Kit Review: SMP ALTERNATIVE DESTINY – BRAVE EXKAISER
Go with me, Exkaiser!
THUNDER FLASH!
THUNDER FLASH!
The first collaboration between Sunrise and Takara Tomy, as well as the start of a courageous franchise about bravery and justice, the Brave/Yuusha franchise tell the stories of warriors – sentient or not, alien or not – that fought for peace and to deliver justice to evil. Brave Exkaiser is the first Brave that was created and now Bandai has shown that they wanted to revisit the franchise with various Soul of Chogokins, Shokugan Modeling Project and more. Aside from an upcoming Soul of Chogokins, the first Brave also got an extensive redesign in the Shokugan Modeling Project – Alternative Destiny line (yes that’s the name).
– Info:
Kit: SMP AD – Exkaiser
Series: Brave Exkaiser
Price: 7,200 yen
Release date: Jan 2023
Kit: SMP AD – Exkaiser
Series: Brave Exkaiser
Price: 7,200 yen
Release date: Jan 2023
– Design: Exkaiser original design – just like the other Braves – was made by the legendary Kunio Okawara. As it was a collab project with Takara Tomy on the merchandise front, and that the series feature prominently vehicular transformable mechas, Exkaiser was originally very boxy. The SMP AD design boost the dynamic proportion significantly with more stylized areas such as waist, legs and arms. The franchise was worked on extensively by renowned animator Masami Obari, and he did the opening sequence for the show as well, and the AD design has a lot of his aesthetic to it. In addition, Bandai “infinitized” the Brave with a tons of mechanical surface details. There are so many raised surfaces and panel lines that you’d think it’s an RG model kit. The kit definitely isn’t for collector who love the classic look of the robot.
The kit’s coating is pretty amazing, especially the metallic parts. The face part and the lion chest are all painted very carefully. In addition, the golden parts put every other gold Bandai kit to shame.
The kit’s coating is pretty amazing, especially the metallic parts. The face part and the lion chest are all painted very carefully. In addition, the golden parts put every other gold Bandai kit to shame.
– Build quality: Shokugan Modeling Project is a step above Super Mini Pla, and Alternative Destiny is slightly above that. The build experience is very enjoyable, although there are parts where some subs processing skills is required since the plastic used in the kit is tougher than normal Bandai Spirit kits. But the snap fit quality is still as good as any other Bandai Gunpla. The build is smooth, but there are some parts that need some effort, mostly grey parts that requires some force to fit the parts together. Even just an oob build, the kit looks amazing.
– Articulation: Along with uber details come great posability – in true Obari’s style. The ab-crunch is great, but it can feel loose sometimes. But due to how the kit is structured, there is very little chance it can pop off. Shoulders and elbows all have a wide range of movement, which is great. However, the super stylized proportions work against the kit on the lower half. The calves are very chunky so the knee bend and side-to-side movement aren’t as wide as we’d like since the calves end up rubbing onto each other. However, the feet pivot is decent so it’s not difficult to balance it on any surface.
Exkaiser is known to be the first mecha on screen to feature the famous Obari Sword Pose, so of course the kit can pull off the pose quite easily, and the kit also comes with a sword with enlarged tip to replicate the scene. However, the hand connection with the wrist is a bit weak, so balancing the sword in both hands is a bit finnicky, but not impossible. The shoulder’s contraption is similar to RG kits where it can move out and swing forward to allow the arms to cross forward.
Exkaiser is known to be the first mecha on screen to feature the famous Obari Sword Pose, so of course the kit can pull off the pose quite easily, and the kit also comes with a sword with enlarged tip to replicate the scene. However, the hand connection with the wrist is a bit weak, so balancing the sword in both hands is a bit finnicky, but not impossible. The shoulder’s contraption is similar to RG kits where it can move out and swing forward to allow the arms to cross forward.
– Gimmicks: The kit comes with all the gimmicks of the original Exkaiser (except the Form Up/Combining gimmicks of course). You can pop open the side of the leg to reveal the Kizer sword when it’s undeployed (there’s a separate piece for this). The lion’s mouth can open and close slightly. The shoulder armor can flip forward to allow the arms to swing forward, although this gimmick isn’t really needed since you can just swing the whole thing up.
