First of all, it’s been ages since I did my last review as I have been busy with studies and other responsibilities. Nevertheless, Gunpla plays a huge part in my life and I try my best to devote any of my free time to it. 
For this review, I will be doing a static review of HG Cherudim Clear Colour(Expo) Version which comes bundled together with HG 00 Raiser Clear also in Clear Colour. Not too long ago, I did a DIY on how to remove nip marks from Clear Colour kits and Cherudim’s GN BIts were the subject. From there, I noticed the UV reactive clear green plastic didn’t look too good under the photo box so, I decided to do an outdoor photo shot with the aid of a lovely morning sun. 
As you can see, Cherudim is on a Sparkle Clear Green Action Base 2 which is used for HG kits and also happens to be the main reason for this review. Why so? Because it is very difficult to put Cherudim in any nice pose without the aid of a stand. Cherudim either falls down or the legs sag when you put it in pose without a stand. So, yeah, if you are in the market for a HG Cherudim of any variant, make sure you invest in that extra 500 Yen for this stand.
P.S. – A note on the stand, most Action Base 2 comes in clear colour but the plastic is non UV reactive ABS plastic so, it doesn’t look any different under any light. Otherwise, a great stand :3
HG Cherudim is capable of many dynamic poses using the GN Pistols but, when it concerns the GN Sniper Rifle, the amount of poses are limited and static.
A quick note on the GN Sniper Rifle – The long barrel which folds(has to be removed and replaced for the HG Version) to switch the GN Sniper Rifle Mode to Sub-Machine Gun(SMG) Mode can get a little loose and fall of when mounted on the shoulder racks. Thus, my Cherudim’s connection slots are tightened using plastic cement.
Warning: If you are going to use plastic cement make sure it 100% dry first if not it will be stuck forever.
The main aim of this review is the clear parts, so how are the clear parts?
1. Black – Standard issue clear black, no big difference under artificial or natural light.
2. White – Same milky clear white used by all current clear colour HG kits. May look a bit dull under normal lighting. Brightens up significantly under natural light. Looks great under high intensity white light.
3. Green – It may look similar but, this is a different clear green from the ones used on MG Exia’s condenser parts. Slightly darker less reflective. Looks mediocre under artificial light (with the exception of high intensity white light). Looks pretty good under natural light.
4. Red – This is an interesting one. Looks very dull under low light but looks radiant under bright light. The degree of shine for this is directly proportional to the light intensity. Very bright and it may become too shiny like in the picture above.
5. Yellow – Ah, the yellow. Wish I had more of it in this kit because it is perhaps
the best looking clear part in this kit. Not that there is anything wrong with the clear green but the clear yellow is really radiant under natural light. I always complain about how Bandai makes horrible yellow parts but, their clear yellow is quite the opposite. Sadly, there aren’t any primarily yellow gunpla or Gundams/MS for that matter. HG Artemie Clear Colour perhaps? XD
The long tail of GN Bits will be the primary reason why you will need a stand if you get a HG Cherudim. It makes the kit really back heavy and the relatively loose leg joints can’t handle the weight.
Which really isn’t a bad thing. Getting a stand for Cherudim really brings out the best in it and enables very dynamic “spammer” poses.
Another little bit of clear yellow is on Cherudim’s chest vents. ^^
Oh, if you were wondering, the bits hold on just fine so as long as you don’t fiddle too much, it won’t fall off.
I removed the yellow antenna on Cherudim’s head. I like the symmetrical look a little more.
A quick note, the armor guarding the cockpit and chest vent cannot be removed unlike the 1/100 version.
On closeup, the GN Sniper Rifle looks pretty good. Only question is, one wonders why Bandai couldn’t make the aiming sensor clear green. After all, they did change HG Exia Clear Colour’s clear condensers to clear aquamarine.
Overall, a pretty decent kit both in terms of function wise and aesthetics wise. To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Cherudim as the design never really appealed to me but, I made an exception considering this is a clear colour kit and the fact that it came bundled together with 00 Raiser(my original target).
After completing this kit, I still didn’t like it very much. The leg joints were loose and weak. The hands couldn’t hold the pistol firmly. The GN Bit and GN Drive tail weighed the kit down to much. The pose with the GN Sniper Rifle was awkward and static. Worst of all, the GN Bits left a horrible nip mark.
But, that all changed when I got the stand which is my recommendation to you if you do happen to get a HG Cherudim. Seriously, a stand is a must and with it the whole kit makes much more sense. With the stand, everything else is pretty much secondary. Problems like the weak legs and heavy back are instantly solved with the stand and it enables more dynamic poses more suited for Cherudim are possible. Regarding the GN Sniper Rifle, it looks good mounted on the shoulders so lets leave it there shall we? ^^
After all, Lockon does prefer the GN Pistols.
A few questions to end the review,
1. Would I recommend it?
Yes and no.
2. Why?
Type(1) If you are a fan of clear colour kits but not really a fan of Cherudim and have cash to spare, the answer is YES. I will recommend it as it is a really fun and enjoyable build.
Type(2) If you are a fan of clear colour kits and Cherudim, the answer is a clear and simple YES. Same reasons as above, fun and enjoyable. A keeper.
Type(3) If you are a fan of Cherudim but not a fan of clear colour kits, the answer is NO. Honestly , you’re better of spending a bit more for the superior HG Cherudim GNHW/R.
Type(4) If you are not a fan of Cherudim or clear colour kits, I’m frankly impressed you made it so far. But, the answer is surprisingly YES. This may not be the best kit to introduce you to the world of clear colour kits but it’s worth a try.
3. You got me interested, price?
Be ready to fork out quite a lot because HG Cherudim Clear Colour can only be purchased bundled together with 00 Raiser Clear Colour. You’ll have to be ready to fork out minimum 3000 Yen for both kits.
4. Is it worth?
Yes, every last cent of it. This is because HG 00 Raiser Clear Colour comes bundled together with it and it is perhaps one of the nicest clear colour HG kits ever. Not forgetting, HG Cherudim is good too. ^^
5. Great! Anything I need to know before getting one?
Everything I’ve mentioned above, you’ll most probably face it so make sure you purchase a stand. The nip marks can also be very horrible so you can refer to my previous post, http://kidskits.wordpress.com/2010/07/04/howto-remove-nip-marks-from-clear-gunpla-kits/ , on how to solve it.
Until then,
Lockon, sniping the target!
Kit Name: HG 00 Qan[T] Clear Colour Version
Clear white, black, red and green are identical to the current clear colour line up. The clear blue is one slightly lighter colour than the clear blue on HG 00 or Exia.
A stand will come included but, no confirmation on whether it is the above illustration’s normal clear or HG 00 Qan[T]‘s sparkle clear green stand.
Kit Name: HG Zabanya Clear Colour Version
The colour of the clear parts are identical to HG Cherudim Clear Colour. Colours include, red, white, black, green and yellow.
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Kit Name: HG Harute Clear Colour Version
Colour of clear parts are exactly identical to HG Arios Clear Colour Version consisting of clear orange, black, white, red and yellow.
Like Arios, the Mobile Armour Mode looks more menacing in clear colors, well at least that’s what I think. 
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Kit Name: HG Raphael Clear Colour Version
First HG Clear Colour kit to feature clear purple. ^^
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Kit Price: 7600 Yen
But, who knows? Perhaps a hybrid box art like the previous Clear Colour bundle releases? only time will tell.
So far, this is a Bandai Hobby Online Shop exclusive thus, there is no confirmed news of whether or not the kits will be sold in hobby stores.
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