Busou Shinki
Busou Shinki (武装神姫, Busō Shinki, literally Armament God Princess) is an Action Figure line released by Konami Digital Entertainment. Each figure, based on Konami's MMS design, is highly poseable and features a wide variety of interchangeable parts. Each figure is also linked with an online game element. Many of the figures have been designed by noted Japanese artists. While most figures in the line have been released only in Japan, several of them have seen a limited release in the US.
All Busou Shinki figures released so far have been female, and most feature armor in a Mecha Musume based style.
Features
The Busou Shinki figure line uses a body style that Konami has dubbed 'MMS', or Multi Moveable System. The MMS body was designed by Masaki Asai (浅井真紀). MMS figures have multiple joints, similar to the Revoltech line, which give them a wide range of poseability. Additionally, multiple body parts are interchangeable, allowing a wide variety of customization without tools. The typical Busou Shinki figure is 15 cm tall.
Busou Shinki figures are divided into full sets and EX sets. Full sets come with a complete, painted MMS body and a variety of armor, weapons, and extra body parts. EX sets are meant to be expansion sets and thus do not tend to include the MMS Body. 'Naked', unpainted MMS bodies may be purchased separately.
Busou Shinki figures are technically 1:1 scale models as they are action figure versions of Battle Rondo's AI controlled robots.
Official Busou Shinki Releases
Wave 1
Japanese Release Date: 7 September 2006
US Release Date: 18 April, 2007
- Arnval (アーンヴァル, Ānvaru), Angel Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) - Strarf (ストラーフ, Sutorāfu), Devil Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
Wave 2
Japanese Release Date: 28 September 2006
US Release Date: 22 March, 2007
- Howling (ハウリン, Haurin), Dog Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Blade - Maochao (マオチャオ, Maochao), Cat Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Blade - Waffebunny (ヴァッフェバニー, Vaffebanī), Rabbit Type, EX Set
Character Designer: Tetsurō Kasahara (カサハラテツロー)
Wave 3
Japanese Release Date: 7 December 2006
US Release Date: 22 March, 2007 (Note, this release consisted of Benio only)
- Xiphos (サイフォス, Saifosu), Knight Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Rokurō Shinofusa (篠房六郎) - Benio (紅緒 (べにお), Benio), Samurai Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Rokurō Shinofusa (篠房六郎) - Tsugaru (ツガル, Tsugaru), Santa Claus Type, EX Set
Character Designer: Goli
Wave 4
Japanese Release Date: 22 February 2007
- Zyrdarya (ジルダリア, Jirudaria), Flower Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Okama - Juvisy (ジュビジー, Jubijī), Seed Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Okama - Fort Bragg (フォートブラッグ, Fōto Buraggu),Battery Type, EX Set
Character Designer: Takayuki Yanase (柳瀬敬之)
Wave 5
Japanese Release Date: 31 May 2007
- Eukrante (エウクランテ, Eukurante), Seiren Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太) - Ianeira (イーアネイラ, ĪANEIRA), Mermaid Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太) - Waffedolphin (ヴァッフェドルフィン, VAFFEDORUFIN), Dolphin Type, EX Set
Character Designer: Tetsurō Kasahara (カサハラテッロー)
Wave 6
Japanese Release Date: 30 August 2007
- Tigris (ティグリース, Tigurīsu), Tiger Type, Full Set
Character Designers: Eiichi Shimizu (清水栄一), Tomohiro Shimoguchi (下口智裕) - Vitulus (ウィトゥルース, Witurūsu), Calf Type, Full Set
Character Designers: Eiichi Shimizu (清水栄一), Tomohiro Shimoguchi (下口智裕) - Grapprap (グラップラップ, Gurappurappu), Builder Type, EX Set
Character Designer: Eisaku Kitō (鬼頭栄作)
Wave 7
Japanese Release Date: 29 November 2007
- ACH (アーク, Āku), High Speed Trike Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Choco - YDA (イーダ, Īda), High Maneuver Trike Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Choco - Schmetterling (シュメッターリング, Shumettāringu), Butterfly Type, EX Set
Character Designer: Chibisuke Machine (ちびすけマシーン)
Wave 8
Japanese Release Date: 5 April 2008
- Murmeltier (ムルメルティア, Murumerutia), Panzer Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) - Asuka (飛鳥, Asuka), Fighter Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) - Zelnogrard (ゼルノグラード ,Zerunogurādo), Firearms Type, EX Set+Body
Character Designer: Takayuki Yanase (柳瀬敬之)
