Busou Shinki

The action figure line was launched in Japan in September 2006. Many of the figures have been designed by noted Japanese artists.

A few of the figures have been released for distribution outside Japan.

Busou Shinki action figures are presented as 1:1 scale, drawing from a fictional world featuring action figure-sized androids. The various media all take place in this same setting, though in different time periods.

The designs generally display the features of feminine androids, with stylized body armor and/or mechanical parts such as the mermaid-themed Ianeira having a mechanical fish tail, but do have considerable variation in aesthetic between models that reflects the artistic license given to the different designers. Due to the setting, joints and screws in the action figures are considered to be part of the designs, and are frequently depicted in art, video games, and other media, though they are sometimes omitted or less significantly depicted such as in the TV anime.

All of the figures use a common 'MMS' (Multi Moveable System) body designed by Masaki Asai. MMS figures have multiple highly articulated joints, which give them a wide range of possible poses, including a special swinging leg joint that allows for near-180 degree vertical articulation on legs. Additionally, multiple body parts are interchangeable, allowing a wide variety of customization without tools. There are several types of MMS bodies, ranging in size and design. The typical MMS body is approximately 15 cm tall.

The series uses a 3.3/4mm standard for parts (both body parts and equipment) that allow them to be connected to other parts. This ensures compatibility throughout the line, but deviates from the 3mm standard used by most other Japanese lines, meaning that they are only compatible with each other.

Busou Shinki product packages come in several varieties such as full sets, EX sets, Light Armor sets, and bodies. Full sets come with a unique painted MMS body with head and a full set of equipment. EX sets are only include a head and a small assortment of equipment, with no MMS body. Light Armor sets are complete sets of unique MMS with head and equipment but with a significantly smaller amount of equipment and accessories and a smaller stand compared to regular sets. Bodies are sold in blister packages that only contain an MMS body with no equipment.

Konami also released action figures for various other IPs such as Sky Girls, Hayate no Gotoku, Gurren Laggan, and Quiz Magic Academy, using MMS bodies that are compatible with the Busou Shinki line.

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: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Strarf (ストラーフ, Sutorāfu), Devil Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane 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: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Asuka (飛鳥, Asuka), Fighter Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane 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: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Strarf bis (ストラーフ bis, Sutorāfu bis), Devil Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane 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
  Character Designer: Taraku Uon (羽音たらく),
  Armament Redesigner: Takayuki Yanase (柳瀬敬之),
  Concept and Original Armament Desighner: Kem by Bokusin-Contest Grand Prix
• Altines (アルトアイネス), Valkyrie Type, Full Set
  LE Konamistyle Japanese and Dengeki Exclusive
  Character Designer: Taraku Uon (羽音たらく),
  Armament Redesigner: Takayuki Yanase (柳瀬敬之),
  Concept and Original Armament Desighner: Kem by Bokusin-Contest Grand Prix

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 (いずなよしつね)
• Renge (蓮華, Renge), Ninetailed Fox Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Yoshitsune Izuna (いずなよしつね)

Wave 14

Japanese Release Date: 16 December 2010

• Artille (アーティル, Ātiru), Lynx Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Kazuhiko Kakoi (かこいかずひこ)
• Raptias (ラプティアス, Raputiasu), Eagle Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Kazuhiko Kakoi (かこいかずひこ)

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: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Zielbellen (ジールベルン, Jīruberun), Fencer-Obsidian Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)

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: Fumikane 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: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)

Wave18

Japanese Release Date: 17 December 2011

• VerVietta (ヴェルヴィエッタ), Vicviper Type, Full
• Lirbiete (リルビエート), Vicviper Type, Full
  Character Designer: Mika Akitaka (明貴美加)

Wave19

Japanese Release Date: 23 February 2012

• Fubuki type2 (フブキ弐型), Ninja Type, Full Set
• Mizuki Type2 (ミズキ弐型), Ninja Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)

