REVIEW HG 1/144 GN-005 Gundam Virtue, Bandai

This is review of Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 GN-005 Gundam Virtue from Mobile Suit Gundam 00 series.

Bandai Gunpla HG 1/144 GN-005 Gundam Virtue Review

The HG Gundam Virtue from the first season of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is one of the heavier and more unique units piloted by Tieria Erde of Celestial Being. Originally released in 2007 during the anime's broadcast, this model kit was priced at 1,650 yen. If it is reissued after April 2025, a price revision is expected.

Included Accessories

The kit includes only two accessories: a GN Bazooka and two GN Beam Sabers. No surplus or optional parts are provided.

Stickers and Detailing

The kit comes with standard stickers for the twin eyes, sensors, and condensers. Foil stickers are also included to supplement cables and small gray areas, but some areas still require painting for accuracy.

Overview and Features

Unlike the other three Gundams from the first season, Virtue features a heavy armored frame with a bulky, massive silhouette. Due to the kit’s age, the armor purge gimmick to reveal Nadleeh is not implemented here—though Nadleeh is available as a separate HG model.

Nevertheless, signature features such as the GN Field Generators and the massive GN Bazooka are faithfully recreated. Compared to MG or 1/100 versions, the absence of the purge gimmick gives this HG model a slightly slimmer appearance while maintaining its weighty presence.

Kit Structure and Materials

This model follows the typical HG structure of first season Gundams, with joints made of a combination of ABS and polycaps. It uses PC-123 plus polycaps along with PC-7 poly ball joints.

Color Accuracy

Most of the color separation is decent, but as with the HG Kyrios, the cable areas and fine gray parts are lacking. Clear parts are used for the condensers, which adds visual appeal.

Head and Torso Details

The head is designed with a rugged, armored look, and features a large chin. The camera is molded with the antenna as a single part. Side ducts and the rear bolts require painting.

The torso is wide and solid, with color separation on chest vents. The GN Drive cover is white, but requires painting as no sticker is included.

Backpack and GN Drive

The backpack vents are sharply molded and opened. The GN Drive is simplified but included and fits snugly into the back.

GN Cannons and Arms

The GN Cannons are attached via rotating and swinging arms with polyball joints, allowing slight angle adjustments. Both front and back details of the cannons are nicely recreated. Shoulder armor has seam lines and requires painting in certain areas.

Waist and Legs

The rear armor is detailed mostly via stickers, but the GN Verniers are separate parts. Side armor has minor hollow areas. The hip joints are ball-jointed and can swing; 3mm holes are available when covers are removed.

The legs are particularly bulky. Most gray areas are covered with stickers, though some require painting. The knees store beam saber grips. The feet are solid with no hollow undersides.

Articulation

Waist rotation is minimal, and neck tilt is decent but interferes with the clavicle antennas. Elbows bend to about 100 degrees, and shoulders swing from the chest block, offering average mobility. Knees bend around 90 degrees, and feet have decent ground contact, though hip rotation is limited due to the ball-joint structure.

Size Comparison and Accessories

Compared to HG Exia, Virtue is significantly bulkier. The GN Bazooka is large and features a folding gimmick. It's quite heavy but can be held with one hand—though loose joints over time may require reinforcement.

GN Bazooka and Burst Mode

The GN Bazooka includes grip adjustments and attachment points on both sides and bottom. Thanks to movable grips, it supports two-handed poses. To enter Burst Mode, unfold the barrel, reposition the grip, and connect it to the expanded chest armor for GN Drive direct linkage. The barrel extension adds considerable visual impact.

GN Field Generators

The GN Field Generators deploy without part swapping, but the visible interior needs to be painted yellow, as no stickers are included.

Beam Sabers and Comparisons

Two clear-bladed GN Beam Sabers are included and compatible with other Gundam models like Exia. When compared to the MG Virtue, the HG version appears slimmer due to longer legs and smaller GN Field Generators. Side-by-side with HG Exia, Dynames, and Kyrios, the full set of original solar reactor Gundams from Season 1 makes for a spectacular display.

Summary

The HG Gundam Virtue stands out for its sheer bulk and commanding presence, offering a different kind of appeal compared to the more agile designs of Exia, Dynames, and Kyrios. While it lacks the armor purge feature and some articulation may feel dated, the GN Bazooka and GN Field gimmicks are well-replicated. This kit remains a solid choice for collectors and fans of the Gundam 00 series.