– Accessories: The kit doesn’t have many accessories but enough to replicate most of the first Brave’s iconic pose:
x1 Kizer Sword (deployed, normal proportion)
x1 Kizer Sword (deployed, enlarged tip)
x1 Kizer Sword (undeployed, to be stored in the legs)
x3 pairs of hands (closed fists, holding hands, spread hands)
x2 stand adapters
The Kizer Sword is pretty amazing. The proportion is much more Obari compared to other enlarged swords such as the Robot Damashii Sword Strike or Tryon 3. That accessory is definitely the highlight of the kit.
x1 Kizer Sword (deployed, normal proportion)
x1 Kizer Sword (deployed, enlarged tip)
x1 Kizer Sword (undeployed, to be stored in the legs)
x3 pairs of hands (closed fists, holding hands, spread hands)
x2 stand adapters
The Kizer Sword is pretty amazing. The proportion is much more Obari compared to other enlarged swords such as the Robot Damashii Sword Strike or Tryon 3. That accessory is definitely the highlight of the kit.
Overall: The first Brave returns in all his glory in the form of a very expensive kit. For the size and engineering and playability, this kit isn’t really in the HG affordable range, but still, Exkaiser looks absolutely amazing with this new design although it can be a bit too busy to some people. The articulation is great, and it can pull off all the great poses in the original series in an even more dynamic fashion. I’m not sure if Bandai will make more Braves in the AD line or just stick with the normal SMP line just like with Might Gaine or Dagwon, but I hope more Braves get this treatment. In addition, the Premium Bandai Dragon Kaizer kit is a great addition to this kit, but you guessed it! That kit is expensive as hell so unless you have a lot of disposable income, you might want to reconsider the upgrades.
Overall, I’d rank this kit 8.5/10.
Overall, I’d rank this kit 8.5/10.
Gallery:
Check out more reviews here:
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Duel Blitz Gundam
Duel Gundam has finally been upgraded with the HGCE version featuring the new Assault Shroud with a …
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Infinite Justice Gundam Type-II
The HGCE Infinite Justice Gundam Type-II is a completely refreshed version compared to the old HGCE …
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam (+ Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II)
HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam is the 250th in the mainline HG series. This is the strongest retu…
Kit Review: RG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0
The RX-78-2 Gundam was the first machine to be produced in a Real Grade kit series 14 years ago. Now…
Kit review: Kotobukiya – Konig Wolf
A constant fan favorite in wishlist, the Wolf Type Zoid König Wolf’s finally joined the HMM Zoids li…
Figure Review: Moshow – Progenitor Effect – Lancelot of the Lake
An impressive figure from Moshow that knock it out of the park. Great quality and playability that s…
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Gyan Strom (Agnes Giebenrath Custom)
The fouth member of Yamato Team – HG Gyan Strom is a grunt suit kit worth experiencing with interest…
Kit review: HG SRWOG Huckebein Mk-III
The latest member of the HG SRWOG series, HG Huckebein Mk-III continues to be a high-quality kit fol…
Kit review: Bandai – Macross Plus – HG 1/100 YF-21 (Guld Goa Bowman Unit)
The 4th model in the HG 1/100 Macross series, HG YF-21 has shown its own uniqueness with a different…
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom)
HGCE Rud-ro.A is a grunt suit kit worth experiencing from the HGCE Seed Freedom series. Although it …
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Gelgoog Menace (Lunamaria Hawke Custom)
The third member of Yamato Team – Gelgoog Menace. Designed based on the famous mobile suit Gelgoog, …
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A
HGCE Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A is a unique design with the style of western knights and many inter…
Kit review: Moderoid – Iron Saga Deer Stalker RxR
