Shield Liger (Kotobukiya Edition)
This flexible version of Shield Liger is the first in the line up of Highend Master Models that Kotobukiya is doing for the Zoids model kit line. As I mentioned previously, the version of Shield Liger is not motorized and is instead, more of a flexible action figure that you build. And man, does this model have a lot a parts. With 400 parts to its name, this model has a pretty good level of articulation. The toes are individually articulated, the legs can be repositioned in a multitude of ways, the head can be turned in many different directions, and the torso can be angled up or down slightly. The tail's position can also be manipulated by turning each segment of the tail. On a whole, parts fit is very good, as is the plastic quality. There were a few times during construction where I had difficulty applying parts; most notably, the pieces that go on top of Shield Liger's paws (They're absent in these pictures as well). The model designers kind of chose an odd way to attach them and thus makes the parts very prone to popping off at random. The blue shoulder armor also doesn't seem to have a terribly good fit either, but I think that's more of an odd-shape-trying-to-stick-to-another-odd-shape problem more than anything else. I think with a little filing down and crazy glue, those parts will not go popping off any time soon. Some of the parts (Mostly the small parts used for detailing) were extremely fragile and prone to breaking, so some caution has to be taken when working with those. There were also a few changes to the overall design of the Zoid, most notably the head. Some people hate the model because of the head shape, other people love it. As for myself, it doesn't bother me really; it looks a little odd in pictures, but this is a model that seems nicer to me in person. I just enjoy building models and this model was a fun, challenging build. Because it is challenging and there are so many parts, I probably wouldn't recommend it to someone new to plastic modeling or to younger modelers. But if you've built your fair share of Zoids or even Gundams, this model shouldn't be anything tremendously difficult. For what I bought it for, it was more than worth it in my humble opinion.The parts for this model come in a fairly large and deep box, which features spiffy art by Yuji Kaida. The instructions are in Japanese and feature some more artwork of Shield Liger and its limited edition counterpart, the Desert Shield Liger, which is scheduled to be released in January of 2007. A Command Wolf model is also slated for production and release in Spring of 2007.
