REVIEW HG 1/144 GN-001 Gundam Exia, Bandai

This is review of Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 GN-001 Gundam Exia from Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 01 series.

Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 GN-001 Gundam Exia from Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Review

The HG Gundam Exia from the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 series was originally released in October 2007. The version reviewed here is a reissue, with a retail price of ¥1,540 (as of the April 2025 price revision).

Included Accessories

GN Sword
GN Long Blade & GN Short Blade
GN Beam Sabers (4 grips included)
GN Shield
Open palm hand
Mounting parts for the GN Blades

No spare or leftover parts are included. The kit also comes with foil stickers to help supplement the color details of the shield, grey lining, condenser interiors, and cables.

Exia, the Gundam piloted by Setsuna in Season 1 of Gundam 00, is faithfully recreated here in the original HG design. With its spherical GN condensers, exposed cables, and the iconic cone-shaped GN Drive, the suit maintains a distinct look even today. As an early HG model, it lacks the refined proportions of later versions—bulkier arms, simpler feet, and thicker thighs. Cable and condenser construction feels dated but solid.

GN Condensers and Material Quality

The condensers use clear parts but are not pre-colored. The kit uses the older PC-123 polycaps combined with ABS joints, unlike the more advanced PC001 system found in HG kits from Gundam 00 Season 2 onward. Shoulder cables are made from TPE material and are not clear plastic.

Color Accuracy and Detailing

While the base colors are reasonably accurate, many finer details like face ducts, GN Drive highlights, and cable linings require painting. Stickers cover key grey and yellow sections, but areas like the cheek vents need extra work for full accuracy.

Head Unit

The head features a sharp sculpt. While the forehead uses a sticker, the grey/yellow parts around the face need paint. The GN condenser and jaw are separate parts, enhancing detail.

Torso and GN Drive

Clear parts are used for the chest condenser, while the side abdomen cables rely on stickers. Grey details near the GN Drive also require painting. The clavicle antennas are movable, but the GN Drive itself is fixed in place without any extension or removal gimmick.

Shoulders and Arms

Shoulder armor has visible seams and the cables are molded in light blue TPE. Arm details such as vulcans and rear cables are supplemented by stickers. The elbow includes a rotation point above the joint.

Legs and Hip Joints

The legs include stickers for cable sections and grey linings. Some seams are visible on the thighs. The hip joint is a ball joint, allowing limited swing motion, and includes a 3mm stand port with a removable cover.

Clear Parts and Sticker Usage

Condensers use transparent clear parts placed over dark stickers, which gives a vastly different impression compared to RG or MG kits. The ankles have minimal hollowing.

Articulation and Poseability

Articulation is decent for a 2007 kit. Waist rotation is basic, and the head has moderate movement but is often blocked by the clavicle antennas. Despite shoulder cables, arm movement is sufficient, with elbows bending around 100 degrees. Chest and shoulder swing are possible but limited. Knee and ankle articulation is relatively good.

Weapon Overview

GN Sword

The GN Sword is large and imposing. It lacks some color separation but allows mode changes without part swapping. Unlike the RG version, it does not include the hinge required for holding a beam saber simultaneously with the sword.

The rifle section has seam lines but fits well in the hands. The blade transforms from Rifle Mode to Sword Mode, and angle adjustments are possible without detaching from the arm.

GN Shield

The white center part is covered by a sticker. It lacks deployment features and cannot be height-adjusted when mounted.

GN Long & Short Blades

The blades are one-piece with a separate blue section. They can be mounted to the waist by removing the round thigh covers and attaching the grey mounting parts. They are lightweight and easy to handle, but the grips can be loose, sometimes falling off during posing.

GN Beam Sabers

These are molded with the handles and require painting for the beam effect. No dagger-style beam parts are included, but the grips can be removed and are compatible with RG Exia beam effects.

Compatibility and Display

The kit is compatible with 3mm action bases. It also docks without issue to the HG GN Arms TYPE-E (Real Color Ver.). A painted comparison with MG Exia shows major differences in face shape and proportions.

Comparison with RG Gundam Exia

Comparing to RG Exia reveals clear changes in proportions, condenser treatments, and cable details. RG models are sharper and more modern, but the HG kit holds nostalgic value and makes for an interesting contrast when displayed together.

Summary

Despite its age, the HG Gundam Exia is a charming kit with decent articulation and all essential weapons included. While the build reflects its 2007 origins—especially compared to newer kits—it still offers a solid entry-level model for fans of Gundam 00. The clear parts, classic proportions, and distinctive weapons make this a fun and worthwhile build. Great for collectors looking to explore earlier High Grade designs or complete their 00 lineup.