It's just Amatsu Mina with a coat of white. Though, once in black was more than enough for me. The long story short, or so much as I know because I've still not read the post "VS Astray" chapters of the story, is the BLACK Gundam motif is obvious "evil for evil's sake" when Rhondo Gina (effeminate twin brother of Mina) was using the Gold Frame, but Mina has a change of heart when she finally gets to seriously meet Lowe and Gai. Kazahana, who obviously gets the Gold Frame at this point was one of two candidates that Mina was grooming to be her successor. -- And then there's these announcements.. curious. "Internal Structure RX-78" https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/internal-structure-rx-78-2-gundam.html Can't tell if it's a figure or a model, but I'm leaning towards a specialty version of that new Universe line. The White Base on a blister card next to it makes me think that. there's no mention of scale either. and now for something I almost bought a Third-Party clone of but didn't.. 1:100 scale MS Cage from the MG Unicorn Gundam Version OAV as a Tokyo Base exclusive.. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/mg-1100-ms-cage-release-info.html Same exact thing from the Unicorn, and so it comes with the 1:100 figures of Banagher, Cardias, Mineva, and Merida. Being an exclusive means the third party option might still be the easiest solution.
Yeah I figured. I'm usually a sucker for Astray variants but this one doesn't quite do it for me. Might be tempted in the future if I ever see it for a good price. I would love a Green frame to round out the colours though.
Wait, gold frame was piloted by a DUDE this whole time? Then again...this is Japan we are talking about, why should I be surprised?
They just need to make an official Blue Frame Second L RG, or better yet, the Third. Seeing as that was the kit that made Bandai shut down Dragon Momoko.
"OH JAPAN!!!!" It was a deception of character design, Rondo Ghina looked too much like his sister. I had to do a triple double take until I read Astray R and the different artists between the original Astray manga and that one retelling the same events were the subtle cues. It wasn't until the SEED/Astray video game that had recorded dialogue and you actually hear Ghina speak during the level in which Lowe and he fought, do you know for certain, Ghina was a dude. He still dies the same way, and Mina takes back the Astray. Truth be told, they're the reason why Gold Frame was painted that way, because it was built for them. The other two were just follow up prototypes.
Basically an exclusive, sometimes limited release, sold only through Bandai's online store. A lot of the HGs and MGs that have been P-Bandai-ed the last couple years have been a huge head scratcher. For example, the Master Grade Endless Waltz Gundams were split in half for mass retail (Deathsycthe Hell Custom, Wing Zero Custom) and the other half P-Bandai only (Heavyarms Custom, Sandrock Custom, Nataku Custom). For HGs you have the Ground Type GM Sniper, all Jegans, the Leos, Efreet, the 0088 Zeta Gundam, etc.. You did think exclusives should be for special variations/deco, or from the side stories (manga/games/etc.), something that's obscure or just isn't enough to warrant a full release. Nope. Mainline stuff is being turned exclusive left and right. I feel the Master Grade line suffers from the P-Bandai treatment the hardest. In general, P-Bandai releases are just trolling fans now.
Dont forget one of the worst - Hg origin GM Sniper Custom, one of the all time favorite suits from 0079. Its P-Bandai. Instead, some variant of the sniper called the Interceptor is made mass retail...WITHOUT the giant rocket pack that warranted it being a MSV in the first place AND a different visor so people couldn't simply paint it into a Sniper Custom.
Well, BTF (third party company) already has one made for the Real Grade Red Frame, but includes parts for the original Blue Frame version, and Bandai made a High Grade version of it as well for the SEED HD HG line too.
Yeah, I was thinking about the HG Blue Frame but the sword wouldn't have the same level of detail as an RG one would. I think I forgot about the third party one but I guess that would be a nice alternative if Bandai never gives us one. Haha.
I had already gotten it but since I got the Effect Wing flight unit for the Red Frame, I'm going to repaint the BTF weapons for Blue Frame. The details look okay. More like a scaled down version of the Master Grade version. Ignore the red paint, I applied it before changing my mind.
Thanks everyone for filling me on the P-Bandai thing, appreciate it. The liquid chrome had some time to cure on the pistons, so I gave posing a shot. Wore rubber gloves just to be on the safe side handling the liquid chrome lol. Mobile Haro Dark by superkamikazee, on Flickr Mobile Haro - You wanna fight about it by superkamikazee, on Flickr Mobile Haro Front by superkamikazee, on Flickr Mobile Haro Back by superkamikazee, on Flickr
Partway through repainting the GM Sniper II, and I have all but destroyed the leg thrusters trying to pull those red bits out. Wish there was a hole to poke them out the other end. Also, forgot I took this picture when I built Grievous: Pep talk between skinny fucks.
I saw the Red Dragon add on for the RG Red Frame too and I think I would much rather get that than the giant sword. Haha. Though repainting the sword for the Blue Frame would definitely add some variety. It looks great! I really need to pick this little Haro kit up.
Thank you! It's a neat kit, great palate cleanser. I was a little burned out after the Sazabi, this helped with that.
Here's an idea, get a pin vice, or a Dremel drill bit set, come in from the back just enough to break free through the gray plastic and use a toothpick to push the nozzle plate out.
