Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle - Detail shots (1/4)

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

3 interchangeable eye parts

It features a unique spring-launch gimmick.

Press the switch and three projectiles fire simultaneously in three directions.

Projectiles and hand parts.

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle - True to Medabots fashion, serif cards are included, though there are fewer varieties compared to

True to Medabots fashion, serif cards are included, though there are fewer varieties compared to the previous release.

Medal stored in the back compartment

The verniers on the back of the shoulders can be spread open and closed up and down.

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle - The hip joint pin is fragile and can easily snap during posing, so be careful (mine already did.

The hip joint pin is fragile and can easily snap during posing, so be careful (mine already did... T_T)

Leftover parts

Limb articulation

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle - Firing pose (1/3)

Firing pose

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle - Various poses (1/4)

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle - Various poses (2/4)

Various poses

Group shot of all 7 Medabots kits

After the Saikachis was released in 2012 and the line seemed to have been discontinued, Kotobukiya's Medabots lineup is back with a new release after six years. The star of the show is KBT04-M Arc Beetle, apparently a fan-favorite character. It follows the same concept as the existing Medabots series, with excellent color separation, serif cards, and swappable eye parts included.

At first glance it feels like just a different design from the existing Medabots kits, but the standout feature is the spring gimmick that fires projectiles simultaneously in three directions from the forearm. Thanks to the unique firing mechanism, pressing the switch launches projectiles forward and to both sides all at once in three directions.

Beyond that, the serif cards and medal storage compartment on the back are included just the same as before — though the serif cards have fewer varieties than previous releases and don't have anything particularly noteworthy written on them.

The articulation itself is decent enough, but the joint strength is weak, making it hard to hold poses. The hip joint fixing pin in particular is prone to snapping during leg articulation, so you really need to be careful. Mine broke while I was shooting action poses — it snapped so easily I was caught completely off guard... T_T

So it's hard to give this kit high marks for durability or joint strength, but the visuals after a straight build aren't bad at all. It's ultimately a niche kit that feels like a treat for Medabots game fans, so if you're a die-hard fan, you might just be grateful it exists at all. :-)

Medarot KBT04-M Arc Beetle | 2018. 6 | ¥4,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.