Robot Damashii MS-09 Dom ver. A.N.I.M.E. by Bandai – Available From HobbyLink Japan
By Cacophanus from Mecha Damashii
Following the unboxing, here is the review for the excellent Robot Damashii MS-09 Dom ver. A.N.I.M.E. from Mobile Suit Gundam. Like the other figures in this range, the Dom retains the original anime styling but has modern articulation. The result is a thoroughly epic figure that should make any fan of classic Gundam go weak at the knees.
The Dom has had a lot of kits over the years but in terms of actual toys, that number is a lot less. What’s special here, though, is that instead of updating the design it’s retained the original anime sculpt. Couple that with some fantastic articulation and you end up with something rather special.
The base figure may look simple but it has a lot of sophisticated articulation tucked away to enact more complex poses, from the added chest joint to the multi-jointed arms and movable skirt armor. The bazooka is also articulated around the trigger to allow for easier posing.
The mono-eye can be manually swivelled by removing the face guard. In terms of other gimmicks and parts, you have the double “smash” hands from the anime as well as the severed Gundam shield to re-enact the battle with the Black Tri-Stars from the show.
The heat saber affixes at the rear with a special attachment and has separate hands so it can be held.
Like the other figures in this sub-line, the updated articulation means you can get a lot of dynamic poses out of each figure. The Dom is no exception here and with one of the Tamashii Stands (sold separately) you can get some wonderfully kinetic looking results (as shown above).
I also brought the Gundam in to play with the Dom, as that seemed worthwhile to give it a bit of context. Obviously, that is sold separately but also entirely worth getting.
Overall then, this is the nicest Dom toy I’ve ever played with and looks just like it does in the anime. If you have love the original Mobile Suit Gundam as much as I do, then you need this in your life and doubly so if you have any of the other figures in this range. Now all I need to do is get another two and then I will have my very own Black Tri-Star team to play with.