Busou Shinki: Checklist
Updated Apr. 6 with Arnval Mk. 2 Tempesta and Strarf Mk. 2 Lavina review links
One of the best things about Konami’s Busou Shinki line is that the company has used different character designers for each wave. Thus, despite having the common denominators of the same base figure design and same overall theme (i.e. “chicks ready to kick ass”), Busou Shinki figures differ from wave to wave. They may not have the incredible variety of, say, Xevoz, but there’s bound to be something in the line that appeals to an action figure fan. Medieval knight, future-tech SWAT operator, mermaid, Gundam warrior … the line goes from the past to the future, from the seas to the stars.
It must be said that despite standardised pegs, ports and joints Busou Shinki doesn’t really fare well in the interchangeability department. The problem is by playing up variety, Konami has diminished the interchangeability somewhat. Flower-inspired parts don’t really mix well with mecha parts.
The action figures are sold in two different types of sets.
Full sets
These range in price from 3500 yen to 4500 yen. Each full set includes a core MMS figure as well as many accessories and weapons to change the character’s look. The full sets also include an articulated figure stand.
EX Weapon sets
These range in price from 1500 yen to 2500 yen. Each EX weapon set includes a head, weapons, armour and other accessories but crucially, does not include a core MMS figure. The idea here is to get a new character design without paying the price of a full set. This may seem odd but Japanese toy companies have used this method to sell action figures as far back as the Henshin Cyborg line in the Seventies.
Both types of sets include access codes which can be added to Busou Shinki software to gain access to CG versions of characters.
The reviews linked below are in Japanese but they each have copious amounts of photos which are indicative of the figures’ features.
Wave 1 (released 7 Sep ’06)
Angel Arnval (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: momodani, Blindbox, Kuronuko Yamato, Gamu.
Arnval Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint (released May ’07).
Reviews: Kuronuko Yamato, Len, nekokamisigma, Mojya.
Devil Strarf (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: momodani, Blindbox, Kuronuko Yamato, Gamu.
Strarf Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint (released May ’07).
Reviews: Kuronuko Yamato, Len.
Wave 2 (released 28 Sep ’06)
Dog Howling (design by BLADE)
Reviews: Kuronuko Yamato, Goe, third_love.
Howling Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint version (released Sep. ’07)
Reviews: Len.
Cat Maochao (design by BLADE)
Reviews: Blindbox, Kuronuko Yamato, Goe, third_love.
Maochao Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint version (released Sep. ’07)
Reviews: Len.
Rabbit WaffeBunny EX Weapons Set (design by Kasahara Tetsuro)
Reviews: Gamu, Kuronuko Yamato, Blindbox, Goe.
Wave 3 (released 7 Dec ’06)
Knight Xiphos (design by Shinofusa Rokurou)
Reviews: momodani, Blindbox, Kuronuko Yamato, Gamu.
Samurai Benio (design by Shinofusa Rokurou)
Reviews: Kuronuko Yamato, Blindbox, Goe, Gamu.
Santa Tsugaru EX Weapons Set (design by GOLI)
Reviews: Kuronuko Yamato, Blindbox, Goe.
Tsugaru (Blue Xmas ver.) Konami Style limited edition (released Dec. ’07)
(Note: this version included an MMS figure.)
Review: Hikutori, Mugicha.
Wave 4 (released 22 Feb ’07)
Seed Juvisy (design by okama)
Reviews: Blondy, Blindbox, Kuronuko Yamato.
Flower Zyrdarya (design by okama)
Reviews: Blondy, Otaudo, Blindbox.
Cannon Fort Bragg EX Weapons set (design by Yanase Takayuki)
Reviews: Blindbox, Goe, Gamu, Kuronuko Yamato.
MMS Naked (design by Asai Masaki)
Reviews: Hiro, momodani, cat75770.
Wave 5 (released 31 May ’07)
Siren Eukrante (design by Magaki Ryota)
Reviews: Blindbox, Len, Goe, Blondy.
Eukrante Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint version (released Mar. ’08)
Reviews: Tamabase, Hima-Toy, Syuuamamori.
Mermaid Ianeira (design by Magaki Ryota)
Reviews: Len, The G, Goe, Blondy.
Ianeira Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint version (released Mar. ’08)
Reviews: Tamabase, Hima-Toy, Acro_characin.
Dophin WaffeDolphin EX Weapons set (design by Kasahara Tetsuro)
Reviews: Gamu, Kuronuko Yamato, Sushi Jirou.
Wave 6 (released 30 Aug ’07)
Tiger Tigris (design by Shimizu Eiichi and Simoguchi Tomohiro)
Reviews: The G, Matuya, Len.
Calf Vitulus (design by Shimizu Eiichi and Shimoguchi Tomohiro)
Reviews: The G, Len.
Builder Grapprap EX Weapons set (design by Kito Eisaku)
Reviews: Goe, Len, Blondy.
Wave 7 (released 29 Nov ’07)
High Speed Trike Ach (design by Choco)
Reviews: acro_characin, Tama Base, Hikutori.
Ach Stradale Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint version (released Nov. ’08)
Reviews: Hikutori, The G, Hima-toy.
High Manoeuvre Trike Yda (design by Choco)
Reviews: The G, Hikutori, ledmb4da.
Yda Stradale Dengeki Hobby Magazine repaint version (released Nov. ’08)
Reviews: Hikutori, Hima-toy.
Butterfly Schmetterling EX Weapons set (design by Chibisuke Machine)
Reviews: Syuuamamori, Blondy, Hima-Toy.
Wave 8 (released 5 Apr ’08)
Panzer Murmeltier (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: The G, Hikutori, Len.
Panzer Murmeltier (desert warfare version) (released Apr. ’10)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Hikutori.
