Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - Detail shots (1/4)

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

With the additional armor removed

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - The inner frame on its own. (1/2)

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - The inner frame on its own. (2/2)

The bare figure alone.

The Hailang can be split front and back to be used as a short lance and a mace separately.

Leftover parts

Probably because of the bulky build, the limb articulation is about average.

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - Striking a pose~ (1/3)

Striking a pose~

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - Hailang in action (1/3)

Hailang in action

Short lance + mace in action

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - Most of the parts are shared with Makazuki — it's essentially a sibling kit with just the armor pla

Most of the parts are shared with Makazuki — it's essentially a sibling kit with just the armor placement changed.

Frame Arms Durga I : RE - Together with Durga II. Only the head antenna and weapons differ; the main body construction is nea

Together with Durga II.
Only the head antenna and weapons differ; the main body construction is nearly identical.

This kit is the Frame Arms Durga I: RE version released in October 2016. The original Durga I first came out back in May 2014 around the same time as the Makazuki, but I wasn't able to get my hands on it back then, so I never got to review it. After that, a number of Frame Arms kits were re-released under the "RE version" label, which basically means a repackaged version with only the inner Architect swapped out for the newer type. The new Frame Architect does improve the joint strength a little compared to the old one, but honestly it's not a dramatic improvement by any means.

Anyway, I finally got to review Durga I through the RE version released two years later — better late than never. As a sibling kit to the Makazuki, the inner frame construction is practically 95% identical if you set aside the head and weapons. The additional armor on the limbs is positioned differently and the molded colors are different, so it looks like a completely different kit at first glance, but if you compare them closely you'll notice it's actually made up of the same armor pieces, just arranged differently. As for its dedicated weapon, it comes with a lance-type weapon called the Hailang, which can be split front and back to be used as a short lance or a mace.

With the new Frame Architect applied, the joint strength is ever so slightly improved, so while it's not super tight, it holds poses reasonably well. The additional armor is on the bulky side, so limb articulation is pretty average — this feels like a kit where you should appreciate the looks over the poseability. Also, there are still quite a few parts that don't hold together all that securely, so it's a good idea to check the fit as you go and use a bit of glue where needed.

If you're into medieval knight-style mecha, this is a fun and easy kit to build. If possible, I'd recommend going with the RE version since the frame joint strength is (ever so slightly) improved. :-)

Frame Arms Durga I | 2016.10 | ¥4,200

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.