Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (1/10)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (2/10)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (3/10)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (4/10)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (5/10)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (6/10)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (7/10)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Detail shots (8/10)

Detail shots

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Since 2 copies of the B runner are included due to color separation (4 total), exactly 2

Since 2 copies of the B runner are included due to color separation (4 total)
Exactly 2 runners' worth of parts end up as leftover parts.

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - The stand connector parts that were included with the Ikaruga Black are also provided her

The stand connector parts that were included with the Ikaruga Black are also provided here.

Weapons open shot

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Landing pose (1/5)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Landing pose (2/5)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - Landing pose (3/5)

Landing pose

Together with the normal color Ikaruga Black.

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - All the molded colors except black have been changed, and the black sections on the gloss

All the molded colors except black have been changed,
and the black sections on the gloss injection EX Color version do have a nicer sheen to them ^^

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color - The Ikaruga trio... all three are 100% identical in structure, just with different molded

The Ikaruga trio...
All 100% identical in structure, just with different molded colors.

This is yet another variation of the Hichu Ikaruga — essentially a gloss injection version of the Black version, released as the EX Color version. Just like the Ikaruga White and Black, it's a straightforward color variant kit with no changes whatsoever beyond the molded colors.

As you can see in the comparison photos above, the molded colors from the original Black version have been changed across the board, and gloss injection has been applied to the black parts. Thanks to that, the surface has a subtle reflective sheen that makes the black look deep and rich — almost like a smooth coat of enamel paint.

One notable thing about this kit is that the B runners, which normally come as 2 copies, are provided in 2 different colors for a total of 4 copies due to the color separation. This does make the color breakdown a tiny bit more elaborate, but it also means you're left with 2 runners' worth of leftover parts. That said, even with the gloss injection treatment and 2 extra runners added, the price is set the same as the normal color version. Kotobukiya really is generous when it comes to stuff like this — though the base price was already a bit steep at ¥4800 to begin with;;

Since it's a straight color variant kit, all the characteristics are identical to the normal version. It feels more like an aero kit than a Gunpla, so most parts will need to be glued, and there are a lot of small, delicate parts that make assembly quite time-consuming. On the flip side, the sense of a finely detailed mechanical aircraft you get after it's all put together is still pretty satisfying.

It's honestly a bit of a tricky kit to recommend to any specific crowd... but if you're an Ikaruga fan or just interested in a finely detailed gloss-finished flying mecha, it's definitely worth giving a shot :-)

Hittekai Ikaruga Black - EX Color | 2012.4 | ¥4,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.