Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Vigilance Mode (full armament mode) seen from various angles (1/6)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Vigilance Mode (full armament mode) seen from various angles (2/6)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Vigilance Mode (full armament mode) seen from various angles (3/6)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Vigilance Mode (full armament mode) seen from various angles (4/6)

Vigilance Mode (full armament mode) seen from various angles

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Detail shots (1/4)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Rear view with the Chisouunken removed

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - AUV frame with all armament mode armor removed (1/3)

AUV frame with all armament mode armor removed

Additional parts needed when switching from armament mode to AUV frame

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - This time, the AUV frame removed and configured in body mode (1/3)

This time, the AUV frame removed and configured in body mode

Body mode exclusive parts

The face can be swapped between three expressions.

The main weapon, the Chisouunken

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Thanks to the auxiliary parts connecting the Chisouunken to the arm, there are absolutely no gri

Thanks to the auxiliary parts connecting the Chisouunken to the arm, there are absolutely no grip issues.

The Chisouunken features extendable joints at each segment.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Remove the handle segment, insert a separate handle and fold it to convert it into the Ground Sm

Remove the handle segment, insert a separate handle and fold it to convert it into the Ground Smasher.

A total of 7 different hand types are included.

Included stand and joint parts

Leftover parts

Separate the parts as shown above to transform into Insane Mode.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Unfold the claws of the Multi Armament Cape on the back into a hand-like configuration, then att

Unfold the claws of the Multi Armament Cape on the back into a hand-like configuration, then attach them to both arms.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Extend the sub-arms on the back out to the sides, then transfer and attach the armor from the Mu

Extend the sub-arms on the back out to the sides, then transfer and attach the armor from the Multi Armament Cape.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Pull out the center beam locking pin of the Gravity Control Unit on the back and spread it open,

Pull out the center beam locking pin of the Gravity Control Unit on the back and spread it open,
then deploy the 4 internal gears and rotate them forward.

Rotate and turn the various sections of the feet to transform them as shown above.

Swap the front head for the beast-type head and the main body transformation is complete.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Add the small structure from the Multi Armament Cape to the Chisouunken, then temporarily remove

Add the small structure from the Multi Armament Cape to the Chisouunken,
then temporarily remove the lower blade to attach it to the arm.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Have the claw grip it, then reattach the blade. The peg on the weapon's handle can be inserted i

Have the claw grip it, then reattach the blade,
and the peg on the weapon's handle can be inserted into the hole in the palm for a secure hold.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Insane Mode (1/4)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Insane Mode (2/4)

Insane Mode

To transform from Insane Mode to Brutal Mode,
move the small structure from the Multi Armament Cape and attach it to the side of the calf.

Move the Gravity Control Unit and attach it to both arms.

Shift the structure on the Chisouunken one slot over, then remove the handle.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Insert the removed handle into the center of the backpack, plug the Chisouunken into the back of

Insert the removed handle into the center of the backpack and plug the Chisouunken into the back of the backpack,
then deploy the internal joints and bend them forward like a scorpion's tail to complete the transformation.

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Brutal Mode (1/4)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Brutal Mode (2/4)

Brutal Mode

Decent limb articulation

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Poses in bare mode (1/4)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Poses in bare mode (2/4)

Poses in bare mode

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - AUV frame poses (1/4)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - AUV frame poses (2/4)

AUV frame poses

Armament Mode - Chisouunken action poses

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Armament Mode - Ground Smasher action poses (1/3)

Armament Mode - Ground Smasher action poses

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Poses with the Gravity Control Unit and Multi Armament Cape on the back deployed (1/3)

Poses with the Gravity Control Unit and Multi Armament Cape on the back deployed

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Insane Mode action poses (1/3)

Insane Mode action poses

Megami Device AUV Susanowo - Brutal Mode action poses (1/3)

Brutal Mode action poses

Together with the previous Megami Device release, Asura Tamamo-no-Mae.

This kit is the AUV Susanowo, released as Megami Device No. 16. Like the flashy previous release Asura Tamamo-no-Mae, it's a ¥9,000 girlpla that comes in a large box — and interestingly, instead of opening from the top, it uses a side-opening slide-out box design.

Befitting its premium price, it comes with a huge number of parts and supports a wide variety of modes. There's an AUV frame mode sitting between body mode and armament mode, and you can also configure it in the basic armament mode Vigilance Mode, Insane Mode, and Brutal Mode.

Multi Armament Capes are attached to both sides of the back, and they can be used almost like giant hands. The round Gravity Control Unit mounted behind them can be repositioned and its gears deployed for a spectacular display. The main weapon is the large Chisouunken, which has internal extendable joints that can be folded out in three stages. You can fold it in half to use it as the Ground Smasher, and thanks to the joint parts that lock it to the forearm, there are absolutely no grip issues. In Insane Mode, when the Multi Armament Cape's claws grip the weapon, the handle peg plugs into the palm hole as well — so there's been plenty of thought put into weapon stability across the board.

Kotobukiya's girlplas have been improving in quality year after year, and the joint strength balance in particular feels like it keeps getting better. In the past, the tightness of the joints varied quite a bit from part to part, which sometimes made handling them a bit of a pain — but this kit has a consistently firm, locked-in feel throughout, with good balance that makes posing much more comfortable. There are quite a lot of parts attached, but relatively few tend to fall off, and the ones that are a bit loose can be glued down without much stress.

The biggest selling point of this kit is undoubtedly its spectacular visuals — though the design is so complex it might even feel a bit over the top. Even in body mode alone, the figure has a slightly better sense of volume compared to previous releases, and the shoulder parts, which used to be a weak point, have been structurally improved so they don't pop off as easily anymore.

All in all, this is an exemplary girlpla with stunning visuals and solid stability. The ¥9,000 price tag is a bit of a stretch, but the quality is genuinely satisfying. If the style appeals to you, it's a gorgeous girlpla that's well worth the investment. :-)

Megami Device AUV Susanowo | 2022.1 | ¥9,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.