Review of "MODEROID OGUS! Voice actor Yasuyuki Tai takes on the challenge of creating a shocking kit with 4-stage transformation gimmick packed into a small body with excellent proportions!

The concept is "even busy working people can make it this far on their weekends off. There are only two rules: bare bones assembly and a production period of one to two days! Read this series and you will surely find the plastic model you want to build.

Taiyuki's Weekend Plastic Modeling Vol. 90

So, the 90th episode of "Weekend Plastic Modeling by Taiyuki, Voice Actor! Weekend Plastic Modeling!

This time we will be introducing a plastic model of the main character of the TV anime "Super Dimension Century Orguss," which celebrated its 40th anniversary, the robot Orguss, from Good Smile Company's MODEROID series.

Although the figure has been commercialized several times, this is the first new plastic kit in 40 years since it was released at the time the anime aired. Moreover, the transformation into four types is reproduced!　The kit includes pre-painted parts and stickers to complement the color scheme, making it a joy to play with immediately after assembly.

The proportions of this kit are excellent in all forms. We will enjoy reviewing it.

The package also depicts a variety of aircraft, which makes me excited with anticipation.

MODEROID Augus

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The story of the birth of this mecha, which is a combination of two mecha, Bronco II and Morava, is quite interesting for a main character mecha.

First, the Orgus Orgaloid mode.

The color scheme is reproduced to this level when assembled and even the stickers are applied. I think it is safe to say that it is almost perfect.

As you can see, the style is also very good.

The rear view is very clean. The inside of the back unit, which is hidden by the back unit, is packed with movable parts that allow it to transform into four different forms.

The head. Clear green parts are used for the main camera. The shape of the inner connection bearing looks just mechanical.

The neck is connected with a ball joint. You can move it freely.

The color-coded chest part is also well reproduced just by assembling it. The cockpit is located inside the waist. In the picture, posture reinforcement parts are used on the back side, but it does not look out of place at all.

The hip joint part is connected to the shaft. The engine units on both sides of the waist are also movable with frame parts. The intakes are also well detailed.

Black lines on the thighs are pre-painted parts. Roll rotation is possible with the upper part of the knee block. The knees are double-jointed.

The color of the knee square protrusions can be selected from two colors. In this case, clear green parts were selected.

There is also one spare antenna part for the head. Keep it in a safe place just in case.

The color scheme of the missile gun is also as shown. Only the small black ▲ is a sticker.

The unique wrist shape of the Orguss has also been reproduced. The connection itself is a ball joint, and a clenched fist and a small wrist for deformation are also included.

Explanation of the range of motion while posing with "THE Simple Stand" (sold separately).

The neck has been rotated slightly and also turned down slightly. The shoulder joints can rotate as seen here. The elbow joints can also be bent deeply thanks to the deformation.

The hip joints can be opened laterally to this extent due to the design.

The legs can be opened up to about 180 degrees, and as you can see, a large kicking pose can be done without difficulty.

The shoulders can swing back and forth slightly. There is a roll axis on the second arm.

Ankles are ball-jointed. And toes can be closed with the benefit of deformation. The image of Augustus is strong for aerial combat.

It is also impressive that the opening image of Augustus shows a very drastic action. Note that the leg slits are also separate parts.

If you extend the drawer mechanism part of the shoulder, you will be able to move the arms even more widely.

We hope everyone will have fun trying out the poses.

I did not have the kit at the time, but I did have the finished toy released by Takato Toys at the time, so I arranged them side by side.

Although the environment for designing toys has evolved, and there are differences in the target age range, I am amazed that MODEROID AUGUS was able to incorporate a transformation mechanism into a figure of this size.

MODEROID Augus

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Amazing 4-stage transformation! Challenge from the augus tank form

From here, we will show you the biggest showcase of Augustus, its transformation. With its wrists replaced with clenched fists, it first transforms into an orgasmic tank.

Close the head cover, raise the back block 90 degrees, and swing the shoulder joints back.

Move the engine blocks upward on both sides of the waist.

Bend the elbows 90 degrees and use the roll rotation of the two arms to make the wrists point forward.

Swing the legs slightly backward,

Bend the knees to the reverse joint and close the toes.

Complete the leg deformation by rotating the outer tibia armor backward.

Only the upper part of the cockpit cover is deployed to complete the augmented tank.

This tank form was rarely seen in the movie, but for some reason, it is very impressive.

The deployment gimmick of the inflated shin is very pleasing, and some of you may remember it.

In the world of "august" tanks, there are many images of aerial combat, but for some reasons, it is not possible to fly at the speed of sound, so it seems that this form was used for high-speed ground transportation.

The image of a "tank" in the modern world is very different from that of a "tank," but this makes it an even more attractive mecha.

