Upcoming HG 00 Clear Colour Kits in January

Great news!

Bandai has finally announced the next upcoming line of HG Clear Color kits which consists of HG 00 Qan[T], Zabanya, Harute, Raphael. All the kits will be launched in January and the price is 100 Yen above the standard retail price.

Here’s some info:

Kit Name: HG 00 Qan[T] Clear Colour Version

Price: 1700 Yen

Release Date: January 2011

100 % identical to the Clear Colour Version of 00 Qan[T] launched in conjunction with the Gundam 00 Movie: Awakening the Trailblazer. Below are some extra shots.

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.

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Kit Name: HG Zabanya Clear Colour Version

Kit Price: 1900 Yen

Release Date: January 2011

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

Kit Price: 1900 Yen

Release Date: January 2011

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

Kit Price: 2100 Yen

Release Date: January 2011

First HG Clear Colour kit to feature clear purple. ^^

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Alternatively, there is an option to get all the kits bundled together.

Kit Price: 7600 Yen

Release Date: January 2011

Considering the price is the total of all 4 kits, it should be safe to say that there is no additional goodies. 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.

My Take:

For a clear colour kit fan like me, this is like a dream come true. Not one, not two but four kits. While I haven’t mentioned this before, the new generation HGs from the 00 Series are very good at hiding seam lines and nip marks therefore making it look even better in clear colour. So far, 00 Qan[T], Zabanya and Harute catch my eye though, realistically I may only get 00 Qan[T] first. Raphael is little difficult, majority of it’s clear parts are in white and black which don’t really look all impressive in clear colour. Dunno, maybe the clear purple will have to do its work. XD

Until then, (with determination) Clear Colour Kits here I come!

 

HG Cherudim Clear Colour(Expo) Version Review

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!

August Gunpla Loot!

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been all this time. I’ve just been absorbed in this month’s edition of Dengeki Hobby (minus the back portion which is well, kindly put, not my cup of tea) which comes together with the White Base Hangar. Yet, I’ve still managed to find time to get new Gunpla.

First kit is this one,

Kit Name: SD Duel Gundam Assault Shroud

Kit Price: 500 Yen

Kit Status: Released, February 2005

Kit Availability: Rare

Took me ages to find this kit and when I did I had to purchase it online. I’ve always been a fan of Duel (and Yzak) so, I’ll try my best not be biased. So far, I’ve no regrets whatsoever about the kit. Like all Seed and Seed Destiny SD kits, it is well detailed, has decent articulation and lots of gimmicks. If I were to be critical, the colouration is poor at best and there are lots of spots to work on so, clean build is definitely out of the question. But, to be fair this kit only costs 500 Yen and comes with totally removable Assault Shroud. For 500 Yen, this is really amazing value for your money. Though, you have been warned, this kit demands a prim and proper paint job at the very least.

Next up,

Kit Name: HGUC Zaku II F2 E.F.F. Ver.

Kit price: 1500 Yen

Kit Status: Released, March 2010

Kit Availability: Common

To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Zeon kits with the exception of Sinanju, Sazabi, Kampfer and Gouf Custom to name a few. But, this kit really surprised me, the same way the MG Char’s Zaku II Ver. 2.0 did. This kit has all the main aspects covered, detail, articulation and proportions all very well done. Not to mention, this is all done by just looking at the runners. The part options are also pleasing. Two machine guns, a heat hawk and missile launchers are all part of the arsenal. There are also three choices of heads. For those who don’t know, this kit is virtually identical with the Zeon Ver. which was launched simultaneously only in a different colour. Criticism? The colour molding may not be everyone’s choice and the iconic Zaku Bazooka is sadly missing.

Kit Name: 1/100 NG Blitz Gundam Clear Color Version

Kit Price: 2000 Yen

Kit Status: Released, March 2009

Kit Availability: Limited Edition

Yes, my affinity with clear color kits is really catching up with me . Originally, I’m no fan of Blitz but, the clear purple and black on this kit sealed the deal. To me, Clear Color kits are simple, you either love them or hate them. In my case, I can’t get enough of them. Especially when put under sunlight or flourescent black light. For those of you who don’t understand what I just meant, it is relatively simple. The clear plastic parts that Bandai uses for its clear kits react to light of different wavelength, eg. UV, differently. Under UV light, the kit looks as if it is sparkling and all the more so if the colour is striking like pink, purple or baby blue.

Ok, info regarding this kit. It was launched during PG Astray’s launch and you were entitled to purchase any one of the clear color Seed re-issues together with the pG Astray. Sadly, the campaign wasn’t very well received and only appealed to Seed fans. BUt, let me assure this kit is much much better than the standard and definitely worth the money, I feel it suits Blitz’s stealth theme more. Worry not about the clear runners, as this kit was launched after 2008. To me, all clear kits after 2008 can be considered the new generation clear kits which have better clear parts.

And the last one,

Kit Name: MG RX-178 Gundam Mk-II Ver 2.0 AEUG Ver. 30th Anniversary Ver.

Kit Price: 4000 Yen

Kit Status: Released, December 2009

Kit Availability: Limited Edition

Wow! That is one long name. You can imagine a conversation between two fellas and it’ll most probably go like this

A: “Ah! You have a Mk-II! What grade is it?”

B:  “It’s a Master Grade, of course”

A: “Ver 1.0 or 2.0?”

B: “Ver 2.0″

A: “Colour scheme?”

B: “AEUG colours, wanted the Argama hangar launcher”

A: “HD Colours?”

B: “Nah, like the standard better,”

A: “You don’t happen to have a …”

B: “Yup, a MG RX-178 Gundam Mk-II Ver 2.0 AEUG Ver. 30th Anniversary Ver.”

I wonder if there is any other kit which tops that name. Anyways, all good things about this kit is pretty much general knowledge. Great articulation, detail, proportion, gimmicks and value for money are all there. This 30th Anniversary Version with clear parts is a bit of a let down as the clear parts aren’t as impressive. Not only that, till today I’m still baffled as to why Bandai hasn’t launched the extra attachment for it to become Super Gundam yet. Jeez, they already have the MG Core Booster.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ve a slight question which needs help but, I’ll ask that on another day.

Until then,

HAppy Gunpla – ing!