Eva Test Type - 01 New Movie Edition

Review by Wallas

Revoltech was always one the toylines that would give Neon Genesis Evangelion some quality time, being probably just one of the very few series that released every Eva Unit variant possible. So it's not surprising that since release of the first part of Rebuild of Evangelion we already got more than 10 new Eva toys (counting the exclusives and miniRevoltechs) from master Yamaguchi, including five/six from Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance.

As it happens, I'm in possession of three of these and will review them here on CDX one after the other. And the only logical way to start the cycle is to take on the uber-popular Eva Unit-01 “Test Type” in her new Evangelion 2.0, "New Movie Edition" form.

Why did Kaiyodo release a new version, anyway? Umm, money, perhaps? Seriously though, I have no idea, I haven't watched Rebuild yet. Not that it's going to stop me from going on, it'll just mean lesser amount of anime references. OK, enough of this banter, here we go!

The box is your standard Revoltech Yamaguchi 3.0 packaging, more display-oriented than the previous layouts. Go check the gallery for it's back and side shots.

FIGURE

This is my first Eva 01, as I just wanted to have a representation of this twisted mecha on my shelf... And this version suits my needs just perfectly. It's slim, has a very dynamic shape and colour pattern. Looks fantastic. Not to mention that even while Revoltech joints are visible, they match the design very well due to being placed where the original gaps in the violet armout occur anyway. Moreover, this thing is far more detailed than I expected, but we'll come to that. Until then, enjoy the view :)

Hunchback Unit 01... Eva CAN stand straight, but I think being bowed a bit fits this robot's climate a lot more. And yes, say goodbye to the unit's designations written on the forearms... then again, will anyone notice their absence or miss them on this 14cm action-packed toy? I didn't.

The head is great. I like the sculpt, but I also admire the fact that it's mounted on two Revo joints that actually match the colour of the neck, which wasn't that obvious in some earlier Kaiyodo releases.

And this time, Berserk fans will be happy to see that the jaw opens up, revealing an inner set of red teeth. Yays, I say.

More looking at 01 in detail, but I'd actually like to discuss some modifications done to the joint system since previous generation of Revo Evangelions. OK, I admit, the hips joints look pretty much the same, meaning Evas have a large degree of leg movement... except from bending straight forward, backward and side. Yeah, the one thing that the Robot Soul Bandai offers can do... then again, there are very few poses that actually require that kind of movement, not to mention, all Robot Soul Evas looks as if someone applied a Super Crotch Kick to them. Yeah, that is one ugly crotch area right there... But I'm offtopicing. Another big difference from previous 01 figure is the hand mounting. Previously hands were connected to the arms via small Revo joints. Now it is replaced with simple plug with diagonal swivel. I can kind of understand the decision. Revo joints, as cool as they are in general, are a huge problem to handle when they connect the hands (I know, because my Gurren Lagann is a pain in that departament)and the result is not always that rewarding. Plus, as this toy shows well enough, swivels do take a lot less space in the overall. Moving on.

The details in the chest area are amazing for my taste.

The legs are pretty much the same as in the previous version, but going a bit Microman-style, Yamaguchi added poseable toes to this Eva. A nice addition, though you won't really notice its usefulness unless you use a stand or are a genius at balancing the figure.

Probably the biggest mod this toy received was a new way to connect the binders (arm pieces) to the arms. In all previous releases these were attached directly to the upper arms. Now, they are mounted on a swivel protruding from the sides of the back and move independetly of the arms, going up and down as well as sligtly tilting to the sides.

How does it affect the poseability? It prevents the arm from going straight backward, but otherwise I didn't find it very immobilising. The upside is definitely that it makes the binders easily swappable and so it'll probably spawn a lot of accesories designed for these spots.

Ok, we talked enough about the figure itself, now it's time for the gadgets that come along!

ACCESSORIES

This set is loaded with additional parts, weapons and gadgets and I didn't even try to count them, but it's obviously over the 25-piece value. And we're going to take a closer look on these, omitting only the standard catalogue which you can see on the right.

