”Was this really commercialized?” You might find yourself doing a double-take at the package. The ”MODEROID Cruise Chaser Blassty” introduced this time is a plastic model of ”Blassty,” the main mecha appearing in the 80s PC game ”Cruise Chaser Blassty.” Released in an era when games themed around robots were not as common as they are today, just hearing the name will likely bring back memories of those days for some people. The fact that a machine symbolizing the dawn of robot RPGs is turning into a model kit that you can assemble with your own hands across eras cannot be brushed off merely as a new kit release. While being an item that brings nostalgia into form, it is also an intriguing kit that serves as an entry point for generations who do not know that era to experience classic mecha design.

Speaking of Blassty, its transformation is definitely something not to be missed. In this kit, the transformation from ”Gunner Mode” to ”Shooter Mode” can be reproduced by replacing parts. Rather than just staring at one form and calling it a day, changing the form alters the impression of the machine itself, which will likely make you indecisive when displaying it, thinking, ”Let's display it in Gunner Mode today,” or ”No, Shooter Mode is also hard to pass up.” Furthermore, in Gunner Mode, it has a commanding presence with an overall height of approximately 175mm, and each joint is articulated. Not only can it be made to stand, but being able to pose it according to your preference is also a welcome feature. By enjoying both transformation and articulation, it is crafted into a kit that lets you enjoy the mecha known as Blassty from various angles.

There seems to be no need to worry, thinking, ”Won't it lack atmosphere unless I paint it?” The kit adopts 6 types of molding colors: white, red, gray, black, blue, and clear, expressing the characteristic colors that make up the machine through its parts. What also deserves attention is the use of transparent materials, adopting clear parts in various sections of the machine, starting with the canopy and shield. By adding a difference in texture that cannot be obtained simply by separating colors, sharp contrast is created in its appearance when completed. Of course, pursuing the enjoyment of finishing it down to the fine details is the real charm of model making, but it can be said to be a specification that is easy to reach out for, even for those who just want to enjoy the assembly itself first.

What makes this product interesting is that it doesn't end just by reviving the Blassty main body. The package art uses a reproduced illustration from back then by Yukio Kitta. In other words, it is designed so that from the moment you hold the box, you can feel the atmosphere of the era when the work ”Cruise Chaser Blassty” was born. Just because it is a modern kit, instead of replacing everything with contemporary visuals, it cherishes the charm that the original possessed. That stance seems to be reflected in the packaging as well. It is a design that tickles the collector's heart, making you want to keep even the box after completing it.

And an accessory that personally piques my interest quite a bit is the ”Setting Material Book (Reproduction Edition).” While looking at the mecha as a 3D object is enjoyable enough, with model kits based on works, you tend to want to know the background, thinking, ”What kind of settings does this machine have?” or ”What kind of world view was it depicted as back then?” By having the material book included, the time spent building the kit and the time spent unraveling the work naturally connect. It seems it can be enjoyed in different ways: as a book to trace memories for those who know the 80s era, and as a clue to understand the world of the work for those coming into contact with Blassty for the first time.

Furthermore, water-slide decals featuring newly designed markings by Mika Akitaka, who was in charge of mechanic design, are also included. This is a truly interesting point; it does not simply recreate the old appearance as it was, but also adds new elements while respecting the charm of the original. While reflecting on those days through the reproduced package art and setting material book, you can apply newly designed markings to the kit. This structure where ”past” and ”present” intersect in a single product is precisely the unique charm of this item.

”MODEROID Cruise Chaser Blassty” is not a nostalgic item intended solely for fans who know the past. With the Gunner Mode at approximately 175mm, articulation of each section, transformation into Shooter Mode via interchangeable parts, color separation using 6 molding colors and clear parts, as well as the package using reproduced illustrations, the setting material book, and water-slide decals of new markings, it firmly possesses both playability and archival interest as a single kit. Being able to build Blassty, which was active inside PC screens of the 80s, with your own hands and view it from your favorite angle. That fact alone should hold special meaning for those who have long awaited this 3D-ization. Even for those who learn for the first time that ”there used to be a robot like this back then,” this is a kit that I definitely want you to savor—not just its completed appearance, but including the era behind it as well.