This 1/700 scale Battleship Mutsu is something I want people to try, especially those who think, ”Is this just a remake of an old kit?” This renewal is not just a reproduction; the major point is that the outfitting parts have been reviewed and redesigned from scratch, and the expression of the details has been significantly improved. By making extensive use of slide molds, fine details are reproduced more sharply, giving the impression that the completeness as a model has entered a higher level.

Mutsu was built as the second ship of the Nagato-class battleships and was one of the ”Big Seven.” It is nothing short of brilliant that such an imposing presence can be felt to this extent in a scale of just 1/700. Despite the historical background that it never had the opportunity to aim its main guns at enemy ships during the Pacific War, its massive silhouette and the density of its equipment stir the imagination just by looking at it as a model.

The interesting thing about this kit is that it betrays the image that ”precision equals difficulty” in a good way. While the part composition captures the essentials, it is not overly complicated, making it a design that even beginners can easily try. Nevertheless, it has a solid sense of density when completed, achieving a balance that model enthusiasts cannot resist: ”easy to build but looks great.”

Of particular note are the eight metal gun barrels included. By adding a texture different from plastic, the presence of the main guns is instantly tightened, and the impression after completion becomes much more realistic. For those who want to take their model to the next level of finish, this element can be said to be a very big attraction.

You cannot miss the newly designed small equipment that colors the ship, such as the Type 96 25mm twin machine guns, the Type 89 12.7cm high-angle guns, various searchlights, and the catapult. These parts are not just accessories; they are important elements that express the character and role of the ship, and because each one is solidly modeled, the ”amount of information” after completion has been greatly improved. It feels like every single small part is raising the overall reality.

The included Type 95 reconnaissance seaplane is also one of the charms of this kit. Being able to reproduce not just the ship itself but also the aircraft it operated creates a story of a ”battleship in operation,” going beyond a simple ship model. If you place it in combination with the catapult, a more three-dimensional scene emerges.

When you actually move your hands and assemble it, the ingenuity and design intentions put into the details will gradually come across to you. When completed, you should be left with the feeling of ”I brought Mutsu back to life with my own hands,” rather than just ”I built it.” It is a kit that leads to a solid sense of satisfaction not only in the fun of displaying it, but also in the process of making it itself.