[ShiShiLeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLIT LIP

So I built Den-O this evening and it's a really great kit, however I feel it fuels this conspiracy theory I have:

I had these same thoughts, especially with how close the SHF and FRS of Den-O release dates were. I asked the folks at Bluefin and they said that the teams for both product lines are completely separate. Obviously there is some overlap in planning and launch, but there is no expectation (at least from Bandai's perspective) that these two lines take away from each other, no more than Gundam model kits and Gundam action figures take away from each other.

For a significant amount of people, the idea of having to build a kit to create a figure is anathema. And simply put, a model kit is just never gonna match the detail, material quality, and durability of a Figuarts, especially an SS.

I am an avid Gunpla builder and I sometimes forgot how many people just do straight builds without any extra detailing, painting, or otherwise improvements (many many people outright refuse to use any form of a sticker!).

As for the foot/ankle joints, from what I understand, it has a lot to do with visuals. None of the FRS kits have the toe joint, but they gave one to Kuuga, and then afterwards, Den-O, Hibiki, and Decade go back to one-piece feet. This is because Kuuga's black shoes hides it very well and he has a somewhat iconic pose that utilizes a toe bend.

That being said, I personally prefer the look of a solid foot. I've never been a fan toe joints on my figures.