Drossel

When the Figma Drossel came out, it took the otaku world by storm. Everyone had to have one. No doubt Bandai noticed this and said: “We have to make one!” Well, the Figma version is a great toy in its own right, so how could Bandai make it better? Easy, make it bigger, and make it METAL.

Thus, we have the Chogokin Drossel. Despite being a Chogokin, it has no Chogokin series number. It just… is.

This figure arrives courtesy of HobbyLink Japan.

The box is nice enough, featuring a die-cut window that reveals some of the parts inside. The inside back panel has a rendering of Drossel’s caretaker, Gedächtnis. Oh, how I wish they would make a Chogokin of him.

Pull out the clear plastic tray, and you also pull out the Styrofoam tray featuring the diecast body of Drossel. It’s packaged just like a Soul of Chogokin, and it pretty much is an SOC, except for the subject matter. Drossel stands 180mm tall.

When you first unwrap Drossel, you are taken back about how much metal is in this thing. It’s heavy, with most of the legs being metal as well as the arms, and no doubt a fair amount of internal diecast. The head, torso, and waist are all plastic.

Drossel comes with three heads, representing the different ways she appears in the Fireball animated shorts.

The default head comes with two articulated hair parts. These parts are solid plastic with precision tampo printing.

They attach to the head with snap-in ball joints.

This head holds a secret. You can pry off the front face panel to reveal an alcove with a black switch.

Flick the switch and her eyes light up, blazingly bright. Seriously, do not look directly into these eyes, you will go blind. The batteries are replaceable, and are accessed behind the switch area. The light-up eyes are a great effect, but it is unfortunate that you have to remove the faceplate to access the switch.

The second head is the flight unit “Obruchev”. In the show this first looks like just a big headdress, but then out pop wings and engines.

Well, Bandai has kind of replicated the effect with this head. With none of the accessories attached, you can collapse the side panels. Pressing the center panel on the back makes them pop out.

You can then attach the two jet engines and four wings. Each wing is keyed to only go on a certain way. Unfortunately, this head does not light up.

The third head is one replicating a music player, or headphones called “Belinda”. This head does nothing except look cool. Those thin straps are both clear and flexible. This too does not light up.

A multitude of variant hands are included: my favorite is the metal horns. Although not used that way in the show, that’s what they are.

Finally, Drossel includes a stand designed to look like a section of the floor of the palace the series takes place in. There is one peg, which inserts into her foot, allowing a few more dynamic poses.

Overall this is a great piece, but I think the deciding factor comes down to the character. If you love Drossel, this is THE Drossel to own. The Figma one is fine, but this is better. Super Robot or Chogokin fans may be put off by the cuteness or girlyness of it, but really, would this character be out of place in Robocon or any other kids show?

Chogokin Drossel is available at HobbyLink Japan.