AV-98 Ingram
The Robot Spirits AV-98 Ingram is the most recent version of the main mech from Mobile Police Patlabor. The iteration is of Unit 1, affectionately known as “Alphonse” by its pilot Noa Izumi.
Get your Robot Spirits Ingram at HobbyLink Japan
The toy comes in your average Robot Spirits box, nothing to see here.
Inside, you get the figure, command car, and a host of accessories. The only assembly required out of the box is the antenna assembly on the neck. Otherwise the Ingram is ready to go.
I’ve owned a lot of different iterations of the Ingram design over the years. Bandai, CM’s, Kaiyodo and even Yamato. All have had their pluses and minuses, but I have to say this version is the best “affordable” version of the design.
As a robot spirits release, the toy is made of rigid plastics with firm joints and fine details. I haven’t compared it to the line art for accuracy but it seems like a pretty great likeness.
Articulation is top-notch as it is with most Robot Spirits. The Ingram features extra shoulder articulation that allows the arms to swing forward for holding the weapon in both hands.
The head is on a ball joint, and below it two fake hydraulic pistons. If you over extend the head you can see where the pistons end.
There’s an alternate faceplate that replicates the blast shield. The head has to be partially disassembled to replace it
On the side of the neck is the small antenna assembly, which needs to be attached out of the box. An extra set of antenna are included, probably in case of breakage or loss.
The torso has an ab crunch on a ball joint. It can bend and swivel in all directions.
The hips are interesting in that they only swivel back and forth. Its in the thigh joint that the rotation and outward motion occurs. This makes for some interesting posing abilities.
The knees have collapsing panels on the back of the legs that allow full motion. The feet are on ball joints with an extra joint in the toes.
On the arm you can place the shield with one of two different attachment points. The first has a mock handle for the Anti-Labor Stun Stick. This one is just for show and not removable.
The second connector has a groove to insert the actual stun stick, albeit only with a short tip.
Once the stick has been removed you can replace the tip with the longer baton. It can be held with either of the weapon holding hands.
One of the signature features of any Ingram is the ability to retrieve it’s revolver from the compartment on the leg. This feature is represented here with some parts swapping.
The right leg panel opens and reveals a depression that the revolver fits in.
In lieu of an extending arm, Bandai has included a replacement arm part that simulates the extension. A special tool is included to remove the existing arm peg and then the extension is plugged in.
There is a hand specifically designed to hold the revolver. The extending shoulders allow the weapon to be held with both hands.
The small tab on the back of the Ingram is removable, and can be replaced with an adaptor for use with the Tamashii stand system.
Also included in the set is an in-scale Command Car. This all plastic vehicle rolls freely on plastic wheels. The two antenna on the back need to be added, and an additional set is included. It’s a nice addition, but not the first time this car has been made available in this scale. Previously CM’s and Bandai both made versions.
Overall, it’s a great set, and one of the nicer renditions of the Ingram made. It’s certainly the nicest version for the price point.