Saint Cloth Myth - Taurus Aldebaran

Series Saint Cloth Myth
Title Taurus Aldebaran
Release Date October 2005
Manufacturer Bandai
Suggested Price (JPY) 5,000
Scale 1/11
Height (cm) 19.2 cm (approx)
No.  of Parts 1 figure + 38 armor parts + 1 color instruction sheet (6-page) + 1 mantel
My Rating Excellent

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Story
Aldebaran, a Brazilian named after the brightest star in the constellation Taurus, is the only Gold Saint taller than 2 meters. Although his sheer physical size may intimidate most of his opponent, he is considered kind and straight forward. During the fight between the Bronze Saints at the Sanctuary, he saw the enthusiasm in Seiya, and their potentials, and allowed them to pass through his palace after a tough fight. His friendship with Mu seems to be very close. 'Great Horn', his ultimate attack, is a defensive and then counters technique that easily barricades any warrior who wishes to pass through him.

Although defeated by a Marina and then by a Specter (it is just sad for him to be used as a scapegoat by the author to show the strength of the enemy) in the chapter Hades, Mu said that he is the physically the strongest Saint out of all 88.

Packaging
Taurus Aldebaran is the tenth 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 an extra large figure of Aldebaran, along with some of his cloth parts while the other half contains the rest of his Gold Cloth and Taurus Object parts.

The following are the parts count and items in bold are of metal (bold underline is for partially made of metal):

Left Tray
  • 1 figure (dark gray)
  • chest plate (for object)
  • 2 shoulder armor
  • 2 arm band
  • 2 arm guard
  • 2 leg guard
  • 2 boots
  • 1 broken horn
Right Upper Tray
  • 4 skirts (Front, Back and 2 side skirt
  • 4 Taurus leg (for object)
  • 2 thigh armor
  • 1 Taurus frame
  • 1 chest armor
The 'book-box' opens to reveal that it consists of two window boxes.
  Right Lower Tray
  • 2 waists armor
    (Front and Back)
  • 10 gauntlet hands
    • 2 fists
    • 2 tight grip
    • 2 relax palm
    • 2 loose grip
    • 2 open fingers palm

The package also comes with a 6-pages color instruction manual and a mantel. The mantel is of standard design that made from the usual PVC-like material with 2 plastic plugs.

Note that, this is by far the heaviest item among all prior releases (even heavier than Libra Dohko!). Normally all figures are package in full height but the sheer size of Aldebaran require him to be packaged without his boots.

Figure
Aldebaran figure cannot be said to use the same body as in the conventional Saint Cloth Myth releases. It is much bigger (19.2 cm in plain figure) and his body is painted in dark gray. Although the figure in basic is the same design, there is some improvement noted on it. Firstly, there is additional point of articulation on his thigh that allows each thigh rotates. Secondly, it is his skin toning which is much more obvious and well painted.

The head sculpt is good and better with his helmet on.

The figure has one subject that I do not understand. Why his hair is is long? I have watched the entire TV series plus OVA from his first appearance to his demise; I have never known he has a long hair. Moreover, if I am mistaken and he does have long hair, how can Aldebaran stuff all his hair neatly under his helmet?

Aldebaran is a big guy but long hair does not suit him
Head sculpt close up view
I see... Bandai is giving him a wig He is not flexing his muscle. He is showing him his flesh tone
Come on! No one shall pass!!!

Object
The package is big, the figure is big and by default, the bull should be big. The constructed object is measured at 18.5 x 10.5 x 9.5 cm and by far the biggest object out there (by sheer mass). It comes with a Taurus frame and 4 limbs. Each limb is connected to the frame via some PVC layered socket for extra durability. The whole thing is so tight and heavy and I sometimes have the impulse to try throwing it to the ground to test its durability.

   
   

Armored Figure
The armored figure is devotedly replicated from the anime. It comes with very large pieces of armor parts to be put on to the figure. It also comes with an extra chest plate. The larger piece is for the object while the smaller one is to be put on the figure for his special arm folding “Great Horn” pose.

Taurus Aldebaran front and back view. He reminds me of someone in 'Hakuto No Ken' (Fist of North Star)
Ultimate Attack! Great Horn!!! (pronounced as 'Great-toh Horn-toh')
Figure size comparison with Dragon Shiryu Final Bronze
Broken horn, complimentary Pegasus Seiya in the 'Re-taking of Sanctuary'
Chest plate. Smaller one for figure and the other for object

Conclusion
If size does matter then this is the item for you. It comes with a staggering big body and object without losing the usual Saint Cloth Myth details. Imagine that this is the tallest standing figure among all the Saints that you own on your display shelf.

This item is pre-order online via HLJ.


Document Date : 2005-11-27



Responses to this page:

  1. (Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:08 pm) Dan says:

    althow aldebaran is not my favorite character this is one of the best (if not the best in terms of cuality )myth cloths i have seen .

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