• GX-45 Shin Mazinger SOC Review by Gold
  • Hurricane Polimar Jumbo Series by Grip
  • Gatchaman God Phoenix by Unifive
  • Neo Getter One Metallic by Aoshima
  • PA-93 Goranger Varikikyun
  • SG-20 Shin Getter 1 Anime Export W Wing Version
  • Megatron Animated Leader Class Shadow Blade
  • Gaogaigar SRC Review by Gold (with extra sets)
  • Mattel Catalog featuring Shogun Warriors 1980
  • Landmine MV1 Deluxe Class
  • Mattel Catalog featuring Shogun Warriors 1977
  • GX-46 Dygenguar and Aussenseiter SOC Review by Gold
  • Tryder Kanzen Henki Gattai
  • Prowl Titanium
  • Grimlock Animated Voyager Class
  • Onyx Primal Botcon '96
  • Hensin Robo Mospeda
  • Ankoku Daishogun
  • Getter Robo One Anime Export Limited White Test and Training Version by Aoshima
  • Dreadwing Energon Voyager Class
  • Spay-C Super Gobot Machine-Robo
  • Machine-Robo Catalog 1986
  • Popy Toy Insert Catalog 1977 #2
  • Psycho Super Gobot Machine-Robo
  • Apolon Trang by Grip
  • PA-66 Bellcar by Popy
  • Neo Getter One Test Training by Aoshima
  • Takatoku 1970's Catalog
  • Smolder with Chopster PCC
  • GC-34 Flashman Flash King DX
  • GX-49 Shin Mazinger Big Bang Punch Version SOC Review by Gold
  • JW-1 MR Machine Robo
  • Long Haul - Constructicons G1
  • Megahouse Variable Action Hi-Spec Rahxephon Review by Gold
  • Hubcap HFTD Scout Class
  • Transformers Planet X PX-01 Genesis (War for Cybertron Omega Supreme) Review by Gold
  • Whirl G1
  • Smokescreen Alternators-Binaltech
  • GC-23 Bismark ST
  • Megas XLR Robot Photos
  • GX-01RB Mazinger Z SOC Review by Gold
  • Getter Robo One SG-09 New Black by Aoshima
  • Rampage MV2 ROTF Deluxe Class
  • Robo-Q from Robodatchi
  • GX-55 Tobikage and Houraioh SOC Review by Gold
  • Baron Von Joy Super Gobot Machine-Robo
  • Combattra DX Godaikin
  • Megatron- Beast Wars
  • Swindle - Combaticons G1
  • Gundam Custom Made of Lego
  • Joe Kaisaka from Groizer X by Nakajima
  • Turn A Gundam
  • 7-2-1 Formation Robot
  • Hound G1
  • Albegas Custom Paper Creation
  • X-70 Space Robot or Tulip Head
  • Jazz / Meister Alternators-Binaltech
  • Jetfire Armada Voyager Class
  • Astekaizer small vinyl by Yonezawa
  • MR-21 Spoiler Machine-Robo Gobot
  • GX-61 Saikyo Robot Daioja SOC Review by Gold
  • Dead End TP Deluxe Class
  • Construction Robot Power Craneger by Shinsei
  • Ratbat G1
  • Astekaizer No.1 by Yonezawa
  • Popy catalog 1985
  • Dairuger XV Kikougattai
  • Menasor - Stunticons G1
  • Hot Rod G1
  • Lugnut Animated Voyager Class
  • Getter I Black Ryoma
  • Bulkhead TP Voyager Class
  • Power Rangers Wild Force Animus Megazord
  • Shockblast Energon Voyager Class
  • Optimus Prime G1 Reissue
  • Prowl Titanium
  • Machine Robo Catalog - Undated
  • Baron Karza
  • GX-01RB Mazinger Z SOC Review by Gold
  • Meantime MV1 Scout Class
  • GX-10 Boss Borot Bandai SOC
  • Zeemon Super Gobot Machine-Robo
  • GC-01 Space Sheriff Sharivan Grandbirth DX by Popy
  • Curricular Machine by Bullmark
  • Bulkhead TP Voyager Class
  • Desert Tracker Ratchet MV2 ROTF Voyager Class
  • GA-01 Mazinger Z
  • Polimar Drill
  • Cliffjumper TP Deluxe Class
  • GD-16 RX-78-2 (Limited Edition Titans Version)
  • Baldios Custom Made of Lego
  • Data Disc FOC Group Shots
  • UFO of Justice - Blue Silver by Shinsei
  • GA-51 Gaiking
  • Huffer G1
  • GX-13 Dancouga SOC
  • PC-10 Clipper for T-28
  • Thrust Titanium
  • GA-08 Amazon Rider
  • Gaogaigar Golden Destroyer Tamashii Nations 2012 Exclusive SRC Review by Gold
  • Dougram Soltic Magnemo
  • Standups by Panri Co
