Kotobukiya Muv-Luv 1/144

YF-23 Black Widow II

Kit Review

Straight build

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II (1/6) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II (2/6) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II (3/6) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II (4/6) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II (5/6) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II (6/6)

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Detail shots (1/4) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Detail shots (2/4) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Detail shots (3/4) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Detail shots (4/4)

Detail shots

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - A quick weapons shot.

A quick weapons shot.

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - New weapons design, as expected from a new unit.

New weapons design, as expected from a new unit.

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Interestingly, the weapon mount is attached to the back of the shoulders.

Interestingly, the weapon mount is attached to the back of the shoulders.

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Only 4 leftover parts.

Only 4 leftover parts.

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Articulation is pretty good. The arms fold up completely, which is nice.

Articulation is pretty good.
The arms fold up completely, which is nice.

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Double shot pose (1/4) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Double shot pose (2/4) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Double shot pose (3/4) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Double shot pose (4/4)

Double shot pose

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Aerial action pose (1/3) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Aerial action pose (2/3) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Aerial action pose (3/3)

Aerial action pose

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Large sword action pose (1/3) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Large sword action pose (2/3) Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Large sword action pose (3/3)

Large sword action pose

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II - Together with the Strike Eagle.

Together with the Strike Eagle.

Following the Strike Eagle, the Black Widow II — the second Muv-Luv mech to appear in 1/144 scale — has been released. Sure, all the Muv-Luv units share the same basic concept, but each one incorporates design elements from the real-life fighter jet it's named after, so they do each have their own personality.

Anyway, being a new design, the build experience has its own unique charm — the color separation on the shoulders and forearms is fresh, and the way the weapons lock onto the back of the shoulders is a new approach too. Like its predecessors, the articulation is solid and the joints are sturdy, so it's easy to handle compared to the non-scale versions — that part stays the same.

The Black Widow's biggest standout feature is the weapon mount on the back of the shoulders. Most Muv-Luv mechs have their weapon mounts on the back, and while that works, it tends to get in the way during posing, which can be a bit of a pain. Having them on the back of the shoulders instead means they interfere a lot less when you're striking a pose. ^^ So aside from the articulation and joint strength, the easier posing is definitely a plus.

All in all, it's a kit that makes great use of the 1/144 scale's advantages — light and sturdy. Since this unit isn't available in non-scale, any Muv-Luv fan who's been eyeing this one should definitely grab it! :-)

Muv-Luv 1/144 YF-23 Black Widow II | 2013.8 | ¥3,300

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.