Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Detail shots (1/4)

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

The internal frame is the same as the MG Gundam Astray.

Two large Tactical Arms II are included.

The articulation gimmicks on the Tactical Arms II are the same as before.

The head armor has been changed and the head antenna got noticeably bigger.

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - A new backpack has been added to mount the two Tactical Arms II, and four Gatling energy pack

A new backpack has been added to mount the two Tactical Arms II,
and four Gatling energy packs are mounted on the rear skirt.

The Armor Schneider from the standard MG Astray is included as well.

A white Action Base 2 is included to support the heavy Tactical Arms II in sword form.

A newly designed 1/100 figure of Valerio Valeri is included.

The cockpit hatch open gimmick is the same as before.

There are quite a few leftover parts.

The MG Astray's excellent limb articulation is still going strong.

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Action poses (1/4)

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Action poses (2/4)

Action poses

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Aerial firing pose (1/3)

Aerial firing pose

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Tactical Arms II - Sword Form pose (1/4)

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Tactical Arms II - Sword Form pose (2/4)

Tactical Arms II - Sword Form pose

Tactical Arms II - Gatling Form pose

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red - Together with the Club G MG Gundam Astray Red Frame. The white and red color scheme on the ma

Together with the Club G MG Gundam Astray Red Frame.
The white and red color scheme on the main body is reversed.

This kit is the MG Gundam Astray Turn Red, released as a Club G (Premium Bandai) online exclusive. Much like the MG 00 Raiser, it was released as an online exclusive in Japan but distributed as a regular retail release overseas. While it doesn't carry an official MG numbering, it's one of those "exclusive-but-not-really" kits you can pick up at regular shops.

The Turn Red is Valerio Valeri's mobile suit from the manga "Mobile Suit Gundam Astray R," and true to its name, the red and white colors of the main body are swapped. With two Tactical Arms mounted on its back, it sports a seriously voluminous silhouette.

Aside from the head, the main body is structurally identical — only the red/white molded colors are swapped. The head gets new external armor and a much larger head antenna. Beyond that, a new backpack is added to mount two Tactical Arms II on the back, and four Gatling energy packs are fitted to the rear skirt. The Tactical Arms II themselves are the same as those included with the standard MG Astray, and the sword form and Gatling form configurations work exactly the same way.

In practice, this is essentially a color variant kit with only one new runner, but flipping the color scheme and throwing in the massive weaponry gives it a surprisingly fresh look. The MG Astray's articulation and joint strength are still excellent, and it holds the large Tactical Arms II firmly in place — so aerial poses are no problem at all. The Tactical Arms II also doubles as a rear support stand, so keeping it upright is easy regardless of the center of gravity.

All in all, this kit delivers a striking silhouette and solid stability that give it a reassuringly high-quality feel — it's classic Bandai magic, making a small change feel genuinely fresh. Since it's distributed as a regular retail release domestically and is relatively easy to find, if the style appeals to you, don't hesitate to grab one. :-)

MG Gundam Astray Turn Red | 2018.2 | ¥7,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.