Hello everyone, today I'll be unboxing and sharing with you BANDAI NAMCO's METAL BUILD DRAGON SCALE - Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. Eight Elements.
"Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" is one of my all-time favorite series, and this is my very first METAL BUILD purchase.
And this isn't just any METAL BUILD; it's from the derivative brand, "DRAGON SCALE."
DRAGON SCALE is a derivative brand created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of METAL BUILD.
According to the official website, it builds upon the original METAL BUILD foundation by adding new features like articulated external armor resembling dragon scales and an internal structure that seems to possess a soul (I'm going by the website's built-in translation).
My understanding is that it incorporates more structural articulation, allowing the overall movement to appear more organic and lifelike, rather than like a stiff robot.
In the "Code Geass" series, the Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. is considered the most powerful Knightmare Frame.
Even Suzaku, with the aid of his Geass and piloting the contemporary Lancelot Albion, struggled to defeat it.
How can you not love a robot that boasts such an incredibly cool design and is also overwhelmingly powerful?
Facebook Page - Black Polar Bear's Unboxings (Main interaction page)
Bahamut Page (Various full and simple unboxings)
Instagram (Selected photos)
Twitter (Selected photos + bonus photos)
Flickr (Photo album)
Here are the pictures.
The outer box features many dynamic poses. After handling and photographing the figure, I genuinely admire the official promotional photos (I'll explain why in the conclusion).
Contents at a glance.
Main body turnaround.
The overall design is sharper and more angular than the original.
Details.
Due to the exaggerated design of the head, its articulation is naturally limited.
Furthermore, the neck joint connection isn't very deep, so the head often pops off.
The cockpit still doesn't include a pilot figure.
The missiles on the back are included.
The massive Hien Souga on the shoulders can be transformed.
The upper body in the original series already had an organic feel, and this version enhances that look even more.
I've often seen METAL BUILD figures with minor defects, and unsurprisingly, I got one too.
Both sides of the upper chest piece look like they've been pinched by something, leaving abnormal marks.
The full name of the right arm is the "Radiation Propulsion-Type Articulated Wired Right Arm Unit," which is this unit's greatest highlight and primary weapon.
The interlocking extension mechanism and the fully articulated five claws are a perfect 100~~
The Landspinner propulsion systems mounted on the feet are a signature feature of Knightmare Frames in the series.
The dagger, usually held in the left hand, is transformable.
The Energy Wings. They're huge, on a shelf-space-killer level.
Once attached, I've placed an iPhone next to it for a size comparison.
And I haven't even fully extended the Energy Wings yet.
The other optional hands for the left arm. The detail on these is a bit more casual.
Wire parts for use with the Hien Souga and the Radiant Wave Arm.
I didn't use them, though, because it's just too much of a hassle...
The dedicated display base and other support stands.
That's about it for the contents introduction.
It's cool, very cool, extremely cool~ It's currently the most stunning Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. product on the market.
However, the handling experience is just average. The slightly redesigned form has too many sharp points, which constantly poke your hands, and I was also afraid of breaking something.
After attaching the wings, the entire upper body becomes very heavy, but the waist is too thin and lacks sufficient support, making it difficult to handle without a stand.
As a result, I got a bit frustrated while posing and shooting it, which is why I said earlier that I really admire the official photos. They must have had a lot of patience...
Recently, I saw that there are official plans to release the Lancelot Albion as well.
I'll probably pick that one up when it comes out, and I hope the Shinkirō gets a chance too.
