REVIEW HG Gunleon, Bandai

This is review of Bandai plastic model HG Gunleon from Super Robot Wars OG series.

Bandai plastic model HG Gunleon Review

The Gunleon from the Super Robot Wars OG series has finally been released as a new high-grade (HG) model kit, priced at 6,050 yen. Let's dive into this detailed review, exploring the included accessories, design features, articulation, and special transformation mechanisms that make this kit a unique addition to any collection.

The HG Gunleon kit includes several accessories:

Weapons: Riot Wrench, Chain Cutter blades (for both sides).
Hands: Open hands, regular holding hands, and hands with pegs for stable grip.
Extra Parts: A complete set for Magna Mode transformation, white cockpit parts, and Action Base 7 for dynamic posing.

Aside from poly-ball joints, the kit has minimal leftover parts, making it efficient and well-thought-out.

The sticker sheet includes:

Twin Eye and Cockpit Hatch Stickers: Yellow stickers for various accents like the protrusions on the legs.
Body Line Stickers: Black foil stickers to enhance the body’s dark lines.
Chain Cutter Line Stickers and Jewel Sticker for the Waist: These stickers add extra detailing for an authentic look.

The kit captures the heavy-duty, tool-inspired color scheme typical of a repair robot, with weapons and design elements that evoke industrial machinery.

Design and Build Features

Gunleon is a repair robot piloted by Land Travis and Mail Beater, known for its sturdy, heavy-machine design with lion-like attributes in its Magna Mode. The bulky legs and robust proportions are reminiscent of construction equipment, exuding a sense of weight and power.

The model is HG-scale yet non-scale, standing around 43 meters in its fictional height, making for a large and impressive kit. The construction includes numerous parts and intricate mechanisms, resulting in a highly playable model.

Articulation and Movement

This kit uses KPS joints for flexibility and poly-ball connections for specific armor parts. Key articulation points allow dynamic poses, with the following noteworthy aspects:

Head: Two interchangeable head types are included—one for the normal mode and a Magna Mode head with a more aggressive, lion-like appearance.
Torso: Features a restrained lion motif on the chest in non-Magna Mode, with a backpack that securely holds large wings.
Arms and Shoulders: Equipped with Chain Cutters that can rotate, allowing for chainsaw-style attacks. Shoulders have detailed seams, adding to the rugged appearance.

Weaponry and Accessories

Gunleon's weaponry is themed around heavy-duty tools:

Riot Wrench: This massive wrench surpasses the model’s height and is articulated at the head, allowing various dynamic poses. Both single and double-handed holding options are available, though the sheer weight may require support.
Gig Gun: Mounted on the back, this tool-inspired weapon resembles a nail gun, complete with a detailed magazine. The single-color molding in gray allows for customization with yellow and black paint if desired.
Decker Spanner: Stored inside the side armor, this wrench doubles as a weapon and can be attached securely with pegged hands.

Transformation to Magna Mode

One of the highlights of this kit is the transformation to Magna Mode, giving Gunleon a fierce, lion-like appearance with extra armor and weapon modifications. This transformation process involves:

Leg Armor Replacement: Swapping the shin armor and extending the ankles.
Toe and Heel Blades: Deploying claws and fins for a more aggressive stance.
Boom Unit and Wings: Expanding the boom unit into wing-like structures.
Chest and Head Modifications: Adjusting parts to emphasize the lion design on the chest and switching to the Magna Mode head.

Despite the intricate transformation steps, parts stay securely in place, ensuring stability and avoiding accidental retraction.

Playability and Display Options

With Action Base 7 included, Gunleon can be displayed in mid-air poses, supported by secure stand holes. This kit's articulation allows for impressive poses, making it easy to recreate action scenes from the Super Robot Wars universe. Both handholds and pegged hands provide stable options for wielding the enormous Riot Wrench.

Summary

The HG Gunleon kit is an impressive model with heavy-duty design elements, inspired by machinery and tools, and a visually impactful color scheme. Its Magna Mode transformation offers a thrilling change, adding a lion-like ferocity to the design. While single-handedly holding the Riot Wrench may strain the wrist joint, the overall build remains durable and highly poseable. With extensive articulation, diverse weapons, and two distinct modes, this kit is a must-have for fans of Super Robot Wars and model enthusiasts alike.