Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Detail shots (1/4)

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Two head options are included — the game version (left) and the manga version (ri

Two head options are included — the game version (left) and the manga version (right).
For each, the goggles and camera eye parts can be assembled in either green or red (EXAM).
Looking inside the goggles, the game version has a mono-eye while the manga version has a dual-eye setup.

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - To recreate the EXAM system activation, the thrusters on top of the backpack can

To recreate the EXAM system activation, the thrusters on top of the backpack can be swapped out for the deployed version.

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Also for the EXAM system recreation, the verniers on the sides of the legs can be

Also for the EXAM system recreation, the verniers on the sides of the legs can be pulled out and reattached in a lowered position,
and the side sections of the shoulders can be extended outward slightly via a slide mechanism.

Only 3 hands are included.

The 3 hand parts from the HGUC Ground Type GM end up as leftover parts.

The gimmick inside the shield is the same as the HGUC Ground Type GM.

The beam saber is stored on the side of the leg.

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Probably because it's based on the HGUC Ground Type GM, the arms and legs fold up

Probably because it's based on the HGUC Ground Type GM,
the arms and legs fold up perfectly.

The shoulders also raise up nice and high.

The waist has a decent range of motion too.

A kneeling pose is super easy to pull off.

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Dynamic aerial pose (only the backpack thrusters have been swapped to the EXAM ve

Dynamic aerial pose
(only the backpack thrusters have been swapped to the EXAM version)

Beam saber action pose

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Manga version head with red eyes + EXAM system activated! The shoulders, leg-side

Manga version head with red eyes + EXAM system activated!
The shoulders, leg-side verniers, backpack thrusters and more all change for the EXAM system.

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Aerial shooting pose with EXAM activated (1/4)

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Aerial shooting pose with EXAM activated (2/4)

Aerial shooting pose with EXAM activated

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" - Together with the HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 released in 2007. Exactly 10 years lat

Together with the HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 released in 2007.
Exactly 10 years later and it's been renewed.

While HGUC kits keep getting version upgrades, the Blue Destiny Unit 1 originally released in 2007 has now been renewed. The official product name is HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" — along with the overall renewal, the EXAM system that was absent from the 2007 version has been added, which is why "EXAM" has been tacked onto the title.

The core skeleton parts use the runners from the recently released HGUC Ground Type GM, and I can't help but think this kit was produced partly to make use of that new frame. The HGUC Ground Type GM was an excellent kit worthy of being a new release, and thanks to that, this kit also delivers top-tier articulation and solid joint strength — the feel of building and posing it is just great.

The blue molded color in particular is a huge improvement over the 2007 version. In photos it just looks bright and vivid, but in person it has this matte-like quality with a really nice color tone — it almost feels like a waste to paint over it.

Two head options are included — the game version and the manga version — and for both, the camera eye and goggle sections can be assembled in either green or red. If you want to display it with the EXAM system activated, you'll need to use the red parts and stickers.

The EXAM system is, lore-wise, a system created to counter Newtypes. To recreate the EXAM system activation, the thrusters on top of the backpack can be swapped to the open type, the verniers on the sides of the legs can be detached and reattached in a slightly lowered position, and the armor on the ends of the shoulders can be pushed out slightly.

Anyway, quality-wise this is an A+ kit — a high-quality HGUC with nothing really to complain about that I'd recommend to anyone. The runners do look a bit messy with all those small bits produced via system injection, which probably means variations for Units 2 and 3 are in the pipeline. Given the circumstances though, it seems more likely they'll come out as Club G exclusives rather than wide releases. :-)

HGUC Blue Destiny Unit 1 "EXAM" | 2017.8 | ¥1,600

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.