Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Front detail

Wings. There are some panel lines, but they're too shallow to see well;

Cockpit detail.

The counter-rotating propellers unique to Sky Crawlers.

Looking inside the propeller gimmick, you can see two gears set up to spin in opposite directions.

Underside view

Landing gear detail.

The landing gear is of course~ removable.

Underside view with the landing gear retracted. The molding is pretty crisp.

It's compatible with the standard Action Base 2.

Just like the Sanka Mark B, it includes a clear part that gives the impression of two spinning propellers.

If you disassemble the propeller section and swap in the parts like this...

Looks pretty convincing, doesn't it?

EX Model Skyly J2 - In-flight pose. (1/4)

EX Model Skyly J2 - In-flight pose. (2/4)

In-flight pose.

The 1/100 pilot figure has relatively good detail.
There's a base on the bottom so it's easy to stand up. :-)

It's designed so that just applying the wet decals to the straight build completes the coloring.

Together with the Sanka Mark B.
The Skyly J2 is the larger of the two.

EX Model Skyly J2 - A collection of in-flight shots using the stand and spinning propeller parts. (1/3)

A collection of in-flight shots using the stand and spinning propeller parts.

This kit is the Skyly J2, the aircraft from Mamoru Oshii's anime "Sky Crawlers," released alongside the Sanka Mark B. The overall kit quality is very similar to the Sanka Mark B — it's practically identical in terms of composition, with a Gunpla-like assembly feel, the convenience of snap-fit construction, some color separation, counter-rotating propellers, and even a special part to depict the spinning propellers.

Compared to the distinctly futuristic-looking Sanka Mark B, the Skyly J2 has a more retro design. Aside from the counter-rotating propellers, it really gives off the feel of a WWII-era fighter. The overall color scheme is a pale, washed-out white so it's less immediately striking, but the color separation is actually done quite well in various spots — this is a kit where just slapping on the decals over a straight build gives you a pretty decent result.

This kit really feels like it needs to be built as a set with the Sanka Mark B, and when you put them together the display looks pretty great. Sure, it's a group shot that'll only really resonate with people who've seen Sky Crawlers, but either way, this is a kit that fits perfectly with the EX concept of releasing hard-to-get subjects even at a premium price.

EX Model Skyly J2 | 2008.9 | ¥2,800 | 1/72

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.