REVIEW GUNDAM UNIVERSE ZGMF/A-262B Strike Freedom Gundam Type II, Bandai

This is review of Bandai action figure Gunpla GUNDAM UNIVERSE ZGMF/A-262B Strike Freedom Gundam Type II from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM movie.

Bandai Action Figure Gunpla Gundam Universe ZGMF/A-262B Strike Freedom Gundam Type II Review

The main body of the figure borrows most parts from the normal Strike Freedom model, with some newly sculpted areas such as the shoulder armor, arms, legs, side, and rear armor. The red color on the back is slightly brighter than before, but the difference isn't very noticeable.

Head Sculpt

The head retains the same design as the original, lacking any new gimmicks like a disruptor. The original sculpt was already excellent, so there’s no complaint here. The antenna remains sharp and precise.

Detailed Sculpting

The chest sculpt is identical to the normal version. There’s a subtle difference in the shade of red, being slightly brighter in this version.

Waist and Arm Design

While the official settings suggest a change in the front armor design, in this model, it remains the same as the standard universe figure. The shoulder armor, however, has undergone a significant transformation, becoming larger. The arm and leg designs also feature changes, with the forearm armor reshaped and the leg thrusters now displayed in an open position.

Rear and Wing Details

The rear armor has been altered in design, but the wings retain the same structure as the original, allowing for rotational movement and wing deployment without any changes.

Weapons and Accessories

Railguns: Can still be deployed as before.
Side Armor: Newly sculpted with an added saber mount on the upper part and a hardpoint for the rifle on the side.
Optional Parts: A new saber blade has been included, which wasn’t part of the normal version.
Beam Rifle: Can be mounted on the waist, and remains unchanged from the normal version, without any additional connection gimmicks.

Comparison with Normal Strike Freedom

The enlarged shoulder armor gives this version a bulkier, more imposing look. The rear armor and calves have also been modified. However, the articulation remains the same, and the joints are unchanged. The shoulders, for example, don’t extend enough for crossing-arm poses, making it challenging to replicate certain combat poses.

Articulation and Poseability

The neck articulation is slightly improved in this version, allowing for better downward movement. However, the lack of waist rotation makes dynamic saber-swinging poses harder to achieve. While some other Gundam Universe figures offer better rotation, the Strike Freedom remains more limited in this aspect.

Summary

For the price, the figure offers decent volume and quality. As usual with the Gundam Universe line, the overall design and articulation are solid but not groundbreaking. While there are a few new sculpted parts, the general feel and features remain similar to the normal Strike Freedom.

The future of the series is uncertain—whether they will release standalone figures like the MDE262S Proud Defender remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the Strike Freedom stands out for its massive proportions and sturdy build, with just enough new elements to keep it interesting.