Bandai Hobby HG #04 EVA-01 Test Type Evangelion Model Kit

First, the short version: This kit is fantastic. If you want a Unit-01 model kit, this is the one - there are differences between this (Rebuild 2.0) version and the Rebuild 1.0 kit; but in fact aside from 1.0's big gun, they're more like additions to this version than changes between the two (I'll explain below). If you're choosing between the two at a similar price, I'd highly recommend this one.Now the longer version. I've had this kit in-hand for about 5 days now, and it has not ceased to impress me for a second. The building experience is engaging but not too tough, and the instructions are quite clear and easy to interpret. (Some of the symbols used can be a bit confusing at first, since their explanations are written in Japanese like the rest of the instructions, but they're simple to decipher with a moment or two of thought and some context clues.)And the finished product is... really, it's almost indescribable. It looks spectacular in every pose and from every angle - visually, I can't find a single flaw with this thing. I'm not at all confident in my painting abilities so I stuck with the unpainted plastic colors and the supplied stickers, but the plastic separation is so impressive that it absolutely doesn't need paint for me to feel satisfied. The stickers seem to be good quality and don't look or feel like they're in danger of peeling off; regardless, if one's a confident painter I'd recommend that over using the stickers, just for peace of mind.The articulation is, for the most part, quite good - I was especially impressed by the range of the neck and torso movement - but there are a few snags. The hips tend to run into the lower-torso/crotch armor (seemingly moreso on the 1.0 version than the 2.0, I promise I'll get to that ;) ), so they needs to spread a bit to move much further forward than about 90 degrees. And of course the major note about all these Bandai kits: the arms articulate a little strangely because of the rubber outer layer (giving them very organic-looking elbows, a nice touch). Even though the elbows only really have two positions - bent about 10-15 and 75-80 degrees, respectively - that they snap between, and the shoulders' outward movement is a bit restricted for unrelated reasons, I still don't find it that bothersome. I've not yet found a single pose I'd want this kit to do that it can't pull off, even if it does occasionally take a bit of creativity and patience to get there.And now, something I haven't seen mentioned by anyone else, and the subject of some occasional (frankly unnecessary) foreshadowing earlier in my review. While I don't actually have the Rebuild 1.0 version of Unit-01 to confirm for certain, it would appear that the updated parts in this kit were changed, not by replacing the previous versions in their sprues, but by adding the updated parts to a new sprue. This means that (with the exception of the big Gatling gun, and I think the clear parts to go over the hexagonal shoulders), should you so desire, you can use this kit to build the 1.0 version of the kit instead. That's right, you can CHOOSE WHICH VERSION YOU WANT TO MAKE - or, if you're like me, you can mix-and-match a few parts to get the look you want. (I personally like the look of the older forearm-fins, and the jury's still out on which set of torso plates I prefer.) The only obstacle to fully constructing the 1.0 version using this kit, as far as I can tell, is that the clear parts for the hexagonal-design shoulders (and the stickers to go under them) aren't present so you'll probably prefer to stick with the 2.0 version's shoulders regardless.(Plus as if all that wasn't enough, it also comes with what I assume is another holdover from a different version of the kit: alternate face and scalp parts to give her the freaky wide Berserk/Awakened eyes, as seen in Episode 19 and/or Rebuild 2.0! They will need painting as there's no accompanying sticker, but yet again the option is there if you want it.)Whether intentional or not, those spare parts are really what seals the deal for me. If you can't decide which version of the Rebuild kits to buy just from looking at the stock images (let's be honest, they're not the best for picking out differences) and the two kits are similar in price - they were when I bought mine, but not so much at the time of writing - then get this version, no doubts about it. And if you're trying to decide whether to get one of these kits at all: do it. For the price they are ($40-50US, give or take a bit), you will not regret it. Simply holding this thing, complete, in my hands was enough to spur me into buying the other two Units on the same day as I received this one. I have no complaints, and if you're a model-builder (aspiring or veteran) with a love for Evangelion, I'd be willing to bet that you won't either.

The EVA-01 Test Type is a model kit, so it needs to be assembled. I just did a snap build of this kit, and these are what I noticed:- The green parts glow under a blacklight! I'll be painting all of the parts except the green parts, just because of that amazing blacklight effect.- Some parts are not molded in the right color. For example, the chest armor comes as a solid gray piece, so you need to paint in the red details. You can put use the provided stickers on some areas like the shoulders, but some parts actually need to be painted to become anime accurate.- The AT Field accessory is awesome. The EVA can hold up an AT Field, which makes it look more menacing. Also check out the AT Field under a blacklight for a cool effect.- The EVA-01 has some difficulty standing up, which makes sense given how tall and skinny it is. You might want to consider buying an Action Base if you're going to display it; the EVA has way better posability when suspended in mid-air.It's a great MODEL KIT. Keep in mind I emphasized "model kit", because it's not a toy, and it requires some work to look good. There are plenty of EVA-01 toys and figures out there if you just want the finished product, but some people like me prefer the challenge of building something.

Looks great. Incredible range of motion/articulation. Certain pieces do fall out quite easily. Consider gluing the finger and palm pieces together. Absolutely worth the price.

Details are pretty accurate, even has movable parts that eject the pilot pod. Plastic quality is o.k. Colors look a little flat. I used some wash to emphasize some of the details and make a little weathering, added a coat of glow paint, looks amazing now. Shipping was fast, price was a little higher than I like. Recommended for beginner model hobbyists.

This is the most anime accurate Bandai Hobby Eva there is! (As in little needed to be done to make it completely anime accurate.) I custom painted mine and I love it! Instead of using the stickers I painted what the stickers did to make it last longer (some stickers would probably not last long like the ones on its arm, it's a sticker that folds multiple times and would be the first to go.) the green it starts with even glows in a black light!I'll upload some pictures at a later time, if this ever goes on sale again, I'll probably buy a 2nd one to make it just anime accurate.Edit: here's a before painting picture (The one of just the Eva's bust) and some after I painted it.======DISCLAIMER======No Kirito's were harmed during the making of this review... maybe

Ok so this kit how do I say it's probably one of the best kits I have ever gotten from Bandai. The detail is amazing as the colors are so sharp and amazing. It looks amazing on the shelf! The articulation is probably the worst part of the kit but only in the elbows. Neon Genisis Evangelion is an anime that is really weird but the mecha are awesome. BUY THIS KIT

So I have 0 experience with model building, but the end result still looks stunning in my opinion. I haven't painted anything on it yet, but I will definitely be painting the weapons and certain small details on the completed figure. The model is incredibly accurate to the movie. Articulation for the torso, head, and legs are awesome. Articulation on the arms is limited, but the seamless elbow joints look great. Overall I'm very pleased!

Very good kit but one of my Eva’s shoulder pads a peg wasn’t fully injected with plastic so it was very brittle and broke off