Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body and head

Back and backpack section

Weapon section

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Leg section (1/3)

Leg section

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - There are some spots where the color separation is a bit lacking.. It's a little disappointing tha

There are some spots where the color separation is a bit lacking..
It's a little disappointing that the red part below the cockpit is handled with a sticker instead.

A total of 7 hands are included.

The shield can be reassembled to change its length.

The beam sabers are stored in the rear skirt, but they tend to slip out if not secured properly.

Leftover parts: 4 hand back pieces.

The articulation is... surprisingly average.

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Firing pose (1/4)

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Firing pose (2/4)

Firing pose

Aerial firing pose using Action Base 2

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Rifle + beam saber action pose (1/5)

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Rifle + beam saber action pose (2/5)

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Rifle + beam saber action pose (3/5)

Rifle + beam saber action pose

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Beam saber action pose (1/5)

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Beam saber action pose (2/5)

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Beam saber action pose (3/5)

Beam saber action pose

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Together with the MG Nemo. The style is similar, but the colors are quite different from the norma

Together with the MG Nemo.
The style is similar, but the colors are quite different from the normal version.

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] - Together with the Jesta, which is in the same lineage. There's quite a difference in size and styl

Together with the Jesta, which is in the same lineage.
There's quite a difference in size and style.

With some friends from the same family — the GM Custom and the Geara Zulu.

Straight build shot

The HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] has been released as part of the so-called "Unicorn Magic" wave of Universal Century suits getting the Unicorn treatment. Since it's the Unicorn version, the colors and color scheme differ from the original, but the design is the same Nemo we all know and love.

First off, the overall engineering and construction is a completely new kit — and looking at the unnecessary parts split on the shoulders, it seems like an original color version is likely on the way too. On the original version, the upper and lower shoulder are different colors, but even though this Unicorn version uses the same color throughout, it's still assembled as separate upper and lower pieces.

That said... while the build process is fun and well put together as a new kit, there's something vaguely unsatisfying about it once you're done. For starters, a few key areas — most notably the red section below the chest — are handled with stickers instead of color separation. And the articulation feels a bit dull for a modern HGUC, barely hitting 90 degrees in most places. On top of that, despite using the new polycaps, the joint strength doesn't feel particularly tight or snug. It's not loose by any means, but it's the kind of kit where you find yourself fussing over it a lot just to get a pose to hold.

Maybe it's because the recent HG AGE series set such a high bar, but compared to those, this kit feels like it's missing that clean, crisp quality. The articulation, joint strength, and action poses all feel a bit old-school. The kit quality itself isn't bad at all, but if you were expecting something sharp and polished, you might come away feeling a little underwhelmed.

In the end, it feels a step behind the original Unicorn HGUC kits, the previous HGUC Juaggu, and the latest HG AGE kits. Coming right after the HGUC Juaggu in particular, it's hard not to notice that this one feels like it had a little less soul poured into it than the Juaggu did. ^^;

Part of it might be that expectations were high as a Universal Century fan, but either way — it's not a bad kit by any means, just not one that leaves you feeling all that satisfied, if I'm being honest. Still, the proportions and detail are nice and befitting of a new release, so I think the real takeaway here is that our beloved Nemo has finally gotten a solid, decent-quality HGUC release. :-)

HGUC Nemo [Unicorn Ver.] | 2012.4 | ¥1,700

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.