Wave 20

Japanese Release Date: 15 March 2012

• Arnval Mk.2 Tempesta Full-Arms (アーンヴァルMk.2 テンペスタ フルアームズ), Angel Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Strarf Mk.2 Lavina Full-Arms (ストラーフMk.2 ラヴィーナ フルアームズ), Devil Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane 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: Fumikane 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: Fumikane 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: nuno
  LE Konamistyle Japanese Exclusive
• Mizuki (ミズキ, Mizuki), Ninja Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: nuno
  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
  Character Redesigner: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ),
  Original Character Designer: Kenjirou Hata (畑健二郎)

Japanese Release Date: 15 July 2010

• Arnval Mk.2 (アーンヴァルMk.2), Angel Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Strarf Mk.2 (ストラーフMk.2 ), Devil Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)

LE Konami Style Japanese Exclusive, Special pack in with Busou Shinki Battle Masters Complete box, PSP game

Japanese Release Date: 22 September 2011

• Arnval Mk.2 Full-Arms (アーンヴァルMk.2 フルアームズ), Angel Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Strarf Mk.2 Full-Arms (ストラーフMk.2 フルアームズ), Devil Type, Full Set
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)
• Naked Swimwear for Arnval MK.2
• Naked Swimwear for Strarf MK.2

LE Konami Style Japanese Exclusive, Special pack in with Busou Shinki Battle Masters Mk.2 Complete box, PSP game

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
• Konami Style Exclusive Commando Angel Type, Werkstra
• Konami Style Exclusive Succubus Type, Valona
• Konami Style Exclusive Panzer Type, Murmeltier
• Konami Style Exclusive Fighter Type, Asuka
• Konami Style Exclusive Valkyrie Type, Altlene Viola
• Konami Style Exclusive Valkyrie Type, Altines Rosa
• Konami Style Exclusive Fencer-Garnet Type, Oorbellen
• Konami Style Exclusive Fencer-Sapphire Type, Zielbellen
• Konami Style Exclusive Fencer-Moonstone Type, Oorbellen Lunaria
• Konami Style Exclusive Fencer-Amethyst Type, Zielbellen
• Konami Style Exclusive Lynx Type, Artille Full-Barrel
• Konami Style Exclusive Eagle Type, Raptias Air-Dominance
• Konami Style Exclusive Battery Type, Fort Bragg Dusk
• Konami Style Exclusive Firearms Type, Zelnogrard Belik
• Konami Style Exclusive Tentacles Type, Maryceles Lemuria
• Konami Style Exclusive Centaurus Type, Proxima Spinel

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)

Though the original line was discontinued in 2012, purchasers of the 2015 anime Blu-Ray box set received a serial code allowing them to purchase limited run reproductions of the MMS bodies of the four main Shinki from the anime (Arnval mk. 2, Strarf mk. 2, Altines, and Altlene).[3][4]

These were reproductions of the MMS bodies only, and did not include the equipment or most of the accessories from the original releases, and came in entirely new packaging. The reproductions were priced at 8000 yen per MMS, or 25,000 yen for a set of all four.[5][6]

The reproductions were popular enough that additional batches had to be produced, alongside additional Blu-Ray box sets. Though originally announced for an April 2016 release, the reproduction set was delayed to December 2016.[7][8]

After the 2017 revival, the series has been getting collaboration model kit releases from Kotobukiya's Megami Device line, which many former Busou Shinki key staff such as series/MMS creator Masaki Asai, former series producer Toriyama Toriwo, and designers Fumikane Shimada and Takayuki Yanase are involved with.[9]

The first revival shinki, Edelweiss, was released in January 2019 as part of a tie-in with the upcoming smartphone game Busou Shinki R (then unnamed), but the game was further delayed.[10]

Releases of Arnval and Strarf as Megami Device collaboration model kits were also announced in 2015, predating the revival announcement,[11] but as of December 2020 no release date has been announced yet.[12]

The kits are not based on the old MMS design, and instead use the new Machinica standard designed by Asai.[13]

The Megami Device line uses the industry standard of 3mm joints, meaning that they are by default incompatible with the original Busou Shinki line, but Kotobukiya has released joint adapters that allow one to establish compatibility between 3.0 and 3.3mm standards.[14][15]

