We’re now into October and as I’ve previously mentioned, we are looking at multiple mecha series this season, many of which are getting kits their gorgeous packaging art.
First is the HG Kenbu or MAILeS Kenbu as written in the lower thirds, and it’s the main protagonist machine from the new series Kyoukai Senki or AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline. AMAIM is actually an acronym for Auto Mobile Artificial Inteligence Mountsm which mainly describe the remotely-piloted grunt units in this series. Kenbu is actually a MAILeS which is also an acronym for Mobile Ariticial Intelligence Learning System. I was able to watch the first episode and a good portion of the battle explained how the AMAIM is actually being controlled, including the cockpit system and how agile it is. Which in turn would make you really appreciate the engineering behind this kit.
Speaking of engineering, here’s a quick look at the parts separation. Based on reviews I’ve seen online, the kit released prior, the Byakuchi, included quite a large sticker sheet. As for Kenbu, you could see the amazing color separation on the head unit. That said, you will notice how most of the yellow bits on the body use stickers, mostly on the waist armor and those small yellow triangles. The gold part on the torso is also a sticker. They do look easy to mask and paint though.
HG 1/144 MAILeS Kenbu
October 9, 2021 / ¥2,400
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Also making its debut in the first episode of Kyoukai Senki is the Bunyip Boomerang, as weird as that sounds. It’s actually a variant of the normal Bunyip an AMAIM unit, meaning it’s basically a drone. It’s design also reminds me or Metal Gear Ray with its digitigrade legs and its upper body structure. This AMAIM also has machine canons for arms and knives built on its body, making it an nimble yet formidable mobile weapon.
HG 1/72 Bunyip Boomerang
October 9, 2021 / ¥2,400
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Lastly, we have the packaging of Big Tony from Sacks&Guns!! or Sakugan and I just finished watching the first episode (watch out for my first impressions). To recall, it’s father-daughter story set in a world where humans have been pushed to live in underground colonies surrounded by the vast Labyrinth, mapped by people called Markers. Markers usually do this with the help of a Mark Bot and Big Tony over here is one of them. As wacky as this design may look, I actually like it. And given how the first episode ended, it looks like I’m definitely getting a copy of this kit. Oh, and did I forget to mention that this guy transforms?
HG 1/72 Big Tony [Gagumber-Memempu Custom]
October 23, 2021 / ¥5,200
Order via HobbyLink Japan
