I love the look of these kits as they're true to the designs, but there's some mind boggling choices here. Like for example when I look at this the biggest challenge I see is adding the green on the horn. I don't get why they go through the trouble of pre-painting the neck pieces when that is easy enough to do with a bit of black acrylic paint. And if they would go that far then why not just add some pieces for the top of the shin guards? I have a couple of the TV versions and while they are great, they are really difficult to get color accurate unless you have an airbrush. Eva 01 purple is a nightmare to get from spray cans! Anyway, thanks again for giving us another look at these. Until I have another setup these sets will be just beyond my skill level.
Seen this kit in stores and it's always more expensive ($90-$110) than the RG ($60-$80). Don't think it's worth more but it's a nice option for people who don't like mechanics as much
Kotobukiya is always like x2 prices the Bandai for basically the same thing with same amount of plastic and model size, but slightly worse in most aspects. The 6800 price on the box is actually without tax. With tax it's 7480. I just wish Bandai made new TV version models because I'm not a big fan of the Rebuild redesigns. And the old LMHG models are too old now.
Thank you, I have been debating on potentially getting this figured for sometime now and now that I know that 100% the mouth can open I can finally be confident to buy the figure as the opening mouth gimmick is the one thing I just needed to make sure to sing had as nobody else I have watched has mentioned it
The hip joints look so much better than the RG. Perhaps a kitbash between the 2 would work well. And obviously it would have to be best girls mech, Mari Illustrious...
It always makes me laugh when people talk about the movies like they aren't direct sequels to the tv series. Love your stuff Zaku, wish I had the umption in my gumption to build half as many kits as you!
The separate shoulder pad-type of the New Bandai just look so criminal. Kotobukiya here and the old LMHG Bandais have nailed it anyway, I wonder why the change
I have the Koto's Eva unit 2 which basically the same kit, it looks so much better than my RG Eva 01. The engineering on the RG is cool but man, it looks awful. The gaps between the waist, the loose hips, the stupid arm guards.... I'll rather pay a bit more for kotobukiya one, simpler in construction (easy to paint) and looks faithful to the movie design.
Tbf this isn't really a new kit though, it's just a recolored/reissued version of the Kotobukiya Eva Unit 01, with the Spear of Cassius added and the colors updated to match 3.0+1.0. This is really just for people who didn't already have one of the previous Kotobukiya Unit 01 kits.
what's the best eva 01 toy/model/figure in your guys opinion? i have the 2019(?) metal build and while it looks beautiful it is a pain to pose and it's too delicate to play with.
Nothing great to "play" with besides the Revoltech action figures. Highest quality NGE collectible I've ever had was the Chogokin DX Unit 01 from 2007, which is like a reverse metal-build figure (ABS fully-assembled inner frame with die-cast metal armor panels) with a shitload of accessories. Roughly similar height/scale to the Kotobukiya kits or the Bandai RG kits (which aren't the *same* height, but are relatively close).
In terms of figures/toys now as of 2023, id say the robot spirit line. In terms of model kits, id still go with Bandai’s RG Eva kits. Both pretty expensive, but its Evangelion merchandise, so its gonna be regardless unfortunately lol
The RG is the obvious comparison to make nowadays, and I'm in agreement that while the RG is the more technically impressive kit, its aesthetic doesn't do it at all for me whereas this kit's does. I imagine at the time of its release a more appropriate Bandai comparison - in terms of size, sculpt, cost, etc. - would have been either the older or newer High Grade kits. A quick search shows that, to my surprise, there are no such comparison videos. Do you happen to still have your HG Eva-01 and would be willing to make one? Either way, thanks for the review.
RG evangelion line is more based on rebuild of evangelion movies rather than original series/EoE plus let's don't forget that RG kits are meant to be a little different with more mechanical vibe as they are a representation of how they would look irl
Ofcourse the rg is better. But this is actually kinda good if you compare it next to the old hg Eva 01 bandai made. The old hg is still kinda better though
I love the look of these kits as they're true to the designs, but there's some mind boggling choices here. Like for example when I look at this the biggest challenge I see is adding the green on the horn. I don't get why they go through the trouble of pre-painting the neck pieces when that is easy enough to do with a bit of black acrylic paint. And if they would go that far then why not just add some pieces for the top of the shin guards? I have a couple of the TV versions and while they are great, they are really difficult to get color accurate unless you have an airbrush. Eva 01 purple is a nightmare to get from spray cans! Anyway, thanks again for giving us another look at these. Until I have another setup these sets will be just beyond my skill level.
Look up the portable airbrush system, might be helpful for you
The Lance of Longinus is much cooler looking
Yeah, the design is for sure more anime accurate, and I have to say that's what makes it great to me.
Seen this kit in stores and it's always more expensive ($90-$110) than the RG ($60-$80). Don't think it's worth more but it's a nice option for people who don't like mechanics as much
Kotobukiya is always like x2 prices the Bandai for basically the same thing with same amount of plastic and model size, but slightly worse in most aspects. The 6800 price on the box is actually without tax. With tax it's 7480.
