Wataru HG

Ryujinmaru

Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

HG Ryujinmaru - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HG Ryujinmaru - Various angles (1/6) HG Ryujinmaru - Various angles (2/6) HG Ryujinmaru - Various angles (3/6) HG Ryujinmaru - Various angles (4/6) HG Ryujinmaru - Various angles (5/6) HG Ryujinmaru - Various angles (6/6)

Various angles

HG Ryujinmaru - The Tōryūken sword included as an accessory

The Tōryūken sword included as an accessory

HG Ryujinmaru - Three types of hands are included.

Three types of hands are included.

HG Ryujinmaru - You pull out the back of the Tōryūken's handle, then plug in the dedicated hand.

You pull out the back of the Tōryūken's handle, then plug in the dedicated hand.

HG Ryujinmaru - The limbs have better articulation than they look (1/2) HG Ryujinmaru - The limbs have better articulation than they look (2/2)

The limbs have better articulation than they look

HG Ryujinmaru - If you swing the shoulders forward far enough, the short arms can still hold the sword with both hands. ( HG Ryujinmaru - If you swing the shoulders forward far enough, the short arms can still hold the sword with both hands. (

If you swing the shoulders forward far enough, the short arms can still hold the sword with both hands.

HG Ryujinmaru - Aerial pose (1/2) HG Ryujinmaru - Aerial pose (2/2)

Aerial pose

HG Ryujinmaru - Kick pose (1/2) HG Ryujinmaru - Kick pose (2/2)

Kick pose

HG Ryujinmaru - Unsheathing pose (1/2) HG Ryujinmaru - Unsheathing pose (2/2)

Unsheathing pose

HG Ryujinmaru - Tōryūken pose (1/2) HG Ryujinmaru - Tōryūken pose (2/2)

Tōryūken pose

HG Ryujinmaru - Holding the Tōryūken with both hands. Looking at the proportions alone, it seems like an impossible pose HG Ryujinmaru - Holding the Tōryūken with both hands. Looking at the proportions alone, it seems like an impossible pose HG Ryujinmaru - Holding the Tōryūken with both hands. Looking at the proportions alone, it seems like an impossible pose

Holding the Tōryūken with both hands.
Looking at the proportions alone, it seems like an impossible pose — but the flexible shoulders make it work.

HG Ryujinmaru - Together with the HG Amplified IMGN Ryujinmaru.

Together with the HG Amplified IMGN Ryujinmaru.

HG Ryujinmaru - Together with the HG Chōmashin Ryujinmaru, which was previously released as a Bandai online exclusive.

Together with the HG Chōmashin Ryujinmaru, which was previously released as a Bandai online exclusive.

Ryujinmaru from Mashin Hero Wataru has been released as an HG. First, exactly one year ago in July 2022, the human-proportioned HG Amplified IMGN Ryujinmaruwas released. And even before that, back in February 2022, a Bandai online exclusive (distributed as a regular release outside Japan), HG Chōmashin Ryujinmarucame out first.

So this is finally the HG release of the original TV anime Ryujinmaru in its source-accurate proportions. That signature stubby look is captured really well, and a simple build gives you a great straight build right out of the box. The color separation on the shoulder emblems is especially impressive — the shapes are reproduced exactly as-is, and overall the parts breakdown feels very well thought out. The limbs also have a wider range of articulation than the proportions would suggest, and the flexible shoulders in particular make it possible to hold the Tōryūken with both hands.

It's a kit that shows a high level of faithfulness to the source material and comes out really well. The joint strength overall is solid, but it's a bit of a shame that the Tōryūken doesn't stay put when stored on the back — it keeps falling out. Other than that, it's a clean HG with nothing major to complain about, and if you have fond memories of Mashin Hero Wataru, this is definitely going to be a very welcome kit. :-)

HG Ryujinmaru | 2023.7 | ¥2,600

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.