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!!!