Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, MG ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam

Kit Details
Gundam: Justice Gundam
Code:  ZGMF-X09A
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed
Pilot: Athrun Zala
Faction: ZAFT
Weapons: MA-M01 Lacerta Beam Sabers, MA-M20 Lupus Beam Rifle, RQM51 Bassel Beam Boomerang, M9M9 Cervus Turret Machine Gun, GAU5 Volucris Machine Gun
Release: June 2017
Box: D2
Runner: 16
Parts: 435
Price: 4800 yen

Build / Difficulty
(Score: +1)
Good: Build is very interesting.  Lots of gimmicks and sharp looking parts are a joy too build.
Bad: Reused parts from the Freedom 2.0 leads to repeated builds.
Difficulty: Medium
Panel Line: Average.  Surprisingly not as much as Freedom 2.0
Decals: Quite a lot especially on the Fatum unit.  Stickers and dry transfers.

Looks / Details
(Score: +2)
Good: Justice looks amazing! Love the color scheme.  I did add the dual tone to get the RG looks.  Justice has more share edges making it look fierce.
Bad: I thought the dual tone pink and purple will go to the Justice as well but the purple is all Fatum.

Accessories
(Score: +1)
You get: a pair of beam boomerang, a pair of beam sabers, a beam rifle and a shield.  And a Fatum unit double as backpack and an action base.  Plus beam effect parts for the beam sabers and boomerangs.

Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: +1)
Good: Has a very wide range of movement thanks to the same great Freedom 2.0's frame.
Bad: Movement is move restricted due to larger armor.  Feels less solid compared to the Freedom.  The Fatum backpack is super back heavy.

Ugly:  My kit's shoulder is weak, not sure it's a widespread problem or no.  

Shelf presence
(Score: +2)
Good: Justice looks absolutely fantastic.  The color scheme looks great.  The Fatum unit has multiple gimmicks to increase Justice's shelf presence.
Bad: Lots of works on the posing.  Justice feels less solid and harder to pose.

Bonus
(Score: Neutral)
Sorry Athrun, no bonus. 

Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +7)
X Avoid
X Consider
X Shortlist
O Buy

Variants
Few variants of this kit that you can also consider.
1) Freedom 2.0 (2016) - Kira Yamato
2) Providence (2017) - Rau Le Creuset
3) Infinite Justice (2010) - Athrun's Destiny MS

Dalong's Review
Dalong's Score: 114

Up next: Astray Red Frame

Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, RG MSM-07S Char's Z'Gok

Kit Details
Gundam: Z'Gok
Code:  MSM-07S
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam
Pilot: Char Aznable
Faction: Principality of Zeon
Weapons: 240mm Missile Launcher, Mega Particle Cannon, Iron Nails
Release: July 2014
Price: 2500 yen

Build / Difficulty
(Score: +1)
Good: Easiest RG to build.  Lots of details to work on.  No extra small parts.  Painting possibilities are plentiful for those with itchy fingers,
Bad: Probably too fat?
Difficulty: Medium
Panel Line: Minimal
Decals: Average.  Stickers.

Looks / Details
(Score: +1)
Good: Multiple shades of red and pink looks very good!  Very detailed fit for an RG.
Bad: Default colors might be too plain.  A few color separation are quite hard to tell apart.  Lots of area can be touched up to make this kit looks even better.

Accessories
(Score: +1)
You get: A selection of 3 claws or 4 claws.  The fans under the foot and in the backpack is pretty neat too.

 

Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: Neutral)
Good: Being a balanced kit, lots of great poses are possible.
Bad: Inner frame has lots of gimmicks like bending upper arms and thighs.  However, it's barely noticeable in real life.  Elbows and knees doesn't do 180 degree but I don't think it's necessary for this fat boy.

Shelf presence
(Score: +2)
Good: It's red and it's the bulkiest RG kit.  Very visible on your shelf.  Pulls some great poses too.
Bad: Not much play-ability due to lack of weapons and accessories.

Bonus
(Score: +1)
Bonus 1: Lots of detailing possibilities.  I spray painted and detailed most of my kit.

Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +6)
X Avoid
X Consider
O Shortlist
X Buy

If you never build an RG before, this kit is a good place to start.  Build is not too difficult. parts are not too small, lots of detailing and customization possibilities, and has RG great looks.  Shortlist this for your next build.

Variants
The only Z'Gok in RG range.

Dalong's Review

Up next: Justice!

Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, MG GNT-001 Gundam Exia

Kit Details
Gundam: Gundam Exia
Code:  GN-001
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam 00
Pilot: Setsuna F Seiei
Faction: Celestial Being
Weapons: GN Sword, GN Shield, GN Long Blade, GN Short Blade, GN Beam Sabers
Release: July 2009
Box: A2
Runner: 12
Parts: 309
Price: 3800 yen

Build / Difficulty
(Score: +1)
Good: Original build, no reused parts.  Weapons are an awesome build.
Bad: The plastic translucent pipes are OK, nothing spectacular.  Decals cutout are not according to target surface.
Difficulty: Easy
Panel Line: Average.
Decals: A lot, and small ones too, stickers and dry transfers.

Looks / Details
(Score: +1)
Good: Looks good!  Why would Bandai release a PG if the Exia is not good looking?
Bad: Translucent pipes is not eye catching.



Accessories
(Score: +1)
You get: GN sword, GN shield, GN long blade, GN short blade and GN beam sabers.

Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: Neutral)
Good: Well articulated kit.  But not a lot of bends compared to newer kits.
Bad: Loose parts.  Waist mounting for GN blade is loose.  Red foot is really loose making the kit having difficulty to stand up right.
Ugly: Arms can't be raised up, being held down by the translucent pipes connecting the shoulder armor and upper arms.  Thank goodness PG Exia fixed this.

Shelf presence
(Score: +1)
Good: Iconic Exia from 00.  The giant GN sword is very noticeable.
Bad: Not much gimmicks.  Decals doesn't bring out a complicated look and are quite neutral.

Bonus
(Score: +1)
Bonus 1: LED

Bonus 2: Exia Repair

Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +5)
X Avoid
O Consider
X Shortlist
X Buy

Worth considering.  Looks good but have some bad flaws.  Expandable into the ignition mode.

Variants
Few variants of this kit that you can also consider.
1) Gundam Exia Ignition Mode (2009) - The broken Exia.
2) 00-Qan[T] (2010) - The trailblazer.
3) GN-X (2010) - The bad guy's suit with fake GN drive.
4) OO Raiser (2011) - The ultimate twin drive with the legendary Saji Crossroad.
5) OO Seven Swords (2011) - The OO with seven swords instead of the O Raiser.

Dalong's Review
Dalong's Score: 102

Up next: RG Z'Gok

Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, MG GNT-0000 00 Qan[T] (Revised)

Kit Details
Gundam: 00 QAN[T]
Code:  GNT-0000
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam 00 A Wakening of the Trailblazer
Pilot: Setsuna F Seiei
Faction: Celestial Being
Weapons: GN Sword V, GN Shield, GN Sword Bits
Release: November 2010
Box: A2
Runner: 16
Parts: 395
Price: 4500 yen

Build / Difficulty
(Score: +1)
Good: 2 clear green runners. Asymmetric build.
Bad: Parts reused for the 00 Raiser which is repeated build for me.  Not too exciting, lots of plain areas without detailing.
Difficulty: Medium
Panel Line: Average.
Decals: Just a few, stickers and dry transfers.

Looks / Details
(Score: +1)
Good: Good looking asymmetric kit.  Weapon and shield with the clear parts are a huge winner.
Bad: Looks a bit plain due to not much decals and panel lines. 

Accessories
(Score: +2)
You get: GN sword V, GN shield and lots of GN sword bits with clear parts. 




Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: -1)
Good: Well articulated kit.  Can get into a lot of poses.
Bad: Quite imbalance.  Shield/Sword combined with GN sword bits are way too heavy. 
Ugly: Posing is a nightmare.  Parts falls off a lot.  V fins, side skirt and GN drive's cover is the main culprit.  The heavy shield and backpack is held onto the Gundam by the GN drive's cover.  Everything falls over with a slight touch.




Shelf presence
(Score: +1)
Good: Very good looking kit with lots of clear effect parts.
Bad: Posing is difficult, but once you got the pose working, it will look good.




Bonus
(Score: +1)
Bonus 1: LED




Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +5)
X Avoid
O Consider
X Shortlist
X Buy

Can consider getting, after you got the 00 Raiser/Seven Swords.  Lots of play ability.  But parts falls off a lot leading to trickiness to get the pose right.




Variants
Few variants of this kit that you can also consider.
1) Gundam Exia (2009) - The original suit from the first season.
2) Gundam Exia Ignition Mode (2009) - The broken Exia.
3) GN-X (2010) - The bad guy's suit with fake GN drive.
4) OO Raiser (2011) - The ultimate twin drive with the legendary Saji Crossroad.
5) OO Seven Swords (2011) - The OO with seven swords instead of the O Raiser.

