Gunpla - #6 - HG 00 Gundam Seven Sword/G + 0 Raiser Review

Well, this is actually not a new kit, but rather a combination between two kits: 00 Seven Sword/G and 0 Raiser. As I mentioned from the other review, 00 Seven Sword (00SS) is actually a variant of the normal 00 Gundam, and that means it would be compatible with the normal 00 add-ons as well. I've been thinking to add an "upgrade" for my 00SS since long time ago. However, 0 Raiser unit was very hard to find at any stores in Jakarta, and I spent almost 2 months for searching it on internet. But finally, I've found it at one shop in another city, and I immediately bought it even though the price was quite expensive. You know, this hobby could suck a lot of money from your pocket, but we just couldn't help it, could we ? :-p

From 00SS, you'll get 8 sets of weapons (beam saber x 2, GN Sword II long, GN Sword II short, GN Buster sword II, GN katar x 2. and GN Sword II blaster), while from 0 Raiser, you'll get GN Shield x 2 and   GN sword connector. While GN shields are quite mediocre compared to the other weapons, I could say that GM sword connector is the real bonus. This connector can attach two GN Sword II to form a GN Sword Staff. Not only for normal 00, it also works for 00SS GN Sword II long and short.

Tons of weapons. Hey, that's the GN sword connector in the middle.

This is the real bonus !

I was really amazed after combining 00SS and 0 Raiser. It was really really badass ! With tons of weapons attached all over the body, it looks much more bulky and menacing than ever. Of course, with the addition of 0 Raiser means that GN blaster and buster sword should be held on both hands. The extra weapons also added some stress and weight on the kits (especially hand), but the sturdy joints of 00 still could manage this.

00 angelic walk pose.

Now, come the best part. With such extra weapons, 00 practically has so many options for posing purpose. You could combine these weapons for almost unlimited variations. It's really cool and fun :-)

With GN blaster and buster sword (shield mode)

With GN sword staff. The GN blaster and buster sword were taken off.

With GN sword staff and GN shield combined.

With GN Sword Staff and GN shield (separated on each hands).

Errr ... GN sword fork on the right hand ? LOL

What's this ? GN scythe ? LOL

With such playing options like that, I have no choice other than give this kit an almost perfect mark, 9.5 for the extra features. Therefore, if you have already bought 00SS, I recommend you to buy 0 Raiser as well. It's much cheaper that if you buy two 00 kits. Of course, some people could have another opinion, especially if they want to have the GN sword III :-)

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GN 0000GNHW/7SG + GNR 010 00 Raiser Gundam + Seven Sword/G

Pros :

• Tons of weapons. Hands down.
• So many playing/posing options.

Cons :

• No extra decals.
• Put more stress and weight to the 00 unit.

Gunpla - #5 - HGUC Ex-S Gundam Review

The sixth member of my gunpla fleets. Tell the truth, I didn't know much about this guy. I saw it for the first time on one of gunpla review website, where the author put the image as the page banner. According to the information i found on the internet, Ex-S Gundam is one of the first designs of the famous Katoki Hajime (Gundam Sentinel Photo Novel). 

As the name implies, Ex-S (sometimes read as : "Excess") stands for "Extraordinary Superior" ... and it's HUGE. This guy is a monster compared with  my other HG kits. As the biggest of my collection, I suppose its size is almost similar with Master Grade kits. If I put Buster side-by-side with Ex-S, then the former's height is still below the later's chest. O_o.

Buster and Ex-S

I like the design, especially for the bulky shoulder and backpack. It is too bad that this kit could not transform as its MG counterparts. The articulation is also so limited because of its bulky armor. Simply speaking, this kit could only stands, without any other poses such as kneeling, crouching, etc. Despite above limitations, at least this HG kit still could stand by its own without an action base, hence you could still put it on the top of your desktop without any problem (MG Ex-S is so heavy as it needs an action base to support the weight).

Another cool thing is the rifle. It looks like a sniper rifle with an "UFO" attached to it. I've never seen such weapon exist LOL. However, the "UFO" disk is a little loose, so I plan to glue it later.

After all, Ex-S is an amazing HG model kit. In spite of the bulky design and some design limitations, it still could stand by its own, but I recommend you to put it on the action base for the better posing options.

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MSA - 0011 [Ext] Ex-S Gundam 

Pros :

• Cool bulky design and nice color scheme.
• Badass sniper(?) rifle.
• Able to stand without an action base compared with its MG counterpart.

