TFW2005
Hisstank
Thundercats
TokuNation
Toyark
Home
News
Garo
Godzilla
Kamen Rider
Metal Heroes
Power Rangers
Super Sentai
Ultraman
All News Categories
Forum
News & Rumors
Power Rangers
Kamen Rider
Super Sentai
Other Toku Series
Toys and Collectables
Marketplace
Creative
Galleries
Companies
Bandai Japan
Tamashii Nations
Saban Brands
Bandai America
Toei
Characters
Kamen Rider Ghost
Kamen Rider Specter
Kamen Rider Necrom
Mighty Morphin Green Ranger
Dino Charge Red Ranger
Toylines
S.H. Figuarts
S.H. MonsterArts
DX Mecha
Megazords
Legacy
Shows
Kamen Rider Ghost
Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger
Power Rangers Dino Supercharge
Power Rangers Movie 2017
TokuNation.com
>
TokuNation
Integration
User Name
Remember Me?
Password
Rules
Register
Community
Today's Posts
Search
Community Links
Members List
Search Forums
Show Threads
Show Posts
Advanced Search
Go to Page...
Thread
:
Superchange Kuwajiro Gallery
View Single Post
12-19-2016, 12:58 PM
#
1
Den-O
Admin
AKA Zordon
Content Director
@DenO_TokuNation
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
"Super Change!"
We're back for another delightful trip down memory lane with
B-Robo Kabutack!
You may recall that last year I examined the main man himself with the
DX Super Change Kabutack
Set. That massive 3 pack included not only Kabutack but his Drillut & Zabut armors as well. While the rest of this toyline isn't quite as complex as all that, it's fun none the less. So without further adieu, let's take a look at one of Kabutack's greatest friends & allies with
Superchange Kuwajiro!
For a quick refresher,
B-Robo Kabutack
ran from
1997-1998
and features an absolutely excellent gimmick for it's toy line (though the following year would see an even better one for Robotack). Kabutack's toy line focused on the
Superchange
gimmick. Each figure would have a base
Normal Mode.
A sort of child like innocent animal themed robot. And while each figure's Superchange was executed differently, by way of numerous hidden collapsed joints or inverting of the figures' body parts, they all also had unique Super Modes. Read on below to see just what to expect from Kuwajiro.
Packaging
Kuwajiro
comes in the standard box type of the line. Unlike the DX Kabutack 3-pack, it's a pretty modest slim box design with an assortment of stock photos of both modes. Nothing terribly interesting.
Main Figure
You'll notice that as I continue doing these galleries, each figure in the Kabutack line comes packaged in Super Mode. But I like to start my reviews with
Normal mode
first, so that's where we'll begin.
Kuwajiro Normal Mode
is your typical kid friendly fun little bug-bot. He isn't particularly imposing, or functional even, but he has charm. I think the most odd thing about him is that he's significantly taller than Kabutack Normal & Super Modes. No matter what mode Kuwajiro is in, it's very much at odds with his friend. Theoretically the two should be about the same height in either mode. But Kuwajiro Normal Mode indeed towers over Kabutack.
Now as for the functionality I mentioned, in this mode Kuwajiro is pretty limited. Only his arms do anything meaningful and even then they simply rotate 360 degrees and can swing out and up. It's really great, but because he lacks elbows you can't use them for much. The legs are similarly stunted in that they have twist ankles and hinged knees, but no hips. So getting him to balance for what limited poses he can achieve is difficult. Normally with this line you see a marked improvement between modes, but not this time.
To get Kuwajiro to
Super Mode,
begin by opening the flaps on either side of his head, this will give clearance for the arms to move up. After opening the flaps just pull up on his antlers. This basically moves the entire body into the appropriate position. This fully reveals the Super mode head, slides the shoulders into position where the flaps were, and also raises the lower body up above the thighs. Which makes the legs artificially appear longer. The arms can be extended by pulling the forearms down as well. Don't be fooled though, while the arm is held together by a pin, even in this mode there aren't elbows. Then you just need to flip down the chest panel to cover his Normal Mode eyes and
Super Mode
is done.
Compared to what we saw with Kabutack,
Kuwajiro's Super Mode
transformation is pretty basic. Honestly it's probably the most basic in the entire line. But sometimes that can be a good thing too. Kuwajiro Super Mode doesn't drastically change anything from Normal Mode. Everything is still basically where it was, just with leaner more heroic proportions. Equipping him with his
Hasamic Cutter
weapon finishes the look off nicely though. As before he can't dynamically pose and stands far above Kabutack height wise, but he's a very interesting bot design wise. Whether intentional or not, characters from Kabutack really do take some thematic inspiration from both B-Fighter shows that preceded it. Kuwajiro looks great with G-Stag. Considering Kabutack would later team-up with Blue Beet & Kabuto, I think the thematic similarities are intentional as well.
Normal Mode is probably the better of the 2 modes, but neither really does anything extraordinary. Ultimately Kuwajiro is likely the weakest figure in the line, but even then it's still a fantastic toyline.
Accessories
1 - Hasamic Cutter.
This weapon needs to be assembled by cutting parts from a sprue first. It's a soft rubbery type plastic that you've undoubtedly encountered over the years with Bandai products. When assembled it can act as both sword and scissor-like cutting weapons. Perhaps an old predecessor to Kamen Rider Gattacks' Double Calibur?
1 - Label sheet
. As with most any figure in this line a lebl sheet is included to replicate more show details. I have never used my label sheet and don't intend to. At some point in the future I'd like to get some quality repros made to use but that's for another time.
Final Thoughts
While not the most exciting release in the line,
Superchange Kuwajiro
still embodies some of the things that make
B-Robo Kabutack
one of my. I'm all about diminutive robots getting super heroic forms and at a bare minimum, Kuwajiro still manages that. And with the low low prices a majority of the figures in this toyline tend to go for (Kuwajiro was just 1200 yen) I can certainly overlook some functional flaws.
Attached Thumbnails
__________________
Last edited by Den-O; 01-04-2017 at
12:54 PM
..
Den-O
View Public Profile
Send a private message to Den-O
Find More Posts by Den-O
TokuNation News & Rumors
Alternative Cut of "Day Of The Dumpster" Released
Shodo SUPER Kyoryuger Teaser
Figuarts/Seihou GRIDMAN
SH Figuarts BoonBoomger Red
Hasbro Licenses Power Rangers Toys to Playmates Toys
More New Posts
Ultraman Discussion Thread
Thunderstrike's Wants
DreamSword Watches Unfamiliar Toku: Part 1 - GARO
How is Everyone Today- New
What are you watching? (Kamen Rider Edition)
S.H. Figuarts (Toku Related) Thread
Kamen Rider Gotchard Episode 34- "Only One! All Roads Lead To Gorgeousness!"
Kamen Rider Gotchard Episode 33- "Legend Rider? 100 Years Too Early!" Discussion
Super Sentai minipla appreciation thread!
Funny Toku Images thread
Current Poll
How Would You Rate This Episode?
Excellent!
Good
Average
OK
Poor...
»
View Poll Results
»
Comment On This Poll
»
This Poll Has 0 Replies
Search Forums
»
Advanced Search
All times are GMT -5. The time now is
10:51 PM
.
Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Powered by
vBadvanced
CMPS