An awesome surprise package.
Why this kit
It's a gift. From my boss.
Kit Details
The strike noir kit was released in March 2007, a D0 box kit with 18 runners and 379 parts. Immediately, a huge jump in number of parts compared to the Turn A. A lot of this will go into the over sized backpack. Almost the same amount compared to the strike RM.
(Score: Neutral)
The highlight of the build is the work on the grey shaded parts. Almost all of it, in fact. The main gundam unit is essentially the same strike frame. But there are difference with the overall design so you won't get the deja vu feeling of building the same strike all over again.
The next highlight is the huge wing back pack. This noir striker pack is what makes the strike noir unique. Overall, the build is enjoyable although some parts, especially on the head is a bit tight fit. There's not a lot of panel lining needed due to the color shade of the kit and not much decals to work on as well.
Looks / Details
(Score: +1)
This is a strike, no doubt. But the similarity ends there. The dark color scheme is very good looking, with dash of red and yellow at the right place to avoid looking monotonous. It has a larger and a better looking V fins too compared to the original strike. A few other places like the shoulder armor, are also sharper making it looks fiercer. Oh... don't forget the naruto whiskers.
However being an older kit, it does lack some sense of depth and doesn't look complicated like the newer kits. There are plenty of empty space. The grey areas are pretty plain. This kit doesn't have the details that the strike RM brings out from the decals and much more panel details on the brighter parts.
Luckily there are the big wings that offset the lack of details, giving it a much sharper look.
Accessories
(Score: +1)
This is where it gets fun. 5 total guns consisting of 2 pistols (named shorty) and 3 high energy beam rifle.
There's also mortal kombat scorpion's spear like weapon (it's called rocket anchor) that can be attached to the arms or legs.
Although the backpack doesn't count as accessories, there's a lot of gimmicks that comes with it that is worth mentioning here. There's 2 large detachable fragarach 3 swords, and freedom like shoulder twin linear gun.
Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: +2)
This is a strike. So the pose-ability is not a problem. Arms can bend 90 degree. Knees can bend 90 degrees. But this is based on 2003 strike frame so the total movement is a bit inferior compared to the 2013 strike RM.
But this kit makes it all up with all the bells and whistles that comes from that backpack. There is so much pose you can get out of this kit. Guns, cannons, swords. So many cool poses that this kit can do. Spread the wings. Unfold the cannons. Pew pew pew, small guns. Pew pew pew, big guns. Lots of cools poses, big thumbs up.
Shelf presence
(Score: +1)
A very attractive color scheme, couple with the big wings, big backpack and tons of cool poses. This kit will be able to steal the highlight from your shelf from some better known kits.
But, there's a but. This is a CE kit. That means the size is smaller compared to those gigantic UC kits. Pose this away from the UC kits please. And in terms of boastfulness, this kit still couldn't beat the huge wings from freedom and strike freedom.
Bonus
(Score: Neutral)
Well, since this kit is not from the main gundam series. There are really not much extras that can boost this kit.
Summary and Rating
(Total Score: +5)
I would not ever think of getting this kit at first since it only appears in the seed novel. And I dont read gundam novels. Pity me. But now, I would not think twice to recommend this to fellow builders.
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
Pundit: This is a very good kit regardless if you build Kira's strike before or no. It has so much great accessories in the box unlike the strike.
Variants
Well, since this is a CE kit, 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
Up Next: Providence Gundam
This is a strike, no doubt. But the similarity ends there. The dark color scheme is very good looking, with dash of red and yellow at the right place to avoid looking monotonous. It has a larger and a better looking V fins too compared to the original strike. A few other places like the shoulder armor, are also sharper making it looks fiercer. Oh... don't forget the naruto whiskers.
However being an older kit, it does lack some sense of depth and doesn't look complicated like the newer kits. There are plenty of empty space. The grey areas are pretty plain. This kit doesn't have the details that the strike RM brings out from the decals and much more panel details on the brighter parts.
Luckily there are the big wings that offset the lack of details, giving it a much sharper look.
Accessories
(Score: +1)
This is where it gets fun. 5 total guns consisting of 2 pistols (named shorty) and 3 high energy beam rifle.
Although the backpack doesn't count as accessories, there's a lot of gimmicks that comes with it that is worth mentioning here. There's 2 large detachable fragarach 3 swords, and freedom like shoulder twin linear gun.
Articulation / Pose ability
(Score: +2)
This is a strike. So the pose-ability is not a problem. Arms can bend 90 degree. Knees can bend 90 degrees. But this is based on 2003 strike frame so the total movement is a bit inferior compared to the 2013 strike RM.
Shelf presence
(Score: +1)
A very attractive color scheme, couple with the big wings, big backpack and tons of cool poses. This kit will be able to steal the highlight from your shelf from some better known kits.
(Score: Neutral)
Well, since this kit is not from the main gundam series. There are really not much extras that can boost this kit.
(Total Score: +5)
I would not ever think of getting this kit at first since it only appears in the seed novel. And I dont read gundam novels. Pity me. But now, I would not think twice to recommend this to fellow builders.
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
Pundit: This is a very good kit regardless if you build Kira's strike before or no. It has so much great accessories in the box unlike the strike.
Variants
Well, since this is a CE kit, 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
Up Next: Providence Gundam
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