Dalong's Review
Dalong's Score: 104

Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, MG ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam (Revised)

Kit Details
Gundam: Providence Gundam
Code: ZGMF-X13A
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed
Pilot: Rau Le Creuset
Faction: ZAFT
Weapons: MA-M221 Judicium Beam Rifle, Dragoon System with big and small dragoon pod.
Release: March 2017
Box: D2
Runner: 16
Parts: 399
Price: 5000 yen

Build / Difficulty
(Score: Neutral)
Good: New things Bandai tried like rubber pipes and mold in pilot (no more figurine).
Bad: Heavily reused from Freedom 2.0.  Lots of big parts (not a fan of it) which seems like an afterthought.  Repetitive once you get to the dragoons and have tons of panel lining to do.
Difficulty: Hard
Panel Line: Super a lot of lining.
Decals: Quite a bunch, stickers and dry transfers.

Looks / Details
(Score: +2)
Good: Looks awesome.  Bad guys color, sharp looks and over-sized weapons fit for a final boss.  And the red ZAFT action base from the premium box looks fantastic.
Bad: Rau Le Creuset is a bad guy.

Accessories
(Score: +1)
You get: XXL Judicium beam rifle, a super huge composite shield which providence wore like a glove and a super big and long beam effect part.  And a set of dragoon launchers as standard.






Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: +1)
Good: Great posing potential thanks to the Freedom 2.0 frame.  Solid kit.
Bad: Back heavy and the over-sized armor, turtle shell backpack, weapon and shield restrict a lot of movement and limits the amount of poses.



Shelf presence
(Score: +1)
Good: Really evil looks with the color scheme and the menacing look.  Add ons like the dragoon launchers and the beam effect parts makes the kit looks really huge.
Bad: Needs a lot of display space to look as evil as possible.




Bonus
(Score: +1)
Bonus 1: Dragoon effect parts

Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +5)
X Avoid
O Consider
X Shortlist
X Buy

Great kit to consider to complete the SEED trio.  This kit captures all the essence of a bad guy Gundam and did it perfectly.  It has a same great inner frame but posing is a bit of a challenge.




Variants
None

Dalong's Review
Dalong's Score: 104

Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, MG GAT-X105E Strike Noir Gundam (Revised)

Kit Details
Gundam: Strike Noir Gundam
Code: GAT-X105E, AQM/EX09S
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed CE73 Stargazer
Pilot: Sven Cal Bayang, Leos Alloy
Faction: Phantom Pain
Weapons: M8F-SB1 Shorty Beam Rifle, MR-Q10 Fragarach 3 Beam Blade, MAU-M3E42 Twin Linear Gun, 57mm High Energy Beam Rifle
Release: March 2007
Box: D0
Runner: 18
Parts: 379
Price: 4500 yen

Build / Difficulty
(Score: Neutral)
Good: Familiar Strike build but not all the same.  Grey shaded parts is the highlight of the build.
Bad: Some parts especially the head are very tight fit.
Difficulty: Easy.
Panel Line: Not much is needed due to the dark shade.
Decals: Just a few.

Looks / Details
(Score: +1)
Good: Great color scheme with dash of red and yellow at the right place to avoid looking monotonous.  Armor is sharper as well giving the fierce look.
Bad: Not much details from panel lines and decals.  Feels empty at places.

Accessories
(Score: +1)
You get: 5 total guns consisting of 2 pistols (named shorty) and 3 high energy beam rifle.  And also rocket anchor that can be attached to the legs.  There's 2 large detachable Fragarach 3 swords from the Noir backpack, and freedom like shoulder twin linear gun.




Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: +2)
Good: Great strike articulations.  Lots of posing options from the backpack.
Bad: A bit back heavy and the Noir backpack feels a bit flimsy.




Shelf presence
(Score: +1)
Good: A very attractive color scheme, plus big wings, big backpack and tons of cool poses.
Bad: CE MG kits are not that big in size.  Freedom has bigger wings.




Bonus
(Score: Neutral)
None




Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +5)
X Avoid
O Consider
X Shortlist
X Buy

A very good kit to consider regardless if you build the Strike before or no.  Has great accessories and great posing potential.




Variants
There's plenty of CE variants that you can choose from.  See my earlier post on Aile Strike for the list of kits that is similar to this.

Dalong's Review
Dalong's Score: 91