REVIEW HG 1/144 ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II [Clear color][Movie Release Commemoration Package], Premium Bandai

This is review of Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II [Clear color][Movie Release Commemoration Package] from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM.

HGCE Destiny Gundam SpecII [Clear Color] Review

The HGCE ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam SpecII [Clear Color], modeled from the movie Gundam SEED FREEDOM, is now available. This special edition comes in a commemorative package featuring artwork used in the movie’s promotional materials, which notably includes only Shinn and omits Destiny. The kit is priced at 2,640 yen and can be ordered through Premium Bandai. While the instruction manual is a reuse from the normal Destiny, an additional sheet is provided to supplement the stickers.

Included Accessories

The kit comes with a comprehensive set of accessories, including a High-Energy Beam Rifle, an Anti-Beam Shield, the MMI-714 Arondight: Beam Sword, a High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon, Solidus Fulgor effect parts, MMI-X340 Palma Fiocina: Palm Beam Cannon effect parts, a hand for Palma Fiocina, effect parts for Flash Edge 2, effect parts for the Arondight Beam Sword, and Light Wing effect parts.

No extra parts are included, and color-correcting foil stickers are provided to enhance the color separation.

Design and Color Differences

The SpecII version features minor color changes compared to the normal version, with no alterations to the mold or gimmicks. The armor is in Clear Color, and the frame parts are molded in metallic hues. The backpack components remain red and black, offering a unique finish. The hand armor and the central part of the shield use yellow stickers for color correction. The antennas are not yellow but match the armor’s color (smoke gray in the kit). The chest lines and some parts of the Beam Sword are white instead of the usual light blue.

Detailed Review

Head

The head design remains the same as the normal Destiny, but the clear parts allow internal mold details to be visible, offering an intriguing look. The head camera and twin eyes are molded in a deep clear green.

Torso and Backpack

The torso is intricately detailed, with the same clear blue parts used for the chest and shoulders, albeit in a darker hue that minimizes transparency. The backpack wings can be deployed without part swapping and feature a locking mechanism for stability when adding effects. The backpack’s black parts are metallic colored, and the wings have nozzles and effect mounting points.

Arms and Legs

The arm design is unchanged, with the Flash Edge 2 beam boomerang attached to the shoulders. The forearm features a roll axis for improved articulation. The hip joints can slide downwards, and the side armor can move backward, enhancing poseability. The legs are sleek, with the same color pattern as the normal version but in a much darker shade.

Articulation

Despite using polycaps, the shoulders feature a structure similar to those in the movie version SEED kits, providing excellent articulation. The lower body’s sliding hip joints and movable side armor allow for dynamic posing and stable ground contact.

Comparisons and Customization

When compared to the normal HGCE Destiny, the SpecII’s dark color scheme resembles a black variant. The proportions and gimmicks remain identical. All weapons from the normal Destiny are included, except for the railgun. The Light Wing effect is made of plastic and molded in a striking fluorescent pink.

Weapon Details

The MA-BAR73/S High-Energy Beam Rifle features a movable scope and foregrip, with some visible seams, and shares the same metallic molding color as the frame. The Anti-Beam Shield has a central part in clear smoke, requiring stickers or paint for color correction, while the shield’s deployment mechanism and forearm roll remain unchanged. The RQM60F Flash Edge 2 Beam Boomerang can be removed from the shoulder and equipped with an effect part, with the grip and effect parts being clear and quite rigid. The MMI-714 Arondight: Beam Sword retains its original structure but is now molded in white, standing out against the darker body, and the wide range of shoulder motion allows for impressive poses. The M2000 GX High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon maintains its original foldable and extendable design, connecting to the backpack arm for dynamic poses, and is molded in a very dark green, nearly black.

Summary

The HGCE ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam SpecII [Clear Color] offers an intriguing take on the familiar design, with its darker colors and clear parts providing a unique aesthetic. The kit’s quality is consistently high, and the upcoming release of the Zeus Silhouette promises further excitement. This clear version serves as an excellent counterpart to the standard Destiny SpecII, with its detailed design and extensive articulation making it a valuable addition to any Gundam collection.

Gallery

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