Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Various angles

Detail shots

The weapons included are the Chosun (Sheath Shield) and the Bongryonggum.

Wataru Ryuoumaru - The Bongryonggum can be stored inside the shield, but instead of just plugging it into a hole, you have to

The Bongryonggum can be stored inside the shield,
but instead of just plugging it into a hole, you have to remove and reattach the storage compartment cover to put it in or take it out. (A bit of a hassle..)

Wataru Ryuoumaru - If you're not storing the Bongryonggum, you can attach the shield with the storage compartment cover remov

If you're not storing the Bongryonggum, you can attach the shield with the storage compartment cover removed.
In that case, it sits closer and flatter against the arm.

The shield can also be mounted on the backpack.

The forehead parts can be swapped between a version with a crest design and one without.

Colorful PET effect parts are included for the Bongwang form.

Joint parts for the stand

Wataru Ryuoumaru - A simple clear plastic stand is included, but it's too small to hold the robot form. It's used for display

A simple clear plastic stand is included, but it's too small to hold the robot form.
It's used for displaying the Bongwang form, or when you detach the dragon claws from the shoulders to recreate the "Yongakwon" attack.

Limb articulation.
After handling it in person, the movement feels more restricted than it looks.

Wataru Ryuoumaru - The hip joints are particularly problematic — they're way too stiff, and there's a very high chance the lo

The hip joints are particularly problematic — they're way too stiff, and there's a very high chance the locking pins will snap during posing. -_-
It's similar to the MG Freedom 2.0 and MG Dom Renewal version, where the locking pins are weak but the fit is too tight.
In my case, I already knew about this issue beforehand, so I sanded down the locking pins before assembly and avoided any breakage..

Unsheathing pose

Wataru Ryuoumaru - Bongryonggum aerial pose (1/3)

Bongryonggum aerial pose

Wataru Ryuoumaru - Two-handed Bongryonggum grip pose (1/3)

Two-handed Bongryonggum grip pose

TRANSFORMATION

To transform into Bongwang form, start by tilting the head forward and folding in the binders.

Wataru Ryuoumaru - Bend the wrists 90 degrees forward and spread the claws, then rotate the entire shoulder plate 90 degrees

Bend the wrists 90 degrees forward and spread the claws, then rotate the entire shoulder plate 90 degrees to position them as shown above.

Spread out the rear skirt to form the head..

Spread the legs out to both sides and unfold the hidden feathers.

Wataru Ryuoumaru - Narrow the two sides of the shield, then attach the separate PET parts to the tail and wings to complete t

Narrow the two sides of the shield, then attach the separate PET parts to the tail and wings to complete the transformation.

Transformed into Bongwang form

Underside

In Bongwang form, opening the mouth lets you recreate the Bongroepa machine gun attack pose.

You can remove the cover on the belly area and place it on the included clear stand.

Wataru Ryuoumaru - Bongwang form on the stand (1/4)

Wataru Ryuoumaru - Bongwang form on the stand (2/4)

Bongwang form on the stand

Together with the HG Ryujinmaru.

Following the HG Ryujinmaru from Mashin Hero Wataru, the Ryuoumaru has also been released as an HG Amplified IMGN model. The overall product concept is the same as the HG Ryujinmaru — the glossy injection white armor combined with a large number of gold-plated parts and excellent color separation delivers an impressive straight build visual.

That said, despite the flashy appearance, this kit comes with quite a few things to watch out for. First off, right after release there was a flood of complaints — specifically about the hip joint breakage issue. It's the same situation as the MG Freedom 2.0and the MG Dom Renewal version, and the Club G release MG Dwadge series. The hip joint pins are cross-shaped and made of soft PS plastic, but the socket fit is extremely tight, so the locking pins can snap when you try to rotate them. It's especially risky because the sockets themselves are made of hard gloss injection material. When I did a quick test, it looked like there was nearly a 100% chance they'd break during posing.

The easiest fix is to sand down the locking pins before inserting them. With similar kits in the past, a light sanding once or twice was enough to get a snug but workable fit — but with this kit, you need to sand quite a few more times to get it to a reasonable level. Still, if you sand too much it'll get loose, so you have to be careful. In my case, I think I went through the cycle of sanding, inserting, pulling back out, and sanding again about 6 or 7 times before finally hitting that sweet spot. That just goes to show how absurdly stiff it is. If you're building this kit, please make sure to sand down the hip joint pins before inserting them. Absolutely..

And at first glance the articulation looks like a standard level of limb bending, but when you actually try to pose it, the range of motion is narrower than expected and there's a lot of interference, so pulling off flashy dynamic poses isn't easy. On top of the hip joints, there are also a few other joints that are a bit too stiff, so posing in general requires some caution. It really makes you wonder if they never did a test build before release, or if the mold adjustment guy was on vacation when this shipped. -_-

As for weapons, the Bongryonggum and Chosun (Sheath Shield) are included, and the Bongryonggum can be stored inside the shield. The transformation into Bongwang form is implemented smoothly enough, and you can even attach the flashy PET effect sheets, which makes the Bongwang form look even better than expected. And since the joints are stiff, you don't need to worry about it holding its shape. A simple clear stand is also included, which you can use to display the Bongwang form or to display the Yongakwon by detaching the dragon claws from the shoulders.

So this kit ends up being less durable than its flashy looks would suggest. Honestly, as long as you properly sand down the hip joint pins, it's not a huge deal. But since the hip joint breakage risk is close to 100%, it's something you absolutely need to be aware of before building this kit. That said, the kit has a lot going for it in terms of looks and gimmicks, so if you're a Wataru fan, it's definitely worth picking up :-)

Ryuoumaru | 2024.5 | ¥6,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.