Inside the box are two plastic trays, stacked atop one another. The figure, Galient Blade (sword) and 3 pairs of alternate hands are in the top tray. The tailbone armor piece and backpack are detached in the tray, and lay underneath Galient. The bottom tray holds the shield, rear cannon, assault cannon, Galient Blade (whip form), an alternate right leg cover piece with a hole for a cable, an alternate left leg cover piece with the cockpit open (and a pilot's seat inside!), a handle and an adapter piece for the shield, a cable and a handle for the assault cannon, and an alternate red "belly button" cover (the one he comes attached with is yellow). In all, it seems like a really nice assortment of accessories and they are all well-done. I honestly doubt I'll be using the whip (because I worry once I bend the wire that I won't be able to get it back into its original shape), and I probably won't use the assault cannon. That leaves the shield and rear cannon, which I can imagine using for display, along with the Galient sword. I'm not sure about the alternate leg armor pieces, but I'm inclined to think I won't be using those, either.
On to the figure itself. My immediate initial response to taking the figure out of the package was honestly one of disappointment: it feels so light to me! That's the same reaction I had to the Dancouga ROBO-DOU I acquired last year. I also had some trouble adjusting the feet and legs to allow Galient to stand in a regular museum pose. However, the figure has really been growing on me since then. Galient weighs in at 1 lb. 3.8 oz. once the tail piece and backpack are attached. For comparison's sake, that's 4.7 oz. more than my Soul of Chogokin Getter Arc, who stands about 7.5" tall, as compared to Galient's 9.75" height. It's also nearly a half pound LESS than my ROBO-DOU Shin Getter 1. And I think that's my biggest gripe; my first two figures in the line were Neon Genesis Evangelion's EVA-01 and Getter Robo's Shin Getter 1. BOTH of those figures are heavy and really feel substantial in-hand. For the asking prices at their time of release ($150 for Getter 1 and about $130 for Eva 01) I was really over the moon ecstatic. Dancouga ran over $300 and weighs 1 lb. 3.4 oz, and Galient was $200+. It's a lot more plastic than metal at a much higher price. Granted, both feature engineering for transformation (and in Dancouga's case, we are talking about 4 different forms that these vehicles can take), but still, I couldn't help but feel a bit more ripped off with these last couple of releases.
However, over the past couple of days, I've begun to appreciate what threeZero has done here. The primary quality I look for in my action figure collection is aesthetics. To me, action figures are a form of art. I want to come back over and over again to appreciate their details, paint, and overall look. If I want posing, I'll check out D Amazing. If I want critique, I'll check out Anthony's Customs. For me, most of my figures are in a standard vanilla "museum pose," with few accessories around them. Accessories are ok, but I tend to not use most of them. Light features are usually unnecessary and the batteries just don't last - I'd rather have a stellar paint job that stays "on" all the time. But I've also grown to love die-cast metal content. There's just a different feeling in-hand that really makes me feel like I've spent money on something of quality. Which brings us full-circle back to Galient and the ROBO-DOU line. Here's what I've learned: these are not chogokin. They are not meant to compete with the Soul of Chogokin line. They are their own thing, which means plastic that's been painted to look like it could be weathered metal, and metal joints, for the most part. It's more MDLX Transformers than DLX Transformers (2 other threeZero lines).
I've been comparing these to my CCS Toys figures, which I think (again) is a mistake. Those are just about perfect in my eyes. Huge, heavy, eye-poppingly painted and detailed pieces of artistic expression and creation, they are a very high bar for anything to be compared to.
So, Galient on it's own. What do I think? I think it's beautiful. With the two pieces attached to the back, and the legs (finally!) adjusted properly, it's gorgeous. The paint is impeccable. Two shades of red for the armor, muted yellow trim, flat white to offset with a black wash over the entire thing and some faint silver dry brushing at the sharp edges to add some metallic wear effects. I think the blue gem in the forehead is a separate piece. Overall, it's a terrific presentation. Matched with excellent proportions, it makes for a striking figure on the shelf.
I'm very happy with Panzer World Galient. It's got a unique real-world weathered look, an interesting design, and so much beautiful detail to take in. I really have only one major gripe with the figure: it's advertised as having working rolling wheels under the feet, and the final product just doesn't. In the anime, Galient whooshes around in battle on roller wheels under its feet. It's very reminiscent of Votoms, if one is familiar with that anime. The description of the figure for sale clearly says this figure will have real rolling wheels. Mine doesn't. They are sculpted plastic with no movement. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but it certainly is disappointing. Otherwise, this guy is darn near perfect. Next up in the Robo-Dou line is Voltron. I'm going to lower my expectations for die-cast metal and let it be what it will be on its own merit.
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