Phone Braver Seven MODEL KIT (Bandai / Ling Dong)

Sidenote: WOW! it's exactly one year since I started my blog.. Unto the review.. :)

Here's another look at "SEVEN", this time in model kit form.. I usually build Gundam kits, each with corresponding grade and scale.. But I have no clue nor whatsoever on which category this belongs to.. So why bother getting all five kits? Simple, It's D@MN CHEAP!! like I just stole something from them .. hehehe

PACKAGE:

P40 ($1)???!!!  give me a break!! 

I thought this was just a miniaturized version of the earlier "SEVEN" I reviewed before.. The box is similar with other "Candy Toys" which made me excited.. This means it can be a model kit, so I further inspect the box for evidence.. The sales agent was kind enough to let me see what's inside.. And to my delight, it was a model kit!! YAY!!!! :D :D :D

CONTENT:

The kit comes with four plastic runners, sticker and cardboard manual.. The plastics are sturdy which is good.. Stickers has good adhesive.. And the manual is printed inside the box.. Very typical for a bandai entry kit..

BOT / PHONE:

Without any linings or stickers it looks cheap.. Plus the fact the mold color is not even accurate with the real phone.. Disappointed but understandable, since model kits are intended to be painted by hobbyist.. If only I have the privilege of free time to do so.. How I miss idle time!! hehehe

ARTICULATION????

I love toys with fantastic articulations.. It gives you freedom on how you're going to pose your toys depending on your mood.. But here I decided to skip on it for two reasons: 

1.  It's basically the same with it's bigger pre-assembled figure.

2.  Being a model kit - it usually depends on it's friction held joints for posing.. Making it impossible for you to pose it without using a support stand.  

GIMMICK:

One of it's cool gimmick is the ability for you to switch it's screen from robot to phone mode.. This is something that I wish the pre-assembled toy comes with.. 

CONCLUSION:

This kit has its flaws.. But for something so cheap you really can't gripe about it.. Unfortunately, after you build the kit, the fun part ends there.. I haven't tried putting the upgrade part but I can already imagine the weight issues and awkward posses it will bring..

If you happen to choose only one figure to represent "Seven" on your collection.. Get the pre-assembled one.. It's bigger, has better plastic mold and far better on executing dynamic posses.. 

This one not much.. It's only saving grace is that it's a model kit at super cheap price.. :( tsk!

Cheers!!!

Phone Braver 7 (Bandai - Ling Dong)

I have zero knowledge when I bought this.. The only logical reason I have that time was "It's a transforming robot phone at uber cheap price made by BANDAI!!".. But who the heck is Ling Dong??!!! 

I'm thinking it could be a knockoff using Bandai's name to persuade people on buying it.. But despite the fear of me wasting my resources on something I'm not familiar - both toy and brand name.. I gave it a chance by putting my faith on the Bandai logo.. Unto the review!!

PACKAGE:

Front Box

Back Box

One of the reasons why it gave me the confidence to buy this is because of the quality of the packaging.. Sounds weird but true.. The whole box is sturdy, shiny and vibrant.. Giving this legit feel like other toy brands..

Contents

Inside the see thru box is the actual toy which is sandwhiched by two plastic clamshell, manual and a cd.. On what the CD's content I do not know.. 

PHONE MODE:

Front

If I'm not mistaken, this phone was based on a Toshiba Clamshell release in Japan somewhere around 2008.. 

Front Open

And after flipping the phone open, you're greeted with it's grinning face..  

Side Open

And on the side, you can see hinges for it's robot arms and legs.. 

Back

All the robot junk is hidden at it's back.. Making the whole toy awkward to handle.. It's chunky and bulky..

Size Comparison with an 6 incher android phone

Here's a good look on how bulky the phone is.. I tried putting it in on my jeans and it feels so D@MN shitty.. It's like someone shove a brick on your pocket..

ROBOT MODE:

Front

Back

Bot mode with OP

and bee...

After unfolding all it's arms and legs, you'll end up with very tall and skinny robot phone.. Transformation is mostly twisting and turning of different joints all over it's body.. Nothing special really..

ARTICULATION:

I'm about to throw this on my usual toy plastic crate when I decided to mess with it's numerous POAs (Point of articulation).. I was surprised on how articulated this phone is.. I just wish it has a way for you to have it's face look on either side for a more silly poses.. 

And when I thought the fun is over, I noticed on the packaging the red and blue phones.. I quickly went back and bought it after learning what it can do with phone braver 7.. More detail soon.. :)

CONCLUSION:

After doing some little research on what Ling Dong is (it's a big retailer company based in China).. I say I got more what I paid for on this toy.. Seriously, for only P100 ($2.50) you're getting a great novelty item for your collection.. Not to mention it's LEGIT!! 

I don't know how abundant or readily available this on other Toy R us and Toy Kingdom branch.. But if you happen to pass by on one of them, spare some P100 and get this.. :)  CHEERS!!!

Fall Of Cybertron:  Optimus Prime

I have no plans nor whatsoever on picking this one.. I didn't like it's simplistic transformation, limb proportions and size.. I judged too early by basing my decisions on pictures and videos I saw online..

But  I was wrong - and it never felt better to be proven wrong.  This figure is awesome in every good and bad way..

This figure is small, hollow and simplistic.. But the thing is - It Works!

It's kinda weird in a sense that it's weakness are his strong point.. let me enumerate it this way:

Pro's of the Con's:

1.  The figure is small                 - But it makes a compact Alternate and Robot mode
2.  It's hollow                            - And yet the toy is sturdy and solid
3.  Simplistic Transformation      - But the process is fun and super enjoyable
4.  No weapon gimmick            - But offers you great articulation, worthy to be marketed as it's gimmick


ALTERNATE MODE:

When I first saw this, the first thing came in my mind was "Titanium  War Within Optimus Prime"..  But unlike it's infamous counterpart, this one so much better in every way..

Yes, length wise it is small.. But the height of the alt mode makes up for it.. Was about to gripe about it until I took these pictures and realize it.. ;)

It has paint detailing on it's shoulders, rims, windows, elbows, shins, and knee cap.. And with all the fantastic grooves this figure has, it's only natural for me to take advantage of it by lining them with a hobby pen to bring those lost details back to life..


ROBOT MODE:

The trick to appreciate the proportion of the bot mode is to get the proper stance..  This is one of the common issues I have with the photos I saw online, making FOC prime look short and squish..

Unfortunately, the back part is hollow specially on the legs.. I know hasbro is trying to make a way to keep the price point low, but a little plastic panel to cover the legs doesn't hurt much..   

And the only accessories comes with the package.. A weird and somewhat hollowed gun..

And it stores at the back of FOC prime or on top of the alt mode..

ARTICULATION:

This is where the figure shines.. Thanks to it's well balanced POA's, you can have FOC prime in almost every position you want.. Standing pose, ground pose, launching pose - you name it!

 Gotta be one of the best prime head mold out there..

How many transforming primes can effectively do this?!  Even my well articulated gundams have issues doing the flying kick stand, but not FOC prime.. :)

CONCLUSION:

The package doesn't give you much when it comes to accessories and transforming gimmicks.. But makes up with great articulation and playability..  Also, take advantage of all the fantastic grooves and panel linings to bring out the details of the figures..  

Overall, this figure surprised me! And i'm very glad I was wrong on my early assessment because this toy is pure fun.. It is still not hard to get one so make sure to grab it while you still can.. CHEERS!!!