Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Roughly the same volume as a Bandai MG. (Special guest: MG First 3.0)

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Detail shots (1/4)

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Comes with a machine gun, sword, and beam saber.

The weapons can be stored on the side skirts.

Two types of hands are included.

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - A clear stand is included — not for flying poses, but to help keep the figure standing upright. It c

A clear stand is included — not for flying poses, but to help keep the figure standing upright.
It can stand on its own just fine, but once you start posing it, you'll find you need the stand. ^^;

Articulation is pretty good.

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Machine gun firing pose (1/3)

Machine gun firing pose

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Sword action pose (1/3)

Sword action pose

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Beam saber pose (1/3)

Beam saber pose

Transformation

First, remove the weapons and arms...

Some additional transformation parts are also needed.

Swap out the wrist armor, then fold the elbows in completely as shown above.

Raise the backpack section up so it's in a straight line.

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Detach the wheels from the back, rotate them into a single-file arrangement, then pivot the front an

Detach the wheels from the back, rotate them into a single-file arrangement, then pivot the front and rear wheels 90 degrees upright.

Bend the shoulder connection joints upward as shown above, then...

Transform the head and tuck it down into the body.

Adjust the angles so the chest, head, and backpack all line up in a straight line as shown above.

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Bend the knees and ankles as shown on the upper left, then rotate the leg 180 degrees at around the

Bend the knees and ankles as shown on the upper left, then rotate the leg 180 degrees at around the knee area.

Plug the tips of the feet into the slots at the bottom of the backpack to lock everything into place.

Then attach the separate standing support parts at the bottom.

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Reattach the folded forearms, making sure the peg on the swapped wrist armor clips into the ankle ar

Reattach the folded forearms, making sure the peg on the swapped wrist armor
clips into the ankle armor to lock it in place.

Reattach the weapons and the transformation is complete!

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Views from various angles. (1/8)

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Views from various angles. (2/8)

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Views from various angles. (3/8)

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Views from various angles. (4/8)

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Views from various angles. (5/8)

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - Views from various angles. (6/8)

Various angles.

Xenoblade 1/48 Formula - The underside looks incredibly complex and intricate. (1/3)

The underside looks incredibly complex and intricate.

The "Formula," a mech from the Nintendo Wii U game <Xenoblade Chronicles X>, has been released as a Kotobukiya plastic model. In the game, mechs like this are called Dolls (dall), and it's a robot-to-bike transforming mech that'll instantly remind any old-school fan of the classic Mospeada.

First off, true to Kotobukiya form, the fit is tight and stiff throughout — but that also means there's very little looseness anywhere, making this a kit with solid hold. That said, the snap-fit is still a bit iffy in places, so gluing the shakier parts is recommended. The transformation gimmick and overall structure are quite unique, which gives the build a really different feel compared to your usual kit.

The transformation — aside from swapping out the forearm armor — is a full transformation using the various articulated parts with no other part swaps needed. Quite a bit of thought has gone into keeping everything locked in place after transformation, so the bike/vehicle mode holds its shape nicely. Transformation kits tend to have issues with durability and post-transformation stability, and while the transformation process is a bit involved, both robot and vehicle modes hold together extremely well, which is really satisfying. This is probably the best Kotobukiya transforming kit in terms of quality in both modes. On top of that, robot mode comes with a clear stand for action poses, and vehicle mode gets additional support parts on the underside that lock everything in and keep it balanced, rounding out the solid stability.

The bike mode also looks incredibly sleek after transformation, and the underside in particular has such a complex, intricate look that it scores really high on visual satisfaction as a precision transforming mech. Sure, the somewhat stiff build and the pricey ¥7,800 tag — steep for the size, very Kotobukiya — are a bit of a hurdle, but as a transforming mech kit it's genuinely interesting and fun. I'd recommend it to Xenoblade fans or anyone looking to try something different in a transforming mech — it's a solid kit that offers a very different experience from your typical Bandai kit. :-)

Formula | 2016.8 | ¥7,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.