Figure review: Sentinel – Riobot Gurren Lagann
When Sentinel first introduced their RIOBOT line, they made a name for themselves by blending premium craftsmanship with innovative design. Their unique ability to combine metallic die-cast parts, impressive articulation, and exquisite detail has made them a standout in the world of action figures, and their Gurren Lagann release was the real deal that kick started the line. The 2017 reissue brings the beloved mecha to life with a fresh vibrancy that captures the spirit of the anime while offering small-scale, high-fun value.
What really sets this figure apart is how it redefines what a “small” action figure can be. In a time where many mecha figures were bulky and often lacked dynamic mobility, the RIOBOT Gurren Lagann stood out as a compact powerhouse. Its well-engineered design, with rotating drills, removable faceplates, and sleek articulation, makes it both a fun figure to pose and a collector’s gem. Sentinel’s signature tasteful re-design has always been about attentions to details, and this release delivers exactly that—blending the iconic look of the Gurren Lagann with a level of sophistication that made this figure one of the most talked-about toys releases of its time.
What really sets this figure apart is how it redefines what a “small” action figure can be. In a time where many mecha figures were bulky and often lacked dynamic mobility, the RIOBOT Gurren Lagann stood out as a compact powerhouse. Its well-engineered design, with rotating drills, removable faceplates, and sleek articulation, makes it both a fun figure to pose and a collector’s gem. Sentinel’s signature tasteful re-design has always been about attentions to details, and this release delivers exactly that—blending the iconic look of the Gurren Lagann with a level of sophistication that made this figure one of the most talked-about toys releases of its time.
1. Info
Sentinel (RIOBOT line) – Gurren Lagann
First Release: December 2015
Original Price: 17,064 yen (tax included)
Sentinel (RIOBOT line) – Gurren Lagann
First Release: December 2015
Original Price: 17,064 yen (tax included)
2. Design
When it comes to the designs, Gurren Lagann stands as a shining example of boldness and dynamism. The Sentinel RIOBOT Gurren Lagann takes this iconic design and redefines it with modern sensibilities, blending the classic super-robot style with a more streamlined and sleek aesthetic. Unlike the original buffed body with slight curve designs of the anime design , this figure introduces sleek proportions that highlight the hard edge of the armors pieces while still retain those curves at the arms and the appropriate proportion of the overall figure. Which does not kill of the original designs but give it a fresh recognizable sense of design.
The overall silhouette is more elegant and nimble, with the powerful, oversized drills on its chest and arms serving as the focal points, while the body maintains a well-balanced, agile look. Sentinel’s careful attention to proportions ensures the figure strikes a perfect balance between massive power and graceful form, offering a sleek, modern take on the heroic mecha trope. This design philosophy makes it feel both intimidating and fluid, a key characteristic of the Gurren Lagann as it punches through the heavens with unstoppable energy.
When it comes to the designs, Gurren Lagann stands as a shining example of boldness and dynamism. The Sentinel RIOBOT Gurren Lagann takes this iconic design and redefines it with modern sensibilities, blending the classic super-robot style with a more streamlined and sleek aesthetic. Unlike the original buffed body with slight curve designs of the anime design , this figure introduces sleek proportions that highlight the hard edge of the armors pieces while still retain those curves at the arms and the appropriate proportion of the overall figure. Which does not kill of the original designs but give it a fresh recognizable sense of design.
The overall silhouette is more elegant and nimble, with the powerful, oversized drills on its chest and arms serving as the focal points, while the body maintains a well-balanced, agile look. Sentinel’s careful attention to proportions ensures the figure strikes a perfect balance between massive power and graceful form, offering a sleek, modern take on the heroic mecha trope. This design philosophy makes it feel both intimidating and fluid, a key characteristic of the Gurren Lagann as it punches through the heavens with unstoppable energy.
3. Build quality
After a few sessions of posing the Sentinel RIOBOT Gurren Lagann, you’ll immediately feel the weight and solid build. The diecast parts in the torso and joints give it a premium feel that’s both satisfying and reassuring. It’s heavy, but not too much to affect the poses — it stays balanced and fun to move around. The metallic paint accents on the drills and shoulders catch the light just right, making you want to keep shifting its stance for new angles.
The figure feels like it has real presence — every angle shows off the heroic proportions, especially those drilled arms that stand out. But after a couple of rounds of posing, you’ll find yourself itching for more accessories — maybe an extra set of hands or an alternate faceplate to really bring out more action. It’s fun, and the quality’s definitely there, but you’ll want to do more with it.
After a few sessions of posing the Sentinel RIOBOT Gurren Lagann, you’ll immediately feel the weight and solid build. The diecast parts in the torso and joints give it a premium feel that’s both satisfying and reassuring. It’s heavy, but not too much to affect the poses — it stays balanced and fun to move around. The metallic paint accents on the drills and shoulders catch the light just right, making you want to keep shifting its stance for new angles.
