I'm building plastic models furiously! In-depth review of "MODEROID KING'S SKUSHER" by voice actor Yasuyuki Tai

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.

Vol. 92 MODEROID KING SKUSHER

Two guardian knights from the gag, serious, and action anime "NG Knight Ramune & 40," which aired from 1990 to 1991, are back in Good Smile Company's "MODEROID" plastic model series!

In addition to the TV series, the "Ramune & 40" series also includes the OVAs "EX" and "DX" and the radio drama "EX2. In addition, there is a web novel "FX" which was released as a book in 2021. The book version of "FX" included plastic kits of the new mecha, Granscacher and Outsideron, as a bonus. We have also reviewed those kits, so please take a look at them as well.

This time, we introduce the golden knight "King Squasher" driven by the hero of the TV series, the hot-blooded hero Ramness (Baba Ramune), who is the originator of the series!

Even at the time of the TV broadcast, plastic models and Shokugan plastic kits were released in addition to the "Q Pole Transformation" series of toys. After that, various companies released movable figures, and we have been blessed with unexpected opportunities to produce three-dimensional figures, but this is the first time an assembly kit has been produced since that time. I remember being moved to tears when I saw the video of the announcement at MechaSmart Impact.

Now, let me introduce the kit that moved me so much.

The design of the package seems to have been inspired by the packaging of the "Q Pole Transformation" toy released at the time. The "Q Pole Transformation" package was a composite of photos of the product, but the "MODEROID" version's package is a newly drawn illustration of King Squasher and Sam Lion.

Shpahn!!!"

Usually, at the end of this article, we introduce the "unassembled figure plus a little work," but this time, only the gold and silver metallic molded parts with prominent weld lines are shown with silver and gold paint applied in advance. Other than that, all the parts are unassembled.

MODEROID KING'S SKUSHER

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With those two colors painted, it is so easy to assemble that it can be completed in approximately 4 hours so far!

The characteristic style of thin arms and thighs and voluminous other parts are perfectly reproduced.

The shield can be equipped only on the left shoulder via joint parts.

Red and green round parts for both eyes and shoulders, and black parts around them are pre-painted parts. The green camera part on the forehead and the black parts around the movable parts on the sides are color-coded using the included stickers.

Both the paint and the size of the stickers are very accurate.

The red circle in the center of the golden disk part of the waist and the black strips in the center of the waist and on the toes are color coded by stickers. The blue circles on both ends of the toes are color-coded by separate parts.

The wrists have fists attached for better appearance.

The gold part of the shield was originally reproduced with stickers. This time, it is painted in the same color as the other gold parts. The shape is the same as the kit.

Picking up the movable parts, we introduce the following. The head is connected with ball joints, but the movable range is narrow due to the design. Still, it can be moved enough to add nuance to the posing.

The blue toes can be lifted and extended.

The toes do not follow, but the heel blocks can be tilted inward. This provides good ground contact.

The shoulder joint on the body side has a built-in forward and upward swing joint. The shoulders can tease and the arms can be brought far forward.

Roll rotation at the upper part of the second arm. The elbows are double-jointed and bend to the right arm position in the image above.

Lateral leg opening is possible approximately 45° outward on each side. There is a roll rotation axis on the thigh.

The shield is ball-jointed so that it does not interfere with the movement.

The hip joints have a wide range of leg angles, and the knees can also be bent 90 degrees, allowing the figure to be posed standing on one knee.

Weapons included in the kit. From left to right: mace, sword, and boomerang. The red circle on the sword is a sticker. I painted the rest of the parts in iron, silver, and gold except for the blue and yellow parts.

The mace was replaced with a weapon handle. Although the word "knight" implies a sword, this kind of striking weapon is also suitable for him.

The left hand has been replaced with a flat hand. The space between the fingers is sometimes filled in to increase the strength of these flat hand parts, but the space between the fingers of the King's Crusher's flat hand is all divided, which looks very nice.

Instead, be careful when replacing the wrists, as they can be easily damaged if the force is applied incorrectly.

Another weapon, the sword. The hole in the weapon-holding wrist is square to match the sword's hilt, preventing the sword from rotating in the hand.

