Moe Moe Z-cune
Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger is the unofficial entry into the Super Sentai series that also serves as a spoof/homage to the long-running series. The Moe Moe Z-cune, MMZ01, is a mysterious device that is given to Yumeria, Nobuo, and Mitsuki. This device allows this motley crew of misfits to become the Akibarangers.
With just about every entry in the proper Super Sentai series, Bandai has released various toys from the series including: the henshin (transformation) device, the communicator, and weapons for the series. Akibaranger, although not a numbered entry into the franchise, also saw the release of the amalgam henshin/weapon/ communicator device from the series, which is the Moe Moe Z-cune.
Moe Moe Z-cune is a 1/1 scale toy (it says so on the box).
MMZ comes packaged in gun form. It also comes with two stands to help display the gun. In gun form, the MoeMoe Z-cune acts as the Akibaranger’s main weapon.
This toy has a nice weight to it. My first thought when I took the MMZ out of its plastic trays was, “Man this thing has got some weight to it. I reckon that I could pistol-whip somebody pretty good with this thing, granted it would completely ruin the paint job on the gun.”
The trigger of the gun makes a transformation sounds when it is pressed for the first time after turning the toy on. After that it makes a firing sound until the gun is turned off and tuned back on again, in which case it will make the transformation sounds once again.
The other sounds that are made by pressing the trigger require pressing and holding down the button on the rear of the gun first to create a charge-up sound that is released when the trigger is pressed..
The rear button also makes the “incoming call” sound when pressed, but not held.
Check out the video review at the bottom of the page to listen in on the sounds of this figure!
The black part of the gun’s grip cleverly conceals the battery comparment for this gun, which is opened up by pressing the screw on the lower end, which unlucks the battery cover. All of the aformetnioned touches are a great step forward to making this a screen accurate toy, since there are no blatant on/off button with clearly labeled wording or symbols printed on the gun.
Unfortunately, from the top and bottom of the gun the seams are quite visible and detract from the look of the gun. I realize, however, that this is a necessary evil, as the gun has to transform into its other form.
The top, however, does not clasp shut all the way, leaving a bigger gap that I woud like.
Now it is my understanding that some of the CDX readers will probably not enjoy the other form of this toy. So contiue on if you want to check out some moe goodness!
The transformation between gun and figure form is pretty straightforward. Pop open the side panels of the gun. Pop up the barrel of the leg gun to make the feet the same size. Extend the other left leg out. Turn the hand around so it faces in forward and DONE!
The back of the box shows these simple instructions, although going from figure to gun form. This is how the process is show in the series as the Akibarangers begin with the MMZ in figure form, point the item forward, then yell ” Juu Mosou” as they pull the trigger of the gun, which makes the shell of the MMZ cover the figure. Thus, converting the MMZ into the gun form. Unlike some of the other Super Sentai toys, which have features that allow the transformation device to change, this one requires the transformation to be done manually. This is a little disspointing, since it would have been cool to have a spring-loaded MMZ that transformed into the gun at the pull of the trigger. I can see why Bandai did not include this feature on this particular toy, as it would probably result in a lot scraping of the paint.
In figure form, the MMZ also functions as a communication device. As mentioned earlier, the button on the back of the gun, in this case the top of the head, is the button that elicits the transmission sounds. The sounds are not specific to the form, so the transmission noise can be made in either gun or figure form. It seems weird to be communicating through a gun (not that talking to a Moe figure is much better, I suppose).
Aoi-tan is beautifully painted in all of her moe glory. I personally do not like the genre of anime that she represents, but I can truly appreciate a piece with a gorgeous paint app.
For some reason I really dug the translucent crytal that is embedded into Aoi-tans left leg. It just goes to show how much thought and care Bandai put into recreating this figure.
Now, the fit of the gun’s shell and the Aoi-tan figure inside is very close. As such, my figure has traded some paint with the gun.I suspect that I will not be transforming this toy very often, to preserve the paint as best I can.
There is some articulation with the Aoi-tan. The head moves thanks to a nice, clicky ratchet joint.The sight/arm also moves around about 320 degrees, which needs to face forward in order to allow the head to be moved. As mentioned earlier, the left leg can move toward and away from the othe leg when needed for the transforamtion process. The left hand can also rotate 360 degrees at the wrist which is required for transforming the Moe Moe Z-cune. In gun form, hand is stored with the back of the hand facing the figures leg, which makes it look like she broke it in a crazy accident.
As a bonus, the the base of star-shaped stand that was used to prop up this toy in gun form also serves as stand for Aoi-tan. The leg that is composed of the barrel of the gun simply pop into the peg on the stand.
The Moe Moe Z-cune is a great adult/collectible role-play toy from a great, unique and quirky series. It is interesting to see Bandai test the waters in the adult collector’s market by releasing a Super Sentai transformation device. If you love Akibaranger or weapons that transform into cute Moe girls, then you cannot go wrong with this aweseome figure from Bandai. The functionality of the sounds and the great design of this toy make it a pretty darn good replica /cosplay prop. Is there a Nobuo Akagi cosplay in my future? Could be!
Check out the video review if you would like to listen in on the sounds that this toy makes.