REVIEW HG 1/144 RGM-79V GM Night Seeker, Premium Bandai

This is review of P-Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 RGM-79V GM Night Seeker from Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN.

P-Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 RGM-79V GM Night Seeker Review

The HG GM Night Seeker II, part of the Mobile Suit Discovery (MSD) series from Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN, is a newly released kit with a retail price of ¥2,860, available exclusively through Premium Bandai. The packaging is minimal, featuring a monochrome design, and the instruction manual is equally simple, with no detailed background on the mobile suit.

The kit includes a 100mm machine gun, beam gun, beam spray gun, an interchangeable head, gun-holding hands, open hands, and a beam saber blade. Additionally, the package comes with foil stickers for color correction, such as sensor details and marker pods, as well as marking stickers for decals.

The kit reuses runners from the Origin GM series, resulting in a variety of unused parts. Some Night Seeker-specific components are left over, but the omission of certain pieces, like the ankle armor, means these extras cannot be used to assemble a complete version of the regular Night Seeker.

Design and Features

Developed in response to requests from the field, the GM Night Seeker II was designed as an ace-use unit based on the GM Light Armor. Although it shares basic equipment with the GM Night Seeker, the use of the Light Armor base has led to lighter armor around the shoulders and ankles, giving the unit a more agile appearance. The color scheme has also changed to a more noticeable white and blue combination.

Head Unit Options

The kit includes two head types: one with a sensor pod and visor covering the camera, and a second head for the commander and guidance models, equipped with a marker pod. The sensor and marker pod details are enhanced using stickers, while the rest of the unit’s color is faithfully represented in molded plastic. The sensor pod version features a distinctive visor with clear parts and a mask-like design. Notably, the head lacks Vulcan cannons, setting it apart from the original Night Seeker.

Body and Armor Adjustments

The torso remains similar to the original Night Seeker, though it features new chest and waist armor designs. Additional thruster units attached to the collarbone remain unchanged. The back of the unit is also largely the same, except for minor differences in the saber grip molding, which now features a knurled texture for added detail. The thruster units include multiple articulation points, allowing for flexible movement.

Improved Articulation and Detail

The kit’s shoulders feature new parts with intricate cylinder detailing, a step up from the more basic designs typically found in HG kits. The arms share components with the original Night Seeker, but the shoulder armor has been removed to reduce weight, and seam lines have been cleverly hidden within panel detailing. The swinging mechanism at the hips allows for dynamic posing, and the front armor plates move in tandem, similar to the original Night Seeker.

Legs and Mobility

The legs share a similar construction to the original Night Seeker, with seam lines disguised as panel details. The most significant difference is the removal of the ankle guard, resulting in a slimmer ankle design. While this makes for a sleeker look, it slightly impacts stability when posing.

Comparison with Original Night Seeker

When compared to the original HG GM Night Seeker, the Night Seeker II stands out with its reduced armor, lighter design, and increased mobility. The torso and other details also feature subtle differences, and the brighter color scheme gives the unit a more eye-catching presence.

Weapons

The kit includes familiar weapons, such as the beam gun and beam spray gun, which remain largely unchanged. The beam gun, larger than the spray gun, is the same model included with the original Night Seeker. Both guns show visible seam lines due to the way they are molded. One new addition is the 100mm machine gun, borrowed from other ground-based Gundam kits. This weapon includes a movable foregrip and stock, as well as separate parts for the gun barrel. Despite some seam lines, the weapon’s detailing adds to the overall quality of the kit.

Summary

The HG GM Night Seeker II is a well-designed kit that builds upon the base of the original Night Seeker, incorporating several improvements and unique features. While most parts are reused from the original, the inclusion of two head options, added weapons, and detailed articulation, especially around the shoulders, make it a solid addition to the HG Origin series. Although some areas, such as the ankles, have reduced mobility, the kit still offers great articulation and dynamic posing options, making it a satisfying build for fans of the series.