Big thanks to my local model shop for somehow having this kit in stock. No really, my local shop, which normally partakes in Airfix, Scalextric, Revell and what have you; also happened to have a Japanese snap fit model kit in the window. I shan't say which shop it is, because I don't want you readers having a decent idea of where I live near, but it was pleasing to support my local economy in this fashion.
With a purposeful presence and a terrible sound
He knocks the rest of my model kit backlog down
Helpless runners left over from last time
Groan in rage as he towers over them
I pick up the box and I set it back down
As it's such a giant thing I'll eventually be pinned down
Oh no
What's in there? I don't know
Mechagodzilla
Oh no
But I'll build it and I'll show
Mechagodzilla
Yeah, I went with that song. Blue Öyster Cult outclasses Eminem in my book any day!
There's a little white box below all the runners. I wonder what's inside...
Ah, it's rubber parts and hands. Interesting.
Head Unit
Ah, nice. We get to begin with something that is recognisably Mechagodzilla!
Blech, see that black triangle on the side? That's a waterslide transfer. Yeah, trust my luck to go for a kit that starts with an awkward-to-add decal. Fortunately my time with Airfix kits has gotten me used to those kind of decals, but unfortunately these ones are annoyingly small. I was able to get them into the right place in the end, and even if I didn't I think my black Gundam marker would've done the job nicely enough, but it still wasn't a great note to leap into the kit on.
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| Oh darn it, the side decal slipped! |
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| Siiiigh... |
The dark grey circular waterslide decals on the side didn’t fit well, so I've done away with those in favour of simply panel-lining them.
Looking ahead quickly, I likely won't be needing the decal sheet again until later, so we should be good for now. My only major complaint thus far is the first connection between the head and the neck uses one of those kotobukiya-esque black polycaps that are really awkward to click into place properly.
Arm Unit
To fit the blade in, tilt it up and slot it backwards into the hole.
Phew, the tight panel lining on the hands really wore my hand out, but at least the details stand out! Only issue is that the rubber parts on the upper arms aren't secured in place when the arms are on their own, and it's gonna be a while before we get to putting ol' Kiryu together.
Body Unit 1
Body Unit 2
Got a little annoying up to the end, since one part on the side snapped, necessitating the need for the usual plastic glue. Not great timing, since my plastic glue needle was clogged last time I tried using it, but I think I've sorted that out now.
Leg Unit 1/Leg Unit2
The feet are counted as Leg Unit 3, and Leg Unit 4 is pretty much just the feet being attached to the legs. Yeah. Ok, Aoshima.
It was around assembling the inner part of the leg that I feel I should make a note of something - unlike Bandai's usual Gunpla manuals, the manual for this kit does not point out Under Gates. So keep an eye on how the part is attached to the runner in case there's an Under Gate you need to trim.
Yeah, that side-thruster is annoying to attach - not sure why the manual says to attach it after the hatch that goes over it.
The polycap closer to the toes is a lot easier to fit in at the right angle with tweezers.
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| Intense panel lining makes all the difference with this kit |
And now for the part which has the potential to get really repetitive, but it ain't Godzilla without it.
Tail Unit
Eleven segments, including the tip. Pray for my soul.
I think I've spotted a typo in the manual. Page 12 shows a need for part F25, but I already used that part on the previous page (and no, there's no second F runner). I'm fairly sure it meant to say F20, given the part it goes with, but dear lord, that's infuriating.
Gonna fudge the manual order a little and assemble the tail as each segment comes together, out of concern that they'll get mixed up.
But yeah, as the actress said to the bishop, this thing is going to get loooooong.
Oh, you think I'm done with the repetitive part? Nah, I've got this next bit to do.
Dorsal Fin Unit
Gah, no more of that specific pattern of panel lining!
Back Pack Unit
Oh dammit, another typo - first one on page 14 has two parts that are said to be from Runner I, even though I just used up that one. It's pretty obviously meant to be Runner G.
Ok. Establishing that we have to remove some of the fins to get the backpack to fit, it's time to get a good shot of this thing. Moment of truth...
Dear lord, the arms and head are so awkward to attach, even grading on a curve for those tough polycaps. Be ready to adjust the polycaps with tweezers and poke around for a decent angle so that the arms and head click into place.
But not gonna lie, I was pleasantly surprised by this kit. I didn't know what to expect from an Aoshima kit, but other than the tough polycaps and a few typos in the manual that a bit of common sense can help you overlook, this is a pleasingly-menacing kit that I am proud to have in my collection - legit, this thing is about the size of your average Master Grade, even if it's not 1/100 scale.
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| MG Origin RX-78-2 for scale, with complimentary Ready Player One flashbacks. |
After the mild irritation I experienced with the Master Grade Turn A, ol' Kiryu here cheered me up immensely, and I think he will be fun for you too, as long as you bring plenty of Master Grade experience and a black panel marker. A bit tricky, but highly recommended.
History shows again and again
How staying safe and clipping achieves true Zen
...
GODZILLA.
The Good
+ Imposing size
+ Feels nice and heavy to hold
+ Superb mechanical details
The Bad
- Tail assembly is repetitive
- Ball joints require lots of pressure to get them to click during final assembly
- Waterslide decals on the backpack don't stay on easily
- The manual contains a few misprints
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