ChoRyuJin

[ChoRyuJin is] the Symmetrical-Docked form of HyoRyu and EnRyu, formed when their SympaRate, a measure of their synchronization and unity of purpose, reaches 100%. ChoRyuJin is a defensive specialist with his Mirror Coating Chest-plate (which he uses at the risk of his life) and ability to use the Eraser Head tool. He also possesses HyoRyu and EnRyu’s Gun, Rifle, and Tonfa attacks, usually used in “Double” form firing from both sides at once. He can also fire both guns and both rifles at once for a full-burst-style attack. After the initial Primeval attack, ChoRyuJin is retrofitted with the ability to fire Ul-Tech beams in place of heat or cold, which appear similar to most beam weapons in anime.
(Wikipedia, 2012).

Super Robot Chogokin ChoRyuJin comes to CDX from Hobby Link Japan.

It comes in the typical packaging of the SRC line.

The major gimmick is the anime-accurate separating halves that form the whole robot. Combine, snap on the head, chest shield which helps hold the halves together, and the hip ladders and you are good to go.

The hips do a ten degree angle both ways, the shoulders tilt up, and the forearms spin 360 degrees. Do note the space between the pelvis area and how awkward the hip plates move.

You can take off the hands (best to pry sideways and keep the square peg in the arm to switch). Handles on the ladders give them a sword or baton look.

The pictures and poses look cool, but it is such a pain. The fists come off way too easily and the ladders are floppy and unwieldy.

The “Eraser Head tool” is aptly named. It is, to quote a friend, “a hot mess!”
ChoRyuJin has a system to help hold the tool at chest level by taking out the peg and adding a hand with a slot, and a white stand to help support it. I tried posing it for ten minutes and something kept popping out or falling down. I tried it sans chest, with the small chest and medium chest… nadda for ease and stability. To top off the poor design is a warped angle when you add the tabbed extension.

The ladders come with extensions and a large shield to put on the end.

The extended shield options seemed to put stress on the waist, causing my pelvis to split and needing to be pushed back together between poses. It also comes with a “stage” top, BUT no base included to use it.

Another stand top that attaches to his back and again requires a separate base. Took a picture next to the Eraser stand to show it would not work (thought maybe that was an option).

It balances OK (on one leg it soon fell), and you can use the ladders to create all kinds of looks, but they look awkward in static poses.

My ChoRyuJin’s chest shield(s) would snap in well, but as soon as you started posing the figure, the angle of the truck heads would pry off and/or loosen the shield (note: happened to both, even though I had hoped with the small shield it would not be an issue).

Doing this review was not fun at all. I expect difficult posing and things popping off when I buy SOC items. It is the trade off for the wonderful detailing and accuracy. My other Super Robot Chogokin had insane posabilty, easy to use accessories, and easy to swap fists.

I have done reviews of other toys that were just as touchy, but I expect that and get the payoff in the looks (see Fewture Shin getter). From a Super Robot Chogokin, I expected a fun toy and apologize if I did a vanilla first review because of its tediousness.

If you’re a big fan, grab it. You will see the positives not the negatives. As a member of the Super Robot Chogokin line I say ‘pass’. It goes for around 35 dollars plus shipping and this Super Robot Chogokin ChoRyuJin comes from HLJ.

To err is human and to forgive divine.

List of The King of Braves GaoGaiGar protagonists (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 05, 2012 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_King_of_Braves_GaoGaiGar_protagonists