Kotobukiya Variable Frame System

Garudagear [Diablo]

Kit Review

Straight build

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Various angles (1/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Various angles (2/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Various angles (3/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Various angles (4/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Various angles (5/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Various angles (6/6)


Various angles

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Detail shots (1/4) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Detail shots (2/4) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Detail shots (3/4) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Detail shots (4/4)

Detail shots

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Weapons loadout

Weapons loadout

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - You can detach the laser blade from the side of the thigh, deploy it, and the

You can detach the laser blade from the side of the thigh, deploy it, and then attach the beam parts.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - You can also use the joint parts to create a twin laser blade configuration. Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - You can also use the joint parts to create a twin laser blade configuration.

You can also use the joint parts to create a twin laser blade configuration.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The newly added shield unit attaches to the underside of the wrist.

The newly added shield unit attaches to the underside of the wrist.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - You can pull out the fixing pin inside the nose section at the rear to mount Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - You can pull out the fixing pin inside the nose section at the rear to mount

You can pull out the fixing pin inside the nose section at the rear to mount the rifle.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Four types of hands are included.

Four types of hands are included.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Compatibility neck parts and landing gear

Compatibility neck parts and landing gear

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The gimmick for attaching the hand to the rifle and the deployment feature of Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The gimmick for attaching the hand to the rifle and the deployment feature of

The gimmick for attaching the hand to the rifle and the deployment feature of the leg units are the same as the original Beluga.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - You can open up the front of the nose to deploy the gun turret, and effect pa Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - You can open up the front of the nose to deploy the gun turret, and effect pa

You can open up the front of the nose to deploy the gun turret, and effect parts can be attached there as well.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Leftover parts

Leftover parts

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The articulation is just as excellent as the Beluga, and the joint strength i

The articulation is just as excellent as the Beluga, and the joint strength is solid as well.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Rifle firing pose (1/3) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Rifle firing pose (2/3) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Rifle firing pose (3/3)

Rifle firing pose

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Laser blade pose (1/3) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Laser blade pose (2/3) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Laser blade pose (3/3)

Laser blade pose

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Twin laser blade pose (1/2) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Twin laser blade pose (2/2)

Twin laser blade pose

TRANSFORMATION

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The differences from the Beluga's transformation process are the addition of Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The differences from the Beluga's transformation process are the addition of

The differences from the Beluga's transformation process are the addition of the shield unit,
and the fact that the rifle's beam parts fold up much more dramatically.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The newly added laser blade on the side of the thigh rotates 180 degrees to f

The newly added laser blade on the side of the thigh rotates 180 degrees to face forward as shown.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Transformed into fighter mode (1/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Transformed into fighter mode (2/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Transformed into fighter mode (3/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Transformed into fighter mode (4/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Transformed into fighter mode (5/6) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Transformed into fighter mode (6/6)

Transformed into fighter mode

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Landing gear

Landing gear

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Underside view with landing gear removed

Underside view with landing gear removed

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Aerial display with gun turret deployed and beam parts attached (1/4) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Aerial display with gun turret deployed and beam parts attached (2/4) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Aerial display with gun turret deployed and beam parts attached (3/4) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Aerial display with gun turret deployed and beam parts attached (4/4)

Aerial display with gun turret deployed and beam parts attached

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Together with Garudagear [Beluga]. It's gotten quite a bit bulkier. (1/2) Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - Together with Garudagear [Beluga]. It's gotten quite a bit bulkier. (2/2)

Together with Garudagear [Beluga].
It's gotten quite a bit bulkier.

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] - The fighter mode is noticeably bigger too. The transformation gimmick and loc

The fighter mode is noticeably bigger too.
The transformation gimmick and locking on both are just superb. (It's not a Valkyrie, I tell you — not a Valkyrie!)

This kit is Kotobukiya's ambitious 2022 release, the Garudagear [Diablo] from the MSG Variable Frame System line. Built on the frame and armor of its predecessor, Garudagear [Beluga], a number of new sculpts have been applied, with changes to the molded color as well as design and detail updates across various areas.

Since most of the frame is reused as-is, the articulation characteristics and transformation gimmick are nearly identical to the Beluga — and it still delivers a highly polished transformation gimmick along with top-tier articulation and joint strength. Unlike the pale, washed-out look of the Beluga, this one comes in a striking red molded color, with more refined detailing across the board and an overall larger footprint. The head, shoulders, chest, feet, wings, and weapons have all been revised, giving it a noticeably upgraded look.

On the weapons side, a new rifle, shield unit, and laser blade have been added. The laser blade can be used in twin configuration via joint parts, and the new shield unit is designed to attach to the rear in fighter mode. You can also open up the nose section in fighter mode to expose the gun turret, and slotting in the included effect parts lets you pull off some really flashy scenes.

One minor gripe is that the clear yellow parts on the wings tend to pop off easily — though you can just glue them down and be done with it. Also, positioning the head during transformation into fighter mode is a bit trickier than before, but after a few tries you should be able to get it without too much trouble.

All in all, this is one of the most accomplished fighter-mode transforming plastic model kits ever made, and it covers the one weakness of the Beluga — great gimmick, but a visually underwhelming look. If you've ever been frustrated by Macross Valkyrie kits that look great but feel a little nerve-wracking to transform, I'd strongly recommend giving the Garudagear series a try. It's the dream fully-transforming fighter robot plastic model kit — perfectly crisp in every mode, rock-solid joints, and no parts-swapping required. :-)

Variable Frame System Garudagear [Diablo] | 2023.12 | ¥8,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.