Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Various angles (1/6)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Various angles (2/6)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Various angles (3/6)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Various angles (4/6)

Various angles

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Detail shots (1/4)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Rear view with the cape and backpack removed

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - The kit comes with the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword, High-Energy

The kit comes with the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword, High-Energy Beam Rifle, and shield as weapons.

The inner detail on the shield is a bit plain.

The High-Energy Beam Rifle can be mounted on the rear skirt.

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - The articulation gimmick on the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword mou

The articulation gimmick on the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword mount

Two eye sticker options are included.

Leftover parts

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - The basic articulation is nearly identical to the HGCE Black Kni

The basic articulation is nearly identical to the HGCE Black Knight Squad Shiva.

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Poses using the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword (1/8)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Poses using the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword (2/8)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Poses using the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword (3/8)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Poses using the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword (4/8)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Poses using the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword (5/8)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) - Poses using the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword (6/8)

Poses using the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword

High-Energy Beam Rifle firing pose

Together with the HGCE Black Knight Squad Shiva.

Straight build

The Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom), which appeared in the theatrical anime "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom" released in January 2024, has been released as an HGCE kit. It reuses the frame and some exterior parts from the previously released HGCE Black Knight Squad Shiva, sharing its frame, backpack, thighs, and portions of the arms, while most of the exterior parts are newly sculpted.

So the basic articulation characteristics and the PET cape attachment are the same as the existing Shiva — it still shows slightly lacking articulation and solid joint strength thanks to the polycap-less construction. That said, since the silhouette is so similar to the existing Shiva, it doesn't feel all that differentiated. Still, if you look closely at the details, it's definitely a different design.

The weapons are a completely different lineup from the Shiva's, including the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword, High-Energy Beam Rifle, and shield. The Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword can be mounted on the back with the beam parts removed, and the High-Energy Beam Rifle can be stored on the rear skirt.

With a large amount of new sculpting applied, it's great to see a variation of the Black Knight Squad released like this. The overall quality is solid enough, so if the design appeals to you, it's definitely worth picking up. :-)

HGCE Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom) | 2024.3 | ¥2,700

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.