Continuing with the Magic Knights Rayearth models today completed and present the next model Windom, the Rune Spirit of Air. Piloted by Fuu Hououji. While personally was not my favorite character or mech from the series, still important to have as part of the complete set.
Review:
The model over all was a easy build over all, again came with a pre painted face and sword this time the model is mostly color accurate to the show, needing only the tips the fingers to be painted silver to be a hundred % accurate to its art. The kit does come with some silver stickers to put behind some of the gems which really helps them pop, however in this instance I did opt to just pain the areas silver instead while not a reflective as the foil still gives a good overall finish behind the gems still helping them catch the light. The build difficulty/time is on par with a HG 1/144 scale Gundam of simulator complexity, though it’s a 1/100 scale in total size.
The parts fit snuggly and easily together. With the joint again being all hard plastic with mostly smooth movement that hold in place well. That said their are a couple points that I think could have utilized better part design. The first is the base wing mounts they are hook and eye connections at the base of back so only offer side to side movement. I feel a ball and socket joint would have been better for a wider range of motion. The next part are the hip armor skirts. While they used a ball and socket at the waist, the connection to the armor was another hook and socket which made it awkward to get in to a position and I think needlessly restricted movement of the parts. Lastly the feet, much like with the Rune God, prior the feet are really restricted in the movement, mostly in the forward direction. Which makes it difficult to get to stand on its own with out making it lean forward awkwardly from the hips/waist to counter balance the wings in the back. Basically requiring a base for it to be upright in almost any pose. I think if the golden portion of the ankle was allowed to move even just up and down that would have helped. I expect similar with the remaining two models. That said as a saving grace, the head has much better range of then the Rune God, and all the other joints and points of motion are good and work very well.
The wind effects in this photo, are a separate kit that that you can get for about $9.00 from Good Smile Co. and and each of the three sections come in three parts with the assembly instructions on the back of the box. They where also easy to assemble, with snug fittings and have decent balance not tipping over too easily. And definitely add a nice look to Windom, so I am glad I picked them up and also got the ones for the remaining two. Sadly I couldn’t find similar for the rune god, but I think the translucent sword and angle wings make it sand out just fine.
In closing I still say the over all it’s definitely not a bad kit, and if a Rayearth fan and or a fan of the air spirit totally worth picking up if you can. I am going give it a 3.5 out of 5 mainly because it can’t stand on its own due to the feet issues. The model can get picked up directly from Good Smile Company’s website for about $30 plus shipping if it’s in stock still. Though I have seen other prices ranging all the way upward of $60 from third parties.
