Sigma Prime wrote:Goddammit I need to get some more Revoltechs!
The Dix-neuf been on my list for a long time.
He is awesome. I posted this review of him not so long back:
I've only watched the first two episodes of Gunbuster 2 but it very clear from the moment he appears that Dix-Neuf is both an unusual and iconic robot, if that is indeed what he is because he appears much more like some giant cyborg superhero/villain in a cloak, and iron jaw, a bear chest and tats. He just looks badass!
Anyway on to the figure itself. Being a keen collector of Revoltech since the early Evas came out I've watched this line go from strength to strength improving with each release and this figure is no exception. I can quite honestly say this is one of the finest Revoltech figures yet, it again combines anime accuracy with awesome articulation. The flat simplistic colours and detailing are as close to what you'll see in the stylish anime of Diebuster as you likely to find on an action figure. In face with his cloak on there is almost no way of telling this is an articulated action figure and not a static PVC figurine. With many Revoltech figures you can spot the tell tale X's of the revolver joints at the tops of the hips, shoulders or waist, Dix-neuf exhibits very little of this. You really have to look hard for the joints and as with other recent figures in the line the joints are colour co-ordinated to blend in with the figure. The revoltech joints can be found in the elbows, shoulders, ankles, hips, chest, neck and connecting either half of his cloak to his back. The knees are not revolver joints or rather you can't get into then to see if they are or not. They are mono-shaft but ratcheted and go from straight to just over 90 degrees. This works perfectly seeing as Dix-neufs legs a huge tree-trunk-like things with no obvious knees other than the markings half way down his legs. The only thing I would say against his joint is that the shafts on his elbow joints are a tad short and tend to come off quite easily, no biggy but worth a mention.
On to the accessories, again Kaiyodo do not disappoint! As with many recent Revoltech releases the number and sheer quality of accessories is above that of earlier figures in the line. It now seems all figures come with a multi-directional revolver joint flying stand as standard, Dix-neuf also includes the older style foot prop extension that was used for flying poses before the newer revolver jointed stand, not 100% necessary but its nice to have both options. For actual figure accessories you have the obligatory close fists and open hands (complete with buster beam barrels) and an extra head one with his eye open one with it closed(this is quite significant in the Anime). Weaponary inclded his baseball bat/mace and hand held chainsaw things (sorry dont know the anime terminology for those yet). Both of these weapons ingeniously fit under his cloak , the handle of the mace has to be removed for this and to fit it into his clenched fists. Last but no least is an additoinal back for the figure so you can remove the cloak. Now I havent seen all of the series yet so I'm not aware of the significance but it does appear Dix-neuf has some sort of huge metallic skull on his back with transparent white blue horns of fire! I'm sure the meaning behind all the will become clear as I watch more but all I can say is it looks awesome, the detailing on this piece is superb and I was very pleased to find the flames were removable.
Overall I'd say this is one of if not the best Revoltech so far. It looks great, has awesome articulation, beautiful accessories/detailing and there is something about the weighty solidity of his legs that really appeal to me. With this figure you get a whole lot of Revoltech for your money, the whole package is fantastically well done and I really don't have a single gripe, which is more than I can say for one or two other revoltechs that I have found slightly lacking here or there. If you enjoy the anime, like the design, love Revoltech, or just fancy something a bit different I'd say you can't go far wrong with this guy.
Yours AK
Next for the gallery treatment will be these guys:

Oh and did I mention Robot-Japan have asked to host my galleries too, here's the first:
SOC Gunbuster.
Yours AK