Going Merry, Chogokin

Hello again, fellow figure fanatics! The time has come for this, my third figure review. This time, the figure being reviewed is rather special as I have never taken to a figure as quickly as I have with this one. I have literally been playing with and oogling the detail of this object since I got it in the mail three days ago. It has also gone over so well with my husband that, even though he does not like the source material that this comes from, has pretty much confiscated it. (Pried out of my cold, dead hands, no less!) So, without further ado, I give you this figure review of:


Going Merry, Chogokin



Disclaimer:
Alas, I wish to first off confess that I am but a newbie to the One Piece series, having been talked into giving it another go by the enthusiasm of MFC members Raithosand Eisenheim. These two especially. I have since taken up the epic quest to watch every episode of the anime from the beginning. (I'd like to collect the manga but no space...) Upon writing this, my apologies to those who have been with this series since it's inception if I leave out details in ignorance, I'm more or less becoming a fan from the ground up. Some of the modes that this figure changes into are new to me! ^_^'

I decided to initially buy this figure out of curiosity since I'm more familiar with this ship than the current one that the Straw Hats are using, the Thousand Sunny. I had heard of the Chogokinline, but did not know what to expect. Boy was I surprised! Lets get a look at the box first!

Second Disclaimer:
Apologies for the baddish quality of some of the pictures: they were taken over a series of days and with varying degrees of sleep.

Box

I get this HUGE box from Hobby Search a few days ago and was not prepared for what was inside it. (Certianly explained the USD $60 for EMS!) Quite large!


My very first Toei stickered figure! :D

Some more pictures of the Merry's modes, as on the box.
Regular

Flying

Damaged

I must have spent a good while admiring the box itself before opening it to see the contents! I'll admit, I (perhaps foolishly) thought that the Merry would have come assembled. Um...no. XD


Some assembly required!

Even the crew had to be assembled into their boat.

The Merry also came with three mast heads!

Instuctions and...this...object. (More on this thing later...)

So! As you can see that this was going to be a project! One that made for a pleasureable series of afternoons.

Box Score: 10
(Taking into consideration how well packaged the Merry is, and how I might be a little biased on the first Toei stickered figure...)

Before going onward, an idea of the Merry's size


Painting/Sculpting/Posing

With this particular figure, all of these three go hand in hand and in perfect harmony. While looking over this and putting it together, I was amazed at how well all the detailing worked. I was also surprised as to just how much metal is on this figure.
Metal anchor:

This wheel physically moves that anchor!


I found only very minor flaws with painting. Only complaint at all was one of the eyes on a ram's head was slightly smeared...considering how much could have gone wrong with this figure, this is is a small complaint indeed. Some of the detailing.

See those portholes? Light shines through them!

More pictures of the outside




This is one sweet Crow's Nest!!!



Not surprisingly, the whole of the Merry is modular and very easily taken part for its various transformations.

All parts of the ship are well detailed, incuding the lowest deck.


Secondary decks, complete with metal cannons.


Top Deck

And this is only the Merry in its regular mode! Just these details kept me occupied the first day I had this in my possession...I didn't transform it until it's second day here.

Flying Mode

I'm sure that this has a formal name but alas, I have not yet gotten that far in the anime, and did not want to spoil it too much for myself by looking up when exactly in the series this happens. Therefore, the rest of this review will be free of such descriptives and will only have pictures of the second and third transformation.







Um...Captian Sparrow?

This flying version of the Merry came with quite a bit of metal and was well detailed. Every single part fits perfectly when switching it over!

Damaged Mode

The fact that this came with yet more damaged parts as well as a separate connector showing damage impressed me to no end here!







Taking all of this into consideration and all of the thought that went into this model, I thought that these scores were appropriate.

Sculpting/Paint/Posability: 10

This was my one complaint: the base. Looking at how much metal went into the construction of this model, the fact that not only is the base plastic, but hollow n the bottom and holding all this weight? Not too good. The base looks nice to go along with the Merry's design but...

Finally....

Accessories/Enjoyment

To say that this Chogokin Going Merry didn't come with a lot would be out and out lying. It even came with some you might not expect.
Booty! X3

The Shipwright?

Crew!


And finally...this...Thing.
If there are any longtime One Piece fans, I would appreciate the help in knowing why this was part of the package. I could find no real reason for this to have been a part of this. Some help would be appreciated!




In conclusion, this figure went from being something ordered in curiosity, to the prize of the household. My husband and I have had so much enjoyment with this already that we have more than gotten our moneys worth in just a few short days. If you've been on the fence about this, what are you waiting for?!

Accessories/Enjoyment: 10

Thanks for sticking though all of this! Some other figures of mine seem to have some ideas of their own about this wonderful model!
Perhaps I shouldn't leave them alone with it.... >_>


Looks like Woody has heard that Pirates look for BOOTY.


Thanks again for dropping by! :D