[size=medium]"Plarail Advance! - Cheaper price to quench your scale model thirst!"[/size] [size=xx-small](I made that up)[/size]
About this theme, I would say it's like that made-up slogan, it does feel like I'm investing in scale model trains, from its small and more accurate size, to its details and how the cars are arranged in the box. That said, since Plarail trains in general have a very standardized length, some compromises have to be made, and I'm gonna discuss them now.
[size=medium]AS-10 Shinkansen N700 Mizuho Sakura[/size]
 It's more ugly. Partly because of the nose shape and partly because of the paint, possibly. And the nose takes so much space that it feels too short (for the front end cars). Speed is alright, can't run well on inner curve though. This is my first Plarail Advance train, and I bought it because I want a matching set with the standard one (lol).
[size=medium]AS-13 Shinkansen E3-0[/size]
The best of three. Plarail Advance really enables the tall and narrow shape of E3 series. Coupler cap can be opened at the front car only, and the coupler is provided in a seperate bag in the box.
AS-02 Shinkansen E5
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The nose is alright, still take a good amount of length. Its green/emerald/etc. color really shines. The kind-of massive pantograph "shields" are also well emphasised. Coupler cap can be removed at the end car. Coupler also included in a separate bag, now in a slot on the plastic tray.
This train set is also made during the ACS time, so the box background art is brighter and shell of 2 middle cars are made to be opened, unlike previous generation where only car 2 (motor car) has openable shield.
Also, this is the cheapest Plarail Advance train I have ever bought, priced just below 9 USD, less half the price I purchased for either first two trains, and it has bags for each E5 cars!
Now Plarail Advance trains here are a rarity, but the price is mad cheap, now I can find some less than 5 USD.
