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Post by krimpov on Feb 12, 2023 18:59:05 GMT -5
Which one is your favorite? And how would you rank these 5 in order? 1. CCSToys Mortal Mind (2020)
CCSToys is an easy 1st place. Bigger; heavier; magnificent shiny paintjob; gorgeous sharp sculp. Though that last pro could be a deal breaker for a lot of collectors seeking anime-accurate figures. It doesn't steer as far from the original design as, say, Fewture's Dynamic (Mazinger and co.) EX Gokins, but it's obviously not on-model. Two cons for this one : 1) Storing rows of little magnetic drill bits on a snap-on plastic tray = bad idea. It doesn't take anything away from the figure itself, though. The magnetic drill parts are a fantastic idea. It's just the way they packed them that is far from ideal. 2) I kept its "resting b*tch face" on these pics, although it had two more expressive agressive faceplates, because I simply couldn't remove it from the head: It seems stuck in there. 2. Sentinel Riobot Gurren and Lagann (2023)
Some may say that Sentinel made the head too large, but I guess it depends on what's your reference material. Even if it is, I suppose they had to make a compromise here so the solo Lagann wouldn't be too small. Because that's really the big plus for this one: the fact that they managed to make it so anime-accurate in both combined and split forms (with some necessary compromises). (Again, it all depends on your reference material. In the anime, solo Gurren goes from almost "headless Gurren Lagann" lean looks to pudgy "giant Lagann" (or MODOK) style.) And it feels STURDY. Unlike their older Riobot. (More on that later.) 3. Konami Great Impact (2008)
Konami's Great Impact is a very close 3rd. Itt still looks surprisingly good after all these years. (Almost 15 years already... sold for less than US$150... Ok... now I'm sad...) I actually made this little photoshoot to see if it had aged well: it did. (It had been in storage for years.) The head may be closer in size to its animated counterpart's, but I think Sentinel's sculpt looks better. Konami's head sculpt isn't bad, but the helmet looks too thin, IMO. 4. Sentinel Riobot 04 (2012)
The other two finish in 4th and 5th place, and not just because they're smaller. I'd personnally go with Sentinel (Riobot 04) on 4th place (eh!) and Bandai on 5th. The old Riobot is the best-looking of the two. Like CCS, they went with a redesign, but one that stays close to the original; more of an enhancement than a remake. I still love that sculpt. I do find that the layered 3D Gurren-dan logo on the shoulder pads looks a bit tacky, but, I don't know... it works. It looks like it's trying way too hard to impress, which wouldn't be out of character for Kamina. The articulations are impressive (maybe borderline gimmicky, even). However, that thing feels so flimsy now. Mine lost one of its heels and parts kept falling off while I was trying to pose it. It still looks great once it's done, but let's say the journey wasn't an enjoyable one. Also, it's all-plastic and very light. If only CCS got their hands on that sculpt... 5 Bandai Super Robot Chogokin Anti-Gurren Lagann (2013) / SRC Gurren Lagann (2013)
Anti-Gurren Lagann isn't Gurren Lagann, so I guess it would be disqualified anyway. But it's just a variant of their Gurren Lagann with some minor modifications, so I'm leaving it here. (I've never owned the Super Robot Chogokin Gurren Lagann.) Its articulations are more basic than the Riobot and the sculpt is not as imaginative or impressive. The SRC Gurren Lagann is not anime-accurate, but it's closer to its inspiration than the Riobot. (Anti-Gurren Lagann is from a Super Robot Wars game where it has SuperDeformed proportions, so I can't really comment about how anime-accurate this one is. It does look nice, though.) I'd say it doesn't look as good as the Riobot, but it is MUCH more fun to handle. Nothing fell off this one. While not a brick, it has diecast. Not much, but it's there. I'd say they were all worth it at MSRP. The old Riobot 04 went for US$80 on release. I don't think I'd pay over US$200 for a preowned one; what eBay sellers are currently asking for it. They're rereleasing the Plaiobot model kit version this spring for around $50. Much better value, but it's a model kit so it might not be for everyone. Pretty much the same sculpt, with much more basic articulations and no paint. They included stickers for the 3D shoulderpads logo, which look really cheap. I'd say if you don't want to paint the model, at least get some gold and white Gundam markers to color that Gurren-dan logo. Otherwise, it's all-red or cheap stickers.
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Post by zetaking on Feb 12, 2023 20:14:01 GMT -5
Konami, CCS, and Sentinel 2023 would be the ones I prefer since their size is a bit bigger. Any smaller and more details get lost.
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Post by greengetterguy on Feb 12, 2023 22:48:54 GMT -5
Now I’m REALLY looking forward to CCS GL 2.0! Hope they keep the magnet spikes.
BUT going back to Sentinel GL 2023, his shoulder “pad” joint is just ingenious. Complex but works flawlessly. The head attachment is an alien technology, I don’t see how it’s working but it works. (Just crazy.). In my mind, SENTINEL is forefront of joint technology
Couple of cons for me: The vertical movement on the shoulders EXTREMELY tight… The spring loaded torso “transformation lock” is bit fickle/ tricky.
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Post by archienov on Feb 13, 2023 3:25:31 GMT -5
Personally I wasn't too impressed with the CCS Toys GL when I got it. It looked great in the preorder photos. And it did feel very premium after getting in hand. But because of the loose waist joint out of the box which couldn't hold its pose, especially with the flight unit (on both my copies mind you), and because something about the redesign seemed off-putting to me in person (the proportions mainly), it went back into its box after just 2 days of being displayed and I hadn't missed it since. I later went on to sell both copies. Hopefully the 2.0 version addresses the issues I had.
