REVIEW HG 1/144 ZGMF-2025/F GELGOOG Menace, Premium Bandai

This is review of P-Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 ZGMF-2025/F GELGOOG Menace from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM Movie.

P-Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 ZGMF-2025/F GELGOOG Menace Review

The HGCE Gelgoog Menace has been newly released as a standard version of the mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom. This follows the earlier release of Luna Maria’s version, and the new kit is available for order through Premium Bandai at a price of 3,190 yen. Although the package design is simple, the included instruction manual provides a detailed explanation of the mobile suit.

Accessories Included

The kit comes with the following accessories:

Beam Rifle
Prototype 35th Model Reconfigured Railgun
Refulgens Beam Shield
Magnus Gladius Special Beam Spear (with retractable grip)
Infernalus Electromagnetic Cannon
Weapon mount joints

Additionally, two spare parts are included due to runner configurations.

Stickers and Color Separation

As with previous HGCE kits, there are a considerable number of stickers. These include the blue lines on the bolero, red sections, thrusters on the waist and legs, and the railgun’s details. However, not all areas are covered by the stickers, particularly fine thruster details on the shoulders and knees, which will require painting.

Overview of the Gelgoog Menace

The Gelgoog Menace is the successor to the Zaku Warrior, making its appearance in the Gundam SEED Freedom movie. While Luna Maria’s version was previously released, this is the general specification version. The core body design, proportions, and overall structure are the same, but the backpack has been switched from the Earth-use “Bolero A” to the space-use “Bolero S.”

Design and Aesthetics

As the name suggests, the Gelgoog Menace features design elements inspired by the classic Gelgoog silhouette. The head incorporates elements from the Zaku and other units like the GINN, with a prominent bolero on the back that gives the suit a distinctive, bulky look. The large size of the mobile suit gives it an imposing presence, and the articulation is smooth and fluid, in line with more recent HG kits.

However, it should be noted that the movie’s versions piloted by characters like Mars Simeon and Herbert von Reinhardt are equipped with the Earth-use “Bolero A,” so they cannot be recreated directly with this kit.

Color and Detailing

This general version of the Gelgoog Menace is painted in a soothing light blue and dark green color scheme. The molded plastic color looks great out of the box, but certain parts like thrusters and ducts will need either stickers or paint to complete the look. The Bolero’s color separation is minimal, with many of the details requiring sticker application.

Detailed Look at the Mobile Suit

Head: The design evokes the Zaku and other mobile suits, with an antenna and mono-eye that moves (though the mono-eye is not a clear part, it’s molded for movement).
Torso: Dark green is the dominant color, with sharp, well-defined mold lines on the chest and back. The thrusters on the back are not color-separated and will require paint.
Bolero S Backpack: Derived from the Gyan Strome, this unit comes with a swinging mechanism at the base and the ability to lift the wings, offering plenty of dynamic posing options.
Arms and Legs: The arms and legs continue the design of the Gelgoog, with the legs featuring large thrusters that will need either stickers or paint for full color accuracy.

Accessories in Detail

Beam Rifle: The MMI-M635D beam rifle is compact and practical, with a short barrel that makes it more maneuverable. While the mold lines are neatly recessed, painting the white details like the scope will still be necessary.
Prototype 35th Model Reconfigured Railgun: This oversized weapon balances well with the Gelgoog Menace’s large frame, with some details needing stickers for full color accuracy.
Refulgens Beam Shield: The shield's frame has a different color from previous versions, but the beam effect is shared across different kits, providing a beautiful shine with polarized resin.
Magnus Gladius Special Beam Spear: This weapon features large beam effects and offers two grip options for deployed and stored states.

Mobility and Articulation

Despite its large size, the Gelgoog Menace maintains impressive mobility. The torso has good flexibility, and the arms and legs articulate with ease, allowing for a wide range of poses. The shoulder joints provide good front and back movement, while the hips and ankles ensure solid ground contact during dynamic poses. The inclusion of five thrusters in the skirt armor adds to the mobility.

Comparison with Luna Maria’s Version

The main difference between this standard version and Luna Maria’s kit is the color scheme, with the general version using blue and dark green, giving it a more subdued appearance. The Bolero’s "S" variant also adds a distinct visual flair compared to the Earth-use "A" version.

Summary

Overall, the HGCE Gelgoog Menace is a solid kit with a great color scheme and functional articulation. It offers a faithful representation of the mobile suit seen in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, with only minor painting or sticker applications required for full accuracy. If you enjoy the Gelgoog design, this kit offers a great build and display option, though it would be fantastic if Bandai eventually released the “Bolero A” backpack separately for a complete display of both Earth and space configurations.