Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HG Gundam Dantalion - Detail shots (1/4)

HG Gundam Dantalion - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

HG Gundam Dantalion - Left armor removed from the base unit "Naked" with frame shots. Gundam Frame #4 is used. (1/3

Left armor removed from the base unit "Naked" with frame shots.
Gundam Frame #4 is used.

HG Gundam Dantalion - Naked + T-Booster configuration. A dedicated stand is included due to the center of gravity in this for

Naked + T-Booster configuration.
A dedicated stand is included due to the center of gravity in this form.

The dedicated T-Booster stand has multi-step height adjustment.

The Bayonet Sword comes with a separate joint part so it can also be held by the Half-Cowl T's hand.

Fold the Bayonet Sword in half and attach the grip to turn it into the Bayonet Rifle.

Leftover parts.

Arm and leg articulation is excellent.

HG Gundam Dantalion - Naked + T-Booster Bayonet Rifle firing pose (1/3)

Naked + T-Booster Bayonet Rifle firing pose

Naked + T-Booster Bayonet Sword pose

To transform the T-Booster into the Half-Cowl T, first separate it left and right and spread them apart.

HG Gundam Dantalion - Disassemble the connectors on both sides to detach them from the backpack, then push the backpack's mou

Disassemble the connectors on both sides to detach them from the backpack, then push the backpack's mounting section inward.

HG Gundam Dantalion - Fold the Naked's arms as shown, then wrap the previously separated upper/lower parts around them to for

Fold the Naked's arms as shown, then wrap the previously separated upper/lower parts around them
to form the large shoulder armor.

Extend the key joints to form the Half-Cowl T's arms and attach them.

Action pose with Half-Cowl T equipped

Bayonet Sword action

Bayonet Sword action 2

Together with HG Gundam Barbatos Lupus.

This kit is the HG Gundam Dantalion, which can be considered an MSV side-story entry for Iron-Blooded Orphans — it's basically a mech from the arcade card game Gundam Try Age. Fittingly, first-run copies come with a game card, though it's not really much use outside Japan.

Gundam Dantalion is built around a base unit called "Naked" that mounts a unique set of armaments — specifically the massive backpack-style T-Booster and the large arm-shaped Half-Cowl T that it transforms into. The T-Booster and Half-Cowl T can be swapped between forms through a combination of simple disassembly/reassembly and extending/retracting gimmick joints. When the T-Booster is attached, the center of gravity is completely off, so a height-adjustable dedicated stand is included.

With the Half-Cowl T on, the kit takes on a distinctive look that really emphasizes the upper body and arms. Those arms are big and hefty, but thankfully the joint strength holds up well, so you can pull off a good variety of poses without much trouble. For weapons, the Bayonet Rifle/Sword can be switched between modes by folding it in half, and a joint part is included so the Bayonet Sword can be used with both the Naked and the Half-Cowl T hands.

With its solid shared frame, excellent articulation, and joint strength that's impressive for the size, this is a high-quality kit overall — and above all, the sheer visual impact of those massive arms is its biggest selling point. If you're a fan of Iron-Blooded Orphans or just dig this kind of design, it's definitely a fun build worth picking up. :-)

HG Gundam Dantalion | 2017.6 | ¥1,600

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.