Kit Review

Straight build
+ panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] (1/6)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] (2/6)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] (3/6)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] (4/6)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] (5/6)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] (6/6)

Upper body

Head

Back and backpack

Arms

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Shield and rifle (1/3)

Shield and rifle

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Legs and feet (1/3)

Legs and feet

The front skirts are individually split so each one can move independently.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - The hands included are just the right hand for holding the rifle and both hands for the

The hands included are just the right hand for holding the rifle and both hands for the beam saber.
For reference, the other hand poses are included in the Unicorn Mode kit.

Even being an HGUC, the palm peg locking gimmick makes weapon attachment nice and secure.

The inside of the shield with its great color separation.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - You can swap the U-shaped shield mount for a straight one, which lets you attach it to v

You can swap the U-shaped shield mount for a straight one, which lets you attach it to various different spots.

Shown mounted on the side and rear of the arm depending on the mount shape

You can also mount it on the backpack like this.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Pull the locking pin on top of the rifle outward and you can mount it on the backpack to

Pull the locking pin on top of the rifle outward and you can mount it on the backpack too.

The gimmick for mounting the beam saber on the forearm is also reproduced.

The extra magazine mounted on the rear skirt.

Articulation is neither great nor terrible — just somewhere in the middle.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - The shoulder range of motion is on the narrow side, though it's still better than a fixe

The shoulder range of motion is on the narrow side, though it's still better than a fixed-type.

The neck tilts back just like the Nu Gundam.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - A decent enough draw pose. The beam parts are not included though. (They come with the U

A decent enough draw pose.
The beam parts are not included though. (They come with the Unicorn Mode kit.)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Launch! (1/5)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Launch! (2/5)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Launch! (3/5)

Launch!

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Firing pose (1/4)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Firing pose (2/4)

Firing pose

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] - Together with the Kshatriya, the first release in the HGUC Unicorn series. The Kshatriya

Together with the Kshatriya, the first release in the HGUC Unicorn series.
The Kshatriya is just ridiculously huge..

Together with the MG Unicorn Gundam Titanium Finish Destroy Mode.

Even as an HGUC, it holds its own against the MG in terms of looks.

Straight build

The long-awaited 100th HGUC slot went to the new Unicorn Gundam series.
Actually, since both the Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode were released simultaneously as the 100th entry, it's hard to say which one is strictly "the" 100th — but in terms of numbering, Destroy Mode got #100 and Unicorn Mode got #101. You'd think the base Unicorn Mode would come first, but... hmm. Well, I guess that's Bandai's call.

The MG had some really impressive transformation gimmicks, but reproducing that kind of complex structure at the HGUC scale would've been pretty much impossible.
So as expected, the Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode were released as separate kits — and thanks to that, the biggest weak points of the MG Unicorn, namely stability and articulation, have improved dramatically.

The MG Unicorn had quite a headache with joint and gimmick stability, so the HGUC Unicorn's light yet sturdy joint strength hits even harder by comparison. The newly improved polycaps used here deliver a satisfyingly solid feel, and while the articulation isn't exceptional, it's definitely decent. At the very least, it's better than the MG—

The Unicorn Mode has a simple look so that's one thing, but the Destroy Mode needs complex color separation all over the body — like it's bleeding red everywhere — so there must've been a lot of design challenges. The end result, though, is a remarkably satisfying parts breakdown that brings out the Destroy Mode's look 100%. ^^

By the way, since the Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode came out at the same time, a few accessories are split between the two kits. For example, the Destroy Mode doesn't include the beam saber's beam parts — those are in the Unicorn Mode kit. The open-hand parts are also in the Unicorn Mode, while on the flip side, the Unicorn's standard rifle is only in the Destroy Mode. (So basically, you need to buy both...;)

Bottom line, the biggest appeal of this kit is just how gorgeous and eye-catching it looks straight out of the box. The red clear inner frame parts came out at nearly the same quality as the MG, so it has a similar look to the MG but with even better proportions and stability. There's nothing to complain about in terms of looks or quality — it's a high-quality kit that really gets you excited for the future of the Unicorn Gundam lineup. :-)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] | 2009.11 | ¥2,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.