Garo Kiwami Damashii Kiba Part 5 [Final]

Garo gathering
More action poses after the previous posting to kick off this final part of the review series on Garo Kiwami Damashii Kiba. ^^



With support using Soul Stage Act 3 Action Support Clear Type.











Comparison with Garo from the same action figure line:




Closeups on the details:







Rear view:



Swords:


Garo's Garoken (牙狼剣) versus Kiba's Kokuenken (黒炎剣).




While the two figures are certainly very well done for their respectively paint work and detailing, all the armor details on Garo are much more clearly realized through the figure's panel lining. With some of the parts like the wolf ears on the helmet, and the skirt armor as exceptions, the overall panel lining seems quite messy. ^^; I believe the details are done using panel line wash technique which is more common in model kit building. Using this method, black paint mixed with enamel thinner is applied to various areas with molded details, and when excess paint around those applicable areas is wiped off later on, the remaining blank paint on the parts form the details. ^^ Before using Tamiya's Panel Line Accent Color (Black), I tried that detailing method on some of my own Gunplas as well. Unfortunately for Garo, too much black paint enamel solution is applied to the figure I suppose, but with much of it not cleaned off properly for the final release. Plenty of black paint accumulating in between the shoulder armor plates, "weathering" effect as seen on the wolf fangs, chest armors, and feet are evidences of this. Then again, since this is how the figure was first promoted, I suppose the details realized through said panel lining technique was part of the design as well. While the weathering effect seems like a good idea, I think I prefer a more shiny, golden look for Garo, since that's how he was presented in the show. ^^

On the other hand, there's no such panel lining on Kiba at all, which is quite amazing if you think about it. ^^ Two figures from the same series, but with their details realized via completely different approaches. ^^ Personally, I would prefer a more "balanced" approach on the two figures: less panel lining on Garo to preserve his armor's shininess, and some panel lining on Kiba to highlight some of his minor details, like the wolf fangs, skull on the chest, and details of its belt buckle.

Then again, everything seems easier in hindsight I suppose, ^^; since I have the figures side-by-side to compare and contrast. For such small-sized figures but with such rich details, I suppose Tamashii Nations were experimenting with different approaches in realizing their details. Regardless of the different look between their details, I still like both Garo, and Kiba for their overall quality. ^^

Some combined action poses between Garo, and Kiba:









The limited arm posability on Garo (no upper arm swivel) is quite a challenge for the figure to be posed together with Kiba. ^^;

Finally, a gathering of all four figures from the Garo Kiwami Damashii series:


With Dan, and Zero standing in the back.



Kiba appears to be the heftiest of them all, even though it's of the same price tag as the other three figures. ^^
In comparison to Garo, Dan, and Zero, Kiba's heft, which applies to not just the figure itself but to its content as well - it's the only figure with two types of weapons included, is definitely a noteworthy feature. ^^

Overall, if you like great details on small-sized figures, coupled with evil, villainous look, Garo Kiwami Damashii Kiba is definitely for you. Regardless of the rest of the set, I always wanted this figure because of the second feature mentioned above, and I'm certainly not disappointed. ^^ Because of that, I'm certainly looking forward to reviewing the larger Makai Kadou version. ^^

All reviews on Garo Kiwami Damashii Kiba:
Part 1: False alarm
Part 2: Semi-clear cape, red flame
Part 3: Small-scaled realistic look
Part 4: Menacing halberd
Part 5 [Final]: Garo gathering

View full gallery:
Garo Kiwami Damashii Kiba