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05-02-2018, 02:23 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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"Gattai! Live Dimension!"
When Bandai originally kicked off it's now incredibly popular Super Minipla line, many fans were suspect about when or if it would move on from Zyuranger. Those releases of courses were made possible because of some demand from western fans and sold very well. But before that line up was even completed we got confirmation that Choujuu Sentai Liveman would be the new line's 2nd series to tackle! Now we even know that the next series up for the treatment is Ninja Sentai Kakuranger! What we're here to look at today however, is what Bandai's brought to the table for Liveman with the Super Minipla Live Robo! ** This thread is broken down into 5 full posts. The review portions will be broken down with each post as well. Scroll through to the one you want to see at any time and enjoy the pics along the way! Now, some preface about what's so "super" about Super Minipla. Traditionally, Minipla have always been a nice cheap alternative to the big DX mecha for kids. These are inexpensive model kit representations of their favorite giant robots that approximate the mecha's looks quite well. Minipla have been produced in one form or another for practically as long as sentai has had giant robos in it. Though the complexity and quality of the main Minipla line we see today, really only began to take shape in the early 2000's, around Dekaranger. Minipla before that era were largely not poseable, only sparsely accessorized, and often gang molded in incredibly simple colors, often missing the mark of the actual suits. In the last decade or so though they've become quite a bit more complex, striking proper balances between show accuracy and playability. But Super Minipla, is a whole different ball game. This line revolutionizes the idea of what Minipla is by making it a high quality and fully complex collector's line. Dedicated to as close to show accuracy as possible, to re-creating transformations as close to show model as possible, and to giving collector's super poseable mini representations of DX toys that would otherwise be impossible to afford. Super Minipla has also covered many things not relating to Super Senai from anime such as GaoGaiGar, Xabungle, Ideon, and more. Essentially this line exists to allows many collectors the chance to own mecha that haven't been available for decades as DX toys, and whose original Minipla are so dated now that they wouldn't even begin to be enjoyable. By tackling these types of figures for Sentai, Bandai has practically struck a gold mine. Collector's are nearly guaranteed to buy poseable and affordable alternatives to toys they don't own but want to. It's genius really. Also, I don't paint or panel line or do anything outside of what the stock instructions give me for model kits. I like to straight build everything, that's just the way I am and I'll always be. If you've ever seen Gundam Build Fighters, think of me like Straight Build Shimon. It's just my thing. Part 1: Packaging Where standard minipla releases will come in case assortment waves with duplicate parts and such, Super Minipla comes in a full series case. Each is divided into an exact number of boxes to complete one full set of the robo you've bought. In the Live Robo's case, that means we get one complete 3 box set packed inside one display shipper. Traditionally a retail store would open a case of standard Minipla and sell each individual box for a set retail price, often only a few hundred yen. So kids could pick and choose which pieces they wanted or needed to finish their mecha of choice. With Super Minipla, this new distribution means you can just buy the whole display and get one complete toy like that. You can still see the perforated markings on the side of the Live Robo Case where it can be opened to sell these components individually, though that won't often be the case with a set like this. The shipper case is just a black & white version of what packaging art we see featured on each of the individual boxes. So it's nice to pull those out and see just how much the color pops after having seen the outer case. Each of the individual boxes is identical save for a tiny number on the top flap of the box denoting which Machine parts it contains. The back side of each box shows off half the combined form of Super Live Robo, a really cool little extra since the individual boxes for the separately sold Live Boxer set, features the other half of this combined form. Each box can be torn open withe the perforated edge on the top or you can just pull the glued flaps apart like I have. It's all in whether you care to keep the boxes or not, I do keep them. Each box contains the instructions needed to build each component of Live Robo and transform it from it's Animal Form to it's piece in the Live Robo Combination. Each box also contains the infamous Minipla Candy. Super sweet and tart white candy in the shape of a clover that's been included in Minipla for as long as I can remember. Honestly I've always liked eating them. Next up, Live Machines!
