13 replies to this topic

[Rokk]

Well, I finally got my hands on this bad boy. Needless to say, I am totally psyched that Romando is finally making Gen. 2 figures. Screw Bandai's Ultimate Muscle toyline! These Romandos are the real deal! Anway, I picked up this figure from xxxxxxx.com. First, let me make a comment about dealing with them. Their prices are average. They aren't cheap, but they aren't overly expensive. They sent the figure fairly quickly. When I opened up the box, the blister package that Mantaro comes in was badly dented and slightly torn. It is no big deal to me since I tear my figures out of their packages the minute I get them. But, I know some of you like to keep the figures in their packaging. Also, that type of collector wants a package in very good shape. So, I'd caution those collectors to be careful before ordering from xxxxxxx. Of course, it could have just been my package. Anyway, enough blabbing and on to the review!

Name: Kinniku Mantaro
Company: Romando
Packaging: Blister Pack
Size: 7"
Looks: 5 out of 5 Like most Romandos, Mantaro looks pretty impressive. First, he has deltoids that HHH would kill for. Mantaro is stacked!! The sculpt for this figure is great. Mantaro has excellent muscle definition. The figure has the typical muscular look that most Romandos possess. The paint job is well done. There is no bleeding or sloppy paint. The colors are perfect. The paint for his outfit creates a nice texture for his outfit compared to the flat paint used for his flesh.

Mantaro looks very imposing. This figure has plenty of attitude and power. He looks great on display. This figure is similar to the higher quality Gen. 1 Romandos. This figure is also pretty heavy. About the same weight as the medium sized Gen. 1 Romandos. Very solid and substantial. He is the same height as the medium sized Gen. 1 Romandos like Kinnikman or Robin Mask. At 7" tall he is taller than the Bandai UM figures. He has the same dimensions as the medium sized Gen. 1 Romandos like Kinnikuman and Robin Mask. Compared to the Bandai UM Mantaro, the Romando Mantaro is much larger. The Bandai Mantaro looks scrawny compared to this dude.

Articulation: 3.5 out of 5. Mantaro has nice articulation. It isn't great, but it is better than average. He has 13 points of articulation at his neck, shoulders, elbows, upper abs, waist, hips, knees and feet. He does not have the upper arm articulation of the medium sized Gen. 1 Romandos. He definately is not as articulated as the Bandai Romando. I love his shoulder articulation which uses a ball and socket device. It allows excellent range of motion and doesn't detract from the appearance of the figure like the older Romando shoulder joints. The addition of the upper ab articulation is nice for posing the figure. The most interesting feature are his feet. They have this odd articulation that I have not seen in a figure. His feet have a ball and socket joint to the heel part of the foot. This allows for excellent movement of the feet into almost any position. This enables you to pose the figure in various stances. Definately an improvement over the older Romandos. It would have been nice if this figure had some articulation in the hands.

Accessories: N/A Mantaro does not come with any accessories. I don't really mind. Other than a bowl of cow and rice, I'm not too sure what accessories would be needed with a Mantaro figure.

Value: 3.5 out of 5 Mantaro cost $32.00. That is a pretty good price for a Romando. This figure isn't cheap, but considering its size, sculpt and the fact that you can't buy it in America, I don't find it to be an outrageous price.

Action Feature: N/A

Coolness: 5 out of 5 C'mon, this is a friggin' Gen. 2 Romando!! That is damn cool! Every since I started collecting Romandos I have been wishing for Romando to start making G2 toys. Finally my wish has come true. With Bandai sitting on the rights to Ultimate Muscle, I never thought Romando would ever make a G2 figure.

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 This figure has a great sculpt, nice paint, good size and is sturdy. He looks very cool on display. Mantaro is bulging with power as if he is going to jump off your shelf and whoop arse on your other wimpy toys in your collection. I am very pleased with this figure and am looking forward to more Gen. 2 Romandos. Bandai, I don't miss your crap.

[hell_teacher]

wow im really getting that figure and i hope in summer or winter they made more figures of G2

[smackman]

Great Review! Sounds like a cool figure. That price isn't too bad, considering how much Romandos usually go for. Since Kid Muscle is my favorite character in the Kinnikuman universe, I think I'll buy this as soon as I get some cash and make this my first Romando figure.

[Sniper33]

sad to say that I didnt even come close to finish reading this review. Mainly cause all the money Im getting for awhile is going towards Final Fantasy XI. But from the little that I did read, it made the figure look pretty cool.

I hope that they bust out and make both Kevin MAsk and Jeager, those would look great next to my Bandi 6.5 figures.

[Tortle]

Great review! I've been thinking about partaking in a Romando again, and I might consider this guy even though I'm not a huge UM fan. Got any pictures?

-Nathan

[Drtooth]

I like him, but I'm holding out for a Dialbolic Romando somehow...

[Rokk]

Great review! I've been thinking about partaking in a Romando again, and I might consider this guy even though I'm not a huge UM fan. Got any pictures?

Thanks, Nathan. The only pic I have seen online is a kind of small and lousy one right here. Once I find my digital camera I'll take some better pics.

[jkaris]

Niiiice!

[Rokk]

I guess it is better late than never. I found some better pics for the Kinniku Mantaro Romando right here.

[ToyMan]

uhh... i don't see him on that page.

[Rokk]

uhh... i don't see him on that page.

Yeah, that is a link from over a year ago. That is Romandoh's "What's New" page so it has their new toys for this month. Here are a couple of pics I took of this figure. This first is Mantaro up close.

Attached Files

•  Mantaro1.JPG   163.46K   72 downloads

[Rokk]

Here is a full figure shot of Mantaro.

Attached Files

•  Mantaro2.JPG   93.54K   58 downloads

[Rokk]

Here is Mantaro slapping the Camel Clutch on Suguru.

Attached Files

•  Mantaro3.JPG   158.81K   64 downloads

Edited by Rokk, 04 May 2005 - 06:01 PM.

[Ridureyu]

With the exception of those unpainted rivets, that's a really nice Romandoh.