I remember Bandai Shokugan announcing the Super Minipla (Yeah, it was that long) Combattler V set back in 2019 and I said to myself that they’ll probably release the other mecha in the Romance Robot Trilogy not long after. Well, that didn’t age well and took them four years to follow that up.
And follow that up they did as we are finally getting the SMP [Shokugan Modeling Project] Voltes V set. And they’re doing two versions of this release! Let’s take a look at the standard version first.
This is the standard version or what I’d call the animation-accurate version. Basically, all white parts stay white, not silver, and all canopy pieces are translucent blue plastic. Much like previous SMP releases, these kits really excel in fully featured individual machines, as well as the combination to a fully articulated robot.
Here are how each Volt Machine would look and you have to give the SMP designers credit by making these look so good. While I don’t know exactly which of these will be actual plastic and which would require paint, I bet Voltes V fans would enjoy building this kit. I know this comes from a country where Voltes V is loved by everyone. Heck, we even have an ongoing live-action adaptation that’s surprisingly good, visually at least.
And yes, something that I wish my Mini Action figure would do, is that Voltes V can transform into Voltank Mode. I don’t remember seeing this in the anime, and this looks silly as heck, but this is an actual thing, and the kit can replicate this form without problems.
Much like Missing Link Optimus Prime, another figure getting two versions upon release, this standard-slash-anime accurate version comes with the most essential of accessories. Particularly replacement hand parts, a bunch of connector parts, and its signature weapon, the Tenkuu Ken.
But if you want to get the fully decked out version of this set, then you might want to consider the “V Together Set” version.
Again, taking the same comparison as Missing Link Optimus Prime, the “V Together Set” version is more accurate to the original Godaikin toy released way back when. These changes are mostly cosmetic and include silver parts for the upper arms, legs, and torso; white pinstriping on the Volt Crewzer and Volt Frigate, and translucent yellow plastic for all canopy parts.
This version also comes with more weapons and accessories, the chief being the Mecha Hawk unit, or Mechanical Eagle as it’s known locally. It can dock to the back of Voltes V and deliver, what I remember, some kind of energy stabilizing unit.
More importantly, it comes with every weapon that comes in Voltes V’s arsenal. And yes, even the series logo sticker that most Chogokin toys come with back in the day.
All of these, combined with the great articulation of this kit, should provide fans enough hours of enjoying a Voltes V model kit, without having to pay extravagant amounts as compared to Tamashii Nations’ releases. You do have to build it yourself, but that’s part of the enjoyment with model kits like this one.
As for me, I’m sticking with my Mini Action version. It’s not the best figure out there, but for everything it can do at the “desktop scale” that I prefer, I’ll take it any day. In any case, if you want to get the standard version, affiliate links are provided below. That’s because the “V Together Set” is exclusive to Premium Bandai.
SMP [Shokugan Modeling Project] Voltes V
December 2023 / ¥8,500
Order via HobbyLink Japan
SMP [Shokugan Modeling Project] Voltes V -V Together Set-
December 2023 / ¥11,360
Premium Bandai Exclusive
