Review: Fan-Made Kotobukiya Light Capsules

Every now and then, a fan project pops up that truly stands out. Sometimes it's a fan-game, sometimes it's a piece of artwork, and other times, it's a custom accessory made to complement your official merchandise. Today, I want to highlight a remarkable project I’ve been following since its inception—so join me after the break as we dive into everything there is to know about these incredible fan-made Light Capsules!

Good as Gold

In the Mega Man X series, X dons several Armor sets that are given to him by Dr. Light. These Armor pieces are always delivered to X in impressive looking Capsules. For a long time, I thought these would just be something we would see within the games, but thanks to ReploidAsterisk, we can add these to our shelves. The Capsules come in two styles: Mega Man X1-3 and Mega Man X4-6. Both versions look very different, and they were both recreated here perfectly.

Backside view

Asterisk's first release was the Super Nintendo iteration, so let's cover that one first. Every detail from the Capsules of the first three Mega Man X games are here and accounted for. The top portion is held in place using three included acrylic rods. These rods help to spread the pieces of the Capsule while making room for your figure of choice. By default, the rods come sized to comfortably house your Kotobukiya model kits, but can be resized upon request for smaller figures like the D-Arts line. The base and the top portion also have compartments for optional lights (not included). This Capsule is also sold in pink, representing the Upgrade Chips from Mega Man X3.

"I thought the world might need a new champion."

The ever-iconic Super Nintendo-style Capsules will always have a place in the hearts of fans, but the newest release from Asterisk shows us that the PlayStation-era games had some great designs as well. Like the SNES Capsules, this one is also held up by three included acrylic rods. These newer Capsules have so much going on, from the exaggerated details to the display plate on the front, so there will be quite a bit to discuss. This design is much more detailed than the older Capsules, and those details were captured perfectly. Seeing a design like this in person is absolutely a sight to behold. This Capsule also has several features to use your sense & skill on, so let's get to it.

Fourth Armor, READY!

Much like in the games it draws inspiration from, this Capsule features a “screen” on the front that displays which piece of Armor awaits X inside. You might be wondering how something like that could be replicated in a real-world product—well, it’s all thanks to some clever engineering. By removing the red gem at the top of the Capsule, you can pop out the screen plate and swap it with another. The plates are held in place by friction, ensuring they stay secure without being overly tight—so there’s no risk of damaging the parts.

Even better, the bottom section of the Capsule opens up to store your unused screen plates, keeping everything neatly organized and easy to access. Included are plates for the helmet, body, arms, and legs, along with the Ultimate Armor plates for both X and Zero from Mega Man X5. There’s even a blank screen plate available, perfect for displaying a used or deactivated Capsule.

Swapping parts is easy!

So is storage.

The shipping process for these was quick and easy. They are shipped from the United States, so keep that in mind if you are ordering from overseas. The Capsule parts were packaged very well, completely covered in bubble wrap and in a tightly packed box to avoid any movement of the product.

Handle with care!

Overall, these Capsules come very highly recommended. They make a wonderful addition to any Mega Man X display. I don't know what Asterisk has cooking next, but I have a feeling that it will be incredible. Check out his Etsy page here to purchase these for yourself! 

Inactive Capsule

Nightshade Zero's time to shine.

Ultimately, it works with D-Arts as well.