Ultra Beast Force Yilichuangwan Phantom Kirin God

Following the conclusion of its ambitious Fruity Robo lineup, Yilichuangwan returns with another noteworthy release. This time, the company is venturing into a Chinese animated series called Ultra Beast Force with a new mecha model kit: Phantom Kirin God. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, the kit will be sold for 169 RMB.

Inspired by the legendary Chinese divine creature, the Qilin, Phantom Kirin God features a sleek mechanical design capable of transforming into a Qilin beast form. Its overall color scheme and aesthetic immediately bring to mind Gransazer, particularly the Sagittarius-themed designs, which may have served as an inspiration for the source material.

While I have little familiarity with Ultra Beast Force itself—which appears to be a Chinese animated series with strong tokusatsu influences, I do find the model kit visually appealing.

Personally, while the source material does not particularly interest me, the strength of the design alone is enough to make me consider picking up a copy.

Kaitian Jichuang 1/12 Mecha Angel – Black Swan Alicia

 

Another impressive mecha musume model kit emerges from China’s growing hobby industry: Kaitian Jichuang presents Black Swan Alicia, a sleek black mecha musume exuding strong main-heroine vibes. Scheduled for a Q2 2026 release, this kit will sold for for 238 RMB.

Full Metal Panic Orange Cat x Wave 1/35 Laevatein

 

The ultimate Arm-Slave from Full Metal Panic! returns through a collaboration between Chinese model kit maker Orange Cat and Wave. This time, they are delivering a luxurious 1/35 scale Laevatein model kit that blends the engineering of a Perfect Grade kit with the premium feel of a Metal Build die-cast figure. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, the Orange Cat 1/35 Laevatein will be sold for 458 RMB.

Hemoxian 1/12 Rhande Khoskinen & Rusted Brier

 

 After producing several impressive cyborg-themed model kits, Hemoxian is finally stepping into something completely new. The company appears to be aiming for a foothold in the mecha musume market, and their debut entry is surprisingly strong. Their latest release, Rhande Khoskinen & Rusted Brier, feels like a blend of Alice Gear Aegis and Strike Witches, with a touch of classic Macross-inspired mechanical design. The kit is currently scheduled for a Q3 2026 release with a very competitive price tag of 218 RMB.

Hemoxian has definitely caught collectors’ attention with this release. The concept combines a mecha musume character with a WWII-inspired aircraft mech setup that heavily leans into vintage military aesthetics. Individually, the kit’s components may not look groundbreaking, but the real appeal lies in how much content Hemoxian packed into a single package while keeping the price relatively affordable. The character design even gives off strong Tanya the Evil vibes, except this time paired with a transforming aircraft-style mech loaded with multiple weapon configurations. Depending on the setup, it can resemble either a Macross-style variable fighter or a more traditional Strike Witches-inspired flight unit.

The sheer amount of versatility offered by this kit is likely to make Japanese manufacturers pay close attention, especially as more mainland Chinese companies continue pushing aggressively into the mecha musume market. If Hemoxian can maintain this level of quality, value, and creativity, they could very well carve out a significant place for themselves within the genre.

Orange Cat 1/100 Estailev Cassowary Review

 

After experiencing some buyer’s remorse with previous Chinese model kits, the Orange Cat Estailev series has done a great job of restoring my confidence in the industry. Without a doubt, Estailev stands as one of the strongest examples the Chinese hobby market has to offer in the non-diecast model kit category.

A while ago, I built both Cassowary and Neamhain back-to-back, but unexpectedly, Cassowary exceeded my expectations even further. Although it is designed as an assault-type mecha, it is heavily equipped for close-range devastation. Its distinctive cross-shaped massive shield is not merely defensive, it is engineered to mount a shotgun and gatling cannon, allowing this variant of Estailev to close in quickly and overwhelm enemies in rapid succession.

I’m genuinely looking forward to future Estailev variants.

