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Shield Liger
(Lion Type)
Manufacturer: Yamato
Line: Yamato
Origin of Release: Japan
Year of Release: 2010
Crew Number: 2
Motor or Posable?: Posable
Line: Yamato
Origin of Release: Japan
Year of Release: 2010
Crew Number: 2
Motor or Posable?: Posable
Box Photos
Features:
Fully posable, opening two-seater cockpit, opening head fins, hidden dorsal guns, side mounted missile launchers, removable core, flexible tail
Additional equipment:
2x Van figures (1 pilot, 1 standing) 2x Fiona figures (1 pilot, 1 standing), 2x Core (1 standard, 1 Zeke fused) 2x spare caps, 1x spare bottom teeth, 1x essentially useless plastic stand
Review
When I first saw this Zoid, I didn't really give it too much of a thought, Kotobukiya had already done the posable Shield Liger thing after all, however the more I saw of it and heard of it, the more I realised this was actually going to be different! For one thing it was going to be anime based, and I'm a stickler for Zeke figurines!
And then the 17,800 Yen RRP was announced...
Thankfully however I was actually able to get it after all ^^
The first thing I noticed when I pulled it out of the box was that Yama wasn't a model kit, but an impressively large pre-built action figure
There's a great amount of metal in it, mostly in the legs, although there's still enough plastic for that wonderful new plastic smell
The joints and parts are very secure. He can be posed without fear of shedding, with the exception of the tail and nose piece. Do make sure you get the tail the right way round, or you'll find the gun falling off more often than it should – says she who got it the wrong way round... doh! ^^;
While based on the anime version, Yamato didn't follow the design step for step. The colours are certainly close enough, but the Zoid has the standard sticker designs actually printed right onto the body, and they included a re-design of the tail gun which the anime version doesn't actually have. You can remove this gun, but in this instance, I believe it's better not to follow convention.
The cockpit features a two seater design just like in the anime, where you can sit both the fully painted pilot figures of Van and Fiona,(Not faceless! Yay! Though Van does look a little grumpy... maybe someone called him a kid again), and like the other anime related Zoids, you also get both their standing counterparts. You even get two versions of Zeke with this Zoid. One fully painted and detailed standing figure, and one Zeke fused to a Zoid core which can be switched with the standard core that comes already in place.
Changing the cores is also relatively easy. Just lift up the Liger's head and open the cover. The core is attached to the chest gun so it's just a case of sliding the gun forward.
Now I know the Zeke-fused core is not a new idea. Kotobukiya beat Yamato to it with the HMM Blade Liger Bang, but I feel Yamato have got it just a little better. The blue hexagonal design just appeals to me more and seems to fit with the anime better, and I've found removing the core much easier than in the HMMs
Now the cons
I have to admit at first I had trouble finding much bad about this guy during my OMGHESSOAWESOME!!!1one fangirl phase, but after playing with him for the photos I discovered he's not all smiles and sunshine.
The cockpit is a little tricky, it took some studying to workout how to open it without removing the nose piece. Lets see if I can explain it. Basically the whole canopy needs to be raised up a little before it can open properly. It's something that takes patience and practice.
The Shield Liger also does have a few issues with posability. Though he won't shed parts, he still suffers with the same restrictive movement that the HMM Shield Liger does. It's not possible to make him lie down in a natural pose, or scratch his ear like the Revoltech Blade Liger can.
Additionally, Yamato Shield Liger is a 1.8kg BEAST! Attempting to get the pose right with one hand whilst holding that weight in the other can get very tiring.
Then there's the tail. I've had this concern ever since I first saw the tail in the first photos. Wire! I dunno about you guys but I grew up with toys like that, and my experience tells me that it's not a good idea to bend that tail much, hence why I haven't really got many photos with the tail bent. It does however bounce rather amusingly. It's already got one of the cat's interest.
But let's not end this on a negative note because, despite the cons I mentioned, Yamato Shield Liger is still truly amazing.
He may not be the easiest to pose, and some Zoiders may miss the building satisfaction a model kit brings, but he's still a very impressive and detailed display piece. I found it easy to forgive his flaws.
Yamato Shield Liger can also do a handstand for a good few seconds too! Sadly no photos, as it takes me more seconds to get the camera ready, than it does for him to stay balanced.
Personally, I think he's well worth the price if you're able to get him. But be cautious of customs charges, especially if you live in the UK!