The figure feels like it has real presence — every angle shows off the heroic proportions, especially those drilled arms that stand out. But after a couple of rounds of posing, you’ll find yourself itching for more accessories — maybe an extra set of hands or an alternate faceplate to really bring out more action. It’s fun, and the quality’s definitely there, but you’ll want to do more with it.
4. Articulation
The Sentinel RIOBOT Gurren Lagann offers some serious poseability for its size, making it a blast to mess with. The arms move smoothly, with full rotation at the shoulders and elbows, so you can get those iconic action poses — like having the drills charge up for a big move. The legs give you decent motion too, with the knee and ankle joints working well enough to strike strong stances, though the drills on the feet can limit some flexibility.
The head moves around with ease, but it’s the drills that steal the show — they rotate without any restrictions, adding a bit of extra fun when you’re shifting it around. The torso has a nice swivel, so you can get that “standing tall” look, but it doesn’t bend too far. Overall, the articulation isn’t over-the-top, but it’s enough to let you create some dynamic, action-packed displays. Just wish there were a bit more range in the legs to get even crazier poses.
Head:
Full rotation with slight tilt up and down. You can get some subtle poses, but it’s not as flexible as some other mecha heads.
Arms:
Shoulder Joints: Fully rotate, but slightly limited by the drill placement. You can move the arms up and down, and rotate them around easily.
Elbow Joints: Double-jointed, so you can get a solid 90-degree bend and even more when pushing it to its limits. Great for dynamic poses but not ultra-flexible.
Wrist Joints: Ball-jointed, allowing for easy rotation and slight tilts, so you can position the hands in various ways to hold poses.
Torso:
Waist: Rotation only, no major tilting or bending. Perfect for keeping it upright, but a bit limited for deeper action poses.
Ab Crunch: Minimal, thanks to the solid diecast build. You can get some light tilts, but don’t expect a lot of bending forward.
Legs:
Hip Joints: Ball-jointed with a good range for forward and side motion, but drills on the thighs can limit movement in certain poses.
Knee Joints: Double-jointed, giving a good 90-degree bend, but don’t push it too far. It’s enough for standing poses and action shots but can be stiff.
Ankle Joints: Pivoting joints that let you adjust the feet for stable poses, though the drills on the feet make deep foot movements trickier.
The Sentinel RIOBOT Gurren Lagann offers some serious poseability for its size, making it a blast to mess with. The arms move smoothly, with full rotation at the shoulders and elbows, so you can get those iconic action poses — like having the drills charge up for a big move. The legs give you decent motion too, with the knee and ankle joints working well enough to strike strong stances, though the drills on the feet can limit some flexibility.
The head moves around with ease, but it’s the drills that steal the show — they rotate without any restrictions, adding a bit of extra fun when you’re shifting it around. The torso has a nice swivel, so you can get that “standing tall” look, but it doesn’t bend too far. Overall, the articulation isn’t over-the-top, but it’s enough to let you create some dynamic, action-packed displays. Just wish there were a bit more range in the legs to get even crazier poses.
Head:
Full rotation with slight tilt up and down. You can get some subtle poses, but it’s not as flexible as some other mecha heads.
Arms:
Shoulder Joints: Fully rotate, but slightly limited by the drill placement. You can move the arms up and down, and rotate them around easily.
Elbow Joints: Double-jointed, so you can get a solid 90-degree bend and even more when pushing it to its limits. Great for dynamic poses but not ultra-flexible.
Wrist Joints: Ball-jointed, allowing for easy rotation and slight tilts, so you can position the hands in various ways to hold poses.
Torso:
Waist: Rotation only, no major tilting or bending. Perfect for keeping it upright, but a bit limited for deeper action poses.
Ab Crunch: Minimal, thanks to the solid diecast build. You can get some light tilts, but don’t expect a lot of bending forward.
Legs:
Hip Joints: Ball-jointed with a good range for forward and side motion, but drills on the thighs can limit movement in certain poses.
Knee Joints: Double-jointed, giving a good 90-degree bend, but don’t push it too far. It’s enough for standing poses and action shots but can be stiff.
Ankle Joints: Pivoting joints that let you adjust the feet for stable poses, though the drills on the feet make deep foot movements trickier.
5. Gimmicks and accessories
6x drill bits
2 drills
1 gurren wing
2 sunglasses boomerang
1 sunglasses
1 sentinel base
2 faceplate
6x drill bits
2 drills
1 gurren wing
2 sunglasses boomerang
1 sunglasses
1 sentinel base
2 faceplate
–> Overall:The Sentinel RIOBOT Gurren Lagann is a masterclass in modern mecha design, merging super-robot nostalgia with sleek, contemporary aesthetics. Its proportions are perfectly tuned to showcase the powerful, agile nature of the robot, while the raised details on the shoulders, particularly the Dai-Gurren logo, turn it from just a collectible into a symbol of heroic ambition. This figure captures the essence of Gurren Lagann—it’s unstoppable, fluid, and immensely charismatic. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, the design will speak to anyone who appreciates high-impact, visually stunning mecha artistry.
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