If you ask, “A lion holding a sword?”, many people might tilt their heads a little at first. Furthermore, if you continue with, “Moreover, it carries a huge Japanese sword on its back,” some people might laugh and say, “No way, I can't quite imagine that.” However, there is an entity that has transformed such a seemingly impossible combination into something tremendously cool. That is the Murasame Liger. There are many popular units in the “ZOIDS” series, but among them, this unit exudes a unique charm. The sharpness and Japanese beauty of a Japanese sword are added to the strength possessed by a lion-type Zoid, creating a unique presence that doesn't end as just a mere mecha. And this time, the “RMZ-022 Murasame Liger” has appeared as a plastic model that allows you to experience that charm right at your fingertips.

What this series aims for are three things: “super mobility,” “ease of assembly,” and “collectibility,” but looking at the actual contents, you can tell that these are not just mere promotional taglines. Within the exquisite sense of size of the 1/100 scale, a specially designed articulation mechanism is packed inside, so it doesn't just end with making it stand. You can create a lively motion like a living creature despite being a machine, such as a roaring figure unique to lion-type Zoids, a low stance as if aiming at prey, and a sprinting pose that looks ready to pounce at any moment. This is a very interesting part. Instead of just staring at the completed product, your hands naturally reach out to think, “What pose should I do next?” It might be closer to a feeling of wanting to play with it together, rather than just displaying it.

When talking about Murasame Liger, you certainly cannot avoid the Murasame Blade. Its appearance carrying a huge sword on its back is so intense that it is hard to forget once you see it. And in this model, its greatest weapon is reproduced in a form that keeps the scenes from the show in mind. It supports not only the deployment mechanism but also rail movement to the left and right, and furthermore, the great sword itself can be removed. This kind of gimmick is a mysterious thing; if you only read the explanation, it ends with “Oh, it moves,” but when you actually move it with your hands, your excitement suddenly shifts. Once you start thinking, “Is it cooler to pose it like this?” or “Let's try reproducing the moment of drawing the sword,” you can't stop. It feels as if you are directing a scene from a video with your own hands.

In terms of settings, Murasame Liger is also a very interesting existence. Normally thinking, a unit carrying a huge sword would increase in weight and its movement would likely become sluggish. However, this unit is so excellent in mobility that it is called an “ultra-lightweight unit.” Moreover, while having an amazing top speed of 310km/h, it even possesses the strength to withstand attacks from large Zoids. To put it simply, it is like sprinting at full speed while wearing heavy armor and swinging a great sword just like that. The fact that it makes performance that wouldn't normally work actually work is full of romance that is so typical of Zoids. The bounding way of running shown in the anime also made the nimbleness of the unit more impressive.

It is a small detail, but the included pilot figures cannot be missed either. Ruuji and a generic soldier are each included, and it is designed so that the cockpit can also be assembled by selecting from two corresponding types. This kind of part is unexpectedly important. The coolness is established with just the unit itself, but a story suddenly begins when a pilot rides it. Imaginations expand like, “Is it sorting out from now?” or “Has it just returned after finishing a fierce battle?” There is a moment when what was a standalone model suddenly begins to hold a single world-view.

The unit called Murasame Liger is not the type to push through with just power. It is a unique existence where speed, sharpness, mobility, swiftness, and Japanese elements are exquisitely blended together. And this time, the RMZ-022 has not just made those characteristics smaller, but has brought them down into a form where you can enjoy moving it, get drawn into looking at it, and expand your imagination. When seeing the completed figure, some people might just end with “It's cool.” However, if you leave it on your desk for a while, a slightly different emotion will probably come out. “Maybe I'll try changing the pose again.” The fact that such a feeling wells up over and over again might be the most interesting part of this Murasame Liger.