Motor Nuclear Type 65 JiHu Mark II Assault Type

Another standout model kit from the Chinese hobby scene comes from a major player, Motor Nuclear. Dubbed the Jihu Mark II Assault Mode, this release features a die-cast inner frame and one of the more original mecha designs in recent memory. Scheduled for Q3 2026, the Motor Nuclear Type-65 Jihu Mark II will retail at 239 RMB.

The kit’s Chinese name translates to “Halberd Tiger,” a title that fits perfectly. This is a mecha equipped with a conventional firearms loadout alongside a modular Chinese halberd for melee combat. What makes the Type-65 Halberd Tiger particularly striking is how difficult it is to neatly categorize. While many Chinese mecha kits tend to echo the design language of Gundam SEED or 00, this one lands somewhere between Armored Core and Gundam, in a positive complimentary manner. One of its biggest strengths is balance: the Halberd Tiger looks heavily armed without appearing overly bulky, maintaining a sleek and purposeful silhouette.

Given the strength of this design, it would be a missed opportunity if Motor Nuclear didn’t expand on it. Future iterations of the Type-65 Halberd Tiger seem like a natural next step, and I’m especially interested to see how they might evolve its weapon loadouts.

Jingzhuoshe 1/100 Mandala Review

 

A model kit purchase with a bit of buyer’s remorse, and a reminder that products from the Chinese model kit industry can be hit or miss. Firstly, Jingzuoshe’s 1/100 Mandala has a pretty good sculpt, but it suffers from engineering issues. Stiff plastic parts are common in some Chinese kits, but it becomes a serious problem when it affects joint components.

My assembled copy ended up with the shoulder joint to the torso snapping in half, forcing me to resort to Blu Tack as a fix. I originally picked up this Mandala because I thought it would look great painted in the Wildschwein color scheme from the SRW series. The design still has that potential, but the build experience undermines it.

This kit definitely makes me think twice about getting non-diecast frame Chinese model kits from lesser-known manufacturers. That said, more established names like Orange Cat or Motor Nuclear are generally safer and don’t tend to have this kind of issue.

Howling Star x Earnestcore Craft 1/100 Arbiter

 

The collaboration between Howlingstar and Earnestcore Craft continues to deliver yet again! After the striking Kishin Colada, the duo returns with another standout original mecha, Arbiter. Scheduled for release in August 2026, the Howlingstar × Earnestcore 1/100 Arbiter is priced at 188 RMB, making it a relatively accessible entry for collectors.

The most eye-catching feature of this kit beyond its strong fantasy-inspired design is undoubtedly its Centaur-style quadruped mode. While Arbiter’s default configuration is a more traditional humanoid mecha, it can transform into a four-legged form that fully embraces the centaur concept. This mode is further elevated by its signature weapon: a spear that can convert into a war bow, completing the mythological aesthetic.

It’s a bold and creative design choice that helps Arbiter stand out in an increasingly crowded mecha market. If this release is anything to go by, there’s plenty of potential for future projects from this collaboration. Hopefully, Howlingstar and Earnestcore will continue to push the envelope and deliver even more unique and exciting mecha kits down the line.

Freeze Metal 1/100 Famine Model Kit

 Another Chinese model kit recently caught my attention. Given my past bad experiences with plastic-frame kits from some Chinese manufacturers, I usually only consider kits that feature a die-cast inner frame for my strike zone.This time, the kit comes from a manufacturer called Freeze Metal, and the model is simply named Famine. Released in Q1 2026, the 1/100 scale Famine retails for 168 RMB.

At a glance, it’s quite clear that this kit takes direct inspiration from the Black Rider from the Mobile Suit Gundam universe. The stealthy black-ops aesthetic and the distinctive dual radomes mounted on its back are practically a dead giveaway. Some mecha fans may see this as a blatant rip-off, but it also feels like a calculated move by the manufacturer to fill a demand gap, especially since the HG kit of Black Rider is locked behind Premium Bandai exclusivity.

Personally, I’m quite interested in getting a copy of this kit. I’ve always had a soft spot for heavy-frame tactical “real robot” designs, and the pile bunker mounted on the left arm is just the icing on the cake.

