Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body front and back

The head with its three impressive horns.

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Legs and feet (1/3)

Legs and feet

The legs have an internal frame. (Zero detail though..)

Beam rifle/mega launcher combo weapon

A variety of weapon accessories are included.

When used as a beam rifle, it folds up like this..

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - When used as a mega launcher, you can extend its length and open up the various grips and su

When used as a mega launcher, you can extend its length,
and open up the various grips and supports.

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - In mega launcher mode, you can plug the weapon firmly into the two holes on the abdomen, so

In mega launcher mode, you can plug the weapon firmly into the two holes on the abdomen,
so the stability is excellent ^^

The forearm section also comes with a hidden inner frame arm parts.

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - The separately included anti-ship missiles can be additionally mounted on the backpack using

The separately included anti-ship missiles
can be additionally mounted on the backpack using fixing pins.

The backpack's missile pods are reproduced with an opening and closing gimmick.

The backpack also features a gimmick where two incom units slide out.

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - You can also pull off the head, then rotate the backpack 90 degrees forward to point the bea

You can also pull off the head, then rotate the backpack 90 degrees forward
to point the beam cannon to the front.

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Articulation is decent enough. The limbs only bend 90 degrees, but the hip joints are nice a

Articulation is decent enough.
The limbs only bend 90 degrees, but the hip joints are nice and flexible.

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Mega launcher firing pose. Since the weapon plugs into the belly button(?), the stability is

Mega launcher firing pose.
Since the weapon plugs into the belly button(?), the stability is perfect.. but
the arms are a bit short, so getting the hands onto the grip is a little tricky..

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Beam rifle mode - aerial firing pose (1/4)

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Beam rifle mode - aerial firing pose (2/4)

Beam rifle mode - aerial firing pose

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Beam saber action pose using the hidden inner frame arm (1/3)

Beam saber action pose using the hidden inner frame arm

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Beam cannon + beam saber action pose (1/3)

Beam cannon + beam saber action pose

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - Recreating the scene of the forearm being launched as an attack. The support is a bit flimsy

Recreating the scene of the forearm being launched as an attack.
The support is a bit flimsy, so holding the forearm in place is a bit... iffy.

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] - In the same boat.. the Dreissen, another Universal Century unit that got released early in a

In the same boat.. the Dreissen, another Universal Century unit that got released early in a Unicorn version thanks to the Unicorn magic, together here.

Straight build

Another beneficiary of the Unicorn magic, the Doven Wolf — one of the more distinctive Universal Century units — has been released as an HGUC in its Unicorn version. As many longtime fans will remember, the image of the Doven Wolf from the old Kongkong Comics days left a pretty strong impression. But coming out as a Unicorn version, it ended up looking somehow different from the Doven Wolf we remembered from back then.

First off, being a Unicorn version, various Unicorn-style markings have been added, which gives it a bit of a head-tilting feel. But looking at the many system injection switches on the runners, it seems like a regular Universal Century version will probably come out too. However, just like the Dreissen which shares the same story, whether it'll get a general release or come out as a Bandai Mall exclusive will likely depend on how well this kit sells. (Either way, as long as it comes out at all, that's a relief T_T)

Anyway, while it looks slightly different from the image in my memory, it's a kit that captures the feel of the Doven Wolf well — with its wide, imposing design, the complex backpack, the mega launcher that connects to the belly, and so on. The Doven Wolf is also a pretty large unit, so it comes out on the bigger side even among HGUC kits. The parts count is quite high for an HGUC, and the many individual part divisions do a great job of bringing out the color separation and sense of depth. Proportions might be a bit hit-or-miss depending on the person, but I think it does a solid job of modernizing the Doven Wolf's signature wide-shouldered style.

Articulation is average with 90-degree bends, but the hip joints are flexible enough that there's no real problem pulling off most poses, and despite the large size, joint strength is solid enough that there's nothing particularly worrying. In terms of gimmicks, it delivers pretty satisfying spec recreation for an HGUC — the backpack's beam cannon function, the missile pod opening, the incom launch gimmick, and so on. The weapon's various gimmicks for switching between mega launcher and beam rifle modes are especially well done. On top of that, the way the weapon locks securely into the belly in mega launcher mode solves the stability issue nicely, which is a great touch.

The forearm launch gimmick is implemented with a separate wire and support stand included, but the stand is a bit on the weak side and has trouble holding the forearm up, which is a little disappointing. On the plus side, two inner frame arms — which exist in the lore — are also included, making this a kit that really shines when it comes to recreating various in-universe scenarios.

Overall, this is a kit that delivers solid quality for a new HGUC release despite its large size, and it'll make a nice treat for longtime fans with a soft spot for the Universal Century. That said, hardcore old-school fans will probably feel the same way I do — that they'd rather wait for an original Universal Century version to be released than settle for the Unicorn version, which feels just a little bit off somehow :-)

HGUC Doven Wolf [Unicorn Ver.] | 2013.8 | ¥2,400

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.