The first Iron Saga model kit, the Deer Stalker RxR is bringing the big gun (literally) and a big im…
Figure Review: Ichiban Kuji – SCM-EX Eva-02
A super affordable Evangelion figure that brings a lot to the table, including a well-painted dioram…
Figure Review: The Gattai – Brave Express Might Gaine
Choo choo! The Brave Express is here just on time! Might Gaine joins The Gattai line in all his glor…
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Immortal Justice Gundam
HGCE Immortal Justice is also a pretty good kit compared to HGCE Rising Freedom. Although there aren…
Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Rising Freedom Gundam
HGCE Rising Freedom Gundam is the first HG model kit in the SEED FREEDOM series. Compared to HGCE Fr…
Figure Review: Robot Spirit – Big Tony
The main mecha of the “underground” series Sakugan. Big Tony is a lovable guy with some interesting …
Kit Review: Moderoid – Tetsujin-28-Go [Taiyou no Shisha ver]
The original giant robot returns as the Messenger of the Sun. Simple, minimalistic but expressive an…
Kit Review: Figure-rise Standard Ultraman Z Original
Chant his name and build his kit! Because the FRS Ultraman Z Original is an amazing kit that recreat…
Kit Review: Code Beast – Hundred Edge Alma
The dream come true when fanart is made into actual kit. But does the Gundam x Zoids Code Beast plam…
Kit Review: Moderoid Ikaruga
After a long, long time, GSC has finally answered fans of Knights & Magic. The Moderoid Ikaruga is f…
Kit Review: Figure-rise Standard Ultraman Suit Zero (SC Ver.) -Action-
Even though this SC Ver is just a recolored version of the original Zero Suit, with a super cool big…
Kit review: Bandai – HG Mashin Hero Wataru – Chou Mashin Ryujinmaru
The final form of the Dragon God. The Chou Ryujinmaru is an impressive and majestic kit that doesn’t…
Kit review: HG 1/100 YF-29 Durandal Valkyrie Full Set Pack (Maximilian Jenius Use)
A perfect machine for a perfect pilot. The YF-29 Durandal was piloted by the absolute ace Max Jenius…
Kit review: HG IBO – Gundam Gremory
A Gremory Gundam? No not ‘that’ Gremory – the actual demon one. This Gundam looks absolutely badass …
Kit review: HG SRWOG Dygenguar
Due to being an extremely popular super robot of the SRW OG series, Dygenguar has had many different…
Kit review: HG 1/100 YF-29 Durandal Valkyrie (Saotome Alto Use)
The strongest Valkyrie is here! The YF-29 joins the HG line with astounding accuracy and articulatio…
Kit review: Kotobukiya – Non-scale Muv Luv Alternative – Type-97 Fubuki
With the new Alternative anime airing, Koto has resumed making new Muv-Luv kits. The new Type-97 Fub…
Kit review: Bandai – HG IBO 1/144 – Sigrún
The 9th Valkyrie take flight! The Sigrun is another addition to the Valkyria Frame of IBO. A sleek a…
Kit review: Kotobukiya – Non-scale Majestic Prince – Red 5 (Normal Edition)
For Majestic Prince’s 10th anniversary, the non-scale Red 5 is back once again. With an extremely im…
Kit review: HG TWFM 1/144 Gundam Calibarn
As the last Gundam kit of the anime series, Calibarn still shows that it is a top-tier kit of the li…
Kit review: Figure-Rise Standard – Kamen Rider Kabuto
I am speed! Kamen Rider Kabuto joins the FRS line with all of Tendou’s swag. A very good bang-for-th…
Figure Review: Bandai Metal Build – Evangelion Unit-1
Designer Ikuto Yamashita bring the Eva-01 to the mechanical side. A figure that emphasizes on the mo…
Kit review: Figure-Rise Standard – Kamen Rider Agito
After the Alpha is the AgitOmega. The Ground Form Agito is a very good looking kit and is a great al…
Kit review: HG TWFM 1/144 Gundam Schwarzette
Schwarzette definitely is one of the most playable kits of the HG TWFM series. With the Guardian’s m…
Kit review: Kotobukiya – Frame Arms Jagd Falx
The Blue Falcon with his sickles is here. The Frame Arms Jagd Falx is a savage design variation of t…
Kit review: Moderoid – Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa Mk-II
We’re go for Super Evolution Speed! The evolution of the E5 has brought forth new possibilities. The…
Kit review: HGUC 1/144 – Jesta
