REVIEW HG 1/144 GN-003 Gundam Kyrios, Bandai

This is review of Bandai Gunpla plastic model HG 1/144 GN-003 Gundam Kyrios from Mobile Suit Gundam 00 series.

Bandai Gunpla Plastic Model HG 1/144 GN-003 Gundam Kyrios Review

HG Gundam Kyrios Review – Transformable High-Speed Celestial Being Mobile Suit.

The Gundam Kyrios, like Exia and Dynames, appeared in the first season of Mobile Suit Gundam 00. This particular HG (High Grade) kit was originally released in 2007 during the show's broadcast. The retail price is ¥1,650, but with the scheduled re-release in April 2025, the price is likely to increase.

Included Accessories

The kit comes with a GN Beam Submachine Gun, GN Shield, shield blade attachment, transformation hip joint parts, a beam gun joint, and a right open hand. There are no leftover parts included.

Stickers and Color Accuracy

Included stickers cover parts such as the condensers, cables, green on the nose, red on the abdomen, and black areas on the chest and waist ducts.

About the Gundam Kyrios

Piloted by Allelujah Haptism, the Gundam Kyrios is a third-generation Celestial Being mobile suit. This transformable Gundam is designed for high-speed combat and is proficient in melee battles. Its sharp design features protruding shoulders and knees, and the transformation mechanism is partially recreated through part-swapping in this HG version.

Build and Proportions

Despite its age, the proportions are excellent, and the overall appearance holds up well. The build uses ABS joints similar to other season one Gundams, with polycaps PC-123. However, the color separation is lacking in several areas, requiring stickers or painting to achieve full accuracy—especially with scattered gray parts, shoulders, and knee detailing.

Head and Torso Details

The head features its signature antenna and sharp face, with clear parts for side condensers. The jaw is a separate orange piece that uses a red sticker. The twin eyes are molded in, and the chest includes a clear central lens. The GN Drive is sealed and non-removable. Duct details are supplemented with stickers.

Shoulders and Arms

Shoulder antennas are movable without part-swapping. The binders that become the nose are split down the middle and include seam lines. Color separation for the nose is handled with stickers. The arms feature clear lens parts and soft material cables at the elbows. The right open hand is nicely sculpted and included.

Waist and Legs

The hip joint uses a swing-type connector, with saber grips stored under the rear armor. Removing the hip cover reveals a stand port. The legs are uniquely shaped with large wings attached to the knees. Thigh cables are recreated with stickers, and the leg parts are mostly split into halves, revealing seam lines.

Backpack and Feet

Removing the calf cover reveals a joint for a container—its use is currently unknown. The GN Verniers are molded as one piece and require painting. The soles feature hollow sections but retain molded detail. The toes are articulated due to transformation requirements.

Articulation and Posing

The kit offers good shoulder movement, elbows bend up to 110°, and the waist can rotate though it lacks a swing motion. Leg articulation is solid, with deep knee bends and good ankle tilting when slightly pulled out. Shoulder armor also has partial articulation.

Weapons and Equipment

Kyrios includes a compact GN Beam Submachine Gun and a GN Shield, which can double as a claw weapon. The submachine gun has a separate muzzle part but does have a visible seam line. The sensor is recreated with a sticker. Using an included joint, the gun can be mounted on the forearm. The grip is detachable.

GN Shield and Claw Function

The GN Shield attaches to the forearm and rotates, though it has only one connection point. The inside has some hollowness. The claw form can be recreated without part-swapping, and while the base has a part to fill the joint, the tips are hollow. The blades are also swappable. The base extends but feels a bit loose, though rotation is possible and the claws lock securely.

GN Beam Sabers

The saber grips can be removed, but saber blades are not included. Using flat-type blades from other kits allows you to pose Kyrios with drawn sabers.

Transformation to Flight Mode

Remove the legs and hip block.
Bend the knees and rotate the wing units downward. Fold the toes in.
Attach the legs to the replacement hip part and rotate the ankles.
Deploy the binder units, lower the antenna beneath the head, and raise it again.
Extend the shoulder pins and lock them into the nose section.
Reposition the orange armor on the shoulders.
Attach the beam submachine gun and shield to the forearms (hands removed).

The removed parts during transformation are minimal, making the process simple. Once reattached, Kyrios completes its sleek flight form.

Flight Form Details

The jet form is sharp and aerodynamic, resembling a real fighter jet. The alternate hip part also includes a stand hole for easy display. Wing and tail binder angles are adjustable, and the transformation locks are firm, making the process secure. From underneath, the Gundam face remains visible, true to its design. A half-transformed mode, as seen during the rescue of the Gravity Block, can also be recreated.

Comparison with Other Kits

Though quite old, the HG Kyrios still holds up well next to the MG Kyrios (shown painted) and other HG 00 series kits like Exia and Dynames. At 18.9 meters tall, Kyrios stands slightly taller than its counterparts.

Summary

The HG Gundam Kyrios is a classic 2007 kit that still offers excellent playability and sharp design. While the joint structure and part division feel dated, the transformation is stable thanks to proper locking mechanisms and swappable hips. The claw gimmick is fully functional, and although the tail unit and hand missiles are not included, the kit is still very enjoyable. Achieving full color accuracy requires extensive painting, but the result is worth the effort.