#digimon x-evolution

Digimon's biggest flaw is often that it is cheap. Anyone could tell you that. Hell as a stupid kid I knew that. X evolution isn't any more expensive however because they are using models the characters can emote and move far better. There's hardly a scene where characters are JUST standing and talking. Sure like all digimon series it's a lot of standing around and talking but while they're standing there they are moving they are emoting. It feels like one of the only times Digimon truly takes advantage of the fact it is animated. Characters move their arms to their words, bristle, step forward to intimidate.

I genuinely think they should try again with CGI. Maybe make a whole cgi series. Or do the code lyoko thing where the digital world is CGI and the real one isn't. I think it would give them a lot of freedom within their budget. And make it where they wouldn't have to reuse as much animation.

Figure-Rise Amplified Alphamon

When this Alphamon was announced I remember thinking how they had somewhat forced popularity. Given their own movie, placed opposite to Omegamon, pushed heavily in marketing. I began to question if they even had a personality at all... And then I thought some more. Even if it focused more on its prevolutions, X-Evolution was all about Alphamon, they were a very intimidating villain in Tri (with no payoff, but whatever, Tri sucks), has several manga appearances, and is technically one of the main characters in Cyber Slueth. There are plenty of interesting interpretations of this character, even if their initial pitch was forced upon us.

The Good: Despite the proportions, Alphamon is quite posable. Full range in the arms and legs, decent range in the torso and neck, and an articulated cape and wings. They also come with an effect part to replicate “Digitalize of Soul,” and their sword is a large, single piece that uses raised gem stickers to finish the look. It was a very fun kit to put together.

The Bad: Alphamon has poor balance. While it’s possible to tripod them on their cape, it causes it to bend if you do, which is why mine is always on a stand. The plastic was also strangely flaky. I felt like washing my hands every time I clipped the black plastic because there was always bits of debris on them.

Also, he reuses parts from both Dukemon and Omegamon, but only, like, five pieces per runner? Which begs the question as to why they didn’t just make a single new sprew, at least for the weight bearing parts? I really want to know how much money was saved by doing this.

The Details: For the most part it was just metallic red panel lining to replicate the Children’s War Game look of the rest of the kits I’ve done. I also painted parts of the chest and the back of the head gold, panel lined the mouth black, and painted in the eyes. Since he’s mostly black, there wasn’t much else to be done when it comes to things like fill :/

Overall, a fun kit with some production weirdnesses, but nothing that impacts the final product. The next announced kit is an anime-accurate Angemon, which looks interesting. They also announced an S.H.Figuarts Angewomon, which isn’t my scene, but I might be tempted if it matches Angemon in size. We’re at the point where I’m beyond guessing what they’re going to do next, but Susanoomon, ShineGreymon, or Shoutmon X4 would all be cool, IMO.