkahn670]

I don't know if they're necessarily "best", especially since my sample size of recent koto kits is limited, but all the collab stuff they've done with Maru Toys (the Tamotu and very recently the Noseru) have been absolutely fantastic. Very cute and simple designs on the surface but they're extremely solid and posable and while the outside looks simple and clean and the internal detail is absolutely top notch

[@justinrinker2480]

New Zoids are pretty great, and Weird Tails from the Hexa gear line was great. Didn't have any loose joints like some of the other hexagear stuff has.

[@derekstaff]

From the first time I saw this, I thought it was intended to be a poor man’s Macross Valkyrie, which intrigued me. Your review suggests it isn’t as “poor-man’s” as I assumed. As a Macross fan, I’m really looking forward to adding this to my collection.

[@Slasher-92]

The newer Zoids kits are fantastic. A lot of the reissues fix a lot of older issues. They’re an experience. I’ve heard great things about the Muv Luv and newer frame arm kits as well

[@wulf8889]

He did built the Wild Liger.

[@tired1671]

i hope he reviews more i think it would cool if he did a review on the beserk fuher

[@Slasher-92]

@@wulf8889 I’m hip, but there are so many other great Zoid kits he could review Liger Zero, Lightning Saix, Genosaurer, Command Wolf, Berserk Fury Hell even the ZA Zoid Kits (Third Party) are worth checking out

[@gegeji6442]

I'm someone who has build a lot of the Muv-Luv kits and while i'm a big fan of them and like them they still come with cons though. Pro: -they look really great and have very sleek design (except gen 1 models which are more chonky) -most of them have a lot of accesoirs and weapons for a lot of loadouts option. -back weapon holder gimmick of melee weapon deployment and back ranged weapon can be deployed for maximum fire forward. -great pose ability and great to do agressive flying poses due to most of them being relativly light(due to no inner frame), not really having sideskirts and flexible flight units (except the mig-21 but thats more due to it being a gen 1 mecha lorewise) -depending on model might come with beta minifigures Con: -straight build look bland and shit. Not every piece is color accurate. Does require at least some detail painting to look good. -mechanicly very simple and not really anything impressive. No inner frame like gunplas -piece precision isn't on bandai level but still acceptable for kotobukiya standarts -quite noticeable seamlines on the 1/144 scale kits. Less notcieable on non scale (about 1/100 size) but still exist on some kits. -no undergate and gates are basically not hidden at all so require a lot of sanding off or else very noticeable. Tl;dr: basically muv luv kits require more effort to look good and are not ideal kits for those who straight builds.

[@weregarurumon3202]

Do they still need glue?

[@mogunloye]

Love this overall review, salute fam!!!

[@gamerkingdom1442]

OH! I LOVE BOTH FORMS!! It gives me such Revoltech vives!! I LEGITIMATELY WANT ONE!!!

[@truthseeker9833]

Robotech*

[@dug1115]

I was just starting to build this kit when I looked up your review, great video!

[@BLAZE084]

I'm sold. I was already pretty impressed by the images I found online but with this review that settles it. Thanks for the review!

[@MrJans3n]

I've been looking forward to this guy! I love how good the jet mode looks

[@TheKampungNerd]

Woah, this looks pretty amazing! Loving the transformation, does remind me of Macross a lot. But the design itself is pretty cool. Definitely getting this kit! Thanks for the review Mecha!

[@robinrondo]

Yesss more kotobukiya kits in the future please!

[@eliasfajardo6148]

Nice kit!. Good thing about being mono white is that you can alter those colors to make it more vibrant and customized for personal taste. Also, the transformation really looks cool.

[@DeltaO38]

The transformation did look amazing for a modelkit, making it hard to imagine it turns into a Mech! Thinking about the most recent koto kit , the Hand Scale Gourai with Jinrai Armor was pretty neat giving you 3 kits in one ( hand scale gourai , updated frame arms gourai/jinrai and a hexagear Aerial Fighter Woodpecker without the figure and weapons tho)

[@daniel_gallardo808]

Damn that fighter mode looks something that could come right of Ace Combat.

