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Post by mpchi on Jul 24, 2023 0:45:54 GMT -5
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Post by mpchi on Jul 24, 2023 0:52:48 GMT -5
It sure looks a lot nicer than Bandai's HMR. And I really like the sculpt is much closer to the Five Star Stories aesthetics than the traditional 80's TV lineart proportions. However, I do wish Sentinel stylized the design a bit more, to make it even more FFS looking with added details. But since it is based on sculptor Takanori's (Red Fox) garage kit, they can't step too far from that. In fact, they hired him as the supervisor of the project (the guy on the right in the video). Personally, I am quite interested in this, mainly because I have longed for a FSS diecast figure for a couple decades. While this is not it, it is the closest we have ever got. And I do like L-Gaim quite a bit, mostly for the mech designs, the show's heritage of being FSS's predecessor, its world building, and its appearances in SRW games. But the show is not that great, watched more than half of it, but couldn't finish it. But the price is quite high even at the great current exchange rate on yen. Will have to think about this one. Here is Bandai's HMR for comparison.  That new face sculpt is a lot closer to Five Stars Stories compare to previous L-Gaims.  |
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Post by mpchi on Jul 24, 2023 3:04:53 GMT -5
Found the garage kit Takanori sculpted for L-Gaim MK II. Looks SICK!!! Man, if this is coming next for Riobot, that would make this L-Gaim even more enticing.   Preorders for the L-Gaim already up, by the way. Can be found in your usual Amiami, HLJ, Amazon JP, CDJapan, Nin-nin...etc. |
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Post by Magmatron on Jul 24, 2023 8:45:47 GMT -5
Found the garage kit Takanori sculpted for L-Gaim MK II. Looks SICK!!! Man, if this is coming next for Riobot, that would make this L-Gaim even more enticing. If this were to happen I would be interested. While I dig the more FSS inspired take, it still comes off as somewhat plain. You didn't buy the Volks Kaiserin? |
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Post by Vendetta on Jul 24, 2023 10:58:07 GMT -5
FSS is so niche, but Sentinel has dabbled in some super-niche stuff before, so maybe it's not entirely impossible for us to get something from them someday... even just an LED Mirage or KOG would be amazing. A Jagd Mirage - or my personal favorite, a Machine Mess Auge - would be a pipe dream but is fun to think about.
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Post by mpchi on Jul 24, 2023 11:12:42 GMT -5
You didn't buy the Volks Kaiserin? No. It was very pricey, and not a design I like. I much prefer the original FSS designs, not the Gothicmade reboot. Didn't help seeing reviews after release that the piece is not very playable. It wasn't engineered to be played, just a delicate statues with joints and wires that can barely move. I think someone bought it and gave feedback here on RJ as well. Had an old thread for it. I heard there will be another one based on the reboot L.E.D. Mirage (I think it goes by a different name) as a 2nd release, but that project seems to be in limbo now? Have not heard news on it for a couple years. I could be wrong. FSS is so niche, but Sentinel has dabbled in some super-niche stuff before, so maybe it's not entirely impossible for us to get something from them someday... even just an LED Mirage or KOG would be amazing. A Jagd Mirage - or my personal favorite, a Machine Mess Auge - would be a pipe dream but is fun to think about. Still sad the diecast WAVE Knight of Gold project died. All we saw was some magazine article with photos of a pretty cool but unfinished prototype. Too bad. Sentinel can definitely pull off a diecast release of FSS figures. I think the question is more about not able to get the license from Nagano Mamoru, especially when he is favoring his new reboot over the old stuff. A pipe dream indeed. A diecast Jagd Mirage would be very crazy.  |
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Post by zetaking on Jul 24, 2023 13:56:43 GMT -5
I think Sentinel is still trying different characters to see which fits their niche... I think the FSS should be up their alley since its all about details, paneling, and the sculpt which have all been Sentinel strength.
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Post by jasonmacross on Jul 24, 2023 17:47:09 GMT -5
I think Sentinel is still trying different characters to see which fits their niche... I think the FSS should be up their alley since its all about details, paneling, and the sculpt which have all been Sentinel strength. This is exactly what I thought when I noticed how detailed the Linebarrel was. FSS would be brilliant for them to take on. |
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Post by zetaking on Jul 25, 2023 12:51:09 GMT -5
BTW, when they say heavy metal, I hope they literally mean heavy metal lol.
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Post by mpchi on Jul 25, 2023 14:54:49 GMT -5
BTW, when they say heavy metal, I hope they literally mean heavy metal lol. I wouldn't bet on it just yet, since Heavy Metal (MH) is the term used in the show for these guys, just like Gundam use Mobile Suits (MS) for their mechs. Though Sentinel did say they use diecast to give this figure a weighty feel. Hopefully they meant what they said and not just some PR fluff. |
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Post by mpchi on Jul 31, 2024 19:27:29 GMT -5
Looks like Riobot L-Gaim just came out. Just got shipping notice.
