For today’s review, I am going to take a look at TOMYTEC’s Bus Collection Hokutetsu Group [Business Limited Edition] Arigatou Komatsu Bus (Set of 2).
Before I begin, let me first preface that TOMYTEC is nothing like Hot Wheels or Matchbox vehicles. For one, these are 1/150 scale, not the 1/64 scale.
And depending on the vehicle, they are pretty much partially assembled. For trucks, there can be mini parts that need to be carefully attached (or glued) and one can see them like mini-models.
They are not made of ZAMAC (white metal/pot metal) like Hot Wheels or Matchbox. One can equate it being plastic, similar to their TOMIX non-motored train counterpart.
The secret to collecting TOMYTEC bus or truck collections is pretty much as a collector, getting them while they are on sale. So, Amazon JP makes it very appealing because on eBay or even Amazon JP (via third party sellers), they can be priced of nearly 9-10 times of the amount.
So, they are highly collectable and can be resold for a good price. If possible, try to keep the packaging if you plan to open it. You can open it through the bottom without damaging the box.
So, for those of you wondering why I include this under Tetsudo Mokei. For one, a lot of the bus companies are owned by Japanese rail companies and two, the trains work if you want to include it with your 1/150 N Gauge diorama setup.
But I need to emphasize this…this is for 1/150 scale, so it’s small. Most negative reviews are primarily people who spent a lot and thought it was going to be an 20cm/8 inch bus because of the packaging. But no, this is a small bus. All 1/150 scale bus or trucks will be small.
With that being said, I decided to get the TOMYTEC Bus Collection Hokutetsu Group [Business Limited Edition] Arigatou Komatsu Bus (Set of 2).
So, this set is courtesy of the Hokuriku Railway Group (Hokutetsu) integration commemorative of the group’s reorganization in July 2021. Each group company of Komatsu Bus, Hokuriku Kotsu, Kaga Onsen Bus, Kaga Hakusan Bus were integrated and reorganized.
The Komatsu Bus started with Ogoya Railway in 1919 and changed its name to Komatsu Bus in 1977. Hokuriku Kotsu started operation with 22 vehicles as a charter exclusive operator from 2005. The Kaga Onsen Bus started operating mainly on the Kaga area route in 1994 and the Kaga Hakusan Bus started operating in areas such as Kanazawa City, Hakusan City, Komatsu City, Nomi City, etc. in 2012.
Starting on July 2021, the Kaga Onsen Bus and Kaga Hakusan Bus changed their names to Hokutetsu Kaga Bus and Hokutetsu Hakusan Bus. The Komatsu Bus business was merged with the Hokuriku Transportation Bus.
But I’m going to focus on the Komatsu buses that come with this set.
This set comes with two buses, the Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Star which faithfully reproduces the old color banners. The Komatsu Bus no. 512 (Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Star) Hanibe Mae (Hanibe Line) and the Komatsu Bus no. 512 (Hino Rainbow HR) Komatsu Airport (Airport Connection Line).
There is impressive detail and the small tiny stickers are fortunately painted or added, so you don’t have to do it yourself.
The retail price for this set is Y3300 ($24.85 US) but I got it for Y1790 ($13.48 US) when it was on sale on Amazon Japan.
Image Source: Busmania
Image Source: Twitter /Kanaen
The red and white is the Komatsu Bus No. 512 (Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Star). Introduced in March 1995, it was the company’s first air-conditioned vehicle and is quite a large sized route bus. Comparing both buses, you can see the size difference.
And you can’t help but love how they included the details of the red rims.
Image Source: Enchanted Bus / http://hu2pmce.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1160.html
The silver is the Komatsu Bus No. 512 (Hino Rainbow HR) and was transferred from Meitetsu Bus in 2013. It was used primarily for airport connecting lines and was active as the second generation “512” car. In 2021, the number was changed due to company reorganization and it is currently operated as the Hokutetsu Kaga Bus No. 25-612.
Overall, the TOMYTEC Bus Collection Hokuriku Group [Business Limited Edition] Arigatou Komatsu Bus (Set of 2) was a great deal for the price I got it for. When I saw it on sale, I had to get it immediately knowing that TOMYTEC vehicles tend to be very expensive. Because once they are released, they are not re-released. You can only hope to be lucky and get one.
While I’m not a collector of the Truck or Bus line, I do own quite a few primarily for my diorama freeway next to my train tracks. I wanted it on the background. So, having numerous 1/150 vehicles were needed and I wanted something more modern, not like the ’70s or ’80s KATO vehicles. But for the most part, I’m quite happy with this set for the price and quality.
Recommended!
