Toybox REVIEW: Shokugan Modeling Project GaoMuscle

Release Date: September 2021 

RRP: 8250 yen 

When Bandai announced that they would be rebranding their Super Mini-Pla line as Shokugan Modeling Project, they also revealed that this new chapter in the line would be kicking off with Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger – easily the most ambitious Super Sentai series the line has tackled yet. With multiple combinations spread across numerous Power Animals, there was no way collectors were going to accept half measures with this – and Bandai didn't take long to show their dedication. Hot on the heels of SMP Gaoking's release came the range's first Premium Bandai exclusive release – Shokugan Modeling Project GaoMuscle, the second of Gaoranger's long line of mecha. In addition to GaoGorilla, GaoBear and GaoPolar, this set also includes GaoRhinos and GaoMadillo – also giving fans the option to build the GaoMuscle Striker combination.

As with all of the Premium Bandai releases, the GaoMuscle set comes in one large box as opposed to individual component ones – however the design of which still mirrors that of the original DX release. But while one side of the box shows the standard version of GaoMuscle, the other side combines it with elements from the DX GaoRhinos/GaoMadillo packaging – showing off how this set also includes the GaoMuscle (and Gaoking) Striker parts. Inside the pieces to build the various Power Animals are spread across a number of different coloured runners (some of which contain pre-painted pieces), along with a number of sticker sheets, instruction leaflets and a single piece of Bandai ramune-flavoured candy.

The first (and central) component of this set is GaoGorilla, a chunky green gorilla that's easily one of the most fun Power Animals in the range. Not only is it a really fun build and looks great with its metallic green and gunmetal grey pieces, but it has a ton of playability even without the other Power Animals. Altogether it features a moving head, ball jointed shoulders, hips and feet, hinged elbows and even moveable fingers! With this much poseability it naturally has a lot of personality, from dragging its knuckles across the floor to beating its chest in victory.

While GaoGorilla is unable to combine with Gaoking in the same way the other components of GaoMuscle are, it is the only Power Animal in the set to come with its own accessory pieces. Also included are a pair of alternate hands wielding Banana Bombs – its signature attack which sees GaoGorilla summon a cluster of giant banana trees. Switching between the hands is as simple as unplugging the standard fingers and replacing them, and with the new hands attached GaoGorilla retains the same poseability. With its impressive level of articulation GaoGorilla is already one of the most notable Power Animals in the line, but little touches like this just make it even better.

Next up is GaoBear, a grizzly bear with fire symbols adorning its back. Although arm components tend to be among the more simplistic builds, GaoBear is a chunky little model with a number of interesting steps to cover both moving parts and hidden features. In animal mode however it doesn't have a whole lot of poseability – the legs are able to move a little, but it's more a product of the transformation than any real playability here. Like most Power Animals it does at the very least having a moving jaw though, giving it a bit of extra ferocity.

The third Power Animal in the set is GaoPolar, who as you can quite clearly see if simply a white recolour of GaoBear with different emblems on its side. As each of the bears can be used as either a left or right arm, the build process is exactly the same for each of the models. Functionally the bears are of course the same as well, with GaoPolar also sporting minimally moving legs and a hinged jaw. It might seem a little boring for two Power Animals in the same set to be exactly the same, but since the two are supposed to be taken as a pair it isn't actually all that tedious. And to their credit, they look great together.

GaoBear and GaoPolar can combine with Gaoking to form Gaoking Double Knuckle, replacing GaoShark and GaoTiger as its arms. In this form Gaoking's punching power is significantly increased, but GaoLion is placed under severe (and potentially fatal) stress. Once GaoGorilla was acquired the mode was never used again, but Gaoking is still able to use one of the bears without issue. In addition to the increase in power, the bears are also able to attack with twin beams of heat and cold – fired through cannons which extend out of their mouths.

GaoRhinos is the largest of the Power Animals offered in this set, but functionally has the least to offer (in animal mode at least anyway). In terms of build quality this is a really hefty little piece with plenty of interesting build steps to incorporate its transformation, but sadly contains no moving parts in animal mode itself. Granted GaoBison isn't all that articulated either, but at least that had both a moveable head and an alternate mode to play around with. The build itself is a lot of fun though, with plenty of sculpted areas on the body for those who'd rather paint the gold detailing on than use the provided stickers.

GaoMadillo is the smallest of the Power Animals released so far, moulded in light purple plastic with some silver painted areas. Rather annoyingly it's another release where you have a choice of stickers to use – there is both an illuminated eye sticker and one where the visor is completely black. Whilst I do appreciate the choice, with cases like these it would be much better if Bandai could implement them as replacement parts rather than just one sticker that you're stuck with (pun intended) after applying. Despite its small size, GaoMadillo has more functionality than many of the other Power Animals in this set as it is able to curl up into a ball. It can also be pegged to the top of GaoRhinos, as the two are supposed to come as a pair.

