Machine Robo Evolbine: Mugen Storm

When Bandai launched the Machine Robo Mugenbine series in Japan of October 2003, who knew the line would carry on for so long? I was a very early adopter of the series and imported just about every single release. However when it came time to buy a house and move move of my Mugenbine items ended up on the chopping block. This was long before this blog existed and I had wished I held onto some of those sets if nothing else so I could have photographed them for the blog.

During the line's existence, the focus seemed to change overtime. The Evolbine series is more or less a spin-off from the main series, yet the premise is still basically the same. Each kit was sold individually in grocery stores in Japan, similar to the way baseball cards are sold in the States. Each kit would contain pieces that you build the various forms. Buy all the kits in the series and you could form a combiner type figure.

The Evolbine series differed in the sense that the kits form an egg, similar to the egg shaped containers that housed little toys and such found inside vending machines. Then the kits would "evolve" from a hatchling into their final animal form. Interesting concept if I do say so myself. There were a few sets in this series, but I only managed to import Mugen Storm back in 2012.

I've had these photos sitting on my hard drive for years so I apologize that I'm just now getting around to this post. I realized while I was editing the photos that I never snapped any shots of the animals in their egg or hatchling forms. I apologize for this oversight on my part. I've scanned in the flatten boxes for each set so hopefully you can still get a good overall idea of how these work.

Storm Scale | water drake

The egg shape pieces were used very well with Storm Scale as it gives him some girth as a water fowl. The combiner's sword doubles as the tail. It's not my favorite animal in the set, but stands up on it's own none the less.

Storm Fang | wolf

Looking at this one I get a Transformers Ravage vibe based on the colors alone. This is one of the better sets in my opinion. He's not too bulky and he doesn't have too much kibble. You can pose in somewhat due to the construction of the figure. I had him in a ready to pounce stance...not sure why I didn't take a picture.

Storm Crow | crow

Storm Crow is pretty cool too. Here you can see the combiner's chest piece is front and center as Storm Crow's chest. His wings can be re-positioned due to the nature of his construction as well.

Storm Stag | stag beetle

Storm Stag reminds me a lot of a previous Mugenbine release. I was always partial to the Transformers G1 Deluxe Insecticon, Chop Shop, so I like this guy...even if he is rather simple.

Storm Horn | bull

Storm Horn is hands down the best figure in the set. I just love the long, slightly curved horns. He has a very menacing and evil look to him. The piece you see pegged in on his back can be removed. I believe this is part of the sword's hilt. The instructions how the piece there. Each set uses all the parts in the final evolved animal form.

Mugen Storm | combined form

To assemble Mugen Storm, each set has to be disassembled. The instructions are printed on the reverse side of the boxes. At times it can be a little confusing as to which pieces to use when putting the combiner together, but with a little patience you'll have him built in a manner of minutes.

Most of the parts just peg into one another. This allows you to freely move his limbs and gives him a surprising amount of articulation. He basically has elbow, knee and ankle joints when combined. Mugen Storm is armed with a decent sized sword. He stands at around 9 inches or so. Not terribly huge, but still one awesome (and evil) looking robot.

Mugen Storm surprisingly has escaped many collection purges over the years and still remains in my collection as of this post. I've seen the blue/white redeco of this set on eBay from time to time, but the Mugen Storm deco must've been popular as I can't say I've seen him for sale anywhere in a long time. 

The Evolbine toys seem like a nice departure from the rest of the Mugenbine sets. Highly recommended if you can find him.

Machine Robo Rescue: TMR-02SG Siren Garry

One of the highlights of Bandai's Machine Robo Rescue series were the large vehicle transports for the teams. The Blue Siren team was given their own transport - Siren Garry. A large armored tractor trailer of sorts, Siren Garry could transport either the Police Robo or Gyro Robo teams. As with the other Machine Robo Rescue transports, Siren Garry can convert into a large robot.

While I love Wing Liner, I think Siren Garry has the best looking vehicle mode. The toy is large and bulky, but sleek looking at the same time. The cab is detachable from the trailer and each section opens up to store Blue Siren's team members.

I really, really love the look of Siren Garry's cab. From the aerodynamic look to how the wheels are reversed from a traditional tractor trailer cab, this thing is so cool. I even like the way the cab opens up for the team's leader - complete with retractable ramp.

