Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body front and back

Head

Detail shot of the Beryl Smasher, Ater's signature weapon.

Legs

Two Beryl Smashers are included in the kit..

Each of the three blades moves independently.

So you can change the weapon into all sorts of different configurations like shown above.

Leftover parts

Articulation is just... average..

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater - Action pose 1 — it looks super dynamic, but getting it to stand stably on a flat surface like tha

Action pose 1
It looks super dynamic, but getting it to stand stably on a flat surface like that is really tough T_T

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater - Mounted on the Kotobukiya display stand. (1/4)

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater - Mounted on the Kotobukiya display stand. (2/4)

Mounted on the Kotobukiya display stand.

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater - Dynamic poses... (1/5)

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater - Dynamic poses... (2/5)

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater - Dynamic poses... (3/5)

Dynamic poses...

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater - Transformed into Sidewinder Mode. The transformation process is identical to the original Hresvel

Transformed into Sidewinder Mode.
The transformation process is identical to the original Hresvelgr.

Alongside the original Hresvelgr.
The body is identical — only the molded colors differ.

Sidewinder Mode comparison.
Again, only the wings are different.

The Hresvelgr=Ater has been released as a color variant kit of the Frame Arms Hresvelgr. The main body itself is completely identical to the original — a straight color variant — but the different color scheme gives it quite a different feel. On top of that, the rifle-type weapon has been swapped out for an axe-type multi-purpose weapon, the Beryl Smasher.

Since the base body is 100% identical, all the characteristics carry over from the original Hresvelgr. The incredibly stylish design means it looks cool just standing there, and even a little posing makes it look really dynamic — but the joint strength is weak, which makes it tricky to handle in a lot of ways. Leaving it in a static display pose is fine, but once you put it in an action pose the stability really falls apart, making it a seriously frustrating kit to photograph T_T

That said, when you actually move it around into different poses it really does look fantastic, and the transformed mode looks pretty great too. The transformation process is 100% identical to the original — it's a bit fiddly — but at least the stability in transformed mode is a little better than in robot mode, which is some consolation.

The Beryl Smasher, the new weapon included specifically for the Hresvelgr=Ater, has three blades that each rotate independently, letting you switch between axe form, spear form, stowed form, and all sorts of other configurations. Since two of these large weapons are included, they really amp up the dynamism of action poses considerably. The downside is that the weapons are heavy, and the already-weak shoulder joints really struggle to hold them up — which is a shame.

So while it is a color variant kit, it's got enough personality of its own to stand out, and with a bit of joint reinforcement it's a seriously cool-looking kit. Either way, if the style appeals to you, it's definitely worth giving it a shot — it's a kit with real character. :-)

Frame Arms Hresvelgr=Ater | 2012.10 | ¥4,400

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.