If you happen to live in the same neck of the woods as I was in the 90s, then you’ve likely heard and watched the anime B’t X during one of its multiple reruns on local TV.
Teppei is going to visit his older brother Kotaro Takamiya during a scientific conference after training with a mysterious woman named Karen for the past 11 years. However, his plans for a family reunion become stalled when a woman named Aramis kills everyone in the conference to kidnap Kotaro. Teppei, on the way to save his brother, encounters a broken mechanical horse called B’t X who revives thanks to Teppei’s blood and is now his aide to save his brother from the mysterious Machine Empire.
And yes, this is one of those series where the local dub made quite the impact to the viewers including myself. So, it was quite a surprise when Degenerator Industry announced that they are going to release 1/12 scale high-end figures of B’t X itself and Teppei Takamiya.
While I’m not the most familiar with Degenerator Industry, they are most notable for creating the licensed transforming SV-001/II Metal Slug from Metal Slug 2. And based on the reviews I’ve seen online, they could do pretty good stuff so I’m quite thrilled that they decided to pickup this license.
The animal-based machines in the story are called “B’t” (pronounced as “beat”) and X is one of the strongest, belonging to the Spirit Generals of the Machine Empire. It takes its design from the mythical pegasus and the figure here really captures that design in great detail. And while I’m expecting this figure to have great articulation, just looking at this figure and the very clean finish is already enough reason for me to secure a pre-order.
B’t X also features gimmicks accurate to what was seen in the series. These include opening panels on the back, top of the head, and front of the chest, all of which reveal mechanical details. I’m not entirely sure if the eyes and the core unit in the chest will have light up gimmicks though. It would be great if they did but I’m totally fine if they don’t.
Let’s quickly go though the other half of this set, which is of couse the equally scaled Teppei Takamiya figure, and yes, he does look like a character from Saint Seiya, as both were created by Masami Kurumada. Of course, he does have the iconic Messiah Fist which is also how he transforms into the Battle Gear when fighting with B’t X. Now, it looks like an articulated figure based on the joints and all, but as a set with B’t X, the only thing we need this figure to do is to ride B’t X without any issues.
They do show the Teppei figure able to ride B’t X, though at an angle where how Teppei seats is quite hidden. But at least we know the set is able to do this pose.
As mentioned, while some may find this set obscure, folks who grew up watching B’t X on local television would surely want to get this set. And I did secure my pre-order earlier today. Speaking of pre-orders, these figures are available in three ways. Either both B’t X and Teppei Takamiya as solo figures, or both as a set. If this release takes off, then I’m hoping more from Degenerator Industry, including the upgraded forms of B’t X and Teppei.
1/12 B’t X & Teppei Takamiya Deluxe Set
Q2 2025 / $220
1/12 B’t X
Q2 2025 / $175
1/12 Teppei Takamiya
Q2 2025 / $115
