Billbine

Review by StarSaber

Aura Battler Billbine is the mid-season upgrade for Dunbine's hero Shou Zama, bestowed upon him by Ciela Lapana, Queen of Na, of the land of Byston Well. It's a powerful machine that can also transform into a flying Wing Caliber. This Robot Spirits figure is a superb rendition of the Billbine in every way.

The Billbine comes in a much larger box than the average Robot Spirits figure. Once it's out of the box all you have to do is attach the thrusters and the cannons to the back.

Along with hands to hold its weapons and two sets of splayed hands, the Billbine comes with its sword and sheath, rifle, and two effect parts; plus a Tamashii stand adapter.

Even for a Robot Spirits figure the Billbine looks incredible. Every last detail of this design has been rendered flawlessly.

Even the head looks regal and knightly.

The thrusters on the back of the legs can slide up and down.

The Tamashii stand adapter isn't so much an adapter as a slight extension. You don't need it for Aura Battler mode but it does help when it's transformed.

The articulation is excellent, especially at the knees. The toes are all double-jointed, and the forearm claws are individually movable. The arms can be twisted 360 degrees just above the wrist. The only possible limitations on range of motion are the thrusters.

The thrusters are attached onto a ball joint, which is on a tab that moves up and down for transformation. The cannons, too, can be moved freely, so long as the head fin doesn't get in the way.

The Billbine also features an opening cockpit, it just doesn't open very far. This feature makes a lot more sense here than it does on the Zwarth, as the cockpit block has to open for transformation anyway.

The weapons can all be stored via peg holes on the thrusters. First up is the standard Aura Sword.

The sword has an effect part that slides right onto it. I think it's my new favorite effect part ever, it's extremely cool.

The Billbine also has a rifle that turns into a beam sword. Both modes are faithfully replicated, just move the rifle stock and beam emitter and attach the effect part for the sword configuration.

Billbine is the only transforming Aura Battler, and so far as I recall one of the only Robot Spirits figures whose transformation feature was not omitted. There's no parts-swapping involved, unless you count removing the hands.

Wing Caliber mode also looks incredibly sharp. If this figure has any flaw, it's that it doesn't come with a stand despite having a flight mode.

The Robot Spirits Billbine surprised me in many good ways, I did not expect to like this figure nearly as much as I do. I'm looking forward to May's release of the Drumlo and reissue of the Dunbine even more now. I give my strongest possible recommendation for any and all robot enthusiasts to add one of these to their collection.