REVIEW METAL ROBOT Spirits [SIDE MS] ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II, Premium Bandai

This is review of P-Bandai Gunpla action figure die-cast METAL ROBOT魂 Spirits <SIDE MS> ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM.

P-Bandai Gunpla action figure die-cast METAL ROBOT魂 Spirits <SIDE MS> ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II

The METAL ROBOT Tamashii Destiny Gundam SpecII shares its overall design with the normal Destiny Gundam. Some color changes have been made to the antenna and chest, and the markings have been switched from the previous ZAFT-centric design to a new compass design.

Stability and Build Quality

The wings and other parts are quite heavy, but the use of die-cast metal in the body ensures stable self-support.

Head Design

Despite the original release being back in 2019, the sculpt, which was designed with the show's animation in mind, still looks great. The antenna color has been changed from yellow to white, and the eyes feature the usual metallic paint. The detailed paintwork remains impressive.

Body and Color Changes

The body sculpt remains unchanged. However, the chest color has been slightly altered, with parts that were previously light blue now appearing in a much paler shade.

Waist and Limbs

The arms and legs maintain the same design, except for the new markings. The overall color scheme has been brightened, making the entire figure appear slightly more vibrant.

Markings

The markings on the shoulders are asymmetrical. The left shoulder now features a compass marking instead of the previous face mark. The thrusters on the legs remain movable.

Wings and Back

The wings can be deployed as usual, with some slight forward and backward movement at the base.

Accessories

The wrist parts are designed to share the same wrist guards, making swapping them a bit cumbersome. The set includes a base stand and various weapons.

Weapons

Railgun: A new addition, larger than the standard rifle, with a movable foregrip and detachable magazine.
Beam Rifle: Included as before, with a movable scope, foregrip, and waist mount gimmick.
Shield: Identical to the previous version, it attaches to the forearm armor.
Beam Shield: Attaches by removing the gold part of the wrist guard.
Arondight Beam Sword: Same sculpt as before but in a lighter color.
Long-Range Beam Cannon: Can be deployed with the same mechanism and has a darker color scheme.

Additional Effects

The set includes beam boomerang and beam saber effects. The Palma Fiocina palm beam cannon effect parts for the wrists are also included.

Comparison with Previous Version

Compared to the normal version of the METAL ROBOT Tamashii Destiny Gundam, the primary changes are the antenna and chest colors. The overall body color has also been slightly modified. The blue parts now have a semi-gloss finish instead of matte, altering the texture significantly.

New Weapon Display

The new railgun's movable foregrip allows for a two-handed grip. The beam shield remains functional, though the wrist guard parts can still be a bit loose. Some connections, like the chest central part, felt slightly loose in this version.

Dynamic Poses

The Arondight beam sword and long-range beam cannon allow for dynamic action poses reminiscent of the VS series. The figure can replicate the series' dramatic attacks and movements effectively.

Summary

Overall, the METAL ROBOT Spirits ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam SpecII is a highly satisfying model. The design faithfully reproduces the unique white antenna and chest parts. The fully painted finish provides excellent texture, and the new compass markings enhance the overall appearance. The new railgun is impressively designed and contributes to a higher level of satisfaction, especially for fans of the original series.

However, the sales method was somewhat problematic, with limited purchases per person and simultaneous orders causing some fans to miss out on key parts like the light wings. While recent improvements have been made, the distribution method could still use some refinement.