Hobby Talk: Model Kit Review, HG ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Lupus

Kit Details
Gundam: Gundam Barbatos Lupus
Code:  ASW-G-08
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans
Pilot: Mikazuki Augus
Faction: Tekkadan
Weapons: Sword Mace
Release: October 2016
Runner: 4
Parts: N/A
Price: 1000 yen

Build / Difficulty
(Score: +1)
Good: Easy to build and an awesome designed MS giving you the satisfaction throughout the build..
Bad: Some really ugly use of sticker.  Paint it if you can, which adds additional effort.
Difficulty: Easy.
Panel Line: Average.  Some opportunistic panel line to bring out extra details on the kit.
Decals: Stickers.  The only one that works is the eyes and power button sticker.  Ignore the rest if you can and go for painting.

Looks / Details
(Score: +1)
Good: The Lupus is the best variant of Barbatos and it looks super awesome. Good surface details as well and the proportion is spot on.  And the shoulder Tekkadan logo, that's red on white.  Pretty sweet for a HG kit.
Bad: Bandai cut corners on some areas like the hollow heel that is visible from the front.  Can't unsee this.  So a proper posing angle is needed to hide this from view.
Ugly: Stickers really looks bad.

Accessories
(Score: +1)
You get: 1 huge sword mace.  All the guns are available as an option.

Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: +1)
Good: Pretty good articulation due to the simple build.  Can easily get into pose as nothing major will block the articulations.
Bad: Some joints is a bit loose, The feet ring can sometimes dislodge due to the design.  Nothing major and can be easily fixed.

Shelf presence
(Score: +2)
Good: Easily recognizable if you're an IBO fan.  And the huge sword mace screams look at me.

Bonus
(Score: +1)
There is a lot of iron blooded arms that are available as option if you like to add more weaponaries to Lupus.

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

It is kind to the pocket, the build is very good and the look is fantastic.  Best HG IBO kit if you're a Tekkadan supporter.

Variants
Few variants of this kit that you can also consider.
1) Barbatos (2015) - The original one.
2) Barbatos 6th form (2016) - The one with more armor and a pliers.
3) Barbatos Lupus Rex (2017) - Final form, with gorilla arms and tail.
4) Many other IBO kits that are based on the same Gundam frame e.g. Kimaris, Gusion, Flawros, Bael, Vual, Kimaris, Vidar, Kimaris Vidar and Dantalion (2016-2017).

Dalong's Review

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