Fighter Asuka (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: The G, Hikutori, Ledmb4da.
Fighter Asuka (night battle version) (released Apr ’10)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Hikutori.
Firearms Zelnogrard EX Weapons set Plus (design by Yanase Takayuki)
(Note: This set includes an MMS body.)
Reviews: The G, Gamu, Hima-toy.
Wave 9 (released 10 Jul ’08)
Beetle Lancamento (design by Tanimeso)
Reviews: The G, Hikutori, Yuu-yui.
Stag Beetle Espadia (design by Tanimeso)
Reviews: The G, Hikutori, Yuu-yui.
(The G, Hikutori and Yuu-yui also review the Heracles combined mode.)
Wave 10 (released 20 Nov ’08)
Scorpion Graffias (design by Magaki Ryota)
Reviews: Goe, Hikutori, The G.
Bat Vespelio (design by Magaki Ryota)
Reviews: Goe, Hikutori, Yuu-yui.
(Yuu-yui, Hikutori and Hima-toy also review the Zeo combined mode.)
Wave 11 (released 27 May ’10)
Valkyrie Altlene (design by Uon Taraku and Yanase Takayuki)
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori, Akizakura.
Valkyrie Altlene Viola (repaint version, released Nov ’10)
Note: Konami Style exclusive set.
Reviews: Hikutori, Hima-toy.
Valkyrie Altines (design by Uon Taraku and Yanase Takayuki)
Note: Dengekiya Hobby Hall and Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori.
Valkyrie Altines Rosa (repaint version, released Nov ’10)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Hikutori, Hima-toy.
Wave 12 (released 30 Sep ’10)
Violin Sharatang (design by Choco)
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori, Hima-toy.
Electric Guitar Babyrazz (design by Choco)
Reviews: Yo, Mojya, Hikutori.
Wave 13 (released 28 Oct ’10)
Hellhound Gabrine (design by Izuna Yoshitsune)
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori, Hima-toy.
Nine-tailed Kitsune Renge (design by Izuna Yoshitsune)
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori, Hima-toy.
Wave 14 (released 16 Dec ’10)
Lynx Artille (design by Kakoi Kazuhiko)
Reviews: Yo.
Eagle Raptias (design by Kakoi Kazuhiko)
Reviews: Yo.
Wave 15 (released 27 Jan ’11)
Centaurus Proxima (design by Niθ)
Reviews: Yo, Hima-toy.
Tentacles Maryceles (design by Niθ)
Reviews: Yo, Hima-toy.
Wave 16 (released 24 Feb ’11)
Fencer-Pearl Oorbellen (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori.
Fencer-Obsidian Zielbellen (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: Yo.
Light Armor
The Light Armor subseries is cheaper than the full sets as they include less accessories.
Preview
Squirrel Pomock (prototype version) (design by BLADE)
Note: Sold at Chara Hobby 2008.
Reviews: Taoo, Len, Syuuamamori.
Ferret Partio (prototype version) (design by BLADE)
Note: Sold at Chara Hobby 2008.
Reviews: Taoo, Len, Syuuamamori.
Wave 1 (released 4 Oct ’08)
Angel Commando Werkstra (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: Mojya, Hikutori, Len.
Angel Commando Werkstra (repaint colour version) (released Feb. ’10)
Reviews: Hikutori.
Devil Succubus Valona (design by Shimada Fumikane)
Reviews: Mojya, Hikutori, Len.
Devil Succubus Valona (repaint colour version) (released Jan. ’10)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Hikutori.
Wave 2 (released 30 Oct ’08)
Nurse Bright Feather (design by Mercy Rabbit)
Reviews: The G, Mojya, Taoo.
Sister Harmony Grace (design by Mercy Rabbit)
Reviews: The G, Mojya, Hima-toy.
Wave 3 (released 26 Feb ’09)
Ferret Partio (design by BLADE)
Reviews: Taoo, Hikutori, Kanon.
Squirrel Pomock (design by BLADE)
Reviews: Taoo, Hikutori.
Wave 4 (released 25 Feb ’10)
Spoon Merienda (design by DOGMASK)
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori.
Chopsticks Kohiru (design by DOGMASK)
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori.
Busou Shinki 2nd Anniversary
Angel Arnval Tranche 2 (design by Shimada Fumikane, released Dec ’08)
Reviews: Hikutori, Syuuamamori.
Devil Strarf bis (design by Shimada Fumikane, released Dec ’08)
Reviews: Syuuamamori, Hikutori.
Angel Arnval Tranche 2 (repaint colour version) (design by Shimada Fumikane, released Mar ’09)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Hikutori.
Devil Strarf bis (repaint colour version) (design by Shimada Fumikane, released Mar ’09)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori.
Misc
Ninja Fubuki (designer unknown, released Dec ’08)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Hikutori, Taoo, ledmb4da.
Ninja Mizuki (designer unknown, released Mar ’09)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Yo, Hikutori.
Ojousama Nagi (accessory design by Shimada Fumikane, released Mar ’09)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Hikutori, Taoo, Itsuki.
Ninja Fubuki (black wings version) (designer unknown, released Dec ’09)
Note: Konami Style exclusive.
Reviews: Yo, Chic Studio.
Angel Arnval Mk. 2 and Devil Strarf Mk. 2 (design by Shimada Fumikane, released Jul ’10)
Note: Busou Shinki Battle Masters Konami Style exclusive set.
Reviews: Yo (part 2).
Arnval Mk. 2 Tempesta (released Mar’ 11)
(general release repaint version)
Reviews: Yo.
Strarf Mk. 2 Lavina (released Mar’ 11)
(general release repaint version)
Reviews: Yo.