Cons :

• Very limited articulation.
• Could not transform to G-cruiser mode as its MG counterpart.
• Some parts of the rifle are loose, especially the disk.

Gunpla - #4 - HGUC Jesta Review

If you ask me what was the best design for grunt units in Gundam history, then It should be Jesta. I was getting bored after building my latest HG Gundam kit, Unicorn. Then, I decided to switch my attention to another types of gunpla, that is the grunt units. Recently, I watched Unicorn Gundam OVA, and I really amazed with the design of mobile suits in the movie. The grunt units such as Jegan, Zaku or even GM looked so damn cool as they were different designs from the original series. It was the first time when I saw Jesta on episode 4 of the OVA. 

RGM-96X Jesta is high performance special operation mobile suit based on RGM-89 Jegan. Based on the story, Jesta was built mainly for one purpose : escort the Unicorn Gundam as the Destroy-Mode of RX-0 is time limited. Simply speaking, Jesta should handle the 'grunts' enemy units, while Unicorn deals with the 'boss', especially the newtype weapons. In the OVA, there were three Jesta units shown, and they were assigned to the Londo Bell elite mobile suit team, the Tri-Stars.

Back to the design, HGUC Jesta is an awesome model kit. The sturdy and menacing looks, combined with the special-ops dark color scheme are just to cool ! Compared to Jegan, Jesta has heftier body and armor. And Its main weapon, Beam Carbine, should be one of the coolest weapon in the Gundam history. You'll get seven sets of hands : 2 closed palms, 2 grasped palms, 2 opened palms, and 1 rifle palm. The model provide two beam sabers, but since the holder is the only one attached on Jesta's left arm, we could only use one beam saber. This kit also provides tons of decals, including number stickers in case you want to make a platoon of Jesta (if you have money, that is). LOL.

Overall, Jesta is definitely my fav grunt units, second only to Gundam. The design, color scheme and weapons are way way cooler than any other grunt units (in my opinion). And since Jesta Cannon, the assault-variant of Jesta has been already released, I couldn't wait to build and pair it with the original Jesta :-)

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RGM-96X Jesta

Pros :

• Hefty and sturdy builds. 
• Cool special-ops color scheme.
• Beam carbine and the shield are just awesome.

Cons :

• No beam rifle as depicted on movie. 

Gunpla - #3 - RG Justice Gundam Review

Justice Gundam. The grand daddy of my gunpla fleets. Everything was started from this kit, when I saw it for the first time at one of Akihabara streets, in the middle of November 2012.

Justice is the first gunpla I've ever built, as well as my first RG kit. I didn't know the different types of gunpla when I bought it for the first time. I even thought that the kit was already assembled inside the box :-P

Simply speaking, I spent 5 days in order to assemble the Justice, the longest ever among my other kits. It was a frustating night inside my hotel room, when I tried to built it. 'My weapons' for assembling were only a scissor and a cutter (LOL). There were so many little parts which keep falling down to the floor, and I spent almost 5 minutes for finding each of them. What a night.

In my opinion, RG Justice Gundam is an amazing kit. The details are awesome, especially for shoulders and sub-flight lifter/backpack. I made some mistakes during the construction, which caused the backpack parts could not snapped tightly. Well, it was the first time I built a gunpla kit and it's a REAL GRADE, so  i think it's OK :-P

My only complaint came from the shield. I don't know why, but the shield could not be attached tightly to Justice's arms. It's just keep falling and falling. It seems that the peg joint between arms and shield is loosed. The backpack is also soooo heavy, to the point that Justice could not stand unless I put the wings to support the backpack.

After all, as expected from a Real Grade kit, Justice is just awesome. So many details, so many accessories and wonderful gimmicks. However, due to the weight of its backpack, it's better to buy an action base for better posing purposes.

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ZGMF - X09A Justice Gundam

Pros :

• Awesome details and gimmicks.
• So many accessories; two closed palms, two open palms, two 'free' palms, two beam sabers, two beam boomerangs and a huge backpack/sub-lifter. There is also a stand for assault mode pose.
• Unique red color scheme.
• Tons of decals and markings.
• Wonderful articulation.

Cons :

• The backpack is SO HEAVY, which makes the kit looks fragile for posing. An additional action base is recommended for the kit.
• The shield could not be attached tightly to the arms.
• So many little parts. Especially for decals. Patience is needed.