[@NorthWinded]

yeah looks like an X-02 Strike Wyvern/ ADF-11F hybrid.

[@felps_4500]

Lol, it reminds me of the one Pixy used on ACZ's last mission, just paint one of the wings red and you're gold

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa4]

The transformation is simply amazing

[@christopherh3389]

My brain went straight to Macross, and then you mentioned it. Great minds think alike. It’s a beautiful kit.

[@gez9145]

nice shapes and combination of vintage and modern aesthetics!

[@XSilencingHerX]

My most recent Kotobukiya kit was the Tamotu. Great little kit that was fun to assemble and had great added detail for the "inner frame".

[@LazerRay1]

This kit has been on my HLJ wishlist ever since it was released, the white and grey color scheme matches what I use for robots/mechs I use in various games plus I like the overall sleek styling, complete with a full mechanical transformation with out have to take anything off other than the weapons.

[@Jade99]

I built the Type 48 Model 2 about a week ago and man is this thing sick. I will be picking up Model 1 and the Lancer version shortly!

[@porakiyadraekojin3390]

This kit is amazing! I was honestly on the fence on whether or not to get this. Not anymore, definitely getting it! And the way it transforms is simply amazing. Makes me hope Kotobukiya makes a robot with an animal mode that has a similar transformation system!

[@russianreaper7716]

Kotobukiya’s Armored Core and Muv Luv kits have always been fantastic in my experience. The former are expensive as hell tho rn

[@ahmadimanzulkifli6859]

The design is very conventional from the cockpit placement in jet form and robot form. Seamless armor merge and dynamic transformation that totally serves the purpose of each component. One feature is that the cockpit stays in upright position in transformation.

[@74benzo]

The Zoids Hmm Rev Raptor is incredible. It holds together perfectly and has amazing articulation. I was thoroughly impressed and it’s cheap!

[@panda77512]

my most recent kotobukiya kit was the metal gear rex, and my god that kit was awesome, very well put together and currently thinking about painting it, but unsure what paints to use, but over all love it!

[@krtos7514]

Looks great, the bot mode reminds me a mecha from Sidonia Knights, the plane looks like the YF-19 from macross plus, this kit looks like a fun project to customize

[@birumerah2896]

That's a clean transformation

[@victormorgan8675]

You were asking about koto kits the governors are very enjoyable if you can find them for a reasonable price it's nice that they can interact with a lot of the larger models really like your content keep up the good work

[@MegaMato]

I'm pumped. Mine is waiting to ship.

[@razrafz]

feels like it simplifies and refines a lot of elements from transformable gundams. age-2 (torso, knees), zeta (backpack), ex-s (feet cover, arms deformation)

[@andrewowens4421]

I like to think that in the creation of this mech they looked back at other transforming mechs and wanted to try and simplify/streamline the transformation so that it didn't have so many moving parts.

[@godzillacc5]

That is a very beautiful kit dayum

[@chatspam1238]

Most recent koto kit ive built was the Frame arms girl Zelfikar. Incredible kit. It's one of the more modern koto kits so it's definitely better than the old kits you built. Blew the more modern 30ms out of the water.

[@flamestoyershadowkill6400]

30ms in general seems to be budget oriented compared to the kotobukiya mecha musume lines.

[@tajiprajna5534]

The fact that this kit doesnt need parts forming and look like real fighter jet is impressive

[@andrewowens4421]

That's what sells me on it. It's a simple transformation but it also hides the robot form well. That is what a transforming mecha should be; streamlined.

[@StrikeNoir105E]

It's the size of a Master Grade Gundam kit, so indeed it's large enough to not require partsforming. It's typically the smaller kits (like 1/144 Gunpla) that requires partsformation just because of the size.

[@clarencedelacruz7822]

Bandai should take note of this! This kit is amazing!

[@double_0_jake263]

Ooh I've been wanting one of these since they announced it and I was hoping it would be good.

[@jonathanyap3770]

Got mine from hlj. Can't wait for it to arrive to me. It look really different from frame arms and remind me of macross but simplify. Kotobukiya original mecha design has come a long way since the first frame arm gourai and I love it.

