REVIEW SDCS X-EX01 Gundam Calibarn, Bandai

This is review of Bandai Gunpla SDCS X-EX01 Gundam Calibarn from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.

Bandai Gunpla SDCS X-EX01 Gundam Calibarn Review

The newly released Gundam Calibarn in the SDCS series is priced at 1,980 yen. This kit includes both SD and CS frames, allowing for proportion adjustments with the kit alone.

Included Accessories

The set includes the following accessories:
Variable Rod Rifle
Escutcheon
Open hands
Replacement frame (image shows CS frame)

Stickers and Detailing

The kit comes with foil stickers to supplement various sensors and shell units. It can replicate the iridescent glow that surpasses Permet Score 5 and 8. Additionally, the stickers for the antenna and shoulders have printed patterns on the back.

Extra Parts

Extra parts include the torso and legs for the SD frame, and the legs and neck joint for the CS frame.

Frame Exchange

The frame exchange is different from previous models. The torso uses the CS frame for both forms, and while the arms follow the usual replacement method, the legs do not use the SD & CS frames. Instead, the lower half of the thighs, knees, and shins are replaced.

In previous models, the thighs shared a common frame, often ignoring design specifics. This kit uses dedicated parts to faithfully recreate Calibarn’s voluminous thighs without using a frame. The distinctive shell units are recreated with clear parts in both forms.

Kit Design and Features

Aerial was released in SDEX, but Calibarn has been kitized in SDCS. This kit allows for the recreation of both SD and CS body types. By not using frames for some parts, characteristic features are accurately reproduced. The luxurious build includes clear parts for the antenna and various shell units, and while there are no in-mold parts, combining stickers allows for beautiful shell unit illumination. The face parts can be chosen with or without pupils.

Although it's an SD model, the basic gimmicks are retained, making it a highly playable kit. The joints are consistent with previous models, using KPS for movable parts. Since the torso uses the CS frame base, the frame switch is simpler, only requiring the swapping of limbs. The ankles are also common between both forms, eliminating the need for disassembly.

Color and Detailing

The color scheme is faithfully reproduced, including the yellow temples and detailed shell units. However, some parts like the shoulder thrusters, the back of the thighs, and the backpack need painting. The overall design is intricate, with minimal meat reduction and well-crafted weapons, characteristic of the SDCS series.

Head and Face Options

The head comes with two options:

Type with pupils: The antenna is a clear part with a sticker on the back to recreate the iridescent glow.
Type without pupils: The face parts can be rotated 180 degrees and reassembled. Twin eyes are separate clear parts, with stickers for sharper looks. Changing the face requires removing the antenna and disassembling the helmet.

Body and Movement

The body uses the CS base with a wide range of motion and no frame exchange. The backpack is removable and features dual connection holes for easy customization. The grey parts of the backpack need painting, while the yellow parts are separate. The left and right thruster units can rotate and swing via ball joints.

Arm and Leg Construction

The arms follow the usual frame exchange method, and the upper arm color is not reproduced. However, the small shoulder parts are clear. The open hands are included, though the upper arms have meat reduction.

The hip joints follow the CS frame, making them more versatile and easy to move. The legs have a new structure that doesn't use frames, ensuring a balance between thick thighs and thin shins. Despite the lack of some grey and yellow details, the prominent shell units are well-reproduced. The knee joint only moves in CS form, with the upper thigh and ankle being common parts.

Shell Units

Shell units can be replicated with stickers for both Permet Score 5 and 8.

High Maneuver Mode

The ankles can replicate the high maneuver mode, ensuring detailed recreation without omission.

Articulation and Playability

The SD frame has fixed elbows and knees, but the torso and hip joints use the CS frame for greater articulation. The CS frame offers easy movement, with additional articulation in the waist and shoulders, enhancing the expressiveness of the arms. The lower body benefits from added knee articulation for more detailed poses. However, the front armor of the waist is fixed, which can cause thigh interference when raising the legs straight.

Weaponry

The kit includes the Variable Rod Rifle, which has a noticeable seam but features a movable sub-grip. Fine color separation is not replicated, and painting is needed for most parts. The quad thrusters are deployable, though the rod's extension gimmick is absent. Despite the simple back design, the multi-layer fin-shaped thrusters look cohesive.

The SD frame's short arms and fixed elbows make dual-wielding difficult, but the CS frame can handle it easily. The Variable Rod Rifle is well-crafted, with sufficient length and presence. Despite lacking the support frame from HG, the simple joints provide enough holding power.

The beam saber grips are removable, though the blades are not included. However, HG blades can be used as substitutes.

The escutcheon has sensor stickers but needs painting for detailed grey parts. It includes a rear grip for forward positioning and can separate all bits for individual display or attachment to the body, recreating the Bit-On form. While some simplifications exist, like the non-opening rear armor, all bits can be attached.

Comparisons

Compared to SDEX Aerial and HG Calibarn, the SDCS Calibarn offers a more intricate design with detailed weapons and clear parts for shell units. It retains basic gimmicks for extensive playability. By partially using common frames, the thigh details are better reproduced, and frame exchange is easier. The evolved content makes it a standout kit in the SDCS series.

Summary

Overall, the SDCS X-EX01 Gundam Calibarn is a luxurious and detailed kit, faithfully recreating Calibarn’s distinctive features with clear parts and a variety of gimmicks. It offers great playability and detailed customization options, making it a valuable addition to any Gundam model collection.