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05-02-2018, 02:28 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Part 2: Sky Machine (AKA Jet Falcon)
Either of the names Sky Machine or Jet Falcon are acceptable and they've been used interchangeably by Bandai over the years to refer to this machine. The Super Minipla packaging uses the name Sky Machine though so for consistency I'll be using that from here on. I won't be focusing on describing the process to build this figure so much as just it's functionality as an individual once built. I've included extensive step by step photos to build each of the 3 machines so hopefully that should do a better job of explaining the building process than I could. Now like I said in the first post, these Super Minipla are a lot more complex than what customers of the old line have become accustomed to. That means a larger number of parts and a more complex build. However it ALSO means fewer stickers. Because of the line's more collector oriented nature it means that some parts come pre-painted from the factory for you! Often Minipla collector's either choose to paint certain parts (or entire kits) or in order to get that little bit of accuracy that was missing they have to. Thankfully with this line Bandai is opting to paint relevant parts that otherwise be very difficult to sticker up, for you. In Sky Machine's case that means you get both halves of the Jet's bird face as well as the combined Live Robo head. There is a small sticker sheet included to finish detailing up this bad boy, much of which gets applied to the wings and back plate. Sky Machine by far needs more stickers than the other two components but just get yourself some fine tipped tweezers and you'll manage. On it's own the Sky Machine doesn't do much honestly. The tail fins and wings do move, though that's more a by-product of it's transformation than any thing else. The figure actually does have extending bird talons it can stand on too. The grey chunks that become the Live Robo's thighs in combined mode have caps on the end that can be removed, when done you can extend these bird legs out. Though they don't serve a ton of purpose, you have to lean Sky Machine pretty far back to make use of them. However, this piece of the set also includes the parts to make a Display Base! This simple single arm base does wonders for displaying any of the 3 Machines but is primarily meant for Sky Machine. It's a simple plug type base with no poseable arm, but each of the 3 machines has a port that fits it. A port that is also the same size as a Tamashii Stage arm, so you have options. Thankfully the Live Robo Base also has peg hole storage on the side to store the extra fists that come with Land Machine.
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05-02-2018, 02:28 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Part 3: Land Machine (AKA Land Lion)
As with Sky Machine, either of these names is acceptable, both having been used interchangeably by Toei & Bandai to describe the unit. Like Sky Machine, Land Machine is a really complex and interesting little figure when fully assembled. And also like it, a number of pre-painted parts are included! In this case it's 3 chunks of the Lion's head as well as the component that will eventually become Live Robo's chest. Like the others this one comes with my favorite weird Minipla Candy too! A label sheet is included to add some minor details such as the black square on the cannons. You can see from the parts breakdown photos that there's a decent amount going on in the construction of this figure, and most of that complexity comes into play with the Live Robo formation. But as an individual, Land Machine is fairly basic. We get an opening jaw, a moving tail, the Lion Cannons positioned in the rear can angle up or down and spin just a bit side to side though it's tight. The front legs have two usable joints, the upper one inside the chest doesn't have much play to it, while the lower leg mostly moves backward, with a hinged paw on the end. Each piece won't move much on it's own, but together they do a decent amount. The hind legs are the same really, albeit with a little more to 'em thanks to the parts that will become the bicep for Live Robo. Land Machine also comes with 3 additional fists for Live Robo. 2 of which are bulkier versions of the regular fists stored within the Land Machine's hind legs. The bulkier fists can't be used for transformation but do give the Robo a more accurate look for posing. The third hand is an angled down right fist meant for holding the Chojuken/Super Beast Sword. Also included is a small peg adapter for the Display Base that Sky Machine came with. It plugs into two slots directly underneath the forward legs on Land Machine to give it the effect of jumping forward. Of the 3 Machines on their own, Land Machine is by far the best. Just a really cool little lion mecha.
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Last edited by Den-O; 05-02-2018 at 02:33 PM.. |
05-02-2018, 02:28 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Part 4: Aqua Machine (Aqua Dolphin)
Another case of interchangeable names, use the one you prefer. Perhaps the least exciting of the 3 Machines, Aqua Dolphin was still a really fun build. Like the other two this Machine has some more pre-painted parts, though not nearly as many as the other. Just a couple of red painted missiles on the gray parts sprue. And of course, more candy! Like the others Aqua Machine also comes with another small label sheet, the best of which being the "Liveman" logos for the sides. For Aqua Machine you're basically building two identical dolphin subs that link up with pegs in the center. Some small rolling wheels on each half allow you roll the whole Aqua Machine around a bit when they're connected too. Though there isn't much else to this figure on it's own. Even the hinged fins on the sides are really only for Live Robo. But there's something charming about Aqua as well. It probably has to do with my love for Megumi/Blue Dolphin. By far one of my favorite female rangers ever. You can get Aqua Machine on the Display Base by using the plug hole under the nose of either dolphin as well. The box with Aqua's parts in it also includes the sword for Live Robo but I'll get to that in our final section!
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Last edited by Den-O; 05-02-2018 at 02:38 PM.. |
05-02-2018, 02:29 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Part 5: Choujuu Gattai, Live Robo!
