is a Japanese media mix franchise from Konami Digital Entertainment, first launched in Japan in 2006 with a line of action figures followed by a companion online game. The franchise encompasses various manga, anime, novels, video games, and more.
The online game was shut down in 2011, and the original toy line was discontinued in 2012.
A revival of the series was teased in December 2017 and later revealed to be centered around a smartphone game, but the game was still in development hell as of February 2020.
Action Figures and Model Kits Original Line and MMS The action figure line was launched in Japan in September 2006. Many were based on character designs by prolific 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.
Busou Shinki are 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 . 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 three iterations of MMS (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), with 3rd coming in two body types (Short and Tall) to allow for different proportions depending on the character. Busou Shinki only uses MMS 1st and MMS 3rd Short/Tall: MMS 2nd was only used for action figures for other IPs such as Beatmania and Gurren Lagann.
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 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. The Arnval Mk 2 and Strarf Mk 2 also had Full Arms Package releases, which had more weapons and equipment in addition to the original full set releases.
There were also multiple exclusive repaint versions only available from Dengeki Hobby, Konami Style, or events.
Konami also released action figures for various other IPs such as Sky Girls, Otomedius, Beatmania, Gurren Lagann, and using MMS bodies that are compatible with the Busou Shinki line: These were branded under the MMS label, but not the Busou Shinki label. A Hayate no Gotoku collaboration figure that came with a limited-edition version of the Hayate no Gotoku game Nightmare Paradise, however, was under the Busou Shinki label as it included Busou Shinki equipment (repaints of the Valona equipment).
List of Action Figure Releases 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 SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Strarf (ストラーフ, Sutorāfu), Devil Type, Full SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: BLADE Maochao (マオチャオ, Maochao), Cat Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: BLADE Waffebunny (ヴァッフェバニー, Vaffebanī), Rabbit Type, EX SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Rokurō Shinofusa (篠房六郎) Benio (紅緒, Benio), Samurai Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Rokurō Shinofusa (篠房六郎) Tsugaru (ツガル, Tsugaru), Santa Claus Type, EX SetCharacter Designer: Goli Wave 4 Japanese Release Date: 22 February 2007 Zyrdarya (ジルダリア, Jirudaria), Flower Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Okama Juvisy (ジュビジー, Jubijī), Seed Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Okama Fort Bragg (フォートブラッグ, Fōto Buraggu), Battery Type, EX SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太) Ianeira (イーアネイラ, ĪANEIRA), Mermaid Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太) Waffedolphin (ヴァッフェドルフィン, VAFFEDORUFIN), Dolphin Type, EX SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Choco YDA (イーダ, Īda), High Maneuver Trike Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Choco Schmetterling (シュメッターリング, Shumettāringu), Butterfly Type, EX SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Asuka (飛鳥, Asuka), Fighter Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Zelnogrard (ゼルノグラード, Zerunogurādo), Firearms Type, EX Set+BodyCharacter Designer: Takayuki Yanase (柳瀬敬之) Wave 9 Japanese Release Date: 10 July 2008 Lançamento (ランサメント, Ransamento), Rhinoceras Beetle Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Tanimeso (たにめそ) Espadia (エスパディア, Esupadia), Stag Beetle Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Tanimeso (たにめそ) Wave 10 Japanese Release Date: 20 November 2008 Graffias (グラフィオス, Gurafiosu), Scorpion Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太) Vespelio (ウェスペリオー, Wesuperiō), Bat Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Ryōta Magaki (間垣亮太) Wave 1 Renewal Version Japanese Release Date: 4 December 2008 Arnval Tranche 2 (アーンヴァル トランシェ2, Ānvaru Toranshe 2), Angel Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Strarf bis (ストラーフ bis, Sutorāfu bis), Devil Type, Full SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter 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 SetLE Konamistyle Japanese and Dengeki ExclusiveCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Choco Sharatang (紗羅檀, Sharatan), Violin Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Choco Wave 13 Japanese Release Date: 28 October 2010 Gabrine (ガブリーヌ, Gaburīnu), Hellhound Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Yoshitsune Izuna (いずなよしつね) Renge (蓮華, Renge), Ninetailed Fox Type, Full SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Kazuhiko Kakoi (かこいかずひこ) Raptias (ラプティアス, Raputiasu), Eagle Type, Full SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Niθ Proxima (プロキシマ, Purokishima), Centaurus Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Niθ Wave 16 Japanese Release Date: 24 February 2011 Oorbellen (オールベルン, Ōruberun), Fencer-Pearl Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Zielbellen (ジールベルン, Jīruberun), Fencer-Obsidian Type, Full SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter 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, FullCharacter Designer: Mika Akitaka (明貴美加) Wave19 Japanese Release Date: 23 February 2012 Fubuki type 2 (フブキ弐型), Ninja Type, Full Set Mizuki Type 2 (ミズキ弐型), Ninja Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Humikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Wave 20 Japanese Release Date: 15 March 2012 Arnval Mk.2 Tempesta Full Arms Package (アーンヴァルMk.2 テンペスタ フルアームズパッケージ), Angel Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Strarf Mk.2 Lavina Full Arms Package (ストラーフMk.2 ラヴィーナ フルアームズパッケージ), Devil Type, Full SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Werkstra (ウェルクストラ, Werukusutora), Commando Angel Type, Light Armour Full SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Light Armor Wave 2 Japanese Release Date: 30 October 2008 Bright Feather (ブライトフェザー, Buraitofezā), Nurse Type, Light Armour Full SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter 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 SetCharacter Designer: BLADE Pomock (ポモック, Pomokku), Squirrel Type, Light Armor Full SetCharacter Designer: BLADE Light Armor Wave 4 Japanese Release Date: 25 February 2010 Kohiru (こひる, Kohiru), Chopsticks Type, Light Armor Full SetCharacter Designer: Dogmask Merienda (メリエンダ, Merienda ), Spoon Type, Light Armor Full SetCharacter Designer: Dogmask Special Releases Japanese Release Date: 26 December 2008 Fubuki (フブキ, Fubuki), Ninja Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: nunoLE Konamistyle Japanese Exclusive Mizuki (ミズキ, Mizuki), Ninja Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: nunoLE Konamistyle Japanese Exclusive
Japanese Release Date: 26 March 2009 Nagi (ナギ, Nagi), Ojousama Type, Light Armor Full SetCharacter Designer: Kenjiro HataOnly available from a special release with the Hayate no Gotoku PSP game Nightmare Paradise Konami Style Japanese exclusive limited edition.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 SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Strarf Mk.2 (ストラーフMk.2 ), Devil Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ) Only available from a special release with the Busou Shinki Battle Masters PSP game Konami Style Japanese exclusive limited edition.
Japanese Release Date: 22 September 2011 Arnval Mk.2 Full Arms Package (アーンヴァルMk.2 フルアームズパッケージ), Angel Type, Full SetCharacter Designer: Fumikane Shimada (島田フミカネ)