REVIEW ROBOT Spirit [SIDE MS] GAT-X102 Duel Gundam Assault Shroud ver. ANIME, Bandai

This is review of Bandai action figure Gunpla ROBOT魂 Spirit ＜SIDE MS＞ GAT-X102 Duel Gundam Assault Shroud ver. ANIME from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Series.

Bandai Action Figure Gunpla ROBOT魂 Spirit ＜SIDE MS＞ GAT-X102 Duel Gundam Assault Shroud ver. ANIME Review

This review covers the ROBOT Spirits Duel Gundam Assault Shroud Ver. A.N.I.M.E. figure. Unlike the standard version, this model comes without the Assault Shroud armor pre-attached. Instead, it arrives in a normal configuration, and the Assault Shroud pieces are provided separately for you to attach.

Assembling the Assault Shroud

Attaching the Assault Shroud involves swapping out parts such as the abdomen, waist, knees, forearms, and backpack. Despite these modifications, the overall proportions remain intact, and the colors are consistent with the original design. Once the armor is on, the appearance remains solid, and there are no issues with gaps or instability.

Head and Chest Details

The head is unchanged from the normal Duel Gundam, with no added armor or additional features. However, the chest armor has been bulked up, which slightly alters the overall appearance by partially obscuring the neck.

Armor and Articulation

The chest armor is connected by removing a portion of the abdomen, ensuring a secure fit without any gaps. The waist armor is swapped out completely, and the previously absent front-side armor is added, giving the Gundam a much bulkier, armored look. The forearms require swapping out parts at the tips, where the shield mounting holes are used to attach additional armor.

Shoulders and Weapons

The right shoulder is equipped with a railgun, which can rotate at its base and has up-and-down mobility for dynamic poses. Below are two photos, one showing the railgun fully raised and the other fully lowered. On the left shoulder, a missile pod is added, and the hatch remains fully functional for opening and closing. Unfortunately, unlike the older version, the warhead area is not painted gray, which is a slight disappointment.

Backpack and Mobility

For the backpack, only a small part of the upper section needs to be removed to attach the two lower armors. The lower thrusters are articulated, and small holes can accommodate Strike Gundam's thruster effect parts for extra customization.

Full Equipment and Accessories

Once fully equipped, the Duel Gundam features a beam rifle and shield, both of which are identical to the normal version. The shield’s attachment system is slightly modified in the Assault Shroud version, with two new joint types that allow you to attach the shield either to the side or rear. The figure also includes a new effect piece for the railgun, alongside the same rifle effect part from the standard version. However, the grenade and thruster effects from the normal version are not included in this release.

Comparing Versions

When compared to the previous Duel Gundam Assault Shroud (AS), this version is a more accurate representation of the design as seen in the series, with the knee armor now fully covered, which was not the case with the previous model. The normal Duel Gundam can also be recreated with this figure, making it a versatile addition to any collection. While it may feel redundant for those who want both the standard and AS versions, this one allows for a cost-effective solution, as you only need to purchase one to recreate both looks.

Poseability and Action

Although the added armor does limit some movement, the Duel Gundam still retains a decent range of articulation thanks to its numerous sliding joints. This ensures that the figure can strike a variety of dynamic poses, including shield defense, firing the railgun, and drawing the beam saber. Even with the extra armor, the figure’s range of motion is still functional for most action poses.

Summary

The ROBOT Spirits Duel Gundam Assault Shroud Ver. A.N.I.M.E. is a high-quality figure that offers a great deal of versatility. The simple yet effective part-swapping mechanism for adding the Assault Shroud armor is well-executed, and the sculpt and coloring are excellent. While articulation is somewhat reduced compared to the standard Duel Gundam, the figure still allows for a wide range of poses and is sure to satisfy fans of the series. Additionally, the inclusion of new effect parts and the ability to recreate iconic poses make it a strong addition to any collection.

Overall, the quality of the figure is satisfying, and it provides an excellent way to complete the initial GAT-X series. However, for those interested in later GAT-X models, it would be great to see figures of those series produced as well, given the scarcity of high-quality models from those later designs.