  • GD-44 MSZ-006 Zeta (Limited Edition Titans Version)
  • Terradive HFTD Deluxe Class
  • Genesic Gaogaighar Green and Gold Editions Review by Gold
  • EVA Mass Production- Revoltech #26
  • Sasuraiger DX by Takatoku
  • Warpath Super Gobot Machine-Robo
  • GA-37 Grendizer
  • RG-02 Kikaider by Nostalgic Heroes
  • Groizer ads
  • Getter Robo One SG-01 by Aoshima
  • JAKQ SD Custom Paper Creations
  • Swindle FOC Deluxe Class
  • Mr. Robot the Mechanical Brain- Alps
  • Mirage G1
  • Voltes V Camp Big Falcon by Toyz Secret Review by Gold
  • Gears G1
  • Neo Getter One Black by Aoshima (and review by Gold)
  • Galaxy Express 999 Ads
  • Perceptor G1 Reissue #19
  • Swoop - Dinobots G1
  • Grimlock Titanium
  • Hound Alternators-Binaltech
  • Starscream G1
  • Baratak DX
  • GX-04 Grendizer UFO Robo SOC
  • Ransack MV2 ROTF Scout Class
  • Optimus Prime MV2 ROTF Leader Class
  • Reverb MV2 ROTF Scout Class
  • Mazinger Z Soul of Chogokin Poster
  • Apeface - Headmaster G1
  • Blurr Armada Deluxe Class
  • Stalker Scorponok MV2 ROTF Deluxe Class
  • Soundwave Titanium
  • Burikin by Bullmark
  • Bulkhead Animated Leader Class
  • Zakuraman by Sakura
  • Calypso Avarian
  • Knock Out MV2 ROTF Scout Class
  • Galatt Robot Cel
  • Big Hawk by Takemi
  • Blast Off  - Combaticons G1
  • PC-12 Yamato III DX
  • MR-44 Good Knight Machine-Robo Gobot
  • Getter Robo One SG-13 by Aoshima
  • Zoom Out 25x MV1 Scout Class
  • Brawl - Combaticons G1
  • Dynaman ST Godaikin
  • MP-06 Skywarp Masterpiece
  • Psycho Super Gobot Machine-Robo
  • Popy ad for Eternal Heroes
  • Ironhide HFTD Deluxe Class
  • PC-12 Yamato III DX
  • Ganira
  • MR-38 Union Jack Machine-Robo Gobot
  • Baikanfu SD Custom Paper Creation
  • Starscream Animated Voyager Class
  • MRT-43 Machine-Robo Gobot
  • Trailbreaker G1
  • Hound G1 Reissue #14
  • Mekanda Jet Set by Bullmark
  • King Dam Diabattles KO
  • Sideswipe Alternators-Binaltech
  • Mudflap MV2 ROTF Deluxe Class
  • Jetfire Animated Deluxe Class
  • Dreadwing PBH Deluxe Class
  • Tekkaman by Grip
  • Ramhorn FOC Data Disc
  • Prowl G1 Reissue
  • Skystalker PBH Deluxe Class
  • Camshaft - Omnibots G1
  • Soundwave Titanium
  • Gakeen Magnemo DX by Takara
  • 007 Lotus Esprit by Grip
  • Gardian DX Godaikin
  • Ripclaw PBH Deluxe Class
  • Chopper Standard Defender
  • Groizer ads
  • GX-24N Tetsujin SOC Review by Gold
  • GX-24 Tetsujin 28 Bandai SOC
  • Xabungle DX by Clover
  • Blackout MV1 Voyager Class
  • GX-50 Combattler V SOC Review by Gold
  • Gattiger DX (Combination Go) by Takatoku
  • Starscream G1
  • Gear Fighter Dendoh SRC Review by Gold
  • thesilent's Artwork for a 2007 Exhibition
  • Insecticons G1 Reissue E-Hobby
  • GX-02R Great Mazinger Reissue SOC
  • Mirage Clear Version G1
  • Starscream Energon Deluxe Class
  • MR-35 Small Foot Machine-Robo Gobot
  • GD-18 Victory Mars Go Go Five
  • Bumblebee TP Deluxe Class
  • JW-3 MR Machine Robo
  • SG-20 Shin Getter 1 Anime Export W Wing Version
  • GA-09 Raideen by Popy
  • Blurr Animated Deluxe
  • Interrogator Barricade MV2 ROTF Deluxe Class
  • Seaspray G1
  • Decepticharge Alternators-Binaltech
  • Daibaron by Grip
  • GX-03B Com-Battler V Black SOC
  • Transistor Robots- a.k.a. Gardian
  • GB-17 Godsigma Black Reissue
  • Machine Robo Catalog - Undated
  • MR-54 Man-O-War Machine-Robo Gobot
  • Nakajima Toy Insert Catalog 1970's #1
  • Soundwave FOC Voyager Class
  • Popy catalog 1976
  • Lockbot KO
  • Robotech Robolinks Blockman
  • Mixmaster MV2 ROTF Voyager Class
  • Huffer G1
  • Decepticon Rumble TP Deluxe Class

