Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with the universal standard — a cigarette box

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV (1/2)

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV (2/2)

Side view

Front/Rear

Top view

Underside

Detail shots

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV - The landing gear can be assembled in either the retracted or deployed

The landing gear can be assembled in either the retracted or deployed position — your choice.

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV - The wings on both sides can rotate. Oh, and the propeller spins too, o

The wings on both sides can rotate. Oh, and the propeller spins too, of course :-)

The Jigabachi's signature stinger-like machine cannon is articulated.

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV - The cannon barrel moves in all directions via a large ball joint, and

The cannon barrel moves in all directions via a large ball joint,
and the base rotates 360 degrees. You can point it any direction you want.
It is pretty stiff though.

With the included multi-joint dedicated stand.

Can be displayed at a variety of angles.

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV - The same-scale 1/72 Tachikoma included in the box. To be precise, it's

The same-scale 1/72 Tachikoma included in the box. To be precise, it's the New Tachikoma that appears in 2nd GIG.
Even this little guy that looks so simple has over 20 parts.

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV - The feet are originally designed to swap between tire and foot-shaped

The feet are originally designed to swap between tire and foot-shaped versions, but...
I lost the tire parts so I couldn't take any photos of the swapped-out version. Oops;

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV - Our little Tachi-chan is as cute as ever~ The legs are articulated in

Our little Tachi-chan is as cute as ever~
The legs are articulated in their own way.

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV - Size comparison with Kotobukiya's flagship series — Super Robot Wars a

Size comparison with Kotobukiya's flagship series — Super Robot Wars and Armored Core.

The Jigabachi is an unmanned anti-tank helicopter that appears as the Tachikoma's natural enemy in Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd GIG. In Japanese, "hachi" means bee, and "Jigabachi" corresponds to a type of wasp called a "digger wasp." As you can see, it's equipped with a powerful machine cannon on its tail that can aim in any direction, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a bee's stinger. Note that this kit is not the original Jigabachi, but rather the Jigabachi AV version that appears in 2nd GIG.

Kotobukiya, who seemed to only deal with robot-type mechanics, has now ventured into weird mechs like this SF helicopter — it feels like they're expanding their business and branching out into a whole new category of mecha kits. As a mecha plastic model fan, that's definitely something to welcome ^^

The parts count is very Kotobukiya — despite being a small 15cm aircraft model, it comes with over 170 parts. Koto kits always have lots of tiny little parts, but funnily enough, once you're done building, you kind of wonder where all those parts even went ^^;;

The color separation is pretty well done overall, but it's actually more complex than the official color scheme, which is a little puzzling... though I do think the separated colors end up looking cooler.

The detail is quite impressive for a mecha plastic model, and the stinger tail articulation is well reproduced. The machine cannon section with its large ball joint is especially well done... though the joint at the base of the stinger tail is incredibly stiff, making it a bit of a struggle to pose. The landing gear isn't articulated but is reproduced as a swap-out piece.

This kit also includes a same-scale mini Tachikoma, and it's absolutely adorable ^_^ Tiny as it is, it still has a lot of parts...
The Tachikoma's design itself is just so charming and full of personality...

Anyway, it's a huge treat for Ghost in the Shell fans, and building a mecha helicopter is a fun change of pace. I imagine quite a few people will pick this up just for the super-cute injection-molded Tachikoma ^^; Kotobukiya keeps making you wonder what unusual mecha they'll release next.

Real Mechanical Collection Jigabachi AV | 2007. 6 | ¥2,600

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.