I just wish Bandai made new TV version models because I'm not a big fan of the Rebuild redesigns. And the old LMHG models are too old now.
managed to snag the older print of this without the lance when I was in Japan for retail, haven't built it yet but this vid is giving me motivation
awm... I was expecting a side-by-side comparison with the RG version :(
Cassius was supposed to have pierced the side of Jesus when he was on the cross. And then cursed to be the first vampire ☠️
Looks awesome but damn, does it put the RG into perspective.
Thank you, I have been debating on potentially getting this figured for sometime now and now that I know that 100% the mouth can open I can finally be confident to buy the figure as the opening mouth gimmick is the one thing I just needed to make sure to sing had as nobody else I have watched has mentioned it
The hip joints look so much better than the RG. Perhaps a kitbash between the 2 would work well. And obviously it would have to be best girls mech, Mari Illustrious...
i believe he said that this is larger so kitbashing will be hard
It always makes me laugh when people talk about the movies like they aren't direct sequels to the tv series. Love your stuff Zaku, wish I had the umption in my gumption to build half as many kits as you!
Yea sequels true. When I talk about the separately it’s more just to make the distinction. Like “season 1” versus “season 2”
Nice review! Would you say this is a beginner friendly build? I'm thinking about getting into model kits and I'm a big Evangelion fan.
The separate shoulder pad-type of the New Bandai just look so criminal. Kotobukiya here and the old LMHG Bandais have nailed it anyway, I wonder why the change
spear of cassius is seen in the end of the rebuild series, shinij fights his father with it
Yeah. I am probably going to go with the Real Grade kit from Bandai. It just looks to be more solid compared to Kotobukiya's offerings.
I have the Koto's Eva unit 2 which basically the same kit, it looks so much better than my RG Eva 01. The engineering on the RG is cool but man, it looks awful. The gaps between the waist, the loose hips, the stupid arm guards....
I'll rather pay a bit more for kotobukiya one, simpler in construction (easy to paint) and looks faithful to the movie design.
the Bandai RG kit looks more mechanical while this one looks organic as in closer to the on screen model.
You're right, it does look closer to the original anime design.
Yeah the RG versions are meant to be more stylized, as that is the typical fashion you see with Bandai’s Rg line
I saw this kit at one of the local stores I go to.
Its quite beautiful, i think it might be possible to use the rg eva weapons with this version of the eva 01
Probably, but since the koto Eva 01 is a bit bigger than Bandai’s Eva kits, the weapons will most likely be too small for the koto kit
I just ordered one and it’s my first model kit how long would it take me to build it if I’m trying to speed run it
I have the Bandai's version the RG one.
Zup Zack, hey no stickers wow! 😎👍🏼
This kit looks decent but it has an unfortunate release date between the RG-line and the upcoming 47 cm Unit 01 by Meng
Tbf this isn't really a new kit though, it's just a recolored/reissued version of the Kotobukiya Eva Unit 01, with the Spear of Cassius added and the colors updated to match 3.0+1.0. This is really just for people who didn't already have one of the previous Kotobukiya Unit 01 kits.
what's the best eva 01 toy/model/figure in your guys opinion? i have the 2019(?) metal build and while it looks beautiful it is a pain to pose and it's too delicate to play with.
Nothing great to "play" with besides the Revoltech action figures. Highest quality NGE collectible I've ever had was the Chogokin DX Unit 01 from 2007, which is like a reverse metal-build figure (ABS fully-assembled inner frame with die-cast metal armor panels) with a shitload of accessories. Roughly similar height/scale to the Kotobukiya kits or the Bandai RG kits (which aren't the *same* height, but are relatively close).
In terms of figures/toys now as of 2023, id say the robot spirit line. In terms of model kits, id still go with Bandai’s RG Eva kits. Both pretty expensive, but its Evangelion merchandise, so its gonna be regardless unfortunately lol
NOW THATS A TAN
The RG is the obvious comparison to make nowadays, and I'm in agreement that while the RG is the more technically impressive kit, its aesthetic doesn't do it at all for me whereas this kit's does.
I imagine at the time of its release a more appropriate Bandai comparison - in terms of size, sculpt, cost, etc. - would have been either the older or newer High Grade kits. A quick search shows that, to my surprise, there are no such comparison videos. Do you happen to still have your HG Eva-01 and would be willing to make one? Either way, thanks for the review.
RG evangelion line is more based on rebuild of evangelion movies rather than original series/EoE plus let's don't forget that RG kits are meant to be a little different with more mechanical vibe as they are a representation of how they would look irl
For sure! So just saying that if the OG series is more to your taste aesthetically I think this one is nice!
First 🥇
This is trash compared to the RG
Ofcourse the rg is better. But this is actually kinda good if you compare it next to the old hg Eva 01 bandai made. The old hg is still kinda better though
Zaku please reply to my comment by the way I’m doing a diorama project with my live lance heaven and wing gundam zero and high grade barbatos