Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Size comparison with a cigarette pack. It's an absolutely massive 45cm t

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.
It's an absolutely massive 45cm tall.

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) (1/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) (2/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) (3/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) (4/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) (5/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) (6/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Detail shots (1/4)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Looking inside the head, you can see the clear parts and reflective stic

Looking inside the head, you can see the clear parts and reflective sticker setup for the LED unit.

You can insert the separately sold LED unit into the back-of-head parts.

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - The lighting effect is just... meh. It's only really noticeable in very

The lighting effect is just... meh. It's only really noticeable in very dim lighting.

Two types of hands are included.

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - There's no dedicated beam saber hand, so you have to use the rifle hand,

There's no dedicated beam saber hand, so you have to use the rifle hand,
and that index finger really gets in the way.

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - The rifle and beam saber both have locking grooves that connect firmly t

The rifle and beam saber both have locking grooves that connect firmly to the pegs on the hands.

You can also mount the rifle on the forearm and backpack.

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - The articulation on the arms and legs is pretty average — doesn't even h

The articulation on the arms and legs is pretty average — doesn't even hit 90 degrees.

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Rifle firing pose. The shoulder joints can't hold up when trying to hold

Rifle firing pose.
The shoulder joints can't hold up when trying to hold the rifle horizontally. T_T

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Holding the rifle with both hands is much more stable. (1/3)

Holding the rifle with both hands is much more stable.

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Beam saber action. The beam saber is way too small for the size of the k

Beam saber action.
The beam saber is way too small for the size of the kit.. Probably because they just reused the PG parts as-is.

Beam tonfa action

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) - Together with the Mega Size First. I thought the Mega First was huge whe

Together with the Mega Size First.
I thought the Mega First was huge when I first saw it, but it's got nothing on the Unicorn.

Together with the PG Unicorn.
I used to think the PG was really big too..;;

Together with the MG and RG Unicorn.

All grades together.

Straight build

2017 marked the 10th anniversary of Unicorn Gundam, and a whole bunch of Unicorn releases came out to celebrate — alongside the 1:1 scale Unicorn in Odaiba, we got the RG Unicorn and this Mega Size Unicorn Gundam as well.

The Mega Size is a large-scale 1/48 kit, even bigger than PG, and since Unicorn Gundam is already a tall unit to begin with, it comes out to a whopping 45cm. Photos don't really do it justice, but once you actually build it, your jaw will drop at just how massive it is.

The basic concept is the same as previous Mega Size kits — simple assembly aimed at achieving the best possible appearance. It can't transform and only represents Destroy Mode, but thanks to skipping the transformation gimmick, the Destroy Mode look comes together very solidly. As you probably know, whether it's RG, MG, or PG, the transformation gimmicks all over the body tend to shift out of place every time you handle it — but since the Mega Size is a fixed Destroy Mode like the HGUC, it holds its shape no matter how much you touch it.

That's the whole concept of the Mega Size line, and this kit is no different — it goes for easy assembly with a minimal parts count. The build feels smooth and satisfying, very much like putting together a large LEGO set. The way the big chunky parts snap together is honestly some of the best build satisfaction you'll find in any Gunpla, and it delivers a more exhilarating assembly experience than just about any other kit out there.

With a super-sized Gunpla like this, joint durability is naturally a concern — but thankfully the Mega Size polycaps are sturdy and hold up well. At the very least, it can stand perfectly upright with a solid stance, and it's actually easier to get a clean pose out of it than MG or RG, and even easier than the PG which was already fairly solid. That's a relief. ^^

That said, this kit is significantly larger and heavier than previous entries in the line that could hold any pose firmly, so action poses do leave something to be desired in terms of stability. With the legs spread wide, they tend to keep sliding further apart and it's hard to maintain the pose, and when you raise the arms to hold the rifle horizontally, the shoulders can't support the weight. The articulation on the arms and legs isn't great either, making dynamic poses tough to pull off — but honestly, it's just too big and heavy for action posing in general. Since it already has an incredible presence just standing there, it's probably best not to force it into anything too ambitious.

One thing that stirred up some controversy is that this kit comes with waterslide decals instead of seals, which feels a bit at odds with the Mega Size concept of easy assembly. The decals themselves are good quality and go on quickly with just a little water, but the application process does take a while, and the film is fragile enough that there's a real risk of them peeling off if you handle the kit. Personally I'm wary of water slides for exactly that reason — and sure enough, after finishing the review shoot, a couple had fallen off and were rolling around somewhere. T_T For reference, it took me about 2 hours to build, 2 hours for panel lining, and roughly 3–4 hours for the waterslide decals at a relaxed pace.

As a bonus option, you can insert a separately sold LED unit into the back of the head to make the eyes and camera eye light up. But the light source feels weak relative to the kit's size, so the effect isn't all that impressive. Personally I don't think the payoff justifies the investment, and tellingly, the manual doesn't include any instructions for the LED unit at all. It feels like a "if you know, you know — use it or don't" kind of thing.

Anyway, in terms of sheer size and impressiveness it's in a league of its own, but being this big does make it tricky to display. If you don't have the shelf space, it's hard to recommend — but if you want to experience that LEGO-like build satisfaction and jaw-dropping visual presence, it's a fantastic-looking kit where the ¥10,000 price tag feels well worth it. :-)

1/48 Mega Size Model Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) | 2017.8 | ¥10,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.