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The Improved Gunbuster
Ok, it's not the most terrifying name in anime... unless all 200 meters of Gunbuster showed up on your lawn.  Then you would be scared spitless.  The OVA Gunbuster is a combination of Voltron and Starblazers with giant aliens also thrown in for good measure.  Naturally, epic anime demands wonderful toys.  Unfortunately,
Kaiyodo's piece fell short of my expectations, so what can we do to placate the fan-boy in me?

Although the sculpt and paint on the figure was well done, the piece needs much more articulation.  At least shoulder and hip articulation and much tighter connections on the shoulders.  The original Kaiyodo figure came with extra arms which crossed over the figure's chest, but I could live without those for arms which didn't fall off.

Next, how about transforming like Gunbuster does in the OVA.  Granted, the transformation is complex from what I could see on the OVA, but if Beast Wars can do it, why not this piece.  Since we're having it transform, how about adding another action feature?  In the OVA, Gunbuster's most powerful weapons are the Buster Colliders.  Panels on the shins and fore-arms open to reveal giant electrodes that fire a super-powerful electrical discharge.  Some equivalent pop-up panels would be a nice touch on the piece.

Accessories?  Unfortunately, Gunbuster didn't come with the traditional super-robot melee weapons in the OVA.  However, it did use a giant cape called the Buster Shield.  Ok, not much, but hey, might as well at it on to the list.  And how about a PVC replica of one of the crab aliens, to give something for Gunbuster to tussle with?

Ah, now THERE'S a robot to strike terror into evil aliens... just don't mention the name...


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