The top of the rear portion of the trailer opens up and folds out to form two ramps leading into the trailer. Because the this portion also forms the legs of the robot there are two separate compartments. Each section here will store two drones.

Transformation is rather easy. Remove the cab and fold it in half. Rotate the light bar around to reveal the robot head. Set it aside. The front half of the trailer folds down to form the arms. On the top of the trailer are two flat gray pieces - fold them over to cover the hollow end of the arms. Fold out the fingers on each hand.

The rear of the trailer slightly slides apart to form the legs. The "spoiler" pieces on the top slide down to form the feet. On the hips are two white panels that flip down to cover the hollow legs. Grab the cab and slide it into the upper section to complete Siren Garry Robo's conversion.

The robot head is a great sculpt, but my main problem with it is that it is way too small. I love the large stocky look of the robot, but the small head really holds the figure back.

From the look of the red light bar you would think they light up, but being a toy from 2003 and not 2013, electronic lights and sound weren't as common place as they are now.

I was also disappointed when I pulled this toy off the shelf to notice that some of the white plastic had started to yellow in places. I believe this is the first white toy that I've owned that has suffered this fate. It's not to the place where the yellowing is horrible and completely ruins the toy, but it's sad none the less to see it.

Siren Garry may be smaller than Wing Liner, but he's just as equally awesome. If I could only choose one of the two it'd be a tough choice, but I think I'd have to lean towards Siren Garry as he was my first MRR transport I acquired.

Machine Robo Mugenbine: Carryeagle "Lucky Draw"

You may be familiar with the term "Lucky Draw" if you collection Japanese toys. From what I know the term coined thanks in part to contests that people could enter to win one of usually only a few special toys. Takara did this a lot with various series of Transformers.

In late 2003 Bandai continued the current re-imagining of the Machine Robo brand with the creation of Mugenbine. By the time 2005 had come around Bandai had created a figure for just about every letter in the alphabet. Through the company's official website (http://www.mr-club.jp) you could somehow enter a contest for several different limited toys. One of which was Mugen General 3. The toy is comprised of Airleon, Buildgiraffet and Carryeagle and each figure was made in a chromed silver. From what I could gather off the website at the time only 3 sets were made. Years ago when I was crazy about Mugenbine I ran across an auction for this silver "Lucky Draw" Carryeagle and I could resist the opportunity at adding such a limited toy to my collection. Because of it's limited nature I'm a little leary handling the figure much, but since I had to move my toy room I decided to do a proper post on this awesome rarely seen figure.

The box is rather boring being a plain white box with a black and white label. The box is the same size as the majority of the 'alphabet' series toys.

Inside the plain white box you'll find a plastic tray containing all the shiny chrome parts including the clear translucent Mugenroid figure.

The only paint apps on the figure is the lime green used for the eye visor.  The rest of the Mugenroid is entirely made of clear plastic.

The set came with it's own sticker sheet and other than the colors being different from the one included with the normal release of Carryeagle they are the same.  I of course had or have no intention of ever using these however.

There aren't any real changes to the toy other than the silver chrome so I'll just share a few pictures of each mode.  We'll start with the animal mode:

I was never too fond of the eagle mode.  The large wheel sections that double as the feet are just too big for my tastes.  You can tell that Carryeagle was one of the early Mugenbine releases as the modes got much better with subsequent releases.

The dump truck mode is by far my favorite.  Being a big Transformers fan I would have loved to see this set released in neon green and purple!  You can see in both modes here that some of the Bine parts aren't chromed.  The silver pieces does have a metallic look, but overall it's more flat than shiny.  Surprisingly they fit in well overall with the silver chrome and the translucent Mugenroid.

Carryeagle comprises the top half of the Mugen General 3 gestalt so it's appropriate that his combiner head has the chrome treatment as well.

This is a fantastic toy in it's own right.  Throw in the silver chrome and the limited nature of being 1 of 3 in existence and it puts it over the top.  Since I acquired this piece I have sold off most of my Mugenbine collection so this figure can be had if you really want it.  Price is negotiable so if you are serious please don't hesitate to contact me.