Auge

Thanks to HobbyLink Japan for sending out a sample.

http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN989608/Act

Auge (pronounced Oh-gee) is one of the main baddie mecha from the 1984 anime Heavy Metal L-Gaim. It’s been years since I saw the anime so I don’t recall who it was even piloted by.

Previously, the only other toy of this (outside of model kits) was the 1/144 High Complete Model version (which was one of the HCMs that wasn’t reissued when the line made a comeback in the 2000’s). Now released as a Robot Damashii, standing six inches tall, this toy definitely has presence with its striking gold and brown color scheme which compliment each other nicely. Along with that is an awesome looking design that’s a cross between a knight and an insect.

Accessory lay out is small but acceptable. You get four pairs of hands (five right, three left), four regular beam saber hilts, one double beam saber hilt, two long beams, two short beams, a different groin cover for use with the buster launcher, and a stand clip.

While the head is quite intimidating looking with its red visor, the articulation is limited due to the tubes that connect from the head to the bottom of the neck.

The torso, however, has excellent articulation. The chest can curl up and down and the waist can turn 360 degrees. The shoulders are decent but the arms can’t go all the way to the side, unlike what they did with the L-Gaim Mk..II. I love how the BIG shoulder armor can raise up for a firing pose.

The elbows can bend 90 degrees and the forearm can make it bend further, but it’s still not as good as a double jointed would have been due to the limitations of the design. The hips have full motion (the hip joint can be pulled down further for more natural poses). The knees have excellent range even with the cables at the back of the knees (which were always an issue on older L-Gaim figures).

The feet are able to point directly down along with the ankles. This is mainly due to the benefits of its original design. The back of the legs have a panel that’s able to open to show the internal bits, along with pistons that I believe can move but not by much. You have to move the pylons manually to hold up the leg panel.

Weapon layout is nice. It has four hilts with short and long beams and a hilt for double beam saber action.

A decade and a half before Darth Maul, Auge was wielding a double saber.

It’s the same size as the L-Gaim Mk..II and the two go nicely together since they’re huge in comparison to most other Robot Damashii.

Also neat is you can use the Buster Launcher with the Auge (what that replacement groin cover is for). Oddly, it’s able to hold it with ease much better than even the L-Gaim Mk.II can.

Overall while there’s a few limitations due to the design, it’s still a well constructed figure that will look lovely in your collection.