Now for the main event, Live Dimension! By far the greatest strength of the Super Minipla line is it's ability to recreate combined robots so excellently. You get a great functional toy with some fantastic proportions and accessories. Unlike many minipla of the past, you can also get around most part swapping for the transformations. In Live Robo's case, a mere 3 parts are removed and totally set aside for this transformation. Only the plugs that cover the knee plugs on Sky Machine and the tail from Land Machine are left over in the end. I've included step by step photos to show you how to get from each individual machine into the parts you need. While I think those images can speak for themselves I do want to mention a couple of fascinating things about the combination that I love. First, the way the lower half of Sky Machine slides down to accommodate the Land Machine chest, then slides back up to lock it in place and hide Land Machine's front legs just blows my mind. Likewise the way in which Land Machine's legs rotate out on that shared black joint within the chest is just incredible to me. The way it moves is just so fluid it's hard to believe this is a minipla. Once you've assembled Live Robo, you have one hell of a fun little figure. Without getting into the weapons yet, Live Robo is a great and poseable action figure in it's own right. The feet have side tilting joints thanks to how the feet are built, while the ankles can tilt forward and back too. Because of the nature of joints in the thighs we also get a nice knee joint connected to Aqua Machine that extends out it's main body. Then there's a mid-thigh swivel as well as a rotating hip joint. Now the hips are TIGHT, scary forceful on my Live Robo. Just be wary. All of this adds up to some extraordinary articulation in the lower body. This thing can stand on one leg with the other wrapped around it's back even. Despite it's complicated assembly even the torso can rotate pretty freely. The shoulders are each on a sort of butterfly joint that allows them to move very high up (at the cost of looking a bit inaccurate) but the arms can also swing out quite wide. Now for my one big complaint, the elbows have almost no range. Mostly because they have to accommodate the way the lion legs transform, they can only rotate forward about a quarter turn before they impact the opening forearm panel. The rotating biceps and fists can help alleviate some of this but it's still imperfect. Finally the head is on a small but useful balljoint that allows it to move a lot more than it appears at first glance. Able to spin around completely and angle up or down just a bit goes a long way to helping create personality for this mecha. Now for weapons. Live Robo comes with a shield formed from Sky Machine called the Live Shield. A square peg on the handle allows it to fit snugly into either hand of the Live Robo and it's hinged to pose it out of the way. We also get the mighty Chojuken or Super Beast Sword. Oddly this accessory isn't painted nor are there stickers included for it so the hilt remains in accurate. I don't paint or panel line or do anything outside of what the stock instructions give me for model kits. I like to straight build everything, that's just the way I am and I'll always be. If you've ever seen Gundam Build Fighters, think of me like Straight Build Shimon. I don't feel like I should have to recreate missing details they should simply be there, and I'm not particularly good at it either. So these little inaccuracies are frustrating, but not deal breaking. Final Thoughts Super Minipla is a revolutionary toyline for Super Sentai. As someone who typically collects DX toys, Robot Damashii, S.H. Figuarts, and Chogokin type figures, I was not prepared to be up for another toyline. But the chance to own a classic design like the Live Robo in an affordable way was something I couldn't pass up on. And I'm glad I didn't. If Bandai keeps it up and does more pre-Zyuranger mecha then I may actually be all in on this line. For now, I'm extremely please with how Super Minipla Live Robo has turned out.
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Last edited by Den-O; 05-02-2018 at 02:42 PM.. |
05-02-2018, 03:48 PM | #6 |
Kawaii 5-0
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom
Posts: 12,851
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I've been looking forward to this kit so much, and seeing your great pics inspired me to finally open mine up and start building.
Turns out my Aqua Dolphin is missing the entire grey runner. So I've had to rebuy the entire set, and I'll have to see if I can flog the doubles of Falcon and Lion. I've had mixed feelings about the Super Minipla line for a while now but this experience has really soured me on it now
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05-02-2018, 04:15 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Quote:
I've been looking forward to this kit so much, and seeing your great pics inspired me to finally open mine up and start building.
Turns out my Aqua Dolphin is missing the entire grey runner. So I've had to rebuy the entire set, and I'll have to see if I can flog the doubles of Falcon and Lion. I've had mixed feelings about the Super Minipla line for a while now but this experience has really soured me on it now
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05-02-2018, 04:36 PM | #8 |
Kawaii 5-0
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom
Posts: 12,851
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I’ve got Daizyujin, Dragon Caesar, GaoGaiGar and the GGG Add-on set and honestly I thought they were all pretty expensive for what they are. Sure the plastic quality is slightly better than your standard Minipla and the odd painted part is neat, but I still don’t see what justifies the cost of them.
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05-02-2018, 06:15 PM | #9 |
Omnipresent Historian
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: In the now.
Posts: 707
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How is the compatibility to the Zyu previous releases? The legs look like the same type of standard as other releases for the normal Minipla that Geki Deka Gokai and similar had.
That's been the only thing keeping me from the super minipla as yet. I like the compatibility between all the normal minipla have, and wasn't sure if super minipla still offers that. |
05-02-2018, 06:19 PM | #10 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,474
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I just can't get into the design, despite how much I like minipla. This is clearly a cool little kit. I've gone relatively all-in on Sentai minipla, so I tell myself I'm giving myself shelf space for the upcoming Kakuranger kit.
I hope they someday get around to GekiTouja. The existing minipla was terrific for its time, including swappable hands, but it's a little dated now, and I'd really like to see what a Super Minipla treatment would add. |
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