Hey gang, Valkor here. "Zankoku na tenshi no you ni Shounen yo shinwa ni nare". Any geek worth their weight in burritos knows this opening all too well. And if they don't know, then be prepared to have your geek card temporarily revoked. Kidding. I could never. But why am I mentioning this song? Because the next TOV review is all about Neon Genesis Evangelion. Specifically, we're welcoming back The Good Smile Company and their latest Nendoroid, #2870 Evangelion Test Type-01 (For this review, I'm calling it Eva Unit-01). It's been some time since I've showcased a Nendoroid here on the site. And while I was recently in Japan, passing by the Eva Store in Ikebukuro, I saw this piece and instantly knew I had to have it in my collection. And now that I've given the unit the Val-Cave treatment, I assure you all that, yes, you'll want one in your collection.
This Nendoroid version of Eva Unit-01 comes from the Neon Genesis Evangelion Rebuild Series, which consists of films 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, which is essentially a reboot of the Eva series, taking chunks of the original and adding new pieces with a much better ending (in my opinion). Inside the box you get Eva Unit-01, Spear of Cassius, Progressive Knife, a rifle, and extra arms and hands. Finally, the Eva Unit-01 figure has multiple points of articulation, just like most Nendoroids, allowing you to set it up in a variety of positions. The jaw even opens and closes, which is a cool feature. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a slab base. So, if you want/need one, you'll have to pick one up on your own. The Nendoroid stock images on the page show that there's a base. But the figure I bought didn't come with one.
The attention to detail of the Eva Unit-01 is amazing. And the way the colors stand out is what really shines. The green and yellow hues, with hints of red against the purple, are really stunning. It's a beautiful piece to look at. But it's more fun putting the Eva Unit-01 in a variety of poses. With previous Nendoroids, I usually have a rough time getting the figure to stand on its own or get it in a position I like. But I found things easier with the Eva Unit-01. The spear shot below is my personal favorite because it's one of the better poses that I actually nailed on the first try! I believe I can do better if and when I decide to pick up a base. After this, I'm hoping that the Eva Unit-02 isn't far off, as it would make for an awesome companion piece.
The Nendoroid #2870 Evangelion Test Type Unit-01 is available now. In addition, you can find one in a number of online marketplaces. For example, on eBay or Amazon, or you can buy one for yourself by clicking the logo on the right. Or if you're in Tokyo, Japan, why not drop by an Eva store (if they're available). In the end, if you're a fan of the Evangelion films and shows and love everything about the series, then you'll want to add an Eva Nendoroid to your collection. And out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving the Nendoroid Eva Unit-01 4 ½ stars.