Named after Russian city Zelenograd (Zerenogurādo (ゼレノグラード) in Japanese)
Wave 9
Japanese Release Date: 10 July 2008
- Lançamento (ランサメント, Ransamento), Rhinoceras Beetle Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Tanimeso (たにめそ) - Espadia (エスパディア, Esupadia), Stag Beetle Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Tanimeso (たにめそ)
Wave 10
Japanese Release Date: 20 November 2008
- Graffias (グラフィオス, Gurafuiosu), Scorpion Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太) - Vespelio (ウェスペリオー, Wesuperiō), Bat Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太)
Wave 1 Renewal Version
Japanese Release Date: 4 December 2008
- Arnval Tranche2 (アーンヴァル トランシェ2, Ānvaru Toranshe 2), Angel Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) - Strarf bis (ストラーフ bis, Sutorāfu bis), Devil Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
Wave 11
Japanese Release Date: 27 March 2010
- Altlene (アルトレーネ), Valkyrie Type, Full Set
- Altines (アルトアイネス), Valkyrie Type, Full set
Wave 12
Japanese Release Date: 30 September 2010
- Baby Razz (ベイビーラズ, Beibī Razu) Electric Guitar Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Choco - Sharatang (紗羅檀, Sharatan) Violin Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Choco
Wave 13
Japanese Release Date: 28 October 2010
- Gabrine (ガブリーヌ, Gaburīnu), Hellhound Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Yoshitsune Izuna - Renge (蓮華, Renge), Ninetailed Fox Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Yoshitsune Izuna
Wave 14
Japanese release date: 16 December 2010
- Artille (アーティル, Ātiru) Lynx Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Kazuhiko Kakoi - Raptias (ラプティアス, Raputiasu) Eagle Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Kazuhiko Kakoi
Wave 15
Japanese release date: 27 January 2011
- Maryceles (マリーセレス, Marīseresu) Tentacles Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Niθ - Proxima (プロキシマ, Purokishima) Centaurus Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Niθ
Wave 16
Japanese release date: 24 February 2011
- Oorbellen (オールベルン, Ōruberun) Fencer-Pearl Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada - Zielbellen (ジールベルン , Jīruberun) Fencer-Obsidian Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada
Wave 17
Japanese release date: 17 March 2011
- Arnval Mk.2 Tempesta (アーンヴァルMk.2 テンペスタ), Angel Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) - Strarf Mk.2 Lavina (ストラーフMk.2 ラヴィーナ), Devil Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
Light Armor Wave 1
Japanese Release Date: 4 October 2008
- Valona (ヴァローナ, Varōna), Succubus Type, Light Armour Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) - Werkstra (ウェルクストラ, Werukusutora), Commando Angel type, Light Armour Full Set
Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
Light Armor Wave 2
Japanese Release Date: 30 October 2008
- Brightfeather (ブライトフェザー, Buraitofezā), Nurse Type, Light Armour Full Set
Character Designer: Mercy Rabbit (マーシーラビット) - Harmony Grace (ハーモニーグレイス, Hāmonī Gureisu), Sister(nun) Type, Light Armour Full Set
Character Designer: Mercy Rabbit (マーシーラビット)
Light Armor Wave 3
Japanese release date: 29 February 2009
- Partio (パーティオ, Pātio), Ferret Type, Light Armor Full Set
Character Designer: Blade - Pomock (ポモック, Pomokku), Squirrel Type, Light Armor Full Set
Character Designer: Blade
Light Armor Wave 4
Japanese release date: 25 February 2010
- Kohiru (こひる, Kohiru), Chopsticks Type, Light Armor Full Set
Character Designer: Dogmask - Merienda (メリエンダ, Merienda ), Spoon Type, Light Armor Full Set
Character Designer: Dogmask
Special Releases
Japanese Release Date: 26 December 2008
- Fubuki (フブキ, Fubuki) Ninja Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Unknown
LE Konamistyle Japanese Exclusive - Mizuki (ミズキ, Mizuki) Ninja Type, Full Set
Character Designer: Unknown
LE Konamistyle Japanese Exclusive
Japanese Release Date: 26 March 2009
- Nagi (ナギ, Nagi) Ojousama Type, Light Armor Full Set
Character Designer: Kenjiro Hata
LE Konami Style Japanese Exclusive, Special pack in with LE version release of Hayate the Combat Butler PSP game Nightmare Paradise
Busou Shinki Variants
Several limited edition versions of the Busou Shinki figures have also been released. These variants sport alternate color schemes and additional parts.
