Machine Robo SOC Baikanfu

Most of you know that I love Anime and Sci-Fi. However when it comes to collecting I tend to gravitate to more obscure shows, and go down paths that are less traveled. Hence, that is why I love Machine Robo. Not because the story was so compelling or that the anime was spectacular, but because of the unique look of characters and the mecha. Pure eye candy despite the fluff for substance. It's my guilty pleasure and for your approval here is the Bandai SOC Baikanfu (Sometimes known as Vikungfu) of pure awesomeness to illustrate my point.

The story of Baikanfu is that he was used as a vassal for Rom Stol to combine with. In turn he is able to overthrow his enemies and... oh heck, let's... let's just get on with the review.

Bandai's offering is literally a solid representation of Masami Obari's interpretation of Baikanfu as he was ideally to have looked in the show. (Budget and time restrictions proved otherwise). The figure itself is a heavy combination of die cast metal and plastic that has surprisingly good articulation given the expectations that it has to live up to.

Man I love this thing close to 10 inches or 25.5 cm of SOC solid die cast goodness. You could actually kill somebody if you were to hit them on the melon with it!!!!

The producers at Bandai really went the extra mile in the engineering construction of this chogokin. The figure is very solid and the joints are ratchets that gives the robot an extreme sturdiness and the ability to strike some impressive poses.

 That being said let's take a look at the figure in detail;

Baikanfu, the mighty mecha of the planet Chronos summoned at Rom's command when he utters the words "Heaven, Earth, Fire and Water, grant me the power!". When Baikanfu synchronizes with the planet's energy, he can draw upon the power of nature itself.

Yeah that's great now let's take a peek at the toy.... Baikanfu comes witht the standard justice dealing sword (known as the Wolf Sword) and houses a smaller mecha called Kenryu which can link to it internally through a system of panels and hinges. Essentially when you open the main mech you get...

 KENRYU!!!

Looks like he's geared up for football practice.

Kenryu nests securely inside Baikanfu's main body. His primary function is to serve as a power up for the main character Rom Stol.

Even when opened up the Baikanfu sports great interior panel detail...


Kenryu comes equipped with a smaller version of the Wolf Sword as well as a nifty shield. But wait there's more!!!

Kenryu can open up as well to reveal...

 Rom Stol!!!

You don't deserve to know my name!!!

Master of the martial art Tenkū Chūshin Ken!!! Nuff said.



Rom measures in at about 9 cm which in imperial is like... um... ahhh... 3 and a half inches? I don't know sumpin' like that. At any rate he's slightly smaller than a Microman or GI Joe figure. He also comes with an alternate head that sports an open face mask.

Rom comes with a set of 10 different hands as well as the wolf sword.



But wait, there's even MORE!!!

The ensemble also comes with Leina Stol.













And just when you thought you seen everything... The whole thing comes with... a rock.

The rock acts as a storage unit for all the alternate hands, heads swords and shield. Most importantly however...





...the rock acts as a podium for Rom's heroic speeches

And here's the opening thrown in for good measure...

The nature of Baikanfu is similar to that of the mech Gordian, with the method of housing a pilot inside a larger robot and having the robot inhabit the body of an even larger one. Overall a great, sturdy mecha figure with unique features.