GX-56 Zerokage and Bakuryu SOC Review by Gold

4.0/5 rating (1 votes)

Description

The following review was originally prepared by Gold on 12/5/10 on the Robot-Japan Forum:

 

Hi all, here's a review for the Gx-56 Bakuryu with Zerokage. :)


Box
[image]


Bakuryu's box is the biggest among the three released.
[image]


Trays
[image] [image]



Zerokage
[image] [image]


Zerokage's first appearance
[image]


Zerokage in action
[image]


Background on Zerokage:
Planet Lodario is invaded by the Zaboom forces, the Princess Romina escapes aboard the Elshanc/Xenos 5 with the three mechs (with the Tobikage revealed to be the secret forth mech hidden inside a secret chamber in the Elshanc, unknown to all).

She escapes to Earth in search of ancient warrirors called ninjas, whom here people encountered centuries ago. For whatever reason, the ninjas are the only ones who can pilot the 3 mechs (even though the mechs were created using Lodario science). On Mars colony, the Elshanc encounteres Joe Maya's group. In the heat of several battles they each discovered they are in fact decendants of the ninjas and can operate the mechs (what are the odds, eh?)


YLbora Saro was a member of the Lodario forces (a general, in fact). He later turns traitor after becoming jealous of Joe maya's victories in battle and the Princess Romina's growing affections for Joe.

In a battle with Joe, Ylbora is defeated while piloting the Skeleton. Zerokage (I'm not sure if it was created by the Zaboom army or found by the Zaboom army) becomes active and merges with Ylbora, it's later theorized that somehow ninjas got onboard the Lodario exploratory ship from centuries ago and mingled with the Lodarians and Ylbora is a decendant of one of those ninjas.


The ending isn't exactly clear whether Ylbora did actually die or if he was saved as a mysterious light flashed on both Joe and Ylbora and both of them "merged" with the Elshanc's main computer(?)and the Elshanc then auto teleported back to Lodario, to save it's people from the remaining Zaboom forces. It's not shown either whether Joe and the group come back home or who he eventually chooses, Renny or Romina.


