Kabutack Superchange Kuwajiro Gallery – Toku Toy Box Entry

"Super Change!"

We're back for another delightful trip down memory lane with B-Robo Kabutack! You may recall that last year I examined the main man himself with the DX Super Change Kabutack Set. That massive 3 pack included not only Kabutack but his Drillut & Zabut armors as well. While the rest of this toyline isn't quite as complex as all that, it's fun none the less. So without further adieu, let's take a look at one of Kabutack's greatest friends & allies with Superchange Kuwajiro!

For a quick refresher, B-Robo Kabutack ran from 1997-1998 and features an absolutely excellent gimmick for it's toy line (though the following year would see an even better one for Robotack). Kabutack's toy line focused on the Superchange gimmick. Each figure would have a base Normal Mode. A sort of child like innocent animal themed robot. And while each figure's Superchange was executed differently, by way of numerous hidden collapsed joints or inverting of the figures' body parts, they all also had unique Super Modes. Read on below to see just what to expect from Kuwajiro.

Packaging
Kuwajiro comes in the standard box type of the line. Unlike the DX Kabutack 3-pack, it's a pretty modest slim box design with an assortment of stock photos of both modes. Nothing terribly interesting.

Main Figure
You'll notice that as I continue doing these galleries, each figure in the Kabutack line comes packaged in Super Mode. But I like to start my reviews with Normal mode first, so that's where we'll begin. Kuwajiro Normal Mode is your typical kid friendly fun little bug-bot. He isn't particularly imposing, or functional even, but he has charm. I think the most odd thing about him is that he's significantly taller than Kabutack Normal & Super Modes. No matter what mode Kuwajiro is in, it's very much at odds with his friend. Theoretically the two should be about the same height in either mode. But Kuwajiro Normal Mode indeed towers over Kabutack.

Now as for the functionality I mentioned, in this mode Kuwajiro is pretty limited. Only his arms do anything meaningful and even then they simply rotate 360 degrees and can swing out and up. It's really great, but because he lacks elbows you can't use them for much. The legs are similarly stunted in that they have twist ankles and hinged knees, but no hips. So getting him to balance for what limited poses he can achieve is difficult. Normally with this line you see a marked improvement between modes, but not this time.

To get Kuwajiro to Super Mode, begin by opening the flaps on either side of his head, this will give clearance for the arms to move up. After opening the flaps just pull up on his antlers. This basically moves the entire body into the appropriate position. This fully reveals the Super mode head, slides the shoulders into position where the flaps were, and also raises the lower body up above the thighs. Which makes the legs artificially appear longer. The arms can be extended by pulling the forearms down as well. Don't be fooled though, while the arm is held together by a pin, even in this mode there aren't elbows. Then you just need to flip down the chest panel to cover his Normal Mode eyes and Super Mode is done.

Compared to what we saw with Kabutack, Kuwajiro's Super Mode transformation is pretty basic. Honestly it's probably the most basic in the entire line. But sometimes that can be a good thing too. Kuwajiro Super Mode doesn't drastically change anything from Normal Mode. Everything is still basically where it was, just with leaner more heroic proportions. Equipping him with his Hasamic Cutter weapon finishes the look off nicely though. As before he can't dynamically pose and stands far above Kabutack height wise, but he's a very interesting bot design wise. Whether intentional or not, characters from Kabutack really do take some thematic inspiration from both B-Fighter shows that preceded it. Kuwajiro looks great with G-Stag. Considering Kabutack would later team-up with Blue Beet & Kabuto, I think the thematic similarities are intentional as well.

Normal Mode is probably the better of the 2 modes, but neither really does anything extraordinary. Ultimately Kuwajiro is likely the weakest figure in the line, but even then it's still a fantastic toyline.

Accessories

1 - Hasamic Cutter. This weapon needs to be assembled by cutting parts from a sprue first. It's a soft rubbery type plastic that you've undoubtedly encountered over the years with Bandai products. When assembled it can act as both sword and scissor-like cutting weapons. Perhaps an old predecessor to Kamen Rider Gattacks' Double Calibur?

1 - Label sheet. As with most any figure in this line a lebl sheet is included to replicate more show details. I have never used my label sheet and don't intend to. At some point in the future I'd like to get some quality repros made to use but that's for another time.

Final Thoughts
While not the most exciting release in the line, Superchange Kuwajiro still embodies some of the things that make B-Robo Kabutack one of my. I'm all about diminutive robots getting super heroic forms and at a bare minimum, Kuwajiro still manages that. And with the low low prices a majority of the figures in this toyline tend to go for (Kuwajiro was just 1200 yen) I can certainly overlook some functional flaws.

I really dig all of these, although this one isn't as charming to me as the others in this series. He looks too lanky in his normal form, and it's throwing me off.

Wow, that transformation is basic! Basic beet. It's still nifty, though. I really enjoy these Kabutack and Robotack galleries, even if they put Ex-Aid's level-up gimmick to shame.

I'm guessing it was a challenge to manage that walking pose, but you landed it.

And hey! Now, I understand your signature better.

Japan... really, really likes beetle heroes, don't they?

This is honestly kinda weird tbh. That's coming from someone who has watched Hurricaneger 4 times just to laugh at how bad the Hurricanegers are.

Basic transformation but I still love the guy, more so in his cute form than his fighting form.

Also he hits me with nostalgia because he reminds me of Beetleborgs.

He does seem rather villainous for the a main hero, at least compared to the red one, the head sculpt is rather nice

Another one? Sweet!

The headsculpt of the Super Mode is awesome, I like it. Really cool looking figure.

And yeah, this guy reminds me of G-Stag too, so I wasn't surprised that you made photos of the two together

I've got no idea what these things are, but they're so cute I want them.

Nice gallery as per the norm. Keep the Kabutack going

I really like this, it is so simple but yet effective. I love how cute it looks in normal mode haha