More Gunpla Announcement details. The Silver Bullet Supressor, aka "Banagher's Custom" https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/hguc-1144-silver-bullet-suppressor.html "Because it was not built to withstand continuous use of the Beam Magnum, it must switch arms between shots..." When I first read that when they revealed the machine, I was thinking it was ambidextrous.. Nope, it's "SWITCH ARMS." which explains the big booster backpack.. and a nice bit of "learned something from Full Frontal.." Not a bad concept, but unless it's redesigned parts runners, we're looking at FOUR TIMES the spare parts. At least from the looks of the plates down the outside of the arms, I know from Dalong's runner photos that the parts for the body of the forearms themselves are on an extended gate point from the main gate. Hi-Resolution Strike Noir is a regular retail release.. good. The Noir Striker Pack might signal a Hi-Resolution Strike Noir, which also means Strike Gundam. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/02/hi-resolution-model-1100-gundam-astray.html and the obligatory HGUC Normal Mode for RX-0 Phenex.. plated version first. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/hguc-1144-unicorn-gundam-03-phenex.html They show it with the open palm hands, but it's just like the Normal Mode Unicorn kit and comes with the bazooka as it's only weapon besides beam sabers.
Rather than giving it a Beefy Right Arm, which is what a sensible MS mechanic would do, they go with "let's just keep entire spare arms on its back to swap out during operation cuz he got too much GUN."
HGUC 1/144 Silver Bullet Suppressor Release Date: June 2019 Price: 2,916 Yen [ACCESSORIES] Beam Magnum Substitute right arms for replacement x 4 The Silver Bullet Suppressor was not designed to withstand the strength of a Beam Magnum, in order to use multiple shots of Beam Magnum, 4 spare arm units are stored on its backpack for it to continue the long range combat. A sub-arm unit is also installed on its back skirt to reach the spare arm units. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/hguc-1144-silver-bullet-suppressor.html Hi-Resolution Model 1/100 Gundam Astray Noir Release Date: June 2019 Price: 17,280 Yen [ACCESSORIES] Noir Striker Sword Pistol x 2 https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/02/hi-resolution-model-1100-gundam-astray.html HGCE 1/144 Destiny Gundam [Heine Westenfluss Custom] Release Date: July 2019 Price: 2,376 Yen The HGCE Destiny Gundam was decided to be released in May 2019! And yet, they already planned to release its variant, Heine Westenfluss' custom in July 2019! [ACCESSORIES] Arondight Beam Sword High Energy Long Range Beam Gun Anti-Beam Shield High Energy Beam Rifle Beam Boomrang x 2 Wings of Light Palma Fiocina" palm beam cannon effect Palma Fiocina" Hand (x1 each left and right) https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/hgce-1144-destiny-gundam-heine.html HGUC 1/144 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex Unicorn Mode [Narrative Ver.] (Gold Coating) Release Date: August 2019 Price: 5,400 Yen [ACCESSORIES] Armed Armor DE Unicorn Mode x 2 Shield Beam Saber x 2 Hyper Bazooka https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/hguc-1144-unicorn-gundam-03-phenex.html MG 1/100 MS Cage Release Date: April 2019 Price: 2,160 Yen The MS cage from the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn gets an individual limited edition release in the Gundam Base Tokyo exclusive GunPla lineup starting April 2019. This kit comes with 1/100 scale figure of Banagher Links, Mineva Zabi (Audrey Burne), Marida Cruz, and Cardeas Vist! Also, a mini compartment is provided to keep all the loose parts of any kit and is specially made for MG 1/100 Unicorn Gundam. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/mg-1100-ms-cage-release-info.html MG 1/100 Psycho Zaku Ver. Ka [GUNDAM THUNDERBOLT] "Clear Color ver." Release Date: April 2019 Price: 9,720 Yen The clear color version of the Psycho Zaku Ver. Ka has finally arrived in the Master Grade series. The kit features crisp clear color red armor molds that showcases the inner structure of the kit. This kit is a part of Gundam Base Tokyo exclusive GunPla lineup. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/mg-1100-psycho-zaku-ver-ka-gundam.html Mobile Suit Gundam Internal Structure RX-78-2 Gundam Release Date: August 2019 Price: TBA Clear mechanic version of RX-78-2 Gundam was teased at the Anime Japan 2019. No further info was mentioned about this upcoming release, but we will keep you guys posted once we get more news about the figure. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/internal-structure-rx-78-2-gundam.html The Mobile Suit Gundam UC Blu-Ray first press release with bonus contents was exhibited at the Anime Japan 2019! All the contents featured in a case with the amazing open box built RG 1/144 Unicorn Gundam Perfectibility! The set was released on February 26, 2019 for 65,000 Yen (with RG bonus) and 60,000 Yen (without the RG bonus) Both versions come with all 7 episodes of Unicorn Gundam OVA and 22 episodes of Unicorn Gundam 0096 TV series. https://www.gundamkitscollection.com/2019/03/mobile-suit-gundam-uc-blu-ray-set.html
My gripes about the Amatsu Hana: 1) The faceplate is still dark-grey... why isn't it white? 2) Not only does the Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Mina look "evil" because it's black, but also the angles and the spikes have that edge to them. Just painting the suit white doesn't really work by my books; now you have a "good"-colored mech with still an "evil"-looking shape/design.
