Murasame Liger Review with Pictures

[Tyrann]

Murasame Liger - GZ-10

Kit Overview:
Coming out of the box, Murasame Liger looks like it would take all of 10 minutes to build. With it's 5 sprues, handful of other parts like the sword and the frame of the head, neck, body and legs pre-assembled. Even the instructions give it the impression that the kit will be simple, as I have never come across a battery operated Zoid before this that had a fold-up instruction sheet, rather than a booklet.

Assembly:
But if this Zoid taught me anything, it's that looks can be decieving. The assembly took about 2 hours counting applying most of it's many decals (Murasame Liger is also the first Zoid I've bought that has two separate decal sheets). The build consisted of constructing and applying all of the Liger's armor and weapons. The build itself was rather fun and quite enjoyable. In a way it was a little more fun than previous Ligers as most people know that assembling the legs of it over and over can become somewhat tedious after a while.

As for decalling, this Zoid has the standard sheet included that has the basic stickers on it. But it also has a second sheet with only white stickers. Each one is meant for a specific gold spike that makes up the Liger's mane.

During construction I found now real problems with the kit. One of the white armor sections on a front leg is prone to coming off, but that may be unique to my Liger.

Design:
Once built, Murasame Liger is a good addition to a collection, especially those like myself who are somewhat completionists about Liger-types. The Liger is 12.5" long and it's blade extends out an impressive 7.5" from the body (compared to Blade Liger's blade extension of 5.5"). The most detail is packed into the head. The mane alone consists of 12 pieces, and the method in which the canopy folds out is rather unique.

The blade assembly took all of one minute to connect it's three pieces; the blade itself, the piece on which the blade rotates around the body, and the decorative gold piece. Once attached, the blade folds out in a rather impressive motion. The blade folds 180 degrees all the way forward, the base and blade then fold 90 straight up, then the entire assembly rotates 90 degrees to the side of the Liger. When stowed, the blade can be rotated to be stored like shown in the anime.

Conclusion:
The Good:
A very nice looking Liger. Good weapons and a very nice spring-loaded action. Good colours too.

The Bad:
Mostly pre-assembled might make this kit a little too easy for building veterans.

Bottomline:
Recommended

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Pictures:

Murasame Liger from the left side. The track on which the blade slides can be clearly seen.


The Liger from the right side.


Murasume Liger with it's blade extended outwards into attack position.


A close up of the Zoid's head.


The cockpit canopy extended outwards and upwards showing the pilot.


This close up, you can see the white decals that have been placed on each gold mane section.


A good view of the ancient symbols on the blade.


Close up of the base of the blade, stored away.


The base of the blade when folded out into attack position.


The opposite side of the blade harness. The blade cannot swing to this side normally, however, the harness can be turned around, thus allowing the blade to swing to right side of the Liger.


A final shot of Murasame Liger.


A nice Zoid, usually found at a nice price. A good addition to a collection. Especially for Liger lovers.

[Tilly]

tyrannfuhrer said:

The blade cannot swing to this side normally, however, the harness can be turned around, thus allowing the blade to swing to right side of the Liger.

Aaah! It's reverse badfic Liger!

I found Murasame more fiddly to build than fun in some spots, and I didn't even touch the stickers. The gold plastic on mine was just awful...I wonder if Murasame's got a lot of quality issues that some people get good ones and some...not-so-good ones. Did yours come with a card?

I'd only recommend Murasame to a pointy cat nut if they had cash to burn, but that's me.

[Yurei Avalon]

I'll still get it and hayate, the liger fangirl inside me screams it must be so.

And salamander comes with 2 sticker sheets TF

[Silverliger]

Hey, Tyrann, you didn't want to put the stickers on the blue armor on it's legs (the big bulky shoulder parts)?

[zabrezed]

Great review again TF. I'm still not sold on the Murasame Liger (though I reckon it looks better than the Hayate Liger). Honestly, I'll probably only ever buy this if I see it for a bargain price.

[Kamadoma]

Yeah TF just a recommendation, try placing the stickers on the blue leg parts, anyway nice haul. murasame liger really looks cool!

[Tyrann]

I considered putting those white stripe stickers on the shoulders, but I just didn't like the look of it.

[Snowflake]

I'm gonna wait a few years for quality to improve. After all, look what happened to blade liger after a while

[Phenotype]

Nice to see a positive review of Murasame, I was starting to think I was the only person who liked him. I'm curious as to why you didn't place the white stickers on the blue leg pieces in the front? Also I don't know if you did this on purpose but the red vent stickers on the shoulders have been placed in the incorrect spots. They're supposed to go on the flat section towards the front of each shoulder cover, right behind where you have the traingle shaped stickers.
-Phenotype

[Charlie]

I thought there wasn't a right/wrong way to put stickers. There have been numerous instances where the box art doesn't match the sticker sheet.

[Tilly]

And now you know how us gravity Zoid fans feel :p.

I don't hate Murasame, but I'd like it a lot more if most of the fun bits weren't done already (I LIKE building cat bodies and legs, dangit, just not trimming them) and if it didn't shed gold bits every time I looked at it funny. Its head is cool, at least.

I actually have my Gravity Saix with its sword slung over its back Murasame-style now. Looks kinda cool. Pity the motor switch gets in the way...

[Yurei Avalon]

admin said:

Nice to see a positive review of Murasame, I was starting to think I was the only person who liked him. I'm curious as to why you didn't place the white stickers on the blue leg pieces in the front? Also I don't know if you did this on purpose but the red vent stickers on the shoulders have been placed in the incorrect spots. They're supposed to go on the flat section towards the front of each shoulder cover, right behind where you have the traingle shaped stickers.
-Phenotype

it's called artistic liberty pheno

and i don't *hate* it, I just wish you got to build it, especially for what they're trying to charge you for it. Someone said they're going to get me one as a gift, still waiting on it... and i'm going to have to get a spare sword wolf to make a notched. serrated blade for hayate like the prototype pictures showed dangit first I need to go sell some organs though.

[Phenotype]

charlie said:

I thought there wasn't a right/wrong way to put stickers. There have been numerous instances where the box art doesn't match the sticker sheet.

With most stickers that's true but there are certain stickers which come with Murasame that are made to be put in a specific spot, the stickers I'm referring to have to been made to go exactly where I said because they've been cut to fit there. I just wasn't sure if TF knew that and put them elsewhere on purpose.
-Phenotype

[Phenotype]

yurei said:

it's called artistic liberty pheno

See above post.
-Phenotype

[Tyrann]

Actually, I didn't know that Pheno. Just looked at the spots where you said they go, and they would work there. But I'll leave them where they are for now. Partially cause I like them where they are, and also cause I'm lazy.