Eddas Technology 1/100 Salamander

Crafting Chinese Model Kits with Gundam Mobile Suits as Their Source of Inspiration, Eddas Technology returns with another eye-catching mecha model kit. Drawing clear inspiration from Blue Destiny Unit 02, Eddas introduces the Salamander. Scheduled for release in Q1 2026, the 1/100 Eddas Salamander is priced at 128 RMB, with a 99 RMB preorder price, making it a fairly attractive option in the third-party kit market.

Among Chinese hobby model kit manufacturers, reusing or adapting Bandai Gunpla base designs is fairly common. However, Eddas stands slightly above the curve by injecting more creativity into its reinterpretations. The blue color scheme with the red shoulder is a dead giveaway of its Blue Destiny roots, but interestingly, Eddas also appears to recycle parts from Figure-rise Ultraman kits. The result is a brutal, melee-focused mecha that feels distinct enough to stand on its own. 

BLUE WHALE x SUNDAY HOBBY REA-03 1/100 LYNX

 
 Another Chinese model kit that caught my attention and this one is a Real Robot mecha. The manufacturer is called Blue Whale this time and the product being offer goes with REA-03 Lynx name and released as Master Grade scale with Diecast Frame. Scheduled for Q4 2024, 1/100 REA-03 Lynx will be sold for 178 RMB.

From the first glance REA-03 Lynx appears to be a cross between M9 Gernsback, Gundam Cherudim and Gundam Vidar. The end result is a Deep Strike heavy ranged unit that is capable of serving as one-man army role and armed with Railgun to take down strategic objective. What stands out from this model kit is inclusion of quite elaborate Hangar add on with minis for extra 20 RMB. This one certainly makes a good synergy with several real robot themed Chinese model kit which were released around this year.

Jingzuoshe x Caesar Works 1/100 Lycoris

 
 After releasing Mandala early this year, Jingzuoshe is back with another derivatives again! This one is called Lycoris and look even closer to Huckebein from SRW. Scheduled for October 2025 release, Jingzuoshe Lycoris will be sold for 159 RMB.

From the first glance, Lycoris is pretty much repaint version of Mandala with the color scheme coming in purple/dark which makes it closer to Huckebein. For 20 RMB price difference, Lycoris comes with extra accessories in the form of extra armaments which is what Huckebein got. For extra 20 RMB, you got yourself a Black Hole cannon and Chakram Caster. Given my backlog, I really doubt that I will obtain this one. But I might change my mind when I got to see how my copy of Mandala model kit turns out.

Howlingstar x Earnestcore Craft CZ-011B Kishin Colada

 
 Chinese manufacturers ability to take corrective measure always amaze me. From the manufacturer of Kishin Nebula model kit with the help of Earnestcore Craft, they come up with a very kickass mecha design. Dubbed as Kishin Colada, this model kit certainly will give Japanese modellers a run for their money when it comes to value for money. Scheduled for Q2 2026, Howling Star x Earnestcore Craft Kishin Colada will be sold for 339 RMB price tag.

Fission Craftsman Soul 1/100 Yanmie Review

 
 Finally releasing the review for the last Chinese Diecast Modelkit that I built early of this year and compared to Bailu or Oracle, I don't really have much good things to see on Yanmie. Fission Craftsman Yanmie is supposed to be a heavy firepower Mecha but the aesthetics feels to be hodgepodge. On the surface, Yanmie looks aesthetically pleasing enough. But upon closer look, I do feel that it is quite an incomplete work that are shelved out prematurely for some reasons by manufacturers.

 In short, Yanmie is a medium build Mecha that tried to fill in the purpose of Heavy Duty mecha like Gundam Virtue which in turn does not translate perfectly due to being unfinished design in my opinion. The only thing noteworthy from Yanmie is its Backpack that can turn into mobile weapon platform but otherwise it is a subpar design overall. If you have the choice between Bailu, Oracle and Yanmie, Yanmie will be your least priority.

