Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body front and back

Head and torso.
The design and parts layout are quite unique.

Legs

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Clear parts scattered throughout the body (1/4)

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Clear parts scattered throughout the body (2/4)

Clear parts scattered throughout the body

Leftover parts from the Frame Architect parts that go unused

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Action poses on the Kotobukiya display stand (1/3)

Action poses on the Kotobukiya display stand

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Dual rifle action poses (1/4)

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Dual rifle action poses (2/4)

Dual rifle action poses

Transformation

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Swing the shoulder Boosters forward and down, then rotate the forearms 90 degrees to turn the c

Swing the shoulder Boosters forward and down, then rotate the forearms 90 degrees to turn the clear parts outward.

Lift the back structure upward and pull it out toward the rear.

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Rotate the shoulders and fold them back, then slot them into either side of the back structure

Rotate the shoulders and fold them back,
then slot them into either side of the back structure to lock in place.

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Rotate the head's swivel section to face forward, then extend the side flank structures out hor

Rotate the head's swivel section to face forward, then extend the side flank structures out horizontally.

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Detach the base of the tail-like beam parts and rotate them down toward the underside of the bo

Detach the base of the tail-like beam parts and rotate them down toward the underside of the body.

Then rotate the waist 90 degrees forward to bring the beam parts to the front..

Insert the separate leg-locking parts into the rear end section.

Fold the legs and feet as shown above, then

reattach the leg sections onto the four locking pegs — two on each side.

Gather the clear parts on the feet toward the center.

Extend both ends of the structure attached to the sides of the thighs,

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - then plug them into either side of the body along with the rifles to complete the transformatio

then plug them into either side of the body along with the rifles to complete the transformation!
It's honestly a bit hard to explain in words;;

A pretty stylish flight mode.

Underside view

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - The locking mechanisms are well thought out, so everything tabs together with a satisfying, sol

The locking mechanisms are well thought out, so everything tabs together with a satisfying, solid feel.

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Views from various angles. (1/5)

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Views from various angles. (2/5)

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Views from various angles. (3/5)

Various angles.

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr - Alongside its predecessor, the Rafiel Zephyr. As you can see, it's got great bulk but sits a li

Alongside its predecessor, the Rafiel Zephyr.
As you can see, it's got great bulk but sits a little on the short side height-wise.

A unique transforming mech has joined Kotobukiya's original mechanical design series, the Frame Arms lineup. Its name is the somewhat tongue-twisting "NSG-X1 Hresvelgr" — and just as those three full runners of clear parts suggest, this is one unusual-looking mech with clear parts wrapped all over its body.

Just looking at the design and proportions, it seems like it'd have trouble standing upright... but despite being a transforming kit, the joint strength is managed really well, and it's surprisingly solid when holding a pose — which is impressive. The articulation itself isn't bad at all, but the body shape is so unique that action poses don't end up looking all that dynamic. Probably because this kit is more focused on the transformation gimmick than on poseability.

The transformation into flight mode is relatively straightforward, though it's a bit tricky to explain with photos and words... it looks similar to the classic wave rider-style transformation, but there's something a little different about it. The good news is that there are locking pegs and gimmicks well-placed throughout to securely fix the arms, legs, and other parts after transformation, so the solidity of the flight mode is better than expected.

In robot mode, on the other hand... the joints are sturdy, but the unusual shape means it takes a while to find a natural-looking pose. There are a lot of moving parts all over the place, and the thighs are thick while the calves are thin, which probably doesn't help. The rifles — which come pre-painted and separately assembled — are impressive at first glance, but when you look more closely, you start to wonder why they went through the trouble of assembling them separately;; It seems like the color separation would've been perfectly fine with a standard straight build... (you'll understand once you see it in person..)

Anyway, since this is an original design, there's no lore or backstory to worry about — it just needs to look cool, and from that angle, it's a pretty solid kit. Since it's a kit that sells itself on being unique, it's worth recommending to anyone suffering from Gunpla fatigue. The biggest selling point is probably just how sleek and stylish the flight mode looks — that's definitely this kit's greatest strength. :-)

Frame Arms NSG-X1 Hresvelgr | 2012.1 | ¥4,200

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.