Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

MG Kampfer Schwer - Various angles (1/7)

MG Kampfer Schwer - Various angles (2/7)

MG Kampfer Schwer - Various angles (3/7)

MG Kampfer Schwer - Various angles (4/7)

MG Kampfer Schwer - Various angles (5/7)

Various angles

Detail shots

MG Kampfer Schwer - The frame is identical to the existing MG Kampfer — and true to its 2001 origins, it has a noticeably

The frame is identical to the existing MG Kampfer — and true to its 2001 origins, it has a noticeably dated feel.

MG Kampfer Schwer - Screw-joined joints — haven't seen these in a while. It's a method that was only used on some of the

Screw-joined joints — haven't seen these in a while.
It's a method that was only used on some of the very early MG kits from over 20 years ago.

MG Kampfer Schwer - There's an error in the manual — the assembly instructions for the two yellow verniers on the side of

There's an error in the manual — the assembly instructions for the two yellow verniers on the side of the legs (A6, 7) are missing.
Because of this, a correction sheet has been included, so be sure to watch out for that when building.

MG Kampfer Schwer - The weapon and hand configuration, along with the gimmicks for each weapon, are identical to the exis

The weapon and hand configuration, along with the gimmicks for each weapon, are identical to the existing MG Kampfer.

Same cockpit hatch open and vernier extension gimmicks as before

MG Kampfer Schwer - There's a newly sculpted joint part for a display stand included. Since it grips the entire crotch ar

There's a newly sculpted joint part for a display stand included.
Since it grips the entire crotch area, it gives you a pretty solid and stable hold.

The two Sturm Fausts are stored in a hinged mount on the left forearm.

Leftover parts

Limb articulation with that same old-school feel as the original Kampfer

The binder movement.
The attachment point tends to pop off pretty easily during posing.

MG Kampfer Schwer - Double shotgun pose (1/3)

Double shotgun pose

MG Kampfer Schwer - Giant Bazooka swung forward from its back-mounted position (1/4)

MG Kampfer Schwer - Giant Bazooka swung forward from its back-mounted position (2/4)

Giant Bazooka swung forward from its back-mounted position

MG Kampfer Schwer - Beam saber + Sturm Faust pose (1/4)

MG Kampfer Schwer - Beam saber + Sturm Faust pose (2/4)

Beam saber + Sturm Faust pose

Together with the standard release MG Kampfer.

This kit is the MG Kampfer Schwer, released as a Club G (Premium Bandai) online exclusive. It's the mobile suit that appears in "Gundam Build Divers Genius Head Line," and it's based on the standard release MG Kampfer— with a substantial number of newly sculpted parts applied, giving it an overall sharper, more refined look.

First off, the previously rounded design has been changed to a more angular form. The head, torso, shoulders, legs, feet, and many other body armor pieces have been swapped out, giving it a distinctly different silhouette. The feet in particular have been completely resculpted, making the kit taller as well. The new armor pieces' black/white/yellow color combination is well color-separated right out of the box, so the straight build looks great too. That said, the Sturm Faust reuses parts straight from the existing MG Kampfer, so the red head section just comes out in a dark gunmetal color instead. It's a bit of a shame they didn't put a little more effort into giving that part new sculpting with proper color separation. Other than that, the Kampfer's characteristically generous weapon loadout is the same as the original kit, with only a new display stand joint part added.

Visually it's been upgraded quite nicely, but the underlying skeleton is identical to the original kit. Since the MG Kampfer came out all the way back in 2001, the structure has a noticeably old-school feel to it. Major joints like the waist, shoulders, arms, and knees are assembled with screws, and it's only a half-frame rather than a full inner frame. Tightening the screws well keeps things from being too loose, but overall the joint strength is on the wobbly side rather than solid.

Standing upright and holding poses is manageable enough, but the joints all have a slightly shaky feel to them that makes it a bit nerve-wracking — the backpack cover and binders tend to pop off during posing too. So regardless of how it looks, the hands-on feel definitely carries that vintage (...) quality of something over 20 years old. If you've only been building the high-quality MGs of the past decade or so, just the fact that you're assembling it with a screwdriver might catch you off guard.

With this old-school skeleton paired with modern armor, it's a kit with clear strengths and weaknesses. The exterior styling definitely has a sharp, refined look, but the dated underlying structure means it doesn't have that tight, solid feel. That said, it's not a floppy mess either — so if the style appeals to you, it might actually end up being a refreshingly different kind of experience. :-)

MG Kampfer Schwer | 2023.8 | ¥6,100

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.