REVIEW CHOGOKIN ZGMF/A-262PD-P Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam, Premium Bandai

This is review of P-Bandai Gunpla action figure die-cast CHOGOKIN 超合金 ZGMF/A-262PD-P Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM.

P-Bandai Gunpla action figure die-cast CHOGOKIN 超合金 ZGMF/A-262PD-P Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam Review

This review focuses on the Chogokin Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam. Without the Proud Defender, the full body is displayed, but since the regular wings are not included, it’s impossible to replicate the Phase Two state. In terms of proportions, when compared to Metal Build, the small head and slender legs leave much to be desired. The rear view shows that while the white parts, which are usually molded in Chogokin, have been painted, the color scheme feels overly simple, but the texture wasn’t bad. The face, including its contour and eyes, isn’t terrible, but the unusually long slit beneath the mouth gives it a somewhat sloppy appearance.

Details and Features

The eyes and main camera feature a built-in light-up gimmick, giving a natural metallic appearance even without illumination. However, the golden ducts appear somewhat cheap due to the lack of detailing. The antenna can be swapped to replicate the Disruptor deployment, though the replacement antenna was loose enough to fall off when the figure tilted its head. True to Chogokin fashion, a light-up gimmick is also included, allowing the eyes, main camera, and the center of the Disruptor to light up by activating a switch at the waist. Personally, I find this gimmick unnecessary, but the brightness was strong, making it quite visually appealing. The camera on the back of the head also lights up.

Design and Markings

The chest is wide and thick, giving it a rather bulky appearance. The gold sections are represented by a mix of metallic paint and chrome plating, which slightly disrupts the uniformity, but the overall paint quality was good. The waist area features original arrangements, such as golden accents on the front armor, and markings were applied to various parts. The side rail guns can be deployed as is. In the Phase Two version, the saber's position is higher, and the sliding mechanism to the rear is removed. The gun barrels retain the angular design as per the Phase Two setting.

The arms and legs are detailed as well. While the size of the shoulder armor is appropriate, the limbs appear too slender and weak, particularly the exposed thigh areas, which feel awkward. The shoulder markings are asymmetrical, and the calf thrusters are movable. The wings on the Proud Defender can be moved back and forth at their base and expanded upward and downward. However, the expansion was unusually stiff, and I injured my nails while deploying it, so caution is advised.

The internal units of the golden parts are connected via ball joints and can be individually removed. The torso houses the batteries, and the chest front can be detached. The switch is located behind a cover at the back of the waist. Articulation-wise, the neck has a decent range of motion, but the waist only moves slightly forward and backward. The shoulders can be raised horizontally, and the elbows and knees can bend deeply. The hip joints have a pull-out mechanism allowing ample forward, backward, and lateral movement, with average ground contact stability.

Accessories and Display Options

The figure comes with various options, including a full set of stands, beam rifle, and a high-energy beam rifle. The high-energy beam rifle retains the same design as before the Phase Two modification and is slightly smaller in size. As usual, the rifles can be linked together. The Phase Two modification also allows the rail guns to be mounted beside the rifle, with adjustable angles and positioning due to the ball-jointed connection. The beam shield is attached by removing the red forearm armor, which tends to fall off easily afterward, so be cautious.

The Futsunomitama sword features a chrome-plated blade and guard. A linked beam saber handle is also included. The Proud Defender can be displayed separately in a floating position using a display joint. The wings shift upward during combination, which adds to its dynamic display options. However, when displayed alongside the Metal Build Strike Freedom, the Chogokin version's proportions, details, and colors feel noticeably inferior.

Summary

From the prototype stage, the proportions, such as the overly long thighs, and the face design have been somewhat disappointing compared to other Metal Build and three-dimensional representations. The figure doesn't offer much beyond being the first large-sized rendition of the Mighty Strike Freedom. The articulation is limited by modern standards, with minimal waist swing, making complex poses difficult. Additionally, the stiff deployment of the Proud Defender adds unnecessary stress, reducing the overall playability. Despite this, understanding from the purchase stage that this Chogokin would serve as a stopgap until the likely release of a Metal Build version in a few years, I was somewhat satisfied. The rare painted white sections and extensive use of chrome plating on this scale exceeded my expectations, making the figure more vibrant than anticipated.