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The METAL ROBOT SPIRITS line previously released the Mass Production Type Hyaku Shiki Kai, which was a bit strange at the time. Why release the Mass Production Type before the standard, non-mass-produced Hyaku Shiki Kai? Seeing the debut of the Full Armor Hyaku Shiki Kai, it all becomes clear. Releasing the Full Armor version first would have put the Mass Production Type in an awkward position. Nevertheless, both have their unique characteristics, and as a fan, I'd collect them both anyway.
First, let's talk about the differences between the two. The most obvious is the backpack, but there are also many other subtle distinctions, such as the lower legs and the presence or absence of machine guns on the shoulders. I haven't done a one-to-one comparison. After all, when you're handling the Full Armor Hyaku Shiki Kai, you're definitely going to equip the armor, right?
So let's focus our attention on the Full Armor Hyaku Shiki Kai. My experience with this figure has been extremely positive, and I am very satisfied. I'll share my thoughts on a few key points below. Since the performance of the base mobile suit without the armor is quite similar to the Mass Production Type, I will primarily analyze its Full Armor configuration.
1. Armor Attachment is Generally Convenient and Exquisitely Detailed
There are quite a few places to attach the armor.
First, the shoulders need to be armored up. This isn't too difficult; once attached, the shoulders immediately look much more substantial. An additional piece of black armor must be installed on both the left and right sides of the shoulder armor. This piece can potentially fall off, so please be careful when handling it.
For the elbow sections, you need to remove the original elbow armor first, then attach the new elbow armor which includes gauntlets. The mobile suit instantly gains a lot more bulk.
Both side skirt armor pieces on the waist need to be addressed. For this version, you directly fit the outer armor over the existing armor. However, on my copy, both the left and right waist armors had a slight flaw—they couldn't be fitted completely over the original armor, falling just a tiny bit short. To secure the waist armor, you must first pull out the black component on the outer armor, fit it over the original armor, and then press the component back in to lock it in place.
There is also a large piece of chest armor. You'll need to remove the two original gold armor pieces on the abdomen before inserting the chest plate. The entire chest immediately becomes more robust, and the sculpt is incredibly detailed. Excellent! Be careful with the independent armor pieces on the sides of the chest armor when handling.
As for the backpack, installation is also straightforward. First, you need to shift the original armor pieces on both sides of the backpack to expose the connection ports. Then, you can insert the armored backpack, completing the installation of the backpack with its two large cannons. This backpack is very reminiscent of the Sazabi's funnel rack.
The leg armor... I encountered some difficulty during installation. The main issue was with the first piece of armor on the front of the shin. Just looking at the instruction manual, it's hard to understand the correct procedure, as the original armor obstructs the path for installing the new piece. After consulting the manual (which was still a bit confusing) and seeing some tips shared by friends online, I finally got the hang of it. In reality, you just need to install the armor pieces for the various sections in sequence. Although the shin armor is tricky to attach, its advantage is that it's extremely secure and won't fall off easily. Of course, you can still remove the armor if you wish.
Overall, the armor is remarkably stable, with very few instances of parts falling off during handling, which makes for a very reassuring experience. Naturally, with the armor equipped, the head's range of motion becomes smaller, so handle it with care.
2. The Backpack-Mounted Rifle Looks Fantastic!
This release includes two beam rifles. One is the standard type commonly used by the Hyaku Shiki, which needs no introduction. The other is a sniper rifle model, which you can mount on its back for a very cool look. If you bought two Full Armor Hyaku Shiki Kais, you could even have it dual-wielding sniper rifles, which should look quite impressive (I only got one, which is enough for me).
The appearance of the sniper rifle this time is well-executed, featuring several points that can be extended to lengthen the barrel. When held in hand, there were no issues with the arm drooping due to the weapon's weight. The overall feel is excellent.
As for the standard beam rifle, it feels a bit on the small side. Furthermore, mounting it on the back requires swapping out a part, and this accessory is quite tiny, so you need to be very careful not to lose it when handling.
After installing the full armor, the two cannons on the back are great to pose with.
The gauntlets are also nicely done, but the hand's range of motion is limited, so there aren't many ways to pose them.
The beam saber is the same old story, so I won't elaborate.
3. The Stand Connection is Extremely Secure, So You Can Pose with Confidence
In a very thoughtful move, the manufacturer has provided two sizes of connectors: one for standard general-release stand joints, and another for the dedicated stand that comes with the MR SPIRITS Full Armor Hyaku Shiki. I personally prefer using a standard stand, as it's more convenient for handling and posing. Once the connector is installed in the crotch, it almost never falls off during handling. It's incredibly solid, which is a huge plus! This solves the common problem of figures falling off their stands while being posed.
Overall, the quality of this toy is quite high, and it's a pleasure to handle. Of course, there are a few areas that could be improved.
1. The thrusters hanging down from the backpack could have a slightly larger range of motion. They tend to get in the way and collide with other parts during posing.
2. The installation of the shin armor is genuinely difficult. The instruction manual needs to find a way to describe the process more clearly.
3. The head joint design could use a bit more thought. As it is, the range of motion is very limited, and with the armor on, it's almost non-existent (it can only be turned slightly).
As a fan of the series, I believe the Full Armor Hyaku Shiki Kai will not disappoint. It's a definite must-buy.