How does the recently-released second volume of Konami’s astoundingly popular Mechamusume trading figure franchise stack up to the first? Very well, but don’t take my word for it. Read on for pictures and analysis of the moe-est World War II vehicles ever.
Original Design: Shimada Fumikane (島田フミカネ)
Sculptor: Vice (バイス)
Source: Original
Scale: Non (10-14 cm tall)
Material: PVC, etc.
Release Date: April 20th, 2006
Production: Konami
Price: 6,300 JPY (box of 10, tax included)
Current Availability: Backordered
MiG-60 Fighter
(Soviet Air Force, possibly based on the MiG-1)
Fujihana Interceptor
(Japanese Imperial Navy, based on the Shusui)
Re-2200 Friatta
(Italian Air Force, possibly based on the Freccia)
Re-2200 Friatta
(alternate version)
Third Assault Armored Infantry Support Tank, A-type
(German Army, possibly based on the Panzer III)
Third Assault Armored Infantry Support Tank, A-type
(bonus assembly version)
M4A3 Sherman Tank
(American Army, based on the M4 Sherman line)
M4A3 Sherman Tank
(Rocket Launcher Version)
Final Verdict: 9/10
Konami scores a direct hit with their second batch of girls fused with World War II fighting vehicles, crafting a worthy successor to the original 2005 figure series. Bringing it down from a perfect 10 are a couple of dodgy assembly issues (the double sets of propellers on the Friatta are quite delicate, and the bonus version Panzer parts came out of the box somewhat warped and ill-fitting). Otherwise the quality here is what we’ve come to expect from other top of the line trading figure kits, and I’m left entirely satisfied – and longing for a third series to come next year. With the upcoming release of the Sky Girls OVA, who knows? Oh, and we can’t forget the July release of Toranoana’s take on the MiG-60.
Again, I’d like to send out a plea to the more mech-minded among us for information regarding which vehicles have been used as inspiration for these models. My cursory raiding of Wikipedia was hardly satisfactory…
Man it took me an hour to get them all assembled. The bonus tank was a real pain… I even had to use a knife to scrape the holes so that some of the pegs would fit. I don’t like how the bonus tank can’t fit onto the base as well. But overall, a very nicely designed set.
That rocket launcher M4 girl is awesome.
nice review, i got a case from HLJ and it should be arriving this week. i hope i score the whole set PLUS the bonus tank girl. she looks totally badass!
>>tj han
Yeah, assembly on both sets took a lot longer than I was expecting. I had to take some tools to the tank parts to get them to fit correctly as well… I don’t mind that it’s freestanding instead of made for placement on a base, but it’s not nearly as carefully constructed as the other items in the set (though the paint job is great). What’s with the flexible plastic in the upper arm turrets and the leg connectors? >:(
>>Port
Yeah, I was (and am still) hoping to see a few more American vehicles represented in this or future sets. They’d be easier to identify, at least. -_-;;
>>LiK
The tank girl is assembled from bonus parts included with other items in the set, so given a fixed array of box contents you’re guaranteed the ability to put her together out of a single box. The rare item in the set (which I didn’t get in my box) is a white swimsuit version of the Friatta.
>>Shingo
great, i’m puzzled why they felt the need to make three versions of Friatta? a bonus version of one of the other girls would be better.
Series 2 Variation out in Sept. 2006
http://www.konami.jp/th/figure/mecha2_r/index.html
The ” bonus Panzer” is the Tiger I, the girl has a Knight’s Cross!
The Third Assault etc. is the Sturmgeschutz III Ausf A, a German assault gun, Series 1 has the Stug III G, a tank destroyer with a 75mm gun, as does the Stug III F in the series 2 Variation.
The Sherman with the Rocket Launcher is the Sherman Calliope.
The Re-2200 Friatta is closer to the Reggiane 2005 Sagittario. http://www.aldini.it/re2005/index.htm
The Fujihana is actually an IJN experimental project by Nakajima, “Danka”?
The other planes may also be real projects, it’s just hard to find any data about these unusual subjects on the internet, or anywhere else. Kokufan may be of help, but my japanese suck, sorry.