REVIEW HG 1/144 XVX-016 Gundam Aerial, Bandai

This is the review of HG 1/144 XVX-016 Gundam Aerial from Gundam The Witch from Mercury, a plastic model Gunpla High Grade Bandai.

HG 1/144 XVX-016 Gundam Aerial Review

Box art come with a fresh white design. There are many color pages, and you can feel the consideration for "easy assembly". Let's take a look at the runners from here. First of all, A runner of multicolor molding. The block that looks gray on the upper left is a clear part that looks like smoke.

B1 and B2 runners that make up the exterior white part. By the way, this kit is poly capless specification. C-runner with frame color. A beam rifle is also included. D-runner for camera eye and E-runner with effect parts.

And here is the in-mold part used for the chest shell unit. In-mold molding is a molding method that transfers a pattern onto the surface of a part by inserting a pattern printed on a film into a mold and injecting resin. In Gunpla, this technique was once used for BB Senshi's Kirara steel parts, but since it was not used for a long time, it has been treated like Ooparts.

This is also a sticker that contains the "Double Side Seal" that has become a hot topic. A double-sided sticker is a sticker that has a pattern printed on the back (adhesive side) as well. It's a little thicker than a regular foil seal and feels a little stiffer.

By the way, the adhesive side of the double side seal looks like this. Two types are included, one for when the shell unit emits light (left) with vivid patterns, and the other for when it does not emit light (right).

Work In Progress

Head Unit

You can see that the detailed color coding is done just by this, it's a great color scheme. With the front of the head attached. The gray part built inside plays the role of the so-called "Kumadori" part. Parts composition of the antenna. The clear part on the right side of the photo covers the upper part of the red part.

The camera part on the back of the head is also color-coded by dividing the parts. A sticker is attached to the camera part and the shell unit part on the top of the head. By the way, the eye stickers come in two colors, green and red.

From the rear. A sticker also enters the camera part of the back of the head. The shell unit on the top of the head has a sticker on the inside and is covered with clear parts. It's cool that the seal inside shines brightly depending on how the light hits it.

Body Unit

The neck part is a plastic type that is great for painters. There is also a ball joint at the base, so you can express movements such as looking up and pulling the jaw without any problems. The Body has a frame. A sticker is attached to the red part in the center.

The torso and abdomen are connected with a ball joint. You can move it flexibly. In addition, the shoulder base is also connected to the body frame with a ball joint. This allows you to move the shoulder base itself flexibly. It seems to show power when posing.

Cover the exterior of the torso. There is a lot of information, and it is a part where you can enjoy the "multiple armor feeling". Clear parts are arranged on the yellow parts of the chest.

The fuselage is complete after inserting the in-mold parts with the blue exterior. There is a clear beauty that can only be achieved by printing.

By the way, the chest shell unit can be selected from in-mold parts or clear parts + double side seals. The photo is of clear parts + double side seal. If you want to assemble when not emitting light, you should use the latter.

Arms Unit

Start with the shoulder armor. A sticker is attached to the top. The arm parts are very simple. The feeling that the frame is exposed is very cool. Combining the wrist and shoulder armor completes the arm.

Legs Unit

The toes are connected with ball joints, so they can be moved flexibly. Attach the ankle guard to complete the ankle part. Yellow detail parts are in the rear. The connection with the crotch shaft is a roll shaft type. Clear parts are included in the Futomomo exterior.

A double side seal is pasted on this clear part from the back. Completion of the base of Myrtaceae. A sticker is attached to the inside of the clear parts, giving the shell unit depth. The yellow detail parts that I arranged earlier make a statement. Once the myrtles are ready, make the snare parts.

The knee joint that connects the thigh and shin is a C-shaped joint type that follows EG and 30mm. Attach the armor around the knees to complete the legs. It's a beautiful flowing design.

Waist Unit

First, assemble the red abdomen part to the frame part. Attach the armor to complete the waist.

Backpack Unit

It's also a great color scheme. The backpack is complete after adding the beam saber and shell unit. The shell unit is a clear part + double side seal.

Weaponry

Let's make Bit Stave, who was very active in the first episode of the anime. The largest bit has a built-in connection pin and can be retracted and deployed. You can use this connecting pin to merge with the gray bit. A total of 11 bit staves and base parts. Shield form can also separate it and attach it to each part of the Gundam Aerial.

The beam rifle. It's a very simple division of parts. The beam rifle can be attached to the backpack via the attached joint. You can also connect a bit stave to the tip to make it a long barrel type.

The effect on the top photo can be attached to the beam rifle, and the effect on the bottom can be attached to the beam saber. You can also reproduce the "Bit On Form" with separate Bit Staves attached to each part of the body.

Summary

This is the complete review of Gunpla HG 1/144 Aerial Gundam from Gundam The Witch from Mercury. While incorporating new innovations, it firmly embodies the "themes" that Gunpla has been raising in recent years, such as "easy assembly", "fine color coding", "multiple armor", and "polycapless". It was an item that strongly conveyed the spirit of being a Gunpla of the "new series main character". And above all else, this kit is really cool.