HG

Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound

Kit Review

Straight build

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound (1/6) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound (2/6) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound (3/6) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound (4/6) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound (5/6) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound (6/6)

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Upper body and head. It's got a pretty unique one-eyed, pirate-style face. (1/2) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Upper body and head. It's got a pretty unique one-eyed, pirate-style face. (2/2)

Upper body and head.
It's got a pretty unique one-eyed, pirate-style face.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - The unusual structures on the back and shoulders. (1/2) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - The unusual structures on the back and shoulders. (2/2)

The unusual structures on the back and shoulders.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Legs (1/2) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Legs (2/2)

Legs

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - The stand that came with the HG AGE-2 is included with this kit as well. (1/2) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - The stand that came with the HG AGE-2 is included with this kit as well. (2/2)

The stand that came with the HG AGE-2 is included with this kit as well.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - You're left with a few leftover parts from the AGE-2.

You're left with a few leftover parts from the AGE-2.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Limb articulation is identical to the AGE-2.

Limb articulation is identical to the AGE-2.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - The anchor shot can be detached from the cape-like structure on the shoulders.

The anchor shot can be detached from the cape-like structure on the shoulders.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot firing scene using the included coated wire. (1/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot firing scene using the included coated wire. (2/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot firing scene using the included coated wire. (3/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot firing scene using the included coated wire. (4/4)

Anchor shot firing scene using the included coated wire.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot + beam saber action. (1/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot + beam saber action. (2/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot + beam saber action. (3/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Anchor shot + beam saber action. (4/4)

Anchor shot + beam saber action.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Dods Lancer action pose. (1/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Dods Lancer action pose. (2/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Dods Lancer action pose. (3/4) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Dods Lancer action pose. (4/4)

Dods Lancer action pose.

Transformation

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - The basic transformation process is pretty much the same as the HG AGE-2.

The basic transformation process is pretty much the same as the HG AGE-2.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - After folding the body, you open the cover in the center of the chest and slot the Dods Lancer HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - After folding the body, you open the cover in the center of the chest and slot the Dods Lancer

After folding the body, open the cover in the center of the chest,
then slot the Dods Lancer into that position.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Just like the AGE-2, transform the arms and legs and plug them into the body and the transformat HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Just like the AGE-2, transform the arms and legs and plug them into the body and the transformat

Just like the AGE-2, transform the arms and legs and plug them into the body and the transformation is complete.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Fully transformed (top/bottom view). (1/2) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Fully transformed (top/bottom view). (2/2)

Fully transformed (top/bottom view).

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Strider transformed mode from various angles. (1/5) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Strider transformed mode from various angles. (2/5) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Strider transformed mode from various angles. (3/5) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Strider transformed mode from various angles. (4/5) HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Strider transformed mode from various angles. (5/5)

Strider transformed mode from various angles.

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound - Together with the HG AGE-2 Normal.

Together with the HG AGE-2 Normal.

The Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound — a black mobile suit oozing pirate-like charisma — has been released as an HG kit. Most of the main body and limbs are nearly identical to the AGE-2 Normal, so you could really call this a color variation kit with some changes to the shoulder structures, head, and weapons. That said, the color scheme is so different that it honestly feels like a whole new mobile suit. ^^

Since the HG AGE-2 Normal was already such a quality kit, the HG Dark Hound carries that over nicely — great articulation, solid joint strength, clean molding and detail, it's still a real pleasure to build. On top of that, the distinctive cape-like shoulder pieces and the Dods Lancer are new additions, and the heavy, dark color scheme gives it a really fresh feel. The anchor shot on the shoulder can also recreate a firing scene using the included coated wire, so it's got plenty of play value too.

The transformation process is also pretty much the same as the HG Gundam AGE-2 Normal, with the slight difference being that you open up the chest gimmick and plug in the Dods Lancer in place of the shield. Other than that, the included stand for display purposes and the overall style are pretty similar.

Even as a color variation, this kit more than holds its own on style alone — the color change and a handful of extra parts are enough to make it feel like a genuinely fresh new release, and that's worth giving it credit for. The base quality is solid enough that if you're into that heavy, charismatic look, this is definitely a kit you'll have a lot of fun with. :-)

HG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound | 2012.7 | ¥1,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.