Since the anime series was aired in 2000, I have done more than a dozen of EVA kits, therefore I figure if they continues this trend of using LM series grade on this upcoming new kit, there is really nothing much to look forward to, which is also a big letdown to fans…
Then that initial speculation led to a curiosity, will kit maker going to disappoint us like that?... So I accepted this request to find out whether Bandai had some surprising new tricks ready to blow our minds…
Fortunately Bandai has proven its leadership of the market by giving us this rebuild version EVA, it’s nothing like what we have seen before. Allow me to make an analogy here to help with visual understanding, if the previous LM series EVA kits were comparable to those regular 1: 100 scale Gundam kits, then this rebuild version would be like MG series.
Trust me that I’m not exaggerating anything by calling it the MG series of EVA kits. Anyone of those who had MG modeling experience would know, the typical features of MG series are: For the frame design, the making focuses on utterly extending the mobility range, in order to reproduce small details from the anime to the possible extent. And for the external parts, the entire layout of small parts and painting instructions are planned with great care, providing more efficient way for modelers to assemble and paint.
Taking the upper body part of the EVA as an example: It took about one dozen pieces in general, but now it comprises almost 30 pieces. The neck part per se includes 5 small pieces, to make both front and back neck moveable parts, each of them has one ball joint connecting to the head. When the head is moving, the front neck would move accordingly to create a reciprocating movement.
Other rebuilds can be found inside the mouth and two side armors of the chest, besides adding additional parts to them, both the space of movement and texture details were upgraded, therefore the mouth part can open wider now and so does armor unfolding. Furthermore, the hand part making requires not merely one but three pieces, separated by distinguished colors, so modelers can paint each piece individually, hence more convenient to craft.
As for the leg parts, Bandai recycled the former LM series 3-piece design for thighs, they are assembled by locking in from both sides with the third piece between them. Yet the cruses have been remade different from LM series 2-piece design, the new design takes advantage of the texture lines on both as the contact lines of joining pieces. Which kills two birds with one stone, because it eliminates the unwanted joint marks, and also helps preserving the original taste.
Besides all above mentioned details, other feet parts has been improved too, for instance the detested 2-piece shoe armors have been replaced with one whole piece, so no more sighs on the joint marks, them look just like in the show now. More pieces also generates finer details.
All in all, judging from the looks only, there isn’t much notable difference between the old and the new EVA-00. But the surprise is surely there in the modeling process. The primary feature of this rebuild version, is the greater details and enhanced design that makes it look closer to the actual cartoon, plus more moveable joints allows to restage poses from the original show.
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