REVIEW MG 1/100 ZGMF-X56S/ι Impulse Gundam Blanche, Premium Bandai

This is review of P-Bandai Gunpla MG 1/100 ZGMF-X56S/ι Impulse Gundam Blanche from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED ASTRAY Princess of the Sky.

P-Bandai Gunpla MG 1/100 ZGMF-X56S/ι Impulse Gundam Blanche Review

The MG Impulse Gundam Blanche, first released as a kit in 2016, was recently reissued, so I decided to build it. Priced at ¥5,616, it is available through Premium Bandai. The packaging is monochrome, but the manual is detailed, including explanations of the mobile suit.

The kit comes with a high-energy beam rifle, a mobile shield, alternate head parts, interchangeable hand parts, three types of stand joints, and the Core Splendor. The decals include foil stickers for the sensors and water-transfer decals for caution markings and the Elsa Weiss emblem.

Some leftover parts are from the MG Force Impulse kit, along with shield components from the MG Destiny Gundam.

Mobile Suit Background

The Impulse Gundam Blanche was kitified in the MG line from *Mobile Suit Gundam SEED ASTRAY: Princess of the Sky*. Piloted by Elsa Weiss, its white color scheme contrasts with the dark Astray Noir. This unit inherits the concept of the Destiny Impulse, specifically the Destiny Impulse R, and features the Destiny R silhouette on its back.

Body and Silhouette

While the core of the Impulse Gundam remains unchanged, the back connector has been modified from a Silhouette-compatible type to a Striker Pack configuration. The Core Splendor system is omitted. The Destiny R Silhouette, an improvement on the Destiny Silhouette, features wings identical to those of the Destiny Gundam and is equipped with a Wolfsbane long-range beam cannon, a more compact version of the Blast Impulse’s Cerberus high-energy long-range beam cannon.

Kit Structure

The body of the kit reuses parts from the MG Impulse, while the silhouette incorporates new parts along with components from the MG Destiny. The wing structure is identical to that of the Destiny Gundam. The joints are a combination of polycaps and ABS plastic, a bit dated given the base kit is from 2008, but the range of motion is still excellent. However, there is a slight sense of age in the hand and weapon-holding mechanisms.

Appearance and Details

Without the Destiny R Silhouette attached, the figure uses parts from the Striker Pack system, like the ones included with the Force Impulse. The overall color scheme is predominantly white, with some gray and light gray accents to break up the monotony. As expected from an MG kit, the color separation is good, and stickers are only necessary for the sensors.

The head is identical to that of previous Impulse models, featuring sharp lines and antennas. There is also an option to switch the head to a mono-eye type, with a rotating mono-eye that requires head disassembly. The mono-eye is made of standard plastic, while the twin-eye parts are clear plastic.

Articulation and Movement

Articulation is largely unchanged from previous kits. The arms can lift high due to the shoulder pull-out mechanism, and the elbows bend deeply. The torso uses a ball joint, but it doesn’t offer as much motion as newer kits. The legs have a wide range of movement, with the knees bending nearly 180 degrees. The ankle joints have cylinder gimmicks, but the contact with the ground isn’t as stable.

Destiny R Silhouette

The Destiny R Silhouette can be used on its own and displayed separately with the included stand joint. The wing assembly is identical to that of the MG Destiny, featuring similar articulation. The only armament is the Wolfsbane long-range beam cannon. The design of the central thrusters is reminiscent of those found on the Destiny Gundam's side armor. The wings have movable joints at the base and can swing up and down or rotate as needed.

Comparisons

When compared to the MG Force Impulse, the additional bulk of the silhouette gives it a more heavily armed appearance. Apart from the lack of the Core Splendor, the main body of the Impulse remains unchanged. True to the Blanche name, the color scheme is white-dominated, resulting in a simple yet elegant finish.

Display Options

Using the included stand joints, you can pose the kit on an Action Base. The joints extend backward, making it easier to close the legs. When the wings are expanded, the kit has a significant presence, thanks to the MG scale and the wide silhouette.

The Wolfsbane beam cannon can be posed in various ways, either held over the shoulder or tucked under the arm. It can also be detached and used as a handheld weapon, with an extending grip for added versatility. While the movable hands may not hold the weapon steadily, the included fixed hands provide a firm grip. Most of the weapon's seams are disguised with stepped edges, although some parts around the muzzle are still visible.

Summary

Overall, the MG Impulse Gundam Blanche is a refreshing take on the Impulse, featuring the Destiny R Silhouette and a predominantly white color scheme. Despite the flashy silhouette, the white color gives the mobile suit a surprisingly subdued feel. The silhouette, though partly reusing MG Destiny parts, moves smoothly and can be displayed solo as a support unit. The Wolfsbane cannon adds versatility with various posing options, and the ability to mount different Striker Packs expands display possibilities.