Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode configuration (1/6)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode configuration (2/6)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode configuration (3/6)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode configuration (4/6)

Real Mode configuration

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Detail shots (1/4)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

You can swap the face and shoulder parts to configure it in MS Mode.

MS Mode

The face looks a little creepy..

The large skirt has a double-layer structure with an openable cover.

Inner skirt mold detail

Only 2 sets of hands are included.

Several eye direction stickers are included.

The included simple stand.

Leftover parts

Limb articulation is pretty good.

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - The large ponytail only rotates side to side and barely moves up and down, which makes it a bit of a

The large ponytail only rotates side to side and barely moves up and down,
which makes it a bit of a nuisance when posing.

There's an extending gimmick at the tip of the ponytail.

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode poses (1/6)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode poses (2/6)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode poses (3/6)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - Real Mode poses (4/6)

Real Mode poses

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - MS Mode poses (1/4)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah - MS Mode poses (2/4)

MS Mode poses

Together with HGBD Diver Nami.

Mobile Doll Sarah has been released as part of the HG Build Divers lineup. She's been released at a similar size and quality level to the previous Diver Nami, and it really feels like Bandai's girlpla model quality has found its footing since Diver Nami.

One of the first things you notice about this kit is that the overall format is very similar to Kotobukiya's Frame Arms Girl. The way the parts are divided and how the face and shoulders swap out is pretty much the same as the typical FAG conversion system. Since Kotobukiya has been ahead of the game when it comes to girlplas, I can't help but think Bandai took some notes — that said, Bandai still has the edge in terms of softer part material and a better feel when it comes to assembly and articulation.

Eye direction stickers are included just like in previous releases, though the gimmick of layering a clear part over the eyes is absent here. Thanks to the solid articulation and decent joint strength, posing is relatively easy — the large double-layer skirt in particular allows for some pretty dynamic poses. A simple clear stand is also included, so aerial poses are a breeze. When standing on the ground, the center of gravity does lean toward the back, so you'll need to shift the upper body slightly forward, but it stands upright without any major issues.

Similar to FAG, you can swap the face parts and shoulder joints to convert from Real Mode to MS Mode. Personally, the face in MS Mode looks a bit off to me, so I much prefer Real Mode. The main downsides are that the large ponytail only rotates and barely moves up and down, which gets in the way during posing, and since the double-layer skirt moves so freely, it takes a bit of fiddling to get it to hold a specific angle.

All in all, this is Bandai's girlpla style finding its stride since Diver Nami, and in terms of that soft, pleasant feel in hand, it's actually nicer to work with than FAG. That said, opinions on the face sculpt will probably still be divided — personally, I think Kotobukiya's take comes out a bit more moe~. Still, the faces have been getting prettier compared to earlier releases, so if the style appeals to you, this is definitely a Bandai girlpla worth recommending :-)

HGBD Mobile Doll Sarah | 2018.12 | ¥2,400

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.