Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] (1/7)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] (2/7)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] (3/7)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] (4/7)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] (5/7)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] (6/7)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] (7/7)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - Detail shots (1/4)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

The existing Armed Armor DE now has a tail added to it.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - The tail is made up of 4 parts and each segment can move, but

The tail is made up of 4 parts and each segment can move, but the hold isn't all that great.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - The original Unicorn weapons are also included, minus the baz

The original Unicorn weapons are also included, minus the bazooka.

Built up as the original Destroy Mode configuration

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - On the existing Armed Armor DE, the polycap mounting point is

On the existing Armed Armor DE, the polycap mounting point is blocked off by a plastic part.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - Remove the tail, move the polycap that was in the tail up to

Remove the tail and move the polycap that was in the tail up to the top position,
then plug in the shield interior parts that would otherwise be leftover parts, and you can build it as the original Armed Armor DE.

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - Built up as the original Phenex with the tail-removed Armed A

Built up as the original Phenex with the tail-removed Armed Armor DE mounted lower

Leftover parts

Limb articulation is naturally the same as before.

Flight pose

Action pose

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] - Firing pose (1/3)

Firing pose

HGUC Unicorn Units 1, 2, and 3 group shot

Together with the MG Unicorn Gundam Phenex.

Straight build

As a variation of the HGUC Unicorn Gundam, Unicorn Gundam Unit 3 Phenex Destroy Mode - Narrative Ver. has been released. The HGUC Phenex had previously only come out as a limited release or through Club-G, but this Narrative Ver. has actually gotten a general retail release.

First off, it's not gold plating — it's done in a bright gold gloss injection molding. Due to the nature of gloss injection, the material is extremely hard, making gate cleanup quite a pain on this kit. On top of that, as tends to be the case with gold gloss injection, you'll notice a lot of flow marks, and opinions on the color itself will probably be divided. It's a shame it didn't come with gold plating even at a higher price — (I guess plated parts are still reserved for limited editions..)

With the Narrative Ver., a tail has been added to the Armed Armor DE, and only the runners for that tail section are completely new sculpts — everything else is a combination of existing runners. On top of that, in the Narrative Ver. the Armed Armor DE's mounting point has been shifted downward, making the overall height of the kit even taller.

The good news is that even though the center of gravity has shifted way up, since it only goes taller vertically, the main body holds up just fine. Even the MG Phenex tends to struggle to stand upright on its own due to the weight of the backpack weapons, but the HGUC Phenex stands up nice and straight.

The tail added to the Armed Armor DE folds in a 4-segment structure, but the hinge sections aren't all that sturdy, so keeping it held out horizontally in a cool pose can be a bit of a challenge. Letting it hang down is no problem, but if you want to keep it bent out horizontally, you'll probably want to assemble the hinge sections as loosely as possible during build to minimize friction.

For reference, the original Unicorn weapons are also included minus the bazooka, and if you remove the tail and move the polycap over before reassembling, you can also build it as a standard Phenex with the Armed Armor DE in the lowered position. Just keep in mind that since the material is so hard, disassembly is stiff too and there's a real risk of breakage, so take it slow and be careful.

Either way, this kit is significant simply for the fact that the Phenex has finally gotten a general retail HGUC release — and as long as you can put up with filing down gates so hard your hands go numb, it's actually a pretty cool kit. :-)

HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] [Narrative Ver.] | 2018.6 | ¥3,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.