Sen-Ti-Nel’s RIOBOT line is something that I mostly follow, but I don’t intend to collect outside a very few select pieces. This is primarily due to their scale and cost, but mostly cost. Though there are releases that I’ve always kept my eye on the secondary market but have no intentions of pulling the trigger due to their ballooning cost. Case in point the RIOBOT 1/12 Scale MOSPEADA ride armor units. They might be finnicky to handle but they look so good as modern interpretations of the ride armor.
So, when they finally announced a reissue 5 years after the original was sold, I had to think, especially since I already have another expensive piece, the 1000toys RE:EDIT Spartan-B312 figure, also on pre-order for later next year. But between paying the secondary market prices at the moment, and just chugging out the retail price of this guy, I’ll happily go with the latter.
The VR-052F MOSPEADA (for Mobile Operation Soldier Protection Emergency Aviation Dive Armor) is an effective combat system that maximizes transportation and maneuverability with enhanced strength and heavy firepower. Its two primary components are the soldier/pilot using a crashproof Riding Suit and the Armor Bike/Ride Armor itself.
The RIOBOT version was designed with the help of Generis Climber Mospeada original designer Shinji Aramaki and uses die cast material for the variable frame that provides stability and full articulation in Ride Armor mode when linked to the hardpoints in the Riding Suit. Though I wouldn’t expect to pose this in very dynamic poses.
The figure is also fully functional in Armor Bike mode, and you can totally have the fully suited Stick Bernard figure to ride like an actual motorcycle rider.
Stick’s Riding Suit is recreated in meticulous detail with modern interpretations of the classic design. The figure also uses actual cloth for the inner suit for unimpeded articulation. Be careful when handling the soft goods material as some have reported tearing in key areas.
RIOBOT 1/12 VR-052F MOSPEADA (Stick Bernard Use)
May 2024 / ¥23,000
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Following Stick’s MOSPEADA, Ray’s unit, Yellow’s Blowsperior, and Fouquet’s Bartley are all going to be reissued so for those who wanted to collect these figures, which is quite expensive, then now’s your chance.