- Dengeki Exclusive Devil Type, Strarf
- Dengeki Exclusive Angel Type, Arnval
- Dengeki Exclusive Cat Type, Maochao
- Dengeki Exclusive Dog Type, Howling
- Wonderfest 2008 Seiren Type, Eukrante
- Wonderfest 2008 Mermaid Type, Ianeira
- Konami Style Exclusive Blue Santa Claus Type, Tsugaru
- Konami Style / Chara Hobby 2008 Prototype Squirrel Type, Pomock
- Konami Style / Chara Hobby 2008 Prototype Ferret Type, Partio
- Dengeki Hobby Magazine ed. High Speed Trike Type, ACH Stradale
- Dengeki Hobby Magazine ed. High Maneuver Trike Type, YDA Stradale
- Konami Style Exclusive Angel Type, Arnval Tranche2
- Konami Style Exclusive Devil Type, Strarf Bis
- Konami Style Exclusive Ninja Type, Mizuki
MMS Naked Body Releases
Exclusively sold on the Konami Style Japan page, these are unpainted, featureless MMS Figures meant for use with EX sets or for customization. They come in a variety of colors and shades of skintone intended to match other MMS figures.
The MMS Naked bodies are available, like the Busou Shinki figures themselves, in three different body archetypes: MMS 1st, MMS 3rd (small) and MMS 3rd (tall). Although similar in form and construction, not all body parts are compatible among them.
- MMS 1st
- Naked White
- Naked Black
- Naked Flesh ver. 1
- Naked Flesh ver. 1 - Gym Uniform Wine Red
- Naked Flesh ver. 2
- Naked Flesh ver. 2 - Gym Uniform Navy Blue
- Naked Flesh ver. 2 - School Swimsuit Navy Blue Type
- Naked Flesh ver. 2 - School Swimsuit White Type
- Naked Flesh ver. 3
- MMS 3rd (small)
- Naked White(small)
- Naked Black(small)
- Naked Flesh ver. 2(small)
- Naked Flesh ver. 2(small) - School Swimsuit White Type
- Naked Flesh ver. 4(small)
- Naked Flesh ver. 4(small) - School Swimsuit Navy Blue Type
- Naked Flesh ver. 5(small)
- MMS 3rd (tall)
- Naked White(tall)
- Naked Black(tall)
- Naked Flesh ver. 2(tall)
- Naked Flesh ver. 2(tall) - School Swimsuit White Type
- Naked Flesh ver. 4(tall)
- Naked Flesh ver. 4(tall) - School Swimsuit Navy Blue Type
- Naked Flesh ver. 5(tall)
Other Media
Video Games
Battle Rondo and Diorama Studio
The online gaming element of the Busou Shinki series, Battle Rondo is a free massively multiplayer online game set in the fictional Busou Shinki universe. By inputting a code that comes with each Busou Shinki figure, or by use of micropayments, players can unlock online versions of the figures, including their armor and weapons, as well as other gear.
Battle Rondo is set in the Busou Shinki universe. In this universe, Busou Shinki figures are AI controlled robot toys that people buy and train for arena combat. Busou Shinki robots are manufactured by a wide variety of companies and have different strengths, weaknesses, equipment, and personalities that are dependent on the model type and owner modification.
Essentially a Pet-raising simulation, players are cast as the trainers of the Busou Shinki robots. Unlike many games in this genre, the Busou Shinki characters are completely AI controlled. The actions the various characters take are based on AI set values, and modified by the AI depending on the trainers responses during and after the fight. Actual combat is turn based and geared around PvP matches, although single player based training modes also exist.
Bundled with the Battle Rondo software is the Diorama Studio software. Not a game, Diorama Studio allows its users to create and save digital dioramas of the Busou Shinki figures. A wide variety of different backgrounds and props are available, and the finished dioramas may be uploaded to Shinki Net for others to view.