Grunting in style! The ultimate evolution of the GM line, the Jesta put the cool in tacticool with a…
Kit review: MG 1/100 – Jegan
The Londo Bell special! Bandai took their sweet time to finally make a Master Grade Jegan for the CC…
Kit review: HGUC REVIVE 1/144 – YMS-15 Gyan
An MediEvil Knight amongst UC’s militaristic line up, the Gyan is a simple kit that will surprise yo…
Kit review: HG 1/144 Gundam Heavyarms
The default “brr brr more dakka please” Gundam of the franchise, the Heavyarms finally got a new HGA…
Kit review: Figure-rise Standard – Kamen Rider Joker
The half-boiled detective arrives on the scene! The majestic black and purple Kamen Rider joins the …
Kit review: MG 1/100 Zeta Gundam Ver.Ka
The latest MG Ver.Ka model was launched on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the series – MG Z…
Kit review: Bandai – HG Soryumaru
To commemorate the best-selling model kit line, Bandai produce the HG Soryumaru – a samurai X motorb…
Figure review: S.H.Figuarts – Iron Man Mk.85 Final Battle Edition
The man who has a heart – Tony Stark aka Iron Man don his most advanced armor to join his final batt…
Kit review: HGUC 1/144 Gundam TR-6 [Wondwart] Psycho Blade Custom
The black rabbit with the goddess symbol represents the Queen and the mighty Mars Legion Army. This …
Kit review: Figure-Rise Standard – Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Titan
The Heisei era’s first Rider receive his titanic upgrades. The Figure-Rise Standard Kuuga is every f…
Figure review: Robot Damashii [Side EVA] Evangelion Unit-01 (2020 ver.)
As a new robot spirits for the Rebuild of Evangelion, bandai has decided to remake the old robot spi…
Kit review: HG 1/100 YF-19 Excalibur
The YF-19 Excalibur is one of Kawamori Shōji’s most famous designs in the Macross series. This HG 1/…
Kit Review: Moderoid – Trails of Cold Steel – Ashen Knight Valimar
The Ashen Knight awakened! GSC gave us one of the most awesome Magical Knight mecha that ever got a …
Kit Review: HG TWFM 1/144 Gundam lfrith Thorn
As part of the The Witch From Earth couple, HG Lfrith Thorn is a unique model kit with many interest…
Kit Review: SMP ALTERNATIVE DESTINY – BRAVE EXKAISER
The beginning of a courageous legend! The first Brave graces the Shokugan Modeling Project new Alter…
Kit review: HG TWFM 1/144 Gundam Aerial Rebuild
An upgraded version of Aerial designed by artist JNTHED, HG Gundam Aerial Rebuild is a pretty good H…
Kit Review: Moderoid – Pop Team Epic – Super Pipimi BARI Mode
Just when you think Pop Team Epic couldn’t get any more based, they supercharged with an unexpected …
Kit Review: HG TWFM 1/144 Gundam lfrith Ur
A part of the couple The Witch From Earth – Gundam Lfrith Ur. Designed by mechanical designer Takayu…
Kit Review: HG TWFM 1/144 Gundam Pharact
Gundam-type Mobile Suit developed by Pell Technologies. Pharact is a machine with the appearance of …
Figure Review: HEATBOYS – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Leonardo
The classic pizza-loving sewer-dwelling turtles are back with a massive redesigns. The Mecha Leonard…
Kit Review: HG TWFM 1/144 Darilbalde
A red machine that can be considered as the Char’s Zaku of the G-Witch series. With the design and u…
Kit Review: Murakumo – A.R.K. Cloud Breaker Ver.Weiss
Take to the sky in FromSoft’s mech chaser game. The Cloud Breaker from Murakumo is pretty much a hig…
Kit Review: 30 Minute Mission – Spinatio Knight Type
Journey to Europe with this new Spinatio variant. The Knight Type is an agile yet dignified armored …
Kit Review: HG WfM – Gundam Aerial
The Gundam piloted by the Witch. The Aerial displayed its magical design and innovative gimmick that…
Figure Review: EX Gokin – Mazinger Z Repaint 1969 ver
Kami ka? Akuma ka? This time, Kouji picked the side of the Demon. The Ex Gokin Mazinger Z is the emb…
Figure Review: S.H.Figuarts – Kamen Rider Zero-One Rising Hopper [50th Anni ver]
The president is in the office, and it’s noone else but Aruto Hiden! The SHF Zero-One Rising Hopper …
Kit Review: HG Kyoukai Senki – Kenbu Zan
A straight mid-season upgrade, the Kenbu Zan is a bulky and dynamic mech that reign supreme on the b…