Fully posable, opening two-seater cockpit, opening head fins, hidden dorsal guns, side mounted missile launchers, removable core, flexible tail
Additional equipment:
2x Van figures (1 pilot, 1 standing) 2x Fiona figures (1 pilot, 1 standing), 2x Core (1 standard, 1 Zeke fused) 2x spare caps, 1x spare bottom teeth, 1x essentially useless plastic stand
Review
When I first saw this Zoid, I didn't really give it too much of a thought, Kotobukiya had already done the posable Shield Liger thing after all, however the more I saw of it and heard of it, the more I realised this was actually going to be different! For one thing it was going to be anime based, and I'm a stickler for Zeke figurines!
And then the 17,800 Yen RRP was announced...
Thankfully however I was actually able to get it after all ^^
The first thing I noticed when I pulled it out of the box was that Yama wasn't a model kit, but an impressively large pre-built action figure
There's a great amount of metal in it, mostly in the legs, although there's still enough plastic for that wonderful new plastic smell
The joints and parts are very secure. He can be posed without fear of shedding, with the exception of the tail and nose piece. Do make sure you get the tail the right way round, or you'll find the gun falling off more often than it should – says she who got it the wrong way round... doh! ^^;
While based on the anime version, Yamato didn't follow the design step for step. The colours are certainly close enough, but the Zoid has the standard sticker designs actually printed right onto the body, and they included a re-design of the tail gun which the anime version doesn't actually have. You can remove this gun, but in this instance, I believe it's better not to follow convention.
The cockpit features a two seater design just like in the anime, where you can sit both the fully painted pilot figures of Van and Fiona,(Not faceless! Yay! Though Van does look a little grumpy... maybe someone called him a kid again), and like the other anime related Zoids, you also get both their standing counterparts. You even get two versions of Zeke with this Zoid. One fully painted and detailed standing figure, and one Zeke fused to a Zoid core which can be switched with the standard core that comes already in place.
Changing the cores is also relatively easy. Just lift up the Liger's head and open the cover. The core is attached to the chest gun so it's just a case of sliding the gun forward.
Now I know the Zeke-fused core is not a new idea. Kotobukiya beat Yamato to it with the HMM Blade Liger Bang, but I feel Yamato have got it just a little better. The blue hexagonal design just appeals to me more and seems to fit with the anime better, and I've found removing the core much easier than in the HMMs
Now the cons
I have to admit at first I had trouble finding much bad about this guy during my OMGHESSOAWESOME!!!1one fangirl phase, but after playing with him for the photos I discovered he's not all smiles and sunshine.
The cockpit is a little tricky, it took some studying to workout how to open it without removing the nose piece. Lets see if I can explain it. Basically the whole canopy needs to be raised up a little before it can open properly. It's something that takes patience and practice.
The Shield Liger also does have a few issues with posability. Though he won't shed parts, he still suffers with the same restrictive movement that the HMM Shield Liger does. It's not possible to make him lie down in a natural pose, or scratch his ear like the Revoltech Blade Liger can.
Additionally, Yamato Shield Liger is a 1.8kg BEAST! Attempting to get the pose right with one hand whilst holding that weight in the other can get very tiring.
Then there's the tail. I've had this concern ever since I first saw the tail in the first photos. Wire! I dunno about you guys but I grew up with toys like that, and my experience tells me that it's not a good idea to bend that tail much, hence why I haven't really got many photos with the tail bent. It does however bounce rather amusingly. It's already got one of the cat's interest.
But let's not end this on a negative note because, despite the cons I mentioned, Yamato Shield Liger is still truly amazing.
He may not be the easiest to pose, and some Zoiders may miss the building satisfaction a model kit brings, but he's still a very impressive and detailed display piece. I found it easy to forgive his flaws.
Yamato Shield Liger can also do a handstand for a good few seconds too! Sadly no photos, as it takes me more seconds to get the camera ready, than it does for him to stay balanced.
Personally, I think he's well worth the price if you're able to get him. But be cautious of customs charges, especially if you live in the UK!
The head can also be raised up
The opening missile launchers. Interestingly, if Van was actually to fire from these he would shoot the Liger's front legs off ^^;
The hidden back mounted gun
The shield generator from which this Liger gets its name
The tail gun
Close up of the cockpit and pilots
The two cores. Standard on the left, fused with Zeke on the right
The standing figures
Random poses
Also this part opens... I'm not sure why it opens, it just... does!
Comparison with Anime 10th Edition Shield Liger Van and HMM Shield Liger. HMM Shield Liger sorta looks like a KFM next to Yama doncha think? XD
Finally Yama also comes with a stand. However, if you recall correctly he weighs 1.8kg! Basically all the stand is capable of doing is standing Yama up on his back legs. No epic motion poses here I'm afraid. Still... The stand isn't a total loss...