So as I mentioned in my last entry, the next item on my "to-do list" was Asra Archer, or more accurately the photos and stuff for this kit. If the name sounds familiar, it is because this kit is companion to the Asra Ninja kit I got off of Amazon a few months ago, though to be fair due to reuse of parts it feels like all the kits are related in one way or another.
Some of the more immediately noticeable changes are a focus on white as a primary suit colour for her, as well as a head that features a single blonde ponytail rather than brown twintails.
Like with other Megami Device release, the kit comes with enough parts to make both a plug suit and armoured figure, both in varying degress of undress, 10 sets of hands for each body, three total face plates, major gear, and of course a stand. The Megami Device body, unlike the Frame Arms body such as the one on Gene, features a folding joint at the waist and the swivel joint which allows you to bring the arms together.
The mid torso joint kind of makes up for the lack of a waist (kind of like Figma) but overall you won't really be hard pressed to get some interesting poses in, though for many you'll need a stand. The completed model features pull down hips to complement the shoulders, folding waist joint, and other bits. Since these figures were designed to have interchangeable limbs, the thigh twist and upper arm twist joints are effectively hiding in plain sight.
Armoured mode shares the actual limbs with the Asra Ninja release, as well as the torso armour. The chest and neck armour is different, as well as the weaponry she's equipped with. Overall, it's safe to say that my practice on Asra Ninja came in handy when it came to painting and slapping water decals on this kit. I'm happy to say I'm pretty sure I got all the tiny paint apps you need to squint to find, and that I only lost one water decal.
The smaller brushes I purchased also came in handy. Range in motion in this mode is effectively the same as unarmoured, though there may be a bit more effort involved in moving limbs due to extra bulk, as well just the general unwieldly nature of a slim figure all of a sudden being burden by a significant amount of weaponry.
Bladed weaponry is by far easier to pose with the figures, with the bow looking cooling but ultimately pretty ungainly. Plus, there are arrows to pose along with it.
Samurai mode is more of a gimmick than anything, but it DID get me to buy the two kits. So in this mode, all the weapons and auxiliary pieces of gear on both figures are combined together and applied to either Archer or Ninja (after a bit of a hair style change). In the two official modes, I have to say that the one Ninja is wearing appears to be much more balanced than the Archer mode, which has all the extra bits on her legs.
The actual pieces attached do not take on any different forms between Archer and Ninja, and it's really about positioning on the body. As there are the same ports on both bodies, there's really nothing to stop you from giving the Samurai from Ninja to Archer, or vice versa.
Either of them look cool with that combined sword, though.
So that's about it for these two. I don't recall any Megami Device kits on my preorder list. Then again, it's not like there's a shortage of model kits outside of the Megami Device line up to try to make. And like many things in life, what you put into the kits really is reflected in the final product. As a result, I've learned to slow down and really take my time to make sure my best effort is reflected in the final product.
My next kit that is just sitting here is the Easter Model Atk Girl - Four Sacred Beasts: Azure Dragon. Fingers crossed that one turns out better than my first attempt at the product line.
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