Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.

Detail shots

The hair and face parts can be selected/combined in 2 different configurations.

Here it is with a plain head and red face applied instead of the white hair and face.

The weapons include a small and large Japanese sword, along with a pistol and rifle.

Frame Arms Shingen - The large Japanese sword can be separated from its scabbard, but for the small one, a separate parts wit

The large Japanese sword can be separated from its scabbard, but for the small one, a separate parts with the blade attached is included instead.

The rifle and pistol have peg holes that lock securely onto the pegs on the dedicated hands.

A total of 5 hands are included.

Frame Arms Shingen - It's a recurring issue with the Architect frame — since the other joints are quite solid, the frame's sh

It's a recurring issue with the Architect frame...
Since the other joints are quite solid, the frame's shoulder joints are relatively weak by comparison and tend to pop off during posing.

Leftover parts

Quite excellent limb articulation.

Frame Arms Shingen - The wings on the back have more articulation points than expected, so you can spread and position them h

The wings on the back have more articulation points than expected, so you can spread and position them however you like.

Kneeling down looks natural too~

Action pose

Together with the similarly samurai-styled Frame Arms Magatsuki.

Shingen has been released as the 53rd Frame Arms kit. Like the previously released Frame Arms Magatsuki, it's a samurai-styled mech — but unlike Magatsuki's somewhat fusion-flavored design, Shingen goes full-on Sengoku-era warrior aesthetic.

The Architect frame comes pre-assembled, and the joints feel quite solid, likely thanks to the improved parts. The early Architect frames were pretty loose, but it feels like they've been steadily improving over time. That said, the joint connecting the body to the shoulders is relatively weaker, and it does pop off occasionally during posing.

There's quite a lot of outer armor attached, giving it a pretty impressive straight build look, and the wings on the back have various articulation points and deployment gimmicks so you can position them freely. The articulation is solid and the joints are sturdy, making it a fun kit to pose. The head can be combined in 2 configurations using different hair and face parts, and the weapons include large and small Japanese swords plus a rifle and pistol. The rifle and pistol lock onto pegs on the dedicated palms for a firm grip.

Either way, one of this kit's strengths is that it has notably sturdy joint construction for a Frame Arms kit. Opinions may be divided on the samurai-style look, but the overall quality seems to rank among the best even within Kotobukiya's lineup. :-)

Frame Arms Shingen | 2021.1 | ¥5,400

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.