5 MODEROID Kits of Underrated Mecha

Published on: June 21, 2024 by The HLJ Team

MODEROIDS - A Series for Mecha Historians

With so many new sci-fi kits of Popular mecha available at HLJ.com, it can be easy to miss kits based on the underloved and underrated mecha series of yesteryear. With so many unique designs in the genre, there’s a lot to uncover beyond the Gundam and Macross designs that make up so many of the kits available on the market.

In the past few years, Good Smile Company has been ramping up its licensed model kit offerings with the MODEROID series, a plastic model kit series that offers builds of both iconic characters and iconic mecha from throughout the history of the genre.

With the sheer volume of licenses that Good Smile works with, the MODEROID series has made models of some truly unique mecha designs across its short but rich history. This includes MODEROID kits based on some lesser-known mecha series when compared to the likes of Gundam or Evangelion. In fact, the releases of the MODEROID series can be a great way to expand your knowledge of the history of the mecha genre!

MODEROID Jumbow (Choriki Robo Galatt)

In 1984, the animation studio Sunrise began airing the comedy mecha anime Choriki Robot Galatt, which focused on the adventures of a young boy named Michael piloting this mecha, Jumbow, and fighting against aliens as part of an elaborate weapons test for the mecha, created by the mischievous Dr. Kiwi.

It’s a gag-heavy parody of tropes that were common in the genre at the time, and that shows through in a lot of the designs, including this one. For Sunrise, the giant studio behind Mobile Suit Gundam, this was a more experimental and eccentric approach to the mecha show. Choriki Robot Galatt wasn’t particularly positively reviewed at the time, but it’s since garnered some positive sentiment from those who can appreciate its quirky and colorful charms!

This MODEROID kit of Jumbow offers two very different forms as seen in the show - the ‘Culutt’ form and ‘Gallat’ form. The Cullut form shows a more classic design with lots of classic ‘retro’ mecha features, whilst the Gallat form is a sillier, more ‘chibi’ style mecha with an expressive face. The Kit does an excellent job of recreating this kit from the show - it’s well worth a look for those who want to own an obscure piece of mecha history.

MODEROID Lio De Galom (PROMARE)

Jumping forward in time quite a lot in the mecha genre, there’s a lot to be said about PROMARE, Trigger’s fiery original mecha movie from 2019, which was very popular in Japan but significantly less so worldwide. It probably wouldn’t be fair to call PROMARE itself underrated, but this MODEROID kit and the mech it’s based on - Lio De Galom - certainly might be!

The design of this MODEROID is particularly impressive for how it manages to capture the aesthetic of the movie it’s pulled from. There’s something very bright and fun about this kit that - when fully built - manages to capture some of the majesty of how the mech is shown in the movie.

The effect parts that attach to the feet of the kit are a particularly standout detail that really helps pull the design of the whole thing together. PROMARE is visually very connecting, and the MODEROID kit has gone to lengths to try and convey that, even in static poses!

MODEROID Black Sarena

Black Sarena, a unique mecha from the ‘Martian Successor Nadesico’ franchise, has had the luxury of receiving many kits, even outside of the MODEROID franchise. For the MODEROID series, the kit is based on Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture - Prince of Darkness.

Martian Successor Nadesico itself is an unusual series, which aired between 1996 and 1997, embodying much of the style that people associate with 90’s mecha anime, but taking a more comedic approach to its space opera storytelling. At both the time of its airing and into the modern day, it received mixed reviews, but despite this, it’s a series with many passionate defenders. Many fans of the show praise the show’s character dynamics, comedy and overall word-building! For some, it manages to blend its comedy and drama elements, whilst for others, it’s a bit more.

But in terms of the show’s impact and legacy, the Black Sarena is something that everyone seems to remember. This unique mecha design is principally comprised of two layers - a red inner frame and a sleek black outer armor that has curved edges. It’s a non-traditional design, and one that offers much for the discerning fan of mechanical design looking for something a bit different!

MODEROID Shin Getter Dragon

Getter Robo Armageddon is a perfect example of a late 90’s anime that embraces an ‘edgier’ aesthetic. It’s a series that throws you straight into things and doesn’t let up, and it has some crazy good music.

Based on the manga Getter Robo, Getter Robo Armageddon was a hit, but didn’t necessarily find the same popularity overseas as it did in Japan. Within Mecha communities, it’s definitely appreciated, but much like other kits on this list, it’s the design of the Shin Getter Robo that has especially stood the test of time, capturing that 90’s edge in its design.

The MODEROID Kit based on the Shin Getter Dragon has a lot to offer - both for fans of the series and general kit enthusiasts. It’s a dynamic and often inspired design with a lot of different elements and weaponry, and one will surely stand out from the crowd when placed with other mecha!

MODEROID Megaton Musashi

Megaton Musashi is unique in the sense that it’s a modern mecha series that spans across two different mediums. Although mostly known for starring in an explosive rpg game, Megaton Musashi also received its own anime series that aired around the same time of the game’s release.

The MODEROID itself also includes a lot of parts to represent all the different weapons in the game, but also the smaller details on the unit such as the core in the chest and the bumps on each armor plate that give this rounded mech a ‘constructed’ appearance. Whether you’ve played the Megaton Musashi game or not, this kit looks to offer a fun build!

You can see from even this small selection that the MODEROID series has a lot to offer in terms of a diversity of mecha model kits. For those that like to build, it offers an array of different types of build experiences at different skill levels depending on the complexity of the mecha design. For mecha fans and collectors, it's a series that often licenses the dream picks of fans, highlighting both popular and obscure mechanical designs. If you're on the fence, we can't recommend MODEROID highly enough!