It was initially announced in early 2018 that other new designs from the revival would get Megami Device model kits, but no progress was made on them, and with Asai's distancing himself from the project in 2020 it is unclear if they will be made.[16]

Megami Device

Japanese Release Date: January 2019

• Edelweiss (エーデルワイス, Ēderuwaisu), Jaeger Type (猟兵型)
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)

Japanese Release Date: TBA

• Arnval (アーンヴァル, Ānvaru), Angel Type
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada
• Strarf (ストラーフ, Sutorāfu), Devil Type
  Character Designer: Fumikane Shimada

On April 23, 2007 Konami released Battle Rondo. Battle Rondo was a free massively multiplayer online game set in the fictional Busou Shinki universe. Players could unlock online versions of the figures, including their armor and weapons, and other gear, by inputting codes that came with each Busou Shinki figure, or through micropayments.[17]

The game used a battle system which had Shinki fight automatically, with the player "training" the AI to fight more effectively through feedback.[18][19]

The game was discontinued on October 31, 2011,[20] and the official web portal was closed down.[21]

Busou Shinki Battle Masters was developed by Konami for the PlayStation Portable released July 15, 2010.[22] A sequel/updated version, also for the PSP, Busou Shinki Battle Masters Mk.2 was released on September 22, 2011. Both releases had limited edition releases which from Konami's online store Konami Style which included exclusive limited release action figures.[23]

Both were conventional action games, with the player taking direct control of shinki (unlike Battle Rondo).[24] The in-world lore justification for this is that Battle Masters takes place in 2040 as opposed to Battle Rondo's 2036, and that taking control of shinki is made possible by new virtual reality technology.[25]

Busou Shinki: Battle Communication was a social game developed by Mobage for feature phones that was launched on 31 October 2020. The service was discontinued on 22 May 2012.[26]

Busou Shinki: Armored Princess Battle Conductor is an arcade game with four-player online battle royale gameplay, in which players take control of teams of three shinki and compete to collect the greatest amount of gems in a match, that was developed by Konami and released on December 24, 2020. The game also makes use of a holographic display, and players save their progress through use of a Konami e-Amusement IC pass and by outputting shinki as physical trading cards via a Card Connect machine. [27][28]

The appearance of Edelweiss in the game was promoted as being a crossover/collaboration with Busou Shinki R, even though Busou Shinki R has not been released yet.[29]

The game has also had collaborations with other Konami IPs such as the Bemani series, Quiz Magic Academy series, Tokimeki Memorial series, and Sky Girls series.[30][31][32]

Busou Shinki R was initially teased with no title in December 2017 [33] before being officially announced as a smartphone game in February 2020. [34] No release date has been revealed yet, and the title is tentative.

Busou Shinki 2036 (武装神姫2036, Busou Shinki 2036) is a manga series by BLADE. The series began its serialization in Dengeki Hobby Magazine in June 2007, with the first tankobon volume published undeer the Dengeki Comics label in 2008. The fifth and last volume was published in March 2013.[35]

A series of novels based on the franchise by Kuga Buncho, published by Gagaga Bunko.

A different manga series by Yuji Ihara that was also published under the Dengeki Comics label.

Busou Shinki: Forget-me-not was a manga by Wasaba that was serialized on Konami's feature phone portal Shukan Konami from 20 April 2007 to 26 December 2008, with 64 chapters. No books were ever released.[45][46]

Busou Shinki Light! is a manga by BLADE that was serialized in the magazine Figure Maniacs Otome-gumi. It did not get its own releases, but was included in volumes 2-4 of Busou Shinki 2036, which is also by BLADE.[47][48]

Hibusou Shinki is a webcomic by Karashiichi that ran on the official Busou Shinki website from 2008 to 2010. No books were ever released, but its first appearance, later relabelled "episode 0" when released on the website, was first published in the mook Busou Shinki Master's Book.[49][50]

Busou Shinki always together is a novel by Hibiki Yu that was released on 27 July 2007 (ISBN 978-4-86155-180-2)

Several other books and mooks related to the franchise have also been published by Kadokawa and Konami Digital Entertainment.