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Saint Cloth Myth - Aries Mu |
| Series | Saint Cloth Myth |
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| Title | Aries Mu | |
| Release Date | July 2005 | |
| Manufacturer | Bandai | |
| Suggested Price (JPY) | 4,000 | |
| Scale | 1/11 | |
| Height (cm) |
Figure: 15.9 cm (approx.) Armored: 17.2 cm (approx.) |
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| No. of Parts | 1 Mu figure + 1 6-pages color manual + 33 parts | |
| My Rating | Average |
Related Items:
Story
Mu
first appears in the depths of the Chinese Mountains, when Dragon Shiryu bring the damaged
Dragon and Pegasus cloth for him to repair since he is the only person alive who has the
unique ability to repair a damaged saint's cloth. This blacksmith is later revealed as one
of the 12 Gold Saints when he appeared at the first constellation palace during the retaking
of the sanctuary. He is all dress up in the golden Aries Cloth and again doing his
blacksmithing job by repairing all 5 bronze saint armors.
Aries has a non-confrontational attitude towards battle and thus his combat ability remain mysterious until Chapter Hades. His special attack, Crystal Wall, is a protective stance that erects an invincible energy wall that deflects any sort of incoming attack. Shion who was the predecessor of Aries Cloth, his master and the actual Master of the Sanctuary, is the only person known who can defeat his “Crystal Wall” with ease.
Packaging
Aries Mu is the eight release of Gold Saint in the Saint Cloth Myth Series, comes packaged
in a yellow ‘book box’. It opens to reveal two window boxes; in one window box is a really
well articulated figure of Mu, along with some of his cloth parts while the other half
contains the rest of his Gold Cloth and Aries Object parts.
The following are the parts count and items in bold are of metal:
Left Tray
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Right Tray
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The package also comes with a 6-pages color instruction manual and a mantel. The mantel is made from the usual PVC-like material with 2 plastic plugs. The neck areas has a lower cut to accommodate the connector attached to the rear of the figure.
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| The 'book-box' opens to reveal that it consists of two window boxes. |
Aries Object
Aries Object is another animal zodiac among the 12 constellations. Constructing this
object is a no-brainer since it is makes up from a simple base frame with 4 legs and
attachment points for rest of armor parts. I am surprise that the only parts I need to take
off from the frame is only its 4 hooves. It is to slot in the leg armor to the front leg
whereas the shoulder, thigh and arm armor are slot into the hind legs. The chest armor
wrapped onto the frame without taking any parts out of the frame. The sheep's face is
removed and replace by the front skirt armor. The 2 great horns are joined with a connector
piece and plug to the back of the sheep head. The helmet is the only piece that feels
awkward where unlike Capricorn; it is place at the bum with face down. The rest of the parts
such as the shoulder pad are clasp to the attachment piece in the front and the rear skirt
armor is place at the sheep's back.
The constructed object is pretty standard and nothing to huh-hah about. The likeliness to a sheep is not very convincing. In my opinion, Bandai did a way better job on Capricorn than this.
There are a few complain though. Firstly is the ugly scar that appear on both plain horns. I think the scar is mainly due to a wrong choice for contact point during plating. This does not happen to the other set of horns though. Secondly, the shoulder pads are using a crappy notch catch (similar to Aquarius Camus) that will wear off its plating after a few use.
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Mu Figure
Mu comes with the standard release of PVC body that never changes since the first release of
Pegasus Seiya. It is a slight disappointment though that it is not using the Final Bronze
figure design. The articulated body is differentiate from the mass by having a deep green
body, a different golden boots and a pinkish white skin tone.
This release is noticeably has degrade in quality. A careful inspection on the eyes reveals both eyes have no white. It is same color as the skin or not even colored at all. As far as I know, such foolish overlook never happened before in the history of Saint Cloth Myth series. Mould lines and scars are aplenty such as some PVC excess is spotted on the left chin. This again shows a poor quality control.
Head sculpt is sort of anime-like who comes with a long hair. The hair is segmented in 2 sections separated by a hair band. Lower section of his hair rotates as it is connected via a metal pin. A rotational hair here serves no purpose. I will prefer a ball joint here that allows the hair to swerve left and right. His hair is layered whereas the top portion is removable allowing him to wear his helmet.
Putting on the armor on Mu is quite straightforward. Arm bracer, arm guard, thigh and leg armor is slotted into the limbs. The waist armor consists of 2 piece, front and back, clasp together and then secure by the skirt armors. The chest armor here is slightly different. It wraps from the rear. Thus, a divider line is shown in front and the chest plate then covers it. The connector put on the rear with both horns connected to it and curve outward to the front rested on the shoulder pads.
The mantel is the standard plastics plugs that plug into the rear chest armor. It also has a lower neckline to accommodate a space for the connector and horns.
The figure comes with a few gimmicks. Firstly, this package comes with a pair of metal hammer and chisel. Mu is the only person who can repair a Saint's Cloth, thus this set of Mu's tools-of-the-trade is a bonus to show the prominence for being a blacksmith. It is strange though, as seen in the anime, I always thought Mu's method in repairing armor is simply by sprinkling some gold dust onto it. I never saw him work that hard using a hammer and chisel.
Secondly, the package also comes with another set of horns. The standard horn has a plain design where both tips point outward and sideways whereas this other set has a segmented design where the tips is pointed upward while donned on the armor. The horn comes with 2 points of articulations that is required to twist and turn the segments to acquire a correct positioning. Unlike the standard horns, the plating on this set is perfect.
Conclusion
This is another standard release of Gold Saints from the Saint Cloth Myth series.
Although, the object is average but I consider the armor design is splendid. I like the
horns the best. I do notice that the standard of quality is degrading over here but I do not
think this will stop a Saint Seiya fan from getting one of this.
Mu is an important figure in the story, never being heroic until we reach Chapter Hades.
Aries Mu is also the main figure in executing "Athena Exclamations" along with Scorpio Milo
and Leo Aioria. I just have to get another Scorpio and I can make of pose of it.
This kit is purchased via preorder online from Hobby Link Japan.
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Document Date : 2005-08-07 |
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