GaoRhinos and GaoMadillo's combination with Gaoking sees the pair replacing GaoBison as the legs – creating Gaoking Striker! This football-themed combo was primarily used while GaoBison was recovering from injuries, and attacks with the powerful Rhinos Kick and Strong Flash: Rhino Shoot. Here Gaoking retains its excellent lower half articulation, with hip, thigh, knee and ankle articulation all still intact. GaoMadillo can either be stored in its cavity in the right foot, or used alongside a pole-like adapter piece to recreate Gaoking Striker's various kicking attacks.

Rather than include repeats of GaoEagle and GaoBison in the set, Bandai instead opted to include a simplified lower half so that the standard GaoMuscle combination can be formed without having to also own Gaoking. These legs feature significantly less articulation however, sporting ball jointed hips only and no knee or ankle movement whatsoever. Basically they're very much for display only, and since it's unlikely many collectors are going to get this without first purchasing Gaoking it's unlikely that they'll get much use.

The combination into GaoMuscle is a straightforward enough process, but much like Gaoking includes some more intricate steps than just pegging the animals together. GaoGorilla is particularly interesting in this respect, with the chest section opening up to both flip out the combined mode head and reveal a waist connection port. Comparatively turning the bears into arms is simple enough, while GaoRhinos is an impressive display of folding the chunky animal out into two fully working limbs. Combining the lower legs to the upper body differs quite a lot depending on whether you're opting for the GaoMuscle (with fully functioning legs) or GaoMuscle Striker combinations. The former sees GaoEagle fit into a cavity inside that GaoGorilla waist port and then peg onto the GaoBison legs, whilst the latter requires some additional pieces that peg around the port to create a proper waist section.

When combined GaoMuscle definitely lives up to its name – made up of some of the strongest creatures in the Power Animals roster (and GaoEagle). The simplified GaoBison legs aren't really that much to shout home about but do the job if you want to display the standard GaoMuscle combo without sacrificing your Gaoking legs. Attaching the proper legs though look far more impressive, particularly with the way GaoEagle has been incorporated into the torso. Equally exquisite is the GaoMuscle Striker combination, with its more basic-looking torso flowing nicely into those powerful Rhino legs. GaoMadillo can be stored comfortable in the right leg cavity, or a black plug piece can be put it its place should you prefer to display separately.

In both standard and Striker formations GaoMuscle has very similar articulation to Gaoking, but some of the subtle differences make a huge difference. Altogether it includes; 

- Ball jointed head 

- Three-way rotating shoulders 

- Two-way rotating hips 

- Double hinged elbows and knees 

- Single hinge ankle tilts 

- Waist, bicep, forearm and thigh swivels 

The skirt pieces on the GaoRhinos legs can also lift up so that the legs' full movement can be utilised. While there was indeed a waist swivel present on Gaoking, GaoEagle's wing placement made it very difficult to use properly. GaoMuscle has a similar issue in standard mode thanks to the way GaoEagle is built into the torso, but the Striker combination has no such issue – which is perfect for all those elaborate football-firing poses. Ankle tilts also make a HUGE difference on the GaoMuscle Striker combo, adding a key point of articulation that the GaoBison legs are unfortunately lacking. Sadly the addition of a double hinge elbow doesn't add that much to either of arms movement, but the good very much outweighs the bad here. Overall I'm extremely happy Bandai chose to include the Striker parts with this release, because that unrestricted waist swivel is just bliss.

GaoMuscle's main accessory is the Muscle Anchor – a hefty gold anchor piece attached to a long chain. As with many of the Super Mini-Pla/Shokugan Modeling Project releases a metal chain has been used, whilst the handle of the weapon has a built-in plug which fits into a hole inside either of the bears' lower jaws. The handle fits into the hands nicely, but between the length of the chain and the size/weight of the weapon it can be difficult to pose without anchor immediately dropping to the ground. Still, it's easily one of the more unique Super Sentai mecha weapons out there and looks fantastic here. Even in the most basic of powers it looks suitably intimidating.

While it's a shame that the Gaoranger range had to delve in Premium Bandai releases so soon, but nevertheless Shokugan Modeling Project GaoMuscle is another amazing release which illustrates how nearly every model in this line has become a hot ticket item. Though the number of repeats this range could potentially have for completists is a little worrying (GaoRhinos and GaoMadillo are also part of GaoIcarus), the inclusion of the Striker parts is a wonderful little bonus and definitely make the simplified Bison leg parts a lot more tolerable. With fun features and the kind of articulation Gaoranger mecha have never seen before, this is another item that's sadly going to be a pain to get on the aftermarket – if you see one for a good price, be sure to grab it whilst you can.