Time Dotabattan
Review by JoshB
The Brave Gokin Time Dotabattan comes from the 70s Japanese anime series Time Bokan. This show featured all-terrain time machine vehicles often resembling insects.
In this case, the Time Dotabattan resembles a locust or grasshopper. The series also included the Time Mechabuton (Rhinoceros beetle) and Time Kuwagattan (Stag Beetle).
The box is typical CM’s – no suprises here. Inside is a clear plastic tray with a full-color instruction sheet.
Time Dotabattan is not huge – the body is only 4 inches long, but it makes up for its size with a bunch of gimmicks and a significant amount of metal.
Lets “jump” right into it, shall we?
Each leg on the toy is articulated with tight, ratcheting joints. The quality of the build is immediately obvious. Paint on the plastic leg parts matches the metal perfectly.
In the front is a small door that stores one of the small ships, the Shakutorin.
On the side, there is another door that unfolds in an interesting manner, somewhat like an accordion. Nothing is stored in here.
On the top is a dome that splits in half to reveal yet another small vehicle, the Helibotan. The vehicle is constructed out of many small parts, and the fit is tight, so expect to lose a few parts when trying to get the vehicle inside. Also a pain is maneuvering around the two large head antenna on top of the vehicle.
The main gimmick is the ability to transform into flight mode. To do this, you need to swing the rear bottom section out and pull down the tank treads and wings. Fold it back in and click the legs back, and then you have flight mode. Worth noting is that the wings are metal, and the tank treads are real rubber and really turn.
The two small vehicles are marvels of engineering unto themselves. Just look at the size of them.
The small Inchworm Drone (Shakutorin) can assume two forms by swapping the central section. The rear wheels actually turn. It’s possible the front ones turn as well, but they seemed to be stuck on mine and I did not want to force it.
The Firefly vehicle (Helibotan) actually has multi segmented legs that can be lost quite easily. Take care not to loose any parts. This Beetle also assumes a vehicle mode by replacing and re-assembling parts.
This is a great little toy, with no flaws. It’s quirky design, diecast content and fun gimmicks make this a great addition to the Brave Gokin line.
This still doesn’t excuse the MAS Brocken Labor.
Comments
4 comments postedhaha I was already thinking about the Brocken Labor and was going to mention the extremes in CM's quality. I had the chance to see this gokin in person and although Ive seen it before while shopping for new goodies, I never bothered to even try and see what this was about. But after holding it in my hands, checking out its quality while enjoying its sweet ratchets, I have seriously considered picking one up. It really is a cool little piece. Another CMs gokin well done.
"This still doesn’t excuse the MAS Brocken Labor."
I LoL'd.
This is pretty cool, though I'm going to have to still prefer the Takatoku version if only for the chromed legs and sharper colors, even if this is probably more anime-accurate. :D
CM's will never live that Brocken down, hehe. It's a shame, after the gokin Griffon and Ingram were so good, too.