The second gunpla I built, Aegis Gundam
Why this kit
Well, I said it before. I was really into transforming Gundam at that time. And the mother of all transforming Gundam, actually is not this one but the EX-S Gundam. Anyway, I can't let go of the excitement after watching the dramatic Gundam Seed series.
Plus how can you forget when Aegis does this?
Kit Details
The Aegis kit was released in October 2012, the last of the original quintet of Gundam Seed. It's a D0 box kit with 16 runners and 389 parts. You also get 1 sheet of dry transfer decals, 1 sheet of stickers and 1 sheet of stickers for eyes and camera lenses. This kit is priced at RM 175.
Note: Psstt...! Consider topping your purchase with an action base because you really want to put this guy in the mobile armor form.
Build / Difficulty
(Score: -1)
Now this gets really interesting. If you build a lot of Gundam kit, this kit is totally different from whatever kit you've built before.
You start with the small torso which doesn't feel like a torso at all. Then the head, yes a bit traditional. Then the big arms, then another 2 arms that turned out to be the legs cause all 4 limbs are exactly the same, only being bent in different direction. Then the huge side skirt.
The build is confusing enough, you'll be guessing what you're building. Then when it comes to the time to put everything together, it gets weirder. The manual didn't do a too good job of explaining it either.
I took 3 days to complete the build, with no detailing and no decals. Pretty fast, considering I'm in a confused state. And an additional 2 days recently putting on decals, lining details and fixing some visible bad nubs. Because it's red, the nubs are more visible. Anyway, it's a bit easier to fix compared to the Unicorn kit.
Looks / Details
(Score: Neutral)
The look is subjective. The proportions are a bit weird with huge parts at the least imaginable place. And the pinkish red color doesn't shine as much as you think. Once you got the lines and decals done, this kit looks great. But the looks are definitely unique compared to other gunpla kits.
Accessories
(Score: +1)
This kit gets a shield and a rifle. The shield is very good looking but the rifle is a bit plain. You also get beam effect parts for the claws on the arms and feet.
Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: -1)
The kit is a bit waist heavy thanks to the 2 really huge skirt. You need to move the skirt around to balance the kit. Because of the complex transformation, this kit has lots of weak joints with bits and pieces held together by a small piece of inner frame. And also because of the complex transformation, this kit has one of the weirdest internal frame, which bends in really weird places.
Although it does have a wide range of movement, its movement is restricted by big chunky pieces everywhere.
Shelf presence
(Score: +2)
This kit will stand out on your shelf. The bright red colors will catch attention. Pose this kit in the mobile armor form will give you lots of brownie points.
Bonus
(Score: Neutral)
Nothing much you can do to improve this kit. This kit is complicated, it's not really friendly to pose and you'll probably leave it on your shelf in either MS or MA form and never transform back and forth ever again.
Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +1)
This kit is one of the unique kit in the gunpla series. Pick up this kit if you're looking for something totally different. It has a good price tag too, not a huge blow to the wallet to experience something new. You'll probably ended up as confused as I did and will probably swear you'll never build another transforming kit after this one.
Gundam: Aegis Gundam
Code: GAT-X303
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed
Pilot: Athrun Zala
Faction: ZAFT
Weapons: Beam Saber, 60mm High Energy Beam Rifle, Scylla 580mm Multi Phase Energy Cannon
Release: October 2012
Box: D0
Runner: 16
Parts: 389
Price: 4800 yen
Pundit: For those who said "Challenge Accepted"
Variants
This is the one and only kit with this frame.
Dalong's Review
Dalong's Score: 101
Up Next: HG Build Strike Gundam
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