Review: #372
Name: Series 18 Garde
Brand: figma (Knights of Sidonia)
Year of Release: 2016
Variations: none as of this date
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS:
The Series 18 Garde is the next generation after the model that Tsugumori was part of, and is the mecha that the rest of the character piloted in the anime.
The Japanese, also on the packaging, is Ichi-Hachi-Shiki Morito, which roughly translates to Series 18 Garde.
As expected of a figma release, Series 18 Garde comes with a bunch of accessories, although this was one of the more expensive releases in the line.
First off, there is the cardboard outer packaging which you can detach and make a sort of paper stand with.
Not to mention the actual transparent stand for all your posing needs.
A clear plastic bag to store any unused accessories in.
The ballistics acceleration device.
A pair of high-frequency blades.
Three pairs of spare hands and one extra right hand holding a bullet.
A spear, long and thin, but bendy so not as easy to accidentally snap.
A Gauna core, tip of the rear thurster and a spare head which depicts the Garde when firing the Heigus Particle Cannon.
The instructions are also in English which helps with knowing what to do with the accessories.
FIGURE:
As expected, the figure is a very accurate depiction of the animation model, brimming with intricate detailing.
The figure is a pale aqua-green color scheme with some white highlights.
He has the large thruster on his back for space flight. The design of this model differs from Tsugumori in that it had more curved pieces, allowing it to look a bit more modern and futuristic.
The head can swivel from side to side, as well as looking up.
While Series 18 Garde looks very similar to Tsugumori, and yes, there are a fair few reused parts, there are also a lot of minute differences that is a completely different sculpting. The designers may have reused the engineering but there are many unique parts.
Garde is also one of the bigger figmas, as shown above towering over Sinon.
A quick comparison against a Deluxe sized Transformer, Hardhead, for good measure.
The articulation on the figure is amazing, and while it may not look like it, his small feet is actually sufficient to allow Garde to stand with the aid of a stand.
That said though, he suffers from the same problem a lot of figmas do in that the multiple points of articulation in the torso makes it unstable sometimes when you're trying to put him into a specific pose.
Underneath the right arm are a pair of missiles, a nice bit of attention there.
The blades can attach to a groove underneath the forearm guard.
Both arms can have blades attached.
Garde needs an additional piece to peg onto the end of the stand in order to use it, as the piece attaches to the underside of the hips.
His next weapon is the Kabizashi, which takes on the form of a spear. It has smears of Gauna at the tip which ruins it somewhat.
You need the hands which has a fist hole in order to wield it. You then have to carefully and slowly thread the spear through the hole, which is tight and if you try and push it too fast, you'll probably bend and snap the spear. However, it was noted that it seemed to be easier to use the spear on Series 18 Garde than it was for Tsugumori.
Garde has the poseability to hold the spear with two hands, and strike various poses with it.
One of the cool things is if you have more than one of the figure, you can spar like one of the scenes in the anime.
The Gauna core simply just slots into the tip of the spear.
Next is Acceleration Mode, which involves lifting the rear thruster up, and then attaching the longer tip.
This is the mode used to travel vast distances in a short amount of time.
You're require the stand in order to sufficiently display this mode.
Once again, if you have two or most of this figure, you can replicate the scenes where the Gardes join hands for more powerful thrust. It would be impressive (but expensive) if you had 4 to 12 of these figures joined up together into a ring.
Series 18 Garde has an alternate head, which is more "open" to reveal the Heigus Particle Cannon.
Unfortunately, there is no effect piece to show the cannon actually being used but an alternate head is more than enough.
Lastly, there's the ranged weapon, the Ballistic Acceleration Device, otherwise known as the big gun.
You'll have to remove the missiles underneath the forearm in order to attach this. While the piece is long, it's light so you don't have to have the other hand holding onto it.
The final gimmick, and this is a carryover from the Tsugumori use of the design, is the hand that's holding a bullet. Only Tsugumori had the scene in the anime where he fired off the hand to defeat a Gauna, so it's not much use for Series 18 Garde.
OVERALL:
In the end, if you were going to get one figma from the Knights of Sidonia series, you'll probably get Tsugumori for the iconic design. Nevertheless, while Series 18 Garde is pricey, he is worth the money since he is beautifully designed, packed with accessories and looks amazing as a display piece.
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Here are the remaining photos not used for the review. Thanks for reading!
