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.
Read more