[@AangDknight]

The jet mode remind me a lot of Abulhool. For those who don't know, Abulhool is a gundam precursor of Kyrios Gundam from 00 Season 1. It only appears 00 side stories such as 00I and 00P (Prologue), but it is animated in Build Fighters Try episode 19, which is the episode where they fight Denial Gundam, Gun EZ and Abulhool Gundam.

[@andrewowens4421]

Maybe that's where they pulled the inspiration from. the Abulhool does look like it should have transformed more fully.

[@neotenneotendudexp4894]

U and I have same thoughts...this should be in 00

[@StrikeNoir105E]

The Abulhool does kinda cheat a bit due to the fact that it has no humanoid form: it's more like a GERWALK configuration from Macross. Even in its transformed state with the legs it's still half-plane with no proper arms.

[@RetroLaserbeak]

Man, this kit looks great. Especially love that beam rifle, reminds me a lot of the Monte Carlo from Destiny. I'd be tempted to glue one of the sabers to it as a bayonet to complete the look.

[@TheSageDarius]

Well this just jumped onto my 'must-buy' list.

[@lukabazookastj9462]

Definitely picking this up

[@MiriaJiyuu]

Built the 'Fang Tiger ' last weekend. Solid kit, only panel lined it with some top coatto geet a nice kit

[@fishpop]

That transformation was pretty cool.

[@aidiotontheinternet1803]

The last kotobukiya kit I built was the aaliyah from armored core and love it

[@Luna832]

I personally really like the noseru and tamotu that were released last year. Super cute and quick builds

[@michaelmonreal9697]

so awesome!

[@toltalyawsome]

I have built the samurai from frame arms the red one and it's really good I love how many options out of box build it has for customs

[@LtJDavid]

That fighter mode is CLEAN lookin.

[@loganstynes8738]

I don't know if it's recent or not, but the msg convert body is incredible. It's solid, can be built a ton of ways, and even has a kinda transformation out of box. Plus it looks great

[@BeefBN6]

For me it was the Jungle Type Lord Impulse. That shit was straight gas. Beautiful out of box, and super photogenic.

[@devinchadwick9147]

The BA Loudgale is a fantastic kit, great design, good plastic, solid joints. There's some decent stuff in the Hexa Gear line and I'm excited to see what they do with it (especially the Thor which comes out later this year, it's almost like a Gundam!)

[@davidnorinth6698]

Hope to see this kit whenever you decide to do an updated list of flight forms.

[@nova8456]

build log was very good !

[@brycejohnson5621]

Can’t wait for this one to release! Good thing I have the mg strike remaster and some hgs while I wait

[@ebindelgado9660]

The MSG kits (model support goods) are fun to play around with. Not only with Kotobukiya kits, but with some of Bandai kits as well since it also uses 3mm pegs & holes as well. However, if you're planning to use these on gunpla or 30 minute missions kits, you might wanna sand down the handles to fit in the small hands

[@itsdantaylor]

I finally got this kit. NEVER made a Kotobukiya kit before and I REALLY liked this one. Huge fan of Macross and Zone of the enders and this kind of hit a hybrid sweet spot. If there was ONE critique, it would be that.....some of the joints (and it could be just on mine or something i did) are REALLY stiff. Which would normally be a good thing but when enough parts need to rotate separately from others it can make the transformation a wee bit tricky..........also one of the leg tail fin pieces fell into the couch monster and I can't get it back without destroying the couch but not a total loss. Still loved the kit and if it was a WEE bit cheaper I would consider getting multiple to customize with some macross decals.

[@naruchif1995]

It really gets me Vilkiss vibes from Cross Ange, awesome kit!

[@MegaMato]

I like your nail tips.

[@neometallX]

It literally transforms into an Ace Combat ADFX jet!

[@Fire-bj5vc]

My few last kotobukiya kits were hexa gear bulkarm lumberjack, governor nightstalker pack, and booster pack 003 (the car one). Hexa gear kits are getting better now since kotobukiya has changed the rubbery plastic of the governor to solid plastic (after version 1.5).

