Having unfortunately not gotten a chance to pick up the Robot Damashii EVA-01 during its original run, I was ecstatic when I found out it was getting a reissue. I previously reviewed the Robot Damashii EVA-02 Beast Mode toy and absolutely loved it, so I wasn’t expecting anything less with this figure. Not only is the figure itself something to marvel at, but the amount of accessories are plentiful as well (only thing missing is a mini Shinji!) With some stores already selling out of the reissue, this is one you won’t want to sit on. (As always, click the pictures for larger versions, and watch the articulation videos in HD!)
EVA-01 includes two different heads (one normal, one berserker), and both are seem to be extremely screen accurate. While I would’ve preferred a single head with a hinged jaw, I can’t complain too much here. I guess two heads are better than one. The head plugs into the neck via a ball-joint, while the yellow neck structure is also able to be moved back and forth for extra articulation.
Unit-01′s two shoulder “flaps”, for lack of a better word, that hold the progressive knives are also movable, so you don’t have to worry about those getting in the way on any poses. The shoulders are very well articulation on a ball-joint with a built in hinge for lateral movement. The EVA’s shoulder/upper arm armor can also be rotated around the shoulder joint, which brings some more absolutely awesome detail.
The elbow joints are very well done for hinged movement, but they also have a swivel, and its something that I’ve used a ton when messing around with this figure. The hands plug into the wrists via a ball-joint and I’ve yet to have a problem putting them in any poses at all.
EVA-01 also uses the same large ball-joint in the torso that the other Robot Damashii EVAs use. I really can’t say enough about how awesome this particular point of articulation is. It’s subtle enough in the way it looks to come off as hidden and natural, but it does its job insanely well, providing for some great bending and twisting movement.
The hips are built a bit different that I actually though they’d be. I was expecting ball-joints, but instead it’s a construct that swivels for leg rotation, but also has a hinge for lateral movement. It’s not a bad thing as it works pretty damn well, I just think a ball-joint might have worked a little better (it also could provide a makeshift thigh swivel since this figure doesn’t have one in the legs, although the purple section of the thighs can rotate around the black for a bit of swivel movement.) Something to note though, my right hip on this figure is a bit stiff a squeaky, so I’m being careful until I can get some shock oil to fix it. Your mileage may vary, though.
The knees are absolutely awesome. They’re double-jointed and provide a huge range of movement, enough to bend the calve all the way back to touch the thigh. They feel very firm and sturdy, so I’m not expecting any random shelf-dives any time soon.
The ankles and feet are also very impressive. I was initially a bit worried that the green shin guards were going to get in the way of the movement, but I was happy to find out that they’re actually attached to something that gives them a bit of articulation to move along with the foot. Very nicely done by Bandai. Of course you get the standard back and forth movement with the foot, as well as toe articulation, but the ankle rocker joint is very nicely done. Instead of being a part of the normal ankle joint, it’s got its own swivel joint inside the ankle solely for this purpose.
Fuck. What can I say about the accessories? They’re awesome, and a lot more plentiful than I would’ve expected this figure to have. Not only are two Pallet Guns and Progressive Knives included (I’m not sure why two are included, as I think Shinji only uses one at a time?), but two different heads, some extra “horns” for the heads, plenty of hands (6 pairs, and 1 unique), an umbilical cable, and an awesome AT Field accessory are included.
I haven’t had any problems with any of the accessories yet, other than not knowing which to use at times! (Da dun cha… I’m sorry.) The umbilical cable is especially great, as it’s a sturdy metal wire lined with a rubber coating, so you can pose and twist it in any which way. It also is strong enough to act as a makeshift stand if for some reason you’re worried your EVA fall down backwards.
Overall, this is one of the best toys I’ve bought in a long time. I’m not sure if part of that reasoning is due to me being a huge Evangelion fan or not (but who isn’t?) I think this toy embodies the Evangelion’s fluidity and movement almost perfectly, and Bandai really impressed me with this one. The awesome accessories only complement the great figure (dat AT field), and I can’t wait for future RD EVA releases. BUY IT!
HLJ is currently sold out, but get your preorder in from BigBadToyStore!
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Cool review
Thanks, Doc!
Pretty sure there IS a thigh swivel on these. I'll grab mine to confirm..
impressive is not the word i would use. i would call this perfect. i was able to get the first run, and i do see a difference. the paint is not lined up perfectly, but its still one hell of a figure; the rolls royce of super-articulated figures. great review!
I think I'd have to agree!
Really wish Bandai did some more Evangelion stuff in the RD line.
Thanks!
..and yet they dont. there is so much source material to choose from like angels- and nothing. if anything, i hope the new movie figures are NOT made. they simply look ridiculous. i beleive the reason the inital Eva series hits is because of its originality and simplicity.
How tall is it compared to a Super Robot Chogokin figure like Dai-Guard?
I would imagine for the average SRC, it should be slightly taller or close to the same when standing straight up. I'll get some pictures up soon!
Nice review! I’m hoping to get Unit 01, 02 and 03, and I’ve already ordered Unit 00. I do wish that they’d release the Evangelions with their original colours and proportions though (I know, I’m a luddite).
By the way, have you seen the Soul of Chogokin SPEC Evangelions? From what I’ve seen they are THE best Evangelion figures available, period. They’re crazy expensive and hard to find though.
Yup, I've got a unit 00 SPEC and it is absolutely awesome! I want to order a few more as soon as I can.
I'm actually in the process of writing an Evangelion toy guide comparing everything from the Robot Damashii figures to the SPEC ones, so if you're interested then stay tuned!
Just placing a tip here for squeaky hips. The hips connect via a ball joint (though it only acts like a swivel) within the black ribber hip cover. Just pull out the thigh and you can apply shock oil. Use very very little and apply it around the sides of the inside of the socket. SInce the ball only acts and a swivel you can't rotate it around to spread the oil, so don't put it in the middle. Squeaking gone!