Product Name: BESTDRIVE Series BD-02 HYDROBLAST
Release Date: 2022.11.11
Price: 169 RMB
Hello everyone! Today's review features a product from 52TOYS' new line, BESTDRIVE: the BD-02 HYDROBLAST. As a dual-form model kit that utilizes a pre-assembled inner frame, it offers an excellent experience in both assembly and play. With some simple panel lining and water slide decals, the finished product looks absolutely fantastic. Let's dive into the detailed review.
Packaging Showcase
Packaging size comparison
Thickness comparison
The overall size is slightly smaller than a standard HG box. The pre-assembled frame saves a lot of space, so the dimensions are quite compact.
Front of the box
Side of the box 1
Side of the box 2
Side of the box 3
The front of the box features a 2D cover illustration by Naoto Tsushima. The product design is by our old friends at Raicho Kobo. The color scheme matches the main body: blue, white, black, and fluorescent green.
The sides showcase the jet mode and the toy's features, primarily focusing on assembly and transformation. It also teases other upcoming products: a Hammerhead Shark and a Whale Shark.
Runner Showcase
Pre-assembled frame
Runner A (light blue)
Runner B (light blue)
Runner C (dark blue)
Runner D (fluorescent green)
One sheet of water slide decals
One instruction manual
One promotional flyer for the BEASTBOX series
Frame Showcase
Pre-assembled frame, jet mode, front view
Pre-assembled frame, jet mode, rear view
Nose cone front detail
The center of the nose cone is the little shark's cockpit, which is rich in detail. The central circular shape looks like a cushion, flanked by numerous round buttons, with a row in front resembling an instrument panel.
Front and back of the wings. Although most of these areas will be covered by armor, they are still packed with detail, especially the grille details on the thrusters.
Mid-fuselage, also featuring sculpted heat dissipation grilles
Tail thrusters
Shark mode frame, front view
Shark mode frame, rear view
Shark mode frame, side view
Shark mode frame, tail view
Main Body Showcase
First up is the showcase of the main body in Shark Mode.
Height and length comparison
Main body, front view
Main body, rear view
The overall length is about 14cm. It's not very large, but the overall design is very pleasing. While the shark is packed with details, its overall silhouette is a streamlined spindle shape.
Opening the mouth reveals details on the lower jaw.
The cockpit can be opened to reveal the little shark pilot inside.
The little shark's design is very rounded and cute, creating a sharp contrast with the machine it pilots. It also has a large transparent piece on its head, making its eyes appear bright in photos.
Torso detail
Back detail
The main torso is light blue, featuring numerous water intake and drainage vents. The torso armor has a triangular shape, and when combined with the light blue instructional markings from the water slide decals, it exudes a sense of speed. The pectoral fins use transparent fluorescent green parts and adopt a bat-wing-like design, looking very sharp.
The pectoral fins have a wide range of vertical movement.
For transformation, the pectoral fins can also be folded backward.
The front of the pectoral fins features a small turbine and an intake vent, with the vent even having a grille—a very fine detail.
Belly detail. The jet nose is hidden quite well. The port on the underside is compatible with the straight pegs of Robot Spirits-type stands, which is very convenient.
Top tail detail
Side tail detail
Bottom tail detail
The tail section uses the black frame, and the outer armor also employs a sharp, triangular geometric design. The large fluorescent green transparent piece on the tail similarly adopts a bat-wing-like design. The anal fin also uses a green transparent part. The tail section is generally well-contained, with the only regret being an uncovered hole on the bottom.
The transformation is also quite simple. Open and flatten the torso's outer armor, retract the dorsal fin into the torso, and flip the tail section upward.
Push the cockpit section out from the bottom, rotate the torso 180°, secure the cockpit, and then unfold the tail fins and nose cone.
The folding joint inside the torso is used to reposition the cockpit.
Jet Mode Showcase
Size comparison
It's much more compact than the shark mode, though slightly thicker.
Jet mode, front view
Jet mode, rear view
Top detail
Underside detail
The jet's design is relatively rounded, with short wings and a short nose, giving it a somewhat stout and cute appearance—the opposite of the shark mode. The shark head is well-hidden on the belly.
Wing detail
The wings have a lot of sculpted detail, including panel lines, air intakes, and exhaust grilles. There are even sculpted indicator lights on the wingtips. The water slide decal sheet includes warning markings that can be applied near the intakes.
Jet tail detail, you can see two thrusters on the top and two on the bottom.
Next is the showcase of the packaging and assembled look of the bonus clear armor parts. The clear armor includes the fins, but it's hard to see the details in pure clear plastic, so I chose to only use some of the clear fin parts. *The bonus armor parts have the same sculpt as the standard runners but do not include a second frame.
Bonus clear armor packaging
Back of the bonus packaging
The bonus clear armor comes in a kraft paper package, which is very sturdy. The front of the package features a line art drawing of HYDROBLAST.
Runner A
Runner B
Runner C
Runner D
Bonus armor, front view
Bonus armor, rear view
Bonus armor, side view
The bonus cockpit and little shark are also completely clear. It's really hard to make out any details in pure clear plastic.
It's really hard to make out any details in pure clear plastic.
Bonus head
Bonus belly
Bonus tail
Bonus Clear Armor Jet Mode Showcase
Bonus armor jet mode, front view
Bonus armor jet mode, side view
Bonus armor jet mode, side view
Bonus armor jet mode, top view
Bonus armor jet mode, underside view
Bonus armor jet mode, wing view
POSE SHOWCASE
I used a blacklight on the clear armor, and the effect is quite nice—a deep-sea ghost shark.
Conclusion
As a model kit with a pre-assembled frame, this product's frame has had no issues in the few days since assembly, and the joint tightness is very comfortable. Using a pre-assembled frame significantly lowers the difficulty of assembly, making the building process very enjoyable. Furthermore, to accommodate future armor combinations, the fit has been well-tuned; there are no overly tight spots, and removing and reattaching the outer armor only takes about ten minutes.
As a transforming toy, the transformation process is relatively simple with no particularly difficult steps. It only takes four or five steps to switch between the two modes. The shark mode looks excellent, successfully blending the streamlined body of a shark with a sharp mechanical design. The jet mode is a bit Q-style, but it's also great—very cute and a nice complement to the shark form.
For a company known for its pre-built action figures, this model kit is well-made. While there are minor issues with the water slide decals and gate marks, these are easily resolved. I look forward to their even better products in the future. Fans who are interested should not miss out on this one.