[@bigpartyartie]

All I know is I want one Hell I’d love 2-4 of these guys to make a squadron Looks SO cool

[@mightyrobot42]

The most recent Kotobukiya kit that I built was the Live Axe, which I made so that my Char-coloured Mobile Haro could have a weapon. It absolutely destroyed the hands that I had holding it, although I don't know if that was because the handle was slightly too big or the extra articulation point on the Build Hands that I used made them a bit flimsy, or a combination of both.

[@cardinalslover09]

Kotobukiya Arca Nadea Lumitea. I love angels, the plastic feels amazing, and she looks fantastic.

[@zephyboy9227]

this seems insane

[@strato991]

i've built a number of the RE:2 frame arms kits, my personal favorite being the Baselard. PRetty much all of them have been solid though!

[@nadelcnu]

The Kotobukiya Maruttoys kits are fantastic. The Rev Raptor HMM is also amazing. If you're interested in branching out a bit to Good Smile Company, the Chitocerium line is fantastic Musume models

[@NeoVejiita]

I just ordered my first Kotobukiya kit :P What sold me was the way the arms and shoulders collapsed into each other, and the way the rifle was integrated into the flight mode. It transforms more cleanly than most transformers.

[@omegahealer]

megami device auv susanowo hands done one of the best mecha musuma kits i've build in the past few years and was amazed by how smooth of a build it was.

[@nolancarey6244]

Honestly, all recent releases from frame arms and frame arms girl are really good. The RE:2 frame for the frame arms are rock solid.

[@viperson9818]

The only recent kotobukiya kit I've built is the alt track down hexa gear. I love it tho comes with two of them and they're great. Anyways this looks like a fantastic kit and definitely one I might have to pick up.

[@hikigayamurakamo9340]

A bit fun fact about the fighter mode is that it's wing can be also in a reverse form. I'm talking about the berkut if you know what I mean

[@GunDoom]

not sure how recent this kit is but I just built the frame arms type 48 RE2 and it was ok. overall everything fit together fine and I have no complaints other than the plastic feeling a bit cheap. reminded me of my daban doven wolf, only difference is the frame arms actually fits together fine

[@rayhanmajid7008]

Frame arms kit that doesn't look overly designed? Interesting

[@wasdwazd]

Wow, this transformation is leagues above anything from Gundam!

[@justagundam]

About the in arm beam sabers. They can be grabbed and damaged just as easily as hand held ones. Heck. It may be even easier.

[@rizqizen4528]

This what zeta gundam model kit need Solid pose + solid transformation

[@maweitao]

The Baselard and its variants are definitely not new kits, but I've found them to be very sturdy. I can't say the same about some other Frame Arms kits but it seems like things have improved since Kotobukiya updated the frame.

[@GuardianAngelX72]

Most recent Kotobukiya kit I've done aside from the Megami Device Sol Raptor (2018) which uh...I have an issue with mine having a snapped elbow would be the Ryurai Kai RE (2017), and the Zelfikar/GA (2019), both of which have been built with the updated :RE2 frame and as someone who's been building since the first frame release I'll say compared to my Rapier Zephyr and the Khanjar Renewal which both use the original frame it's definitely an improvement. I've been tempted to buy more :RE2 Frame Architects just to update the frames on my older FA kits. Also I think the one you were thinking of from the description you gave was the Frame Arms Rapier, if not potentially the Red Falx but that kit was more recent and was a Hobby Japan exclusive (that I was able to score and it looks AWESOME, if you can nab one off Buyee and an :RE2 frame in off white I'd definitely recommend it).

[@PANNARALEJ]

The F22 Raptor from the Muv-Luv line. As for this kit. I can see modelers painting this up as a Valkyrie from Macross. This is extremely close to what I want would pilot in universe.