Although the sword does not have a perspective, it is possible to take a picture with this level of power.

It can also be made to be held in both hands.

The torso is slightly turned up (I turned it down at ......)! Da sider has descended ......!) The torso can also be fixed with the upper body in a slightly bowed position ().

With the upper body turned down (no pun intended), you can use the optional "THE Simple Stand" to recreate a pose like this, with the sword swinging in the air.

Da Sider: "Don't make funny puns without me!"

Nowadays, they are best friends (or bad friends?). Ramness and Da Sider have a strong image of being friends, but until the middle of the TV series, they were also enemies. The perfect chemistry (mainly in terms of ulterior motives) in the "DX" episode concerning the "Mountain Dew" is particularly impressive.

Queen Cideron will be introduced in a separate article.

Shield deployed and ......

The wing can be removed and the boomerang, which is a separate part, can be held in the flat hand.

In the first episode, it destroyed two monskers with a single blow.

MODEROID Kings Crusher

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Now, up to this point, we have used fist parts for the sake of appearance, but from here, we would like to introduce the transformation to " Sam Lion" by replacing them with smaller wrists, for transformation.

I'm so hot right now!

Changed!　Samuraion ministry!

Spread the hip joints to the left and right.

Move the leg armor toward the thighs.

Deploy the forearms to bring out the front legs of the Samurai Lion and stow the wrists of the King Squasher.

Close the forearms and the arm transformation is complete. To be honest, I was really impressed because I thought this part was a replacement deformation!

Open the rear head cover and stow the head antenna.

Close the hatch again.

Pull the chest armor forward and open the rear panel.

Swap the head of the King Squasher and the head of the Sam Lion with the dongle.

Close the back hatch. ......

Push the chest panel in with the upper body turned back.

Sam Lion's face is deployed.

Deploy the joint part of Sam Lion's back of the head.

Replace the yellow part above the shield with the one for Samlion form.

Connect the shield to the back of Samlion's head. Open the wings to complete the transformation!

This is the Samuraion form. The transformation looks simple, but the silhouette is completely changed by boldly moving parts.

MODEROID Kings Crusher

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The parts of the tail are thin, so be careful not to damage them as well.

The movable parts of the whole body are basically the same as those of King Squasher. The jaw is movable and the mouth can be opened.

Viewed from above. The swing mechanism that lifts the shoulders up in the King's Crusher form can be used as a forward swing in the Samlion form.

View from directly below. Actually, there is a rocket nozzle-like structure on the back of the feet, one on each side.

It was exhilarating to see the overwhelming strength of the figure as it rushed toward its enemies, enveloped in a red light.

The forward swinging mechanism on the shoulders of the King Squasher becomes a downward sliding mechanism in the Samurai Lion form, which can be used to pose the figure with its front legs together when viewed from the front.

Incidentally, the parts of the shield that were replaced during the transformation can be equipped on the King Squasher without leaving the one for the Samurai Lion attached. However, the joints that connect it to the Samuraion form will be visible.

Please choose your favorite way to assemble it, whether you are particular about the complete transformation or about the appearance.

MODEROID Kings Crusher

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Finally, a two-shot with the kit I made in private at the time (facing left). The manufacturer, the time of production, and the price are all different, but isn't it impressive that more than 30 years after the start of the series, new products are still being developed like this?

At the moment, there are no plans to release any more guardian knights other than the Queen Cideron, which was released at the same time, but variations of both the Salome and Silcone types are possible, and the Brendon combination was cool, so I'd be happy if they could at least expand to that area. What do you think?

What do you think? EX" King Crusher EX? The "EX King Crusher & EX Queen Cideron" that director Negishi tweeted in 2020?

I won't say such a luxury, even if I wanted to~ (not yet, ......)

MODEROID King Squasher

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Product information

MODEROID King Squasher

Now on sale

Manufacturer: Good Smile Company

Price: 5,500 yen (tax included)

Price: 5,500 yen (tax included) ・Non-scale

Height: approx. 125mm (height of the top of the head)

Sculptor: Mr. Tada (GOD BRAVE STUDIO)

Design: Mizuho Town Design Team

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.

©ASHI PRODUCTIONS 1990