Weapons
Giant Shuriken
[image]

[image]


Giant Shuriken can be attached to Zerokage's back via optional peg.
[image]





Makibishi Launchers (fired from the chest, no gimmick for it in this SOC)
[image]



Wrist mounted chain-launcher
[image]



Twin daggers (scabbard can also be attached to Zerokage's back)
[image] [image]


[image]



Zerokage's katana differs from Tobikage's in design. Strange though Zerokage's long katana doesn't have a scabbard.
[image]


[image]

[image]

[image]


Trident
[image]


[image]



Zerokage Vs Tobikage
[image]







Bakuryu
[image] [image]




Ball axe
[image]

[image]

[image]


Shoulder cannons.
[image]



The Bakuryu changes into Kaima (Sea Demon) mode when combined with Tobikage.
[image]


[image] [image]



Bakuryu (Kaima Mode) in action.
[image]


As you can see, using the Gx-54 Transforming Tobikage might not be the best way to do it, it's very small and does not seem to look right when attached, there' aren't any problems with it per se, as it locks in place very well. It just looks disproportioned with the Bakuryu.
[image]



Comparison with other "Tobikages". I forgot to try it but I don't think the Gx-56 dummy piece will fit in the Gx-54 (it's too big).
[image]


Fitting the dummy piece makes the Kaima mode look way better.
[image]


[image]


Bandai included an optional smaller Kaima head (default head is bigger, for robot mode). The smaller head actually does seem better proportioned than the default head, but not an absolute necessity for aesthetics (unlike, say, on the Gx-46 Aussenseiter), you can hardly tell the difference unless you place both heads side by side. Both heads can open their maws, too.

[image]


[image]



Kouhadan launchers
[image]



[image]





Ninja Robots
[image]


[image]





The Good
Diecast parts include:

-Zerokage :
--Feet only



Bakuryu:
--Toes (front only)
--Claws
--Most sections of the torso
--Some of the main joints


Size and weight recap
-Bakuryu - 7.5 Inches/ 375 Grams
-Houraioh - 7 Inches/ 290 Grams
-Kurojishi - 6.5 Inches/ 410 Grams

[image]

-Tobikage (Transforming type)- 4 Inches/ 40 Grams
-Tobikage (Action type) - 5.25 Inches/ 68 Grams
-Zerokage (Actionj type) - 6 Inches/ 100 Grams

[image]


-Bandai improved the packaging, this time there's an internal cardboard shield to prevent the box from denting at the corners(about time).
[image]





The Bad
-Swapping Zerokage's fists can be a pain, I found doing it harder to do here than on the Gx-55 (Action Type)Tobikage, I recommend popping out the entire forearm at the elbow joint to give you an easier time. Likewise, removing the block for the wrist-mounted chain launcher is harder to do here, I had to use mini screwdrivers to wedge it out.
[image]


-Parts swapping required. Particularly the "backpack" and havig to remove the fists when transforming.
[image] [image]

-Zerokage falls over waaaay too easily, I don't know if it's the relative lack of diecast in the legs or the top heavy shoulder armor, but sometimes he tips over with minimal force, compared to the Action type Tobikage. Something worth considering if you plan to display him close to the edge of a shelf.

-Bakuryu leg armor transformation seems kinda floppy. It doesn't fall down too easily but somehow it feels that it could've been better.

-Hollow front toes on the Bakuryu, what's up with that? Bandai could've just slapped on plastic cover plates on it.



The Ugly
Personally I really had a tough time folding out the Bakuryu torso for Kaima mode, the joints were super tight on mine! It was harder than it had to be.
[image]



Well, overall, the Gx-56 is a decent release, nothing exceptional, but you will need to get it for completing the set. I find I still like the Gx-55 Houraioh better compared to the other two (Kurojishi's outrageously tight joints, lack of a "dummy Tobikage piece" really dragged it down IMHO).


Funfact Bakuryu in Kaima mode seemed to be the most powerful of the three, thanks to it's insanely powerful thunder attack, strangely, the Kaima mode only appeared twice in the whole series. If they wanted to, the heroes could've easily won every battle by just spamming the thunder attack, without even having to deploy the other two mechs. Guess the heroes wanted a challenge...?


Funfact 2 In the original "unedited" series, we actually get to see Renny in a shower topless scene. LOL. Censorship can be a funny thing in Japan. :)


[image]




Gold

Share this product