Kit Review

Straight build

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - Size comparison with a cigarette pack. I was a bit surprised at first — it's sma

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.
I was a bit surprised at first — it's smaller than I expected;
I guess 1/35 is on the small side for a car kit..

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version (1/2)

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version (2/2)

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - The underside is really bare..; then again, it's not a mass-production vehicle,

The underside is really bare..;
Then again, it's not a mass-production vehicle, so maybe accurate underside detail isn't really necessary..
In real life, Ferraris and Lamborghinis often have a flat, smooth underside like that.

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - The front section has excellent depth and dimension. Layering multiple parts on

The front section has excellent depth and dimension.
Layering multiple parts on top of each other gives it a great look.

A unique structure where the suspension is fully exposed..

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - This is the cockpit area that Batman uses when driving in his prone position in

This is the cockpit area that Batman uses when driving in his prone position in the film.

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - The tread mold on the front tires is pretty close to what you see in the actual

The tread mold on the front tires is pretty close to what you see in the actual movie.

The distinctive side profile

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - Rear detail. Again, layering multiple parts adds to the sense of realism. For an

Rear detail. Again, layering multiple parts adds to the sense of realism. For an EX model, this is the bare minimum..

There are no fewer than 6 spoilers on the rear.

Lower side detail (photo came out a bit blurry~;)

Rear wheels. The wheel detail and tire tread are pretty well done.

The nozzle detail is decent too..

Underside view of the wheel area

Remove the rear wheels and you'll find various molds on the inner surface.

The hatch over the cockpit area can be removed..

But even looking inside, there's really nothing to see besides the seat;

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - I was expecting at least some mold detail on the inside of the cover, but it's c

I was expecting at least some mold detail on the inside of the cover, but it's completely bare..

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version - Looking at the cockpit area before the build is complete, there is literally not

Looking at the cockpit area before the build is complete, there is literally nothing there except the seat;;
I mean, this is supposed to be an EX kit.. shouldn't they at least include a steering wheel and dashboard? -.-;

A quick shot alongside an HGUC First for scale.
Pretty compact, huh? ^^;

Same-scale 1/35 UCHG jeep and EX patrol car.

There's a spin-off lineup from Bandai's EX model range called the EX advanced model. The lineup itself is basically just kits of the Batmobiles from the Batman films — and since they're low-volume, low-sales items that still require a decent level of precision, it makes sense that they'd fall under the EX lineup. Of course, that also means you get that classic EX feeling of paying a lot — 3,500 yen — for what's actually inside the box.

You might think the Batmobile is a pretty well-known mecha with mainstream appeal, but in reality, movie-licensed products like this often come with sales quantity restrictions tied to licensing agreements, which makes them practically limited releases in all but name. Unlike Sunrise and Bandai churning out Gundam kits left and right, a reissue requires a license renewal — so calling it a limited edition isn't really a stretch. :-) It's less about low demand and more about production caps, which is why small-batch runs are the only option — and maybe that's exactly why it ends up in the EX model lineup at all.

Anyway, the Batmobile that our man Bale drives in Batman Begins has an absolutely mind-blowing design. It's a completely different style from any previous Batmobile — commonly nicknamed the "Tumbler" — and in the film it takes an insane amount of punishment while radiating overwhelming presence.

The real vehicle measures 4,740 x 2,850 x 1,639mm, weighs 2.5 tons, and packs 500 horsepower — and yes, it's an actual functioning vehicle. The design concept is apparently Lamborghini + Hummer, and honestly that mashup comes through pretty well. It's roughly the length of an older Sonata, but the width is absolutely insane — there's no way you'd be parking this thing in a regular supermarket lot.. (uh.. yeah;)

EX models come with a certain reputation: expensive (;;), not much in the box for the price, but great detail — and painting is a must. This Batman Begins version Batmobile is a little different though. Honestly, it feels like an EX kit that's missing something — like it's about 2% short of what it should be.

On the plus side, it does a great job — about 99% — of capturing that wild exterior design, and the layered combination of multiple parts really brings out the unique sculptural feel of the Begins Batmobile. The tire tread and overall sense of realism are solid too.

But.. for a 1/35 car kit it's naturally going to be small, but when you actually see it in person, most people's reaction will be "wait, this tiny thing costs that much?!" It fits neatly in the palm of your hand.. And given that this is a vehicle that's supposed to be all about sheer bulk and presence, it's hard to shake the feeling that it came out a bit too small.

The molded color isn't black either — it's a dark greenish tone, and honestly it doesn't look great as a straight build. Why not just mold it in plain black... I'm not sure what they were thinking, but since EX series kits basically demand painting anyway, maybe they did it on purpose to push you toward painting it. That said, even just a little paint and detail work would probably transform how it looks completely.

The biggest letdown is the detail work. The completely bare underside — well, you could argue they were going for the Lamborghini flat-bottom look and there's not much to say to that.. (Lambos do have flat, covered undersides after all..) But the cockpit is genuinely disappointing. There's just a lone seat and absolutely nothing else — no dashboard, no steering wheel, no controls.. Even the cheapest, most basic car kits include those, so leaving out interior detail entirely on a pricey EX model is a straight-up betrayal. A betrayal, I tell you. The body detail also feels a bit blunt and unrefined for an EX kit — less sharp than you'd expect.

But here's the thing.. this is the only plastic model kit of this chunky, modern Batmobile out there;; Aside from some high-end finished products, there's no alternative, so you don't really have a choice. And while it falls a bit short on detail and finishing for an EX model — and for such an iconic mech — it's not like it's a terrible kit. It's more like the feel of a regular, run-of-the-mill car kit in the 1,000 yen range.

Bottom line: the kit itself is more ordinary than you'd hope, but the design is still killer..
It leaves you wanting more, but a Batmobile is a Batmobile :-)

EX Model Batmobile : Batman Begins version | 2005.6 | ¥3,500 | 1/35

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.