Reconguista in G HG

Gundam G-Self

Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

HG Gundam G-Self - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HG Gundam G-Self (1/7) HG Gundam G-Self (2/7) HG Gundam G-Self (3/7) HG Gundam G-Self (4/7) HG Gundam G-Self (5/7) HG Gundam G-Self (6/7) HG Gundam G-Self (7/7)

HG Gundam G-Self - Detail shots (1/3) HG Gundam G-Self - Detail shots (2/3) HG Gundam G-Self - Detail shots (3/3)

Detail shots

HG Gundam G-Self - The atmospheric pack on the back can be folded up like this.

The atmospheric pack on the back can be folded up like this.

HG Gundam G-Self - Above all, those forward-facing rabbit ears (...) are quite the statement.

Above all, those forward-facing rabbit ears (...) are quite the statement.

HG Gundam G-Self - The articulation is a bit more average than you'd expect.

The articulation is a bit more average than you'd expect.

HG Gundam G-Self - Flight pose (1/2) HG Gundam G-Self - Flight pose (2/2)

Flight pose

HG Gundam G-Self - Aerial firing pose (1/3) HG Gundam G-Self - Aerial firing pose (2/3) HG Gundam G-Self - Aerial firing pose (3/3)

Aerial firing pose

HG Gundam G-Self - Beam saber action pose (1/2) HG Gundam G-Self - Beam saber action pose (2/2)

Beam saber action pose

HG Gundam G-Self - Ground beam saber action pose (1/2) HG Gundam G-Self - Ground beam saber action pose (2/2)

Ground beam saber action pose

In 2014, the plastic model line for Tomino's new Gundam anime "Gundam Reconguista in G" kicked off. The first release is the main unit, Gundam G-Self — and true to Tomino's word, it comes out in a colorful, flashy design that fits the anime's concept of being accessible to younger audiences (...). The series name is a bit of a mouthful and a strange one at that. The TV broadcast is scheduled for October, and it looks like they put the model kit out in September ahead of time to build up some hype.

Gundam G-Self's design still seems like it'll be a tough sell for older fans, but rather than writing it off right away, it's probably worth watching how both the anime and the model kit line develop. Personally, I'd say it's at least a more traditional series-style design compared to the Beginning Gundam from Gunpla Builders.

Anyway, the most distinctive thing about this new Gundam design is the shape of the head antenna — those long, forward-facing rabbit ear-like antennae feel just as unconventional as Turn A's mustache. The backpack also seems to be set up for future swappable releases, which gives it a similar vibe to Strike Gundam. (The HG Gundam G-Self kit comes with the atmospheric flight pack as the default.)

The overall feel of the kit is that the plastic is soft and flexible, the gates are small and tidy, so even beginners or younger builders should have no trouble putting it together. On top of that, the color separation is pretty thorough, letting you get close to the intended color scheme with just a straight build, and the joint strength after completion is solid enough that it's easy to handle. The articulation is a bit on the average side for a modern kit though — it feels like the design prioritized straight build quality over poseability from the start.

Overall, this is a kit that feels "very clean and solid," and in terms of quality alone, it's closer to HGUC-level than Gunpla Builders or Build Fighters kits. The real question mark is the design and the characters, but that's something we'll have to wait and see on. For now, if you're in it for the fun of building, this is definitely a well-put-together kit worth enjoying. :-)

HG Gundam G-Self | 2014.9 | ¥1,900

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.