Courtesy of our good friends at HobbyLink Japan we’ve been sent both the Super Robot Chogokin UCR-10/A and Grind Blade from the rather excellent game, Armored Core V. In terms of the series, Armored Core has always had pretty sub-standard toys and only recently, thanks to Kotobukiya, have we had any decent kits. That said, this new toy changes all that for the better. As always, we’ve made sure to include footage of the design in action at the end of the review.

Whilst Bandai Namco pretty much fumbled the Western release of Armored Core V, there were benefits at the Japanese end of the equation. Whilst From Software still published the games in Japan, the connection to Bandai Namco abroad allowed for some pretty interesting opportunities. Namely that From Software finally had access to Bandai’s somewhat epic toy manufacturing capabilities.

Up and till now, pretty much all the Armored Core toys ever made have been mostly dire (we’re especially thinking of those early Kaiyodo figures for Armored Core 2 and Armored Core 2 Another Age here). Appalling sculpts, no articulation to speak of and awful build quality.

Well, things are very different in this case. Not only is the sculpt absolutely spot on but also the articulation and build quality are similarly impressive. Part of the new Super Robot Chogokin line, this toy utilises a lot of diecast but keeps the cost down by judicious use of plastic and keeping the overall size of the figure relatively small.

To say we’re more than a little surprised with this toy is putting it more than a little bit mildly.

Toy: Super Robot Chogokin UCR-10/A
Price: 4,080 yen
Size/Weight: 19.6 x 19.6 x 10.5 cm / 380g

Toy: Super Robot Chogokin Grind Blade
Price: 2,380 yen
Size/Weight: 19.7 x 19.7 x 6.5 cm / 250g

The main figure is pretty much flawless. The joints are excellent and the weapons can be easily switched around and stored on the shoulders just like in the game. The only fault we found was that the hand holding the gatling gun was a little loose in the socket. Though this maybe just our toy and it was easily corrected with simple pose adjustments. In terms of gimmicks, the left leg opens up but that’s about it really. In terms of the toy’s development, it’s clearly all been spent on the sculpt and build quality.

The Grind Blade however, a separate and entirely optional purchase, is actually pretty disappointing.

As per the game, it replaces the shoulder hangar slots and is stored on the back. Upon activation (in the game), the left arm blows off and the Grind Blade swings around from the right and then rotates (whilst being on fire, obviously). The optional toy version though is sadly not as cool. For one it’s very difficult to pose properly and the arm clamp (on the left) doesn’t really attach properly. To make matters more underwhelming, the opened blade doesn’t have the option to do the circular roll as per the game. Admittedly it does look very cool stored in its inactive position, so as a display piece it can work, but trying to do anything interesting in the posing department isn’t really feasible.

Even with the Grind Blade foibles, this is still by far and away the best Armored Core toy we’ve ever had. The base figure is utterly amazing and definitely worth the price of entry (and then some). However, the Grind Blade over weapon add-on is only really viable as a display piece when in the stationary position. So it’s probably only really worthwhile for the die-hard Armored Core fan, or unless you really like chainsaws.

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