Both Battle Rondo and Diorama Studio are updated regularly to incorporate new Busou Shinki figures. Both Battle Rondo and Diorama Studio are in Japanese, however numerous guides have been made by fans for English players.
Battle Masters
Busou Shinki Battle Masters was developed by Konami for PlayStation Portable and released in Japan on July 15, 2010. A sequel, Busou Shinki Battle Masters Mk. 2 was released on September 22, 2011.[1]
Anime
Moon Angel
Busou Shinki Moon Angel is an original anime produced by Team Kinema Citrus based on the figure line to coincide with the Mk. 2 game. The series was released in ten downloadable episodes beginning from September 7, 2011 before receiving a Bluray and DVD release on March 15, 2012. The first opening theme is "Labrynth" (ラビリンス, Rabirinsu) by MIQ, the second opening theme is "Catalysis of the Mind" (孤高のカタルシス, Kokou no Katarushisu) by Nana Mitani and the ending theme is "Kayowaki Juujika no Ai" (か弱き十字架の愛) by Kei.
Story
An Arnval Shinki unit is injured whilst trying to escape from another Shinki unit named Strarf. She is found by a boy named Tsubasa, who repairs her and names her Kaguya. During a battle against another Shinki, Kaguya suddenly demonstrates a strange power taking over her, becoming separated from Tsubasa whilst trying to escape the angry crowd. She encounters Strarf, who tells her she is a specialised Shinki developed as a weapon and takes her back to a secret institute. After hearing the situation from a man named Ken, Tsubasa goes with him to infiltrate the institute and save Kaguya, who had once again gone berserk. As Tsubasa manages to get Kaguya back to her senses, a large weaponized Shinki named Athena activates and goes out of control. As Strarf puts herself in Athena's body to try and control her, Kaguya and Tsubasa become determined to get her back and together manage to defeat Athena. Afterwards, Strarf joins up with Kaguya and Tsubasa, who begins working at Ken's hobby shop.
Cast
Ach - Yui Horie
Altines - Kaori Mizuhashi
Altlene - Megumi Nakajima
Artille - Mai Nakahara
Arnval - Kana Asumi
Asuka - Saki Fujita
Baby Razz - Aya Hirano
Benio - Mai Kadowaki
Brightfeather - Yumi Hara
Espadia - Jenya
Estoril - Mariya Ise
Eukrante - Emiri Katō
Fort Bragg - Ryōka Yuzuki
Fubuki - Yukari Fukui
Gabrine - Yuu Kobayashi
Graffias - Takako Honda
Grapprap - Hitomi Nabatame
Harmony Grace - Rumi Ohkubo
Howling - Eri Kitamura
Ianeira - Marina Inoue
Juvisy - Kaori Nazuka
Kohiru - Mai Gotou
Lancamento - Minami Tsuda
Lirbiete - Yuka Iguchi
Maochao - Mai Hashimoto
Maryceles - Natsuko Kuwatani
Merienda - Nao Toyama
Mizuki - Yukari Fukui
Murmeltier - Masumi Asano
Partio - Yukiko Hinata
Pomock - Mikoto Satou
Proxima - Romi Park
Raptias - Aya Endo
Renge - Tomoko Kaneda
Schmetterling - Sakura Nogawa
Sharatang - Ayahi Takahagi
Strarf - Minori Chihara
Tigris - Kana Ueda
Tsugaru - Rie Kugimiya
Valona - Aki Toyosaki
Vervietta - Satomi Akesaka
Vespelio - Manami Numakura
Vitulus - Haruko Momoi
Waffebunny - Ayana Sasagawa
Waffedolphin - Kaori Shimizu
Werkstra - Haruka Tomatsu
Xiphos - Miyuki Sawashiro
Yda - Yukari Tamura
Zelnogrard- Ryōko Shiraishi
Zyrdarya - Sanae Kobayashi
References
- "Busou Shinki". (November 2006) Newtype USA. p. 122.
External links
Official
- Konami's Busou Shinki Japanese Page
- Konami's Busou Shinki English Page
- Shinki-Net, Konami's Battle Rondo Page