If you can rely on Bandai for anything, it's bolting on new bits to the lengthy Universal Century saga. And, as they do, creating a dozen new mobile suits and a few continuity issues/retcons. Gundam Unicorn is one of these, hitting the market just as I was taking a break from anime, although I was nominally aware of what it was. While having a few interesting ideas, I find it extremely difficult to take the thing seriously when one of the characters is actual Char clone called Full Frontal. Is his third name "Nudity"? The Loto is one of those interesting ideas, and also a continuity retcon, because it pre-empted a similar design from the ill-fated Gundam F91, and is smaller than than it should be. It's also an APC for special forces, and back in the day, I actually borrowed the design for a role playing game I ran. I picked up this kit partially for that familiarity, but also because it was a twin pack.
Two things are actually kind of impressive here. The first is that all equipment options for both suits are present, granting numerous spare guns for the bitzbox. It would have been easy for Bandai just to have had a single weapons runner, as that would still have left more loadouts than both could use at once, but they went extra. Colour separation between parts also suggests a high level of care, with only a modest sticker sheet. Meanwhile, the combination of high detail and small size is attractive, but also a challenge for detailing it. Painting some small details on the head that even the sticker sheet ignores would require a level of skill or tools I don't currently have. The model pictured have been subject to Gundam Markers and a Nuln Oil Wash to dirty up the tracks. However, like the Astaroth, this kit was assembled before I started blogging, and detailed months later. I mention this to excuse certain flaws.
The second impressive thing is the engineering. Polycaps are largely ignored in favour of friction joints and materials I didn't immediately recognise. A lot of the more modern kits I've dabbled with seem to be going this way, and I presume this approach is used due to a Loto's dimensions. Pleasingly, the transformation doesn't cheat, unlike many much larger kits, with no partsforming at all, almost like a good toy. I kinda wish it had locking tabs and rolling wheels, to complete the effect. On the other hand, posability in robot mode is quite limited due to balance issues. A Loto has a big backpack and stands on tippy-toe, and is prone to keeling over like an inebriate at 2am, halving itself in the process. Posing it was something of an arse. This is perhaps the only real weakness of the kit, but it is a significant one. Still, at least with two kits you have options, like putting the most unbalancing guns on a tank mode, and the smallest gun on the one with standing issues. At least, I assume so, I still haven't built the other :)
So.... If you like the Mechwarrior-meets-Guntank stylings, you'll like this. If want something that is more interesting and probably better value for money than a typical HGUC, you'll like this. If you want something that can pose dramatically, you'll like summat else.
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