Well, we sure did not see this coming. K Box, the Chinese building blocks toymaker best known for its in-house MOCs and sometimes unlicensed (but awesome) creations, actually has an officially licensed collection. The toymaker has secured the rights to produce the brick-built versions of the giant mechas from the Pacific Rim franchise.
The initial launch of the K Box x Pacific Rim collection includes four sets. The four sets comprise one large set and three smaller sets. It is no surprise that the flagship set is the Chinese Jaeger Crimson Typhoon. Presented in Chinese Red, the Crimson Typhoon stood out as a Jaeger with three arms and piloted by three pilots, instead of the usual two.
K Box’s designers use 2,951 pieces of Technic-style elements and special molded pieces to perfectly recreate the impressive mecha. Not a lot is known about this set, though. We know that K Box uses a new kind of electroplating process to achieve the shine associated with the Jaeger.
The completed model is poseable, though it is not known how many points of articulation it has. This thing is enormous. When completed it towers at 48 cm (about 18.9 inches) tall. The K Box x Pacific Rim Crimson Typhoon (V5018) is classified as S-class in K Box terms, which essentially means it is a large set of 2,000+ pieces and rated for 14 and up.
It is currently being retailed in China for about 254.20 yuan, which works out to be around US$36. You heard that right. 36 bucks for 2,000+ pieces. Absolutely mind-blowing.
Along with the flagship Crimson Typhoon, there are three small sets aka B-class sets which include yet another Crimson Typhoon, along with Saber Athena, Eureka Striker, and of course, the star Jaeger, Gypsy Danger. Like the larger S-class Crimson Typhoon, these smaller sets also rock special electroplated parts as well as possibility.
The K Box x Pacific Rim B-class Saber Anthena (10310) contains 610 pieces and stands about 30 cm (11.8 inches) when completed. The B-class Crimson Typhoon (10311) has 698 pieces, stands about 26 cm (10.2 inches), and boasts an alternate head. As for the Striker Eureka (10312), it has 698 pieces and stands about 26.5 cm (10.4 inches) tall. Finally, the B-class Gypsy Danger (10313) packs 637 pieces to result in a 25.7 cm (10.1 inches) tall mecha.
The K Box B-class Pacific Rim sets sell for a ridiculously affordable 89.2 yuan in China (approximately US$13). You should be able to find the K Box Officially Licensed Pacific Rim Building Sets on popular Chinese e-commerce store Taobao which I believe also supports shipping to the U.S.
Images: WeChat (K盒子) [CH].