[@mjuneoginn]

That Kotobukiya Garuda Fighter Beluga deserves that Gundarium Tier rating... That's the one thing Kotobukiya had done right, what the Bandai Spirits/Bandai NAMCO Gunplas like RG Zeta, HGs Murasame, Kyrios, Arios+GNArcher GNHW/M, OVER FLAG, GN FLAG, ESF BRAVE Commander and Mass Production Test Types, AGE II Normal and AGE II Magnum/ SV Types; and the rest of Variable Framed Grunt MSs and Gundams like REZEL and Delta Gundam Kai; have all been struggling for a long time: to reproduce the Mobile Armor Modes of those Gunplas THAT doesn't need extra and externally fixed parts forming blocks... Kudos to Kotobukiya, Bandai NAMCO MUST Learn from this, and see you in the next Mecha Review

[@OminusReaper]

at first look it though it was from gundam age, but that looks like a crispy kit and will have to pick one up myself

[@edwardtan1354]

I'm guessing their experience with Ace Combat kits enlightened them it doesnt seem to be a Kawamori deisgn when I would have thought since koto was supposed to make the DxM arsenal kits

[@cerberusloki.9226]

the newer frame arms are pretty decent. I've built two, the long range (blue) kagutsutchi otsu and the greifen. Both are pretty good kits all around but have flaws. The kagutsutchi has loose ball joints in the hips because the frame is unique as the torso construction gets flipped around (shoulders=hips and hips=shoulders), which i cemented into place to prvent them from falling off every time i posed it. The greifen is good for display, but i havent found it that fun to pose, though i did just get it recently and havent messed with it much. it has very unique legs which are bulky, and i actually assembled the hip joints the wrong-ish way around to get more articulat, as they can go inwards like the mech wants to take a leak rather than splaying outwards. additionaly the legs are bulky, and everything sort of gets in the way of everything else, including the arm mounted mode for the missile pods. i would recommend them, but maybe see if there are better ones before purchase. maybe a silver or gold-ish tier for both. additionally, if you ARE looking for recent frame arms, look for a rebuild tag if the kit seems older, since i bought one without the rebuild tag, it was loose, but decently fun to look at and build. this kit being the izumo. Edit-Oh, forgot to clarify, the izumo and kagutsutchi are both fairly recent in my eyes, both were built i'd say a week or so after christmas. The greifen was built just a few days ago

[@ForzaNinetails]

Kotobukiya Weird Tails, very new, very cool.

[@turtelz217]

I’ve got a couple of the knights of sidonia 1/100 and they’re super dope!

[@terryforsdyke306]

The Rev Raptor is the most recent HMM Zoids kit, released late 2021 and it is great but the same is true for half the HMM Zoids I build, they tend to range from OK to great, and I'd say most of the ones I've built so far are roughly comparable to MG Gundam kits. other Zoids which I have built and would rate at great are, Iron Kong, Liger Zero, Shadow Fox, Command Wolf, Gun Sniper I'd rate the Dark Horn, Iguan and Molga as good the only one I'd rate as mearly OK is the Cannon Tortoise, as I had trouble with a few stages of the build, and it is not as good aesthetically as some of the others.

[@bitetheasp]

Good to know because I want the Shadow Fox!

[@Jakovdred]

Can't wait for the upcoming Konig Wolf.

[@Ultraelectromagnetic]

I'm gonna build a Kotobukiya Evangelion Unit 02 (TV Ver.) soon! Will be my first non-Bandai kit and I'm really excited :D

[@nismo76]

last koto kit i built was the zoids shadowfox, really quick build

[@jka9654]

I built hexagear recently and feel snappy, worth to try

[@zee2703]

Great kit definitely a buy if you are considering it. But as he mentioned in the be careful customizing it. Stick to gundam markers or the such, I did the inner frame with a chrome marker as a base before going to add more details and main joints cracked in no time. I can still have it posed in either jet mode or robot still which is good. But lost the seamless transformation, it like i turned it to a parts former.

[@noramir6151]

Genobreaker HMM Repackage Ver was a pretty fun build.

[@RedCometNurse]

Would you say the material for the beam is similar to the plastic used for the beam axes of the MG Zaku kits?

[@jackrylebonclaw7270]

Well, that's a sale Koto will get outta me courtesy of you, cheers MG ;) The alternate form with the forward-swept wings looks a bit like IDW Cyclonus' alt mode. And that nose gun... there's gonna be some kind of bird variant of this down the line, I'd bet good money. What's the thigh rotation like with that hip joint, I'm guessing pretty limited?