【Chibimaru Kantai Series】Chibimaru Fleet Nagato model kit, special edition with ocean pedestal and splash effect parts!

Even for those who say “I know the Chibimaru Fleet Nagato”, seeing these special specifications might change the impression a little. “Chibimaru 33EX-1 Chibimaru Fleet Nagato Special Specifications (With Effect Parts)” is not merely a kit that cute deformed a battleship. The point this time is being able to enjoy the figure of Nagato navigating on the ocean as a single scene. In addition to a display pedestal reminiscent of the sea surface, waves born at the bow and stern, and even water pillars reminding of the moment shells landed nearby are prepared. Placing the completed ship on the pedestal, the interesting place is that even though just displaying on a shelf, you can imagine that “Nagato is advancing on the sea”. By the idea of showing including up to surrounding situations rather than the ship itself alone, a world with movement is born inside a small model.

In the first place, Nagato has an intense presence in the subject matter itself. Equipped with 41 cm guns that were among the world's largest at the time of completion, known as Japan's first high-speed battleship that demonstrated 26.5 knots, it was also a battleship symbolizing the Combined Fleet. The place dropping that Nagato-like profound silhouette into the friendly “Chibimaru Fleet” style is the charm of this product. Speaking of deformed models, you might hold an impression of boldly omitting shapes, but here in parts grasping features, quite fine commitment can be seen. “A cute appearance, but looking closely, Nagato-ness is firmly packed in”, such a gap seems likely to become a reason hard to get tired of gazing as well.

What serves as the model is Nagato imaging the period of Operation Sho-Go, the so-called Battle of Leyte Gulf. Equipped with Type 21 Radar on top of the bridge, and with triple machine guns placed on the canopy of main guns, equipment unique to that era is incorporated. What wants to draw attention further is the point properly expressing up to differences with the sister ship Mutsu. Adopting dedicated parts for the way windows align and shapes in the front of the bridge, rather than “Because they are similar, finish with common parts”, it approaches the figure inherent to Nagato. Vertical Type 13 Radar is also prepared around the rear lookout station, becoming a structure where the more you observe details, the more you can discover “Are they built separately up to this far?”.

Even for those who were interested in warship models but felt “Painting seems difficult” and found it hard to touch, there would be some. In this kit, parts are color-coded by multiple molding colors named naval vessel color, hull bottom color, and dark green color, and regarding fine color differences, it is specifications that can be expressed with real stickers excellent in followability. Therefore, even without assuming full-scale painting processes, you can arrange appearances while assembling. Of course, if people used to model building, adding painting and finishing to develop into one's own Nagato, they can also do ways of enjoying. Both for people casually aiming for completion and people wanting to add further hands, it is a kit easy to find respective ways of playing.

Not only on the deck, there are highlights in carrier-borne aircraft as well. What is included is “Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane” molded in dark green color, and Hinomaru drawn on wings can be reproduced by pasting pre-cut stickers. Such small aircraft look like supporting roles inside battleship models, but actually putting them on, information amount on the ship increases, becoming an existence greatly complementing Nagato's atmosphere. Because there is no need to paint fine markings from scratch, the place being able to finish easily parts feeling “If it's small up to this far, painting seems tough” would also be a pleasing point.

What is most impressive in these special specifications is that even fun after completing is considered. Placing Nagato on the pedestal expressing the sea surface, adding waves to the bow and stern, and placing water pillars in the surroundings. Then, a single model that was being assembled on the desk until then changes into a small scene cutting out a navigating battleship. Fun observing equipment unique to Nagato, interest assembling color-coded parts, sense of density including up to Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane, and fun producing a single scene on the sea using effects. “Chibimaru 33EX-1 Chibimaru Fleet Nagato Special Specifications (With Effect Parts)” is an item where you can savor cute deformation, details typical of battleship models, and furthermore interest of scene display at once. Thinking even about from what angle to gaze after completion, it is Nagato making you want to assemble while thinking such things.