First off, we have 11 extra hands. 3 for holding weapons, 7 variously spread, 1 in stab setting and one looking like Eva is going for some bowling. Add a pair of closed fists that are currently on the toy and we have 13 hands in total. Compared to early Revoltech releases like Giant Robo this is simply huge.

Now this is interesting. Two progressive knives and two new binders modified to simulate their deployment. They are very nice looking and the knives attach to the binders via small holes at the top of the blades. Still, these are obviously designed for Eva 02. Usually the newer releases had accessories for older, not the other way around, but both Units were released at the same time and 02 was already packed like hell. And I don't mind since I have this unit as well.

The Revocontainer is a new idea that helps you keep the smaller parts like hands in one place, even having five ports to attach them at the cover. I was surprised by the touches carved into it and it requires specific light source and angle to truly appreciate them. Go figure the extra pictures I did to show them ;)

The Revecoin is a weird and completely unpractical bonus for anyone living outside Japan. You get one (worth 10 points each piece) with each new Revoltech and if you get enough, you can trade them for several gifts, from maintenance packs to full figures. Only in Japan, har har har...

The stand is the same old stand most Revoltech toys enjoy, although starting from this very toy they have an additional extension to support the aerial (and not only them) poses in a better way.

Now, this is what boys (and some girls) like the most: weapons! In this edition, Eva is equipped with a standard Eva rifle, a custom progressive knife and two anti-angel swords that simulate daisho in giant robot scale. All well detailed, I guess the swords are my favourite since they give Eva 01 a great close-combat edge and simply look fantastic when equipped. It's worth noting that the gun fits only into one specific hand, forcing Eva always to hold it with the right hand.

The "umbilical cable" power cord is a nice piece, with the cord made of wire covered in rubber. This makes it bend in whatever way you like it, but I don't think I'll even bother to straighten it, I just don't use it, plus, I have no idea when would it show mechanical stress.

Ok, this is interesting. Early Revoltech 3.0 releases had a bonus added. And what treasure hide inside this black plastic bag?

Yes! It's the Assemble Borg promo figure! In simple words, the way I see it this is Kaiyodo's attempt to claim Microman's market with figures designed in similar fashion, only using small Revo joints and being customizable via part swapping. So the threw a simple sample into several Revoltechs. How simple, you ask? Lets just say that only TWO joints work and the others are fakes. This makes the toy useless as anything else than cannon fodder. Ok, you can swap the joints (I think this was the point with these things here), but it's hard and annoying since these things are fragile. Oh, and no, they do not work with Revoltech stands. Yaay!

Now that the accessories are all discussed, there's just one thing left to do today.

NEON GENESIS ACTION!

Surprisingly, Eva can reach out to it's umbilical cable and even grab it. Nice, considering how the binder mount makes it difficult.

Aaa! A Zoro Roronoa copycat!

As you can see, this baby can do a lot. Actually, I found only two small issues with the poseability until now. 1. The hip joints tend to get loose, so securing some poses might be a problem after some time. Plugging the stand in is advisable unless you are 100% sure of the balance matter. 2. Some hands pop off way too easy, especially the rifle- holding one. Maybe coating it in super glue will solve this, but since I always stuff Evas arms with the swords and their respective hands, I can live with that. How about you?

Of course, every good reviews needs comparisons. Sorry for no Glyos or Yotsuba yet ^^ I can fix that later, but these guys do the size job equally well. First, my favourite samurai toy (that is, until I assemble my Astray Red Frame Kai model kit, heee) Microman Acromuzan.

As well as Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime from TF Animated.

Time for a round up. I like this toy. Visually it's fantastic and I like the choice of accessories. Not perfect, due to tightness of hip and wrist joints, but otherwise I'm rather impressed with this set. If you were considering whether to buy this Revoltech or not, I'd say go for it. It's a nice action figure and has excellent value as a display piece. Me recommend :)