Now with the newer Sentinel, the reverse was true. I wasn't too impressed with the preorder photos so didn't make one. But after I saw a review of the transformation 3 weeks ago, I was honestly astounded by how fluid it was and how good it looked in both modes. I immediately ordered one and got it 2 weeks ago and it's been on my display since then (and will stay there for the foreseeable future). It is easily the best looking GL I have ever owned and I think it nails the proportions perfectly. My only complaint is its shoulder joints are super duper tight when raising the arms sideways that I am worried I am putting excessive force just to move them. And maybe the use of the spring mechanism to raise the torso since I don't know how long the spring will last. I wish they used a slide and lock mechanism instead. In summary, I like it so much that I ordered a 2nd copy and can't wait to display it in both modes.
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Post by OzmaLee on Feb 14, 2023 22:32:44 GMT -5
Just a couple of shots I took. I love this figure
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Post by krimpov on Feb 15, 2023 1:07:26 GMT -5
But because of the loose waist joint out of the box which couldn't hold its pose, especially with the flight unit (on both my copies mind you) Maybe I got lucky or just didn't play enough with it, but I didn't notice anything like that on mine.
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Post by krimpov on Feb 15, 2023 1:17:06 GMT -5
The spring loaded torso “transformation lock” is bit fickle/ tricky. Yeah, that was really off-putting at first. I thought it was broken when it wouldn't snap in place. The instructions manual show that you have to align the torso just right, but even knowing that it's a hassle. But once it's locked in, it's fine.
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Post by OzmaLee on Feb 15, 2023 12:07:03 GMT -5
The spring loaded torso “transformation lock” is bit fickle/ tricky. Yeah, that was really off-putting at first. I thought it was broken when it wouldn't snap in place. The instructions manual show that you have to align the torso just right, but even knowing that it's a hassle. But once it's locked in, it's fine. I really thought mine was broken as well. Was about to contact Amazon.jp then went over the instructions and was able to lock it in place.
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Post by greengetterguy on Feb 15, 2023 14:17:16 GMT -5
You know Sentinel….HAS give a “weak point” on every release.
Nonetheless(nevertheless?) at least they’re pushing the boundaries. It’s one of Sentinel’s top three in my Sentinel “book.”
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Post by archienov on Feb 16, 2023 10:33:53 GMT -5
But because of the loose waist joint out of the box which couldn't hold its pose, especially with the flight unit (on both my copies mind you) Maybe I got lucky or just didn't play enough with it, but I didn't notice anything like that on mine. Actually, I think maybe I'm the one who got super unlucky. I hardly posed mine so it sucks if I actually got 2 lemons. Unfortunately at the time, there were no other replacement stock available so I couldn't try a 3rd time. Anyway, the more I compare the look of the 2 in side by side pics, the more I'm glad I didn't keep my CCS. The proportions look even more off to me now than they did before. The CCS Lazengann though is really nice. I got 2 of those too and both copies were almost perfect. The only weird thing is that the head of Lazengann on both my copies wobbles a bit forward and back. It's not due to a loose ball joint in the neck, but seems like the part the ball joint connects to is not securely glued/attached. Anyway, the reason I bring up CCS Lazengann is when I put it side by side with the Sentinel Gurren Lagann, they actually don't look too bad together. Sure it's a head taller than Gurren Lagann, but their heads, torsos, arms, and hands are pretty close in size so they look kinda proportional with one another. The main reason Lazengann is taller is due to his legs being much longer.
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Post by zetaking on Feb 16, 2023 14:15:42 GMT -5
I think this unit requires a bit more fidgeting since its a more complicated piece that tries to do transformation along with visual replication of the anime. So, things like locking I would expect and accept. If you try playing with some of the studio half eye items where they needed the accompanying screw driver to tighten, this is worlds better...lol.
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Post by redhobbit on Apr 29, 2023 7:03:21 GMT -5
I remember seeing the 2023 Sentinel Gurren Lagann preorders a few times but unfortunately it slipped my mind and the figure released just a few months ago. Unfortunately it appears to be have disappeared pretty quickly from stock in a lot of places. Are there any recommendations on storefronts that still carry it? I saw amiami had a few, but I've found their shipping costs to be very high compared to others in the past.
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Post by bocasas on Apr 29, 2023 10:10:06 GMT -5
I remember seeing the 2023 Sentinel Gurren Lagann preorders a few times but unfortunately it slipped my mind and the figure released just a few months ago. Unfortunately it appears to be have disappeared pretty quickly from stock in a lot of places. Are there any recommendations on storefronts that still carry it? I saw amiami had a few, but I've found their shipping costs to be very high compared to others in the past. NINNIN still has it. Shipping costs have gone up a lot... you may check if it is cheaper: www.nin-nin-game.com/en/sentinel/61910-riobot-gurren-lagann-henkei-gattai-gurren-lagann-sentinel-.html
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Post by mpchi on Apr 29, 2023 20:59:19 GMT -5
I remember seeing the 2023 Sentinel Gurren Lagann preorders a few times but unfortunately it slipped my mind and the figure released just a few months ago. Unfortunately it appears to be have disappeared pretty quickly from stock in a lot of places. Are there any recommendations on storefronts that still carry it? I saw amiami had a few, but I've found their shipping costs to be very high compared to others in the past. Just checked Nin-Nin, US$45 FedEx shipping to US, California. Not bad at all in today's standard. You might want to pull the trigger there. Not too much different from what I paid (I bought it from them too), except I did it when Yen rate is a little better. Worth considering, if you can't find better deal elsewhere.
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Post by redhobbit on Apr 30, 2023 0:17:07 GMT -5
Thanks! I haven't seen anything on Mercari and Amiami's price is comparable with Nin-Nin. I may wait until either store has a second item I'd like to pick up that way the shipping cost between two items doesn't feel as weighty.
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