Eddas Technology 1/100 Valkyrie

 
 After the heavy gunner mecha Asgard early this year, Eddas Technology followed up with another Diecast Frame Model kit! This time it is a close combat monster dubbed Valkyrie which is armed to the teeth with Blades. Scheduled for Q3 2025 release, Eddas Technology 1/100 Valkyrie will be sold for 188 RMB.

Soskill x B.Duck Hip Hop Duck

 
 After releasing their gigantic Duck themed Mecha Model kit Spa Duck last year including a special edition, Soskill is now ready to release their second product for their Rad themed mecha, Hip Hop Duck! This time we have literally a Coca Cola Hip Hop themed Duck Mecha that comes with a new look after a hot spring trip. Scheduled for July 2025 release, SoSkill Hip Hop Duck will be sold for 238 RMB price tag.

MS General Seven Deadly Sins 1/10 Sloth

Just not long after Envy getting the Japanese release, MS General now released another of their Seven Deadly Sins Mecha Musume products! This time it is the Sloth Cardinal Sin to be featured as their product and they got some big Stuffs combined with cute things! Scheduled for Q3 2025 release, MS General Sloth will be sold for 399 RMB.

Compared to previous MS General entries for this lineup, Sloth overall aesthetics truly stands out taking the cutesy design compared to sinister theme that the likes of Envy and Gluttony represents. Despite the kawaii theme, Sloth is accompanied by rather large mechas as part of her escort having Bear and Rhinos mecha decked with heavy firepower as her bodyguard. Not exactly original design for the Bear and Rhino mechas as you can see traces from Gundam Gusion and Zoids Red Horn, but the size itself is impressive enough. I would say the size could even rival the mechas escort from Envy and Greed which makes me wonder what the remaining Seven Deadly Sins lineup by MS General have in store. With 4 of the Cardinal Sins being represented, all that remains are Pride, Wrath and Lust which we could expect things that will exceed expectations from MS General.

Zao Workshop 1/100 Oracle Review

When it comes to Consistency, Chinese Model kit products track record have been quite a mixed bag as some of them didn’t deliver much with their end product. While Zao’s workshop Redeem model kit is rather mediocre product, they literally redeem themselves with their next product; Oracle. This Diecast Model kit is a literal behemoth being the larger variant of 1/100 Scale Model Kits.

 While not exactly the most original design being a Chinese derivative of Advance of Zeta Hrairoo, Zao Workshop 1/100 Oracle do fill the niche which Bandai refuse to tread into for 2 decades and provide collectors an alternative if they wish for larger size Hrairoo. Not to mention the price point of the Zao Oracle Workshop is really great value for money, at least for anyone who managed to secure early preorder price.

The only turn-off from Zao Workshop Oracle for me is the Transformation mode which just looks too forced and lack of any Aerodynamic aesthetics. If this thing put to the test with laws of Physics, It will just end up as a brick, looks decent enough from a distance nonetheless. If you wish for another great Diecast Model kit after having Bailu, Oracle is a good candidate.

Qianqiushang Genesis of Stars 1/100 Alkaid

Another eyecatching Chinese Model Kit is here and this time it is from a manufacturer called Qianqiushang! Dubbed as Genesis of Stars lineup, this particular Model kit is named after constellation, Alkaid and comes with several versions. Scheduled for Q3 2025 release, 1/100 Alkaid will be available in Basic, Standard and Pro version with the price tag of 188, 238 and 338 RMB respectively.

From what it appears, the more expensive version features better Hangar Base and more elaborate LED parts which are not exactly a big dealbreaker because the core version has plenty of interesting gimmick in the first place. Given Chinese model kit still heavily inspired by Gundam, Alkaid is pretty much heavily derived from 00 Quanta with heavy influence by Astray Blue Frame. The backpack unit of Alkaid is the one that contribute the largest selling point of this product being a multipurpose weapon that can turn into Gun Drones or Large Energy Sword for some obligatory Obari poses. As for the manufacturer Qianqiushang itself, from the track record that I can check, they produce weapon accessories for 1/100 Gunpla Model kit which is why the Weapons of their model kit do stand out after all. Lets see if they can come up with another product for their constellation lineup.