Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.

Detail shots

The bare figure alone

Interior view of the large armor

For weapons, a beam bazooka and shield are included.

The beam bazooka's grip can be inserted into one of three different positions.

A total of three types of hands are included.

Frame Arms Kongo - The sole is split into front and rear sections that move independently, but the rear section doesn't lock

The sole is split into front and rear sections that move independently, but the rear section doesn't lock in place very well,
so stability when standing upright takes a hit.

Leftover parts

Limb articulation is excellent.

Waist articulation

Kneeling pose

Frame Arms Kongo - Beam bazooka firing pose (1/3)

Beam bazooka firing pose

Aerial pose.
The kit is big and heavy, so getting it onto a stand is a real struggle.

To transform into cruise mode, remove the large armor and swing the sub-arms forward.

Bend the legs back 90 degrees, then plug in the separate locking parts at the front...

Deploy the connectors on the two large armor pieces and link them together lengthwise.

Frame Arms Kongo - Mount the shield at the front and the large armor on the sides, then rest the beam bazooka on the shoulder

Mount the shield at the front and the large armor on the sides, then rest the beam bazooka on the shoulder — transformation complete.

Cruise mode

Underside

Together with the previous Ji-Dao EA spec.

This is the Kongo, released as part of the Frame Arms series. It's a kit packed into a large box with a fairly generous parts count, and the price reflects that at ¥7800 — though in return you get an impressively large, flashy, and detailed build.

First off, the generous parts count pays off with excellent color separation and a strong sense of depth. Limb articulation is great, though the joint strength feels a bit unbalanced overall. Most joints are on the stiffer side and hold poses well, but the shoulder and waist joints are noticeably looser by comparison, causing the arms to keep drooping down. The front-and-rear articulated soles also have trouble staying level, so you'll need to fiddle with the balance a bit when standing it upright. That said, the rest of the joints are solid enough that once you get a pose set, it holds reasonably well.

Weapons-wise, you only get the beam bazooka and shield, so varied weapon poses are a bit limited — but this kit does come with a unique transformation gimmick unlike anything I've seen before. You gather up the large armor pieces attached to the back and thighs to reshape the lower body into a bow-like form, creating a cruise mode that looks almost like the kit is riding a canoe. It's cool from one angle and a bit bizarre from another, but it's definitely a distinctive transformation.

Aside from the shoulder and waist joints, this is an overall high-quality kit, and since it's an original design, if the style appeals to you it's a pretty fun mecha model to enjoy. Of course, that's assuming you can get past the price-to-value pressure... :-)

Frame Arms Kongo | 2018.11 | ¥7,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.