Two shots of the Takatoku version. The Takatoku version has a more "toy-like" appearance.

This plastic model needs to be handled with some care when transforming it, but it still feels like a "figure" when you touch it in its assembled state.

MODEROID Augus

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Transforming into Augustus Flyer!

The next step is to transform it into the flight form, the Augustus Flyer. Before that, remove the back posture reinforcement parts and attach the stand parts for the flyer form.

Close the head cover from the augroid form and lift the head unit backwards.

Tilt the head forward and place it in the chest, and raise the back block.

Cover the head with the back block and move the arms backward from the base of the shoulders. (The wrists have been replaced with deformable wrists.)

The deformation from this point on is a bit complicated. Although the moving parts are made of ABS material with a certain degree of rigidity, please handle with care so as not to apply excessive force.

Extend the shoulder drawer joints, rotate 180 degrees on the rotary axis, and point the forearms upward.

Move the arm to this position in some way. It was no longer possible to explain it simply in words. ......

The shoulder armor is then placed on the sides of the body. The engine parts on both sides of the waist are also stretched to the left and right of the frame at the connection.

The upper body is tipped backward 90 degrees ......

Deploy the wings sideways and send the legs backward.

Then deploy the cockpit cover.

Except for the fact that the missile gun is not attached, the flyer form is now complete, without the proportion priority parts.

Attach the proportion priority parts to the cockpit block (bottom photo) and mount the missile gun on the side of the right leg to complete the transformation.

This is the Augustus Flyer mode. The streamlined body, which had not been seen on previous main character robots, is emphasized.

Missiles and other equipment can be mounted under the main wings. Of course, they can be detached. Even when viewed from below, it does not look out of place at all.

Looking from the rear, you can see both arms folded up. Looking at it this way, you will notice that the main thrusters on the waist, back, and ankles all point firmly backward.

As the Orgus is often posed in flight mode or flight pose, there is a lot of detail on the soles of its feet.

The top and bottom are very thinly integrated, even when viewed from the front. This is the result of the complex deformation of both arms.

This is also compared to the Takatoku version. What can I say, they each have their own merits.

Transforming to "Augustus Gawk" as it is!

MODEROID AUGUS

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Transforms into Gawk form!

Legs deployed in reverse joint.

The deformation unit on the shoulder is also deformed in some way to make both arms in this position.

Pull the base of the legs to the side and spread them out. At this point, be careful not to pull too hard.

The GAWK is complete when both forearms are tucked under the center of the fuselage and auxiliary parts are attached to the base of the legs to enhance the appearance.

It was hung in this form when it departed from the mother ship, the Groma.

It is interesting to note that in this world, this form is more common than the augroid form.

The simple stand" can be used even in the gawk form.

Even with the appearance-oriented auxiliary parts removed, it is so complete that you would not notice it if you were not told, but I personally appreciate it because the auxiliary parts make the shape even more well-defined.

Comparison with the Takatoku version, even in gawk form. Although the freedom of posing is overwhelmingly better with the new MODEROID, I must say that the original product is also quite impressive in terms of its looks.

MODEROID Augus

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I would have liked to add some "extra touches," but since the moving parts are made of ABS material, I could not use much paint after assembly (ABS is sensitive to paint solvents), so I only lightly smudged the white parts. It may be a good idea to partially paint the parts that are complemented with stickers.

Smudging on the legs and back is effective. If you want to play around with this kit by transforming it, I think you can enjoy it without painting. However, you still need to be careful when transforming the figure. The axis of rotation should only be moved in the direction of rotation, and never apply any unusual force.

On the other hand, if you are serious about painting or removing seams, you will need to be very creative!

Now that "Orguss" has been released, the first thing you probably think about is the "Olson Special. This trend has been so much a part of the past items that "Olson Special" is always released when "Orgasm" is released.

Wait, what?　Since it's MechaSmart, could it be possible that they will release a "mass-produced type" first?　No, no way, they might skip even that and release "Nykick"⁉ Eh, "Orguss II" from OVA "Orguss 02"⁉

Well, what in the world will come out next? I, too, am looking forward to hearing more about the series!

MODEROID Augus

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Product Information

MODEROID Augus

Now on sale

Manufacturer: Good Smile Company

Price: 7,000 yen (tax included)

Specifications: Plastic model - not to scale - approximately 160mm in height (when augmented)

Sculptor: U-TOM

Production Cooperation: Mercy Rabbit

Tai Yuuki

Born two days before the broadcast of "Invincible Superhero Zambot 3. He has loved toys (especially robots) since his childhood and started building plastic models in elementary school. Even after becoming a voice actor, his love of robot toys and plastic models has not changed, and he debuted as a writer at Akiba Research Institute.

©1983 BIGWEST/TMS