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Post by bocasas on Jul 31, 2024 23:59:41 GMT -5
Looks like Riobot L-Gaim just came out. Just got shipping notice. Please share your impressions and some pics. Really curious how this one turned out. |
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Post by jasonmacross on Aug 2, 2024 0:26:48 GMT -5
Selling two of them sealed guys. Ended buying 4 because I could not cancel my precious amiami account LOL
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Post by mpchi on Aug 4, 2024 2:00:18 GMT -5
Looking impressive. The shoulder and leg joints are pretty crazy, especially the leg hydraulics.
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Post by mpchi on Aug 4, 2024 21:01:09 GMT -5
Initial impression is quite good. Fully painted in pearl white with most copper parts painted as well. Some inner joint pieces are just copper colored plastic with no paint however (you can see the plastic swirls in some). Handling this L-Gaim is very similar to handling the Megahouse Orguss. A bunch of intricate joints and hinges to pay attention to, even the copper plastic and painted copper parts, inside white paint, very similar. This Riobot is on the light weight side, but feels solid though, and passes the shake test. Inner hips and knees are the major diecast parts, maybe some small pieces sandwiched in joints, but not a lot. This is not Riobot GL in terms of weight, much lighter. Without backpack and no accessories, the main body only weights around 220g.
There is some very interesting articulation designs on this figure that is unconventional, a lot of joints on the shoulder and butterfly joints, extra 2-3 bending joints below elbows, knees that can bend sideways, swivel joints in mid lower legs, and not to mention the multiple working hydraulics on the legs. Also some subtle but smart synchronized articulations (like the hair when moving the head, and the white shoulder under panel when raising the arms sideways). Very interesting articulation engineering.
Though unfortunately, mine is not great on QC. Has a slightly loose toe joint, and a couple long paint smudge on the side skirt and on the shield. A bit unlucky on this one, but nothing terrible.
This is a very handsome figure, and definitely a good one for Five Star Stories fans, as this is the main selling point on this Riobot L-Gaim, making it as close to what you would see as a FSS MH, without being one. While it is well designed, and have intricate details and moving parts, it is relatively fiddly in some areas like the skirts, and lower arms, and especially the knees and legs. From what I can tell, it roughly lands between an 8 or 8.5/10.
I've found another video review, this time in English. Kind of nice with some Five Stars Stories references as well.
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Post by bocasas on Aug 4, 2024 21:05:55 GMT -5
Looking impressive. The shoulder and leg joints are pretty crazy, especially the leg hydraulics. Ok probably this won't won any die cast content contest but this thing is amazing. As I always says sentinel is top notch when it comes to engineering, I can't see any other company doing something like this. They are always pushing the boundaries when it comes to articulation and setting new standards. |
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Post by mpchi on Aug 4, 2024 21:42:06 GMT -5
Found a video with comparison with a HMR. Pretty much similar size and height, with the HMR having a much bigger head and chest.  |
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Post by mpchi on Aug 5, 2024 1:44:03 GMT -5
After fiddling with some of the accessories, I find the backpack fits on the back pretty well, with the backpack wings also has synchronized movement, moving the wing of one side also moves the other. Pretty nice. However, there is a slight drawback on the lower arm, mainly on the side holding the shield. The shield is quite big and the lower arm hinge joints are not as tight as some of the main joints, so the weight can hinder the pose a bit at a certain angle. A bit oversight on the weight and not strengthen these hinges with diecast joints instead. If you don't want to wear down the joints fast, use the shield sparingly only for static poses or brief photo shoot. However, without the shield, those lower arm hinges works really nice on posing the arms, giving it a curve that normal figures don't have like left arm in my photo (except in some Riobots, and some of the newer GFFMCs and Robot Damashiis). The sideway bend on the knees also lend it a slightly nicer "A" stance than other figures (normally their knees don't bend sideways, just front & back).This is one handsome mech with a very graceful posture!  |
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Post by Magmatron on Aug 5, 2024 2:27:38 GMT -5
This is a very handsome figure, and definitely a good one for Five Star Stories fans, as this is the main selling point on this Riobot L-Gaim, making it as close to what you would see as a FSS MH, without being one. While it is well designed, and have intricate details and moving parts, it is relatively fiddly in some areas like the skirts, and lower arms, and especially the knees and legs. From what I can tell, it roughly lands between an 8 or 8.5/10. Thanks for the impressions. I had tobskip this, but I'd love it if Sentinel somehow managed to get the FSS license. |
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Post by mpchi on Aug 5, 2024 15:18:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the impressions. I had tobskip this, but I'd love it if Sentinel somehow managed to get the FSS license. That would shock the world, if Sentinel got the FSS license. But FSS is now in a very weird situation, don't know if it is even possible to make figures for it anymore, with Nagano Mamoru already changed all the designs to the new look years ago, and abandoning all the old designs. Even if he is willing to let Sentinel (or whoever competent enough) to do it, he probably would only allow them to use his new stuff. I would happily buy the L-Gaim MK II if they used the same Takanori's sculpt (scroll up to an old post to see what it looks like). Guess that depends on how well this L-Gaim sells. However, I don't see much noise and reviews, with me being the slow poke I am, as one of the first to post photo of the toy in some HK facebook groups LOL. Not looking good... A better comparison shot. (Robot Damashii - Riobot - HMR)  |
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