Gunpla #36 - HGGO Heavy Gundam Review

Looks like I have a fetish with gundams of HG origin line. This time, another long awaited kit: P-Bandai HG Heavy Gundam. This kit is one of the most anticipated HG kits of 2018, alongside Blue Destiny Unit 3 and Gundam Ground Type. Not only because it's the first time for the Heavy Gundam to be released as HG, but also because the origin version treatment it received compared to its MG counterpart.

From the outside, the kit looks no different with the previously released Gundam Local Type (LT) and FSD from the same line. It sports the same black color scheme and basically same markings, hence many assumes that this kit is just a retool of the LT/FSD. However, once you start building it, you will realize that Heavy Gundam kit is completely different from LT/FSD. The building steps are different, for almost all parts, the torso, arms, feet, waist and even for the head. At least 70% parts are new. 

Heavy gundam has new joint systems for the head, arms, waist and crotch areas. This new joints provide much wider articulation than any gundam kits released in HG origin. One which could be easily seen is the waist, which provide crouching gimmick to the kit while the crotch joint system makes the kit be able to kneel in more natural way.

Another thing to be noticed is the design aesthetics itself. While it's different, no one can deny that Heavy Gundam has resemblance with RX-78-02 Gundam in many ways. Interestingly, I found several things which might be an indication that Bandai will released RX-78-02 in the near future. For example, an unused peg hole on the back skirt of Heavy Gundam. It's obviously made as a connector for something. So why it's unused? Because Heavy Gundam doesn't have weapon to be attached on its back skirt. So, why does the peg hole exist? Probably it was made for another mobile suit which has weapon attached on its back skirt, for exampe, Bazooka. And what is another gundam which has bazooka attached on its backskirt? RX-78-02! Binggo!

In contrast with another gundams released previously, Heavy Gundam's backpack becomes one with the torso, or we can say that it's actually doesn't have backpack. Just a torso equipped with thrusters at the back. Thus, it might be a little strange if the shoulder cannon is built as the part of the torso. Another weird thing is the ankle armors. Unlike LT/FSD, the ankle armors have articulation since they have joints connected to the shin parts of the leg. Strangely, they're connected to the shin through ball joints! While it may looks weird, thanks to the ball joints, the ankle armors could be now moved freely.

The last things I would like to mentioned are the accessories. Heavy Gundam comes with an FSD shield, a special beam rifle, 2 beam saber effects with only 1 hilt and lastly, a bigass flame launcher. I don't consider the shoulder cannon as accessories since it becomes the part of torso. The flame launcher is big ... and HEAVY. It has a small compartment for the gundam's right hand placement while using the weapon. The special beam rifle on the other hand, just an ordinary beam rifle. Story wise, the beam rifle is actually the proper beam rifle used by Gundam FSD. So, if you've already had FSD and Long-range beam rifle prototype, now you accessories are now complete.

The marking stickers are more and less similar with FSD or LT. The only annoying things are the small stickers wrapping hands and legs. The quality is basically the same with previous Gundams. Nothing so special here.

So, now the conclusion: should you buy it? I would like to say yes, because compared to the previous gundam release of origin line, Heavy Gundam build is almost completely new, and it's a badass kind of gundam. The articulation is so amazing, although I could say that it's still not in the same level as HGUC revive kits.

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FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam

Pros:

• New design and engineering, not a mere retooled kit from previous HGGO Gundams
• Badass weapon and accessories
• Improved articulation from Gundam Local Type/FSD

Cons:

• Almost nothing ... probably the weird ankle armor connector and overall same markings with Gundam local type/FSD             

Gunpla #35 - HGGO Gundam FSD + Long-range Beam Rifle Prototype Review

This kit is basically an upgrade of Gundam Local Type North American Version. If you check the package, it's obvious that Bandai just added one extra runner for the mini gattling gun, big shield, ammo drum and some body parts. The rest of the accessories are from local type. It's quite a greedy business strategy by Bandai, since they just provide the original beam rifle with Heavy Gundam which is a p-bandai, and long-range beam rifle which is a special-limited bonus from Gundam Ace manga magazine.

Since this kit is actually identical with local type (except for the chest and waist parts), I won't talk about articulation. Anyway, one of the best reason to buy this kit is probably the spare parts. You'll get ALL part and accessory from the local type, which means, you can choose making gundam FSD, original local type or the north american type, or if you can also mash those kits as you like. Unfortunately, the sticker decals are just enough for the new parts of FSD, thus you can't add some markings for the extra parts/accessories.

Now, let's talk about the gun. Not the puny machine gun of local type, but that BIG long-range beam rifle prototype from Gundam Ace magazine. The weapon is one of the original weapons of FSD as depicted on Origin MSD manga, and it's designed by the famous Katoki Hajime.

That big beam rifle had two barrels and could be extended (if you buy more than 1 magazine, of course). It also could switch into a kind of ordinary beam rifle and beam 'pistol' if you remove the barrels. The gun also has attachment for the backpack and shield (the one with stance).

It's a badass big gun, but as you may expect, it's also heavy, and that means, it will be hard to pose  the gun with the gundam kit. I found the flimsy hands of HG kits (not just FSD) were struggling to hold the gun properly, especially for the trigger handle. Luckily, there's an option to move handle to the back side of the gun, hence making it easier for posing. Furthermore, the mini gattling gun is on the way while posing the big gun, thus it's better to detach the gattling gun before putting the long range beam rifle.

Overall, I'm quite satisfied with these kits, and I recommend it for everybody who wants to try the HG kits from the Origin series. If you're confused to choose between FSD, local type or north american local type, I suggest you to choose FSD since you'll get all parts from the previous gundams to make either one of them, or a custom one.

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RX-78-01 [FSD]

Pros:

- All parts from previous gundams included

- Badass color scheme and markings

Cons:

- The original weapons are limited release (p-bandai and gundam ace magazine)