Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

The universal reference point — size comparison with a cigarette pack. The volume looks absolutely massive.

That darn long rifle takes up a ton of space front and back too.

Front full shot without the long rifle

MG Super Gundam - The Super Gundam is basically the existing Gundam Mk-II AEUG version kit with just the G-Defenser added on.

The Super Gundam is basically the existing Gundam Mk-II AEUG version kit with just the G-Defenser added on.
So every single part and weapon from the previous M14 Gundam Mk-II is included as-is.

G-Defenser. Size comparison with a cigarette pack. It's big~

The G-Defenser is nice and slim — the styling isn't bad at all..

MG Super Gundam - Bottom of the G-Defenser. For some reason whenever I see something like this I just have to take a shot of

Bottom of the G-Defenser. For some reason whenever I see something like this I just have to take a shot of the underside;; Not many other sites bother with it..

MG Super Gundam - On the G-Defenser, the cockpit unit at the front detaches, and the long rifle can be attached/detached on t

On the G-Defenser, the cockpit unit at the front detaches, and the long rifle can be attached/detached on the right side.

MG Super Gundam - All the vertical fins on the cockpit unit move up and down over a wide range, and on the underside there's

All the vertical fins on the cockpit unit move up and down over a wide range,
and on the underside there's a head cover for the Gundam Mk-II that opens and closes.

G-Defenser cockpit unit hatch open

The cockpit unit from the bottom too..

The blue parts on the wings are just handled with stickers.

The wings can also fold 90 degrees.

The top panel (;) can be repositioned as needed

The missile bay at the front can open and close.

The movable parts of the long rifle.

There's also a landing gear-like section on the underside of the G-Defenser that moves.

The white and blue parts of the G-Defenser lock together securely via these small L-shaped tabs.

To combine with the Mk-II, the blue section slides up and down while folding 90 degrees.

MG Super Gundam - In G-Flyer mode where it carries the Mk-II and flies, a support stand like this comes out to hold up the Mk

In G-Flyer mode where it carries the Mk-II and flies, a support stand like this comes out to hold up the Mk-II's legs.

MG Super Gundam - To attach the G-Defenser to the Mk-II, you need to remove the cover on top of the Mk-II's backpack to expos

To attach the G-Defenser to the Mk-II, you need to remove the cover on top of the Mk-II's backpack
to expose the polycap mount.

MG Super Gundam - You plug the G-Defenser into the backpack's polycap, then hook a latch on top of the backpack to lock it in

You plug the G-Defenser into the backpack's polycap, then hook a latch on top of the backpack to lock it in securely.
The G-Defenser and backpack connect nice and tight — but the problem is.. the backpack and the Mk-II body itself tend to pop apart pretty easily. -_-;

MG Super Gundam - G-Flyer mode. Calling it a transformation feels like a stretch.. It's more like a transport/carry configura

G-Flyer mode. Calling it a transformation feels like a stretch.. It's more like a transport/carry configuration really.

Side view

Bottom view as well. (Bad habit of mine.. lol)

Action pose. Aside from this one, there's basically no other pose worth striking;;

Soft-focus shot. Honestly, holding the long rifle upright like this is both safer and looks way cooler.

After the Mk-II AEUG and Titans versions came out, the Super Gundam followed in quick succession. (Feels like they wanted to cash in all at once!) As you'd expect from the lore, it's the MG Mk-II AEUG version with the G-Defenser added on. Since all the runners and parts from the MG Mk-II are included as-is, for info on the main body itself, please refer to the MG Gundam Mk-II review for details.

Anyway, ever since the Mk-II came out I was secretly hoping a 1/100 G-Defenser would follow, and well, here it is. The G-Defenser is a pretty compelling option for the popular Mk-II — normally it operates as an independent aircraft, but when needed it can carry the Mk-II (G-Flyer mode) or dock onto the Mk-II's back like additional armament. It feels less like a combining transformation and more like a transport craft. Though the long rifle and missile bay do give it a decent weapons boost.

The G-Defenser itself has pretty good color separation as you'd expect from a 1/100 MG, but some of the inner areas around the rear verniers are molded way too plain and white. You'll want to cover those up with something dark — black paint at minimum — otherwise it just looks too bare. The missile bay opening, cockpit separation/hatch opening, and the G-Defenser's various transformation gimmicks are all faithfully reproduced. Sure, an internal frame was too much to hope for, but since the G-Defenser had never been done to this level before, it was a pretty interesting and fun part of the kit.

The G-Defenser's various transformation gimmicks are relatively solid with no looseness, and when attached to the Mk-II it locks onto the backpack firmly using both a polycap and a securing latch. However.. the Mk-II's backpack itself doesn't attach all that securely to the Mk-II body, so the backpack tends to pop off — that's a real issue. -_-;

The Super Gundam — the combined form of the Mk-II and G-Defenser — is quite a hefty kit, and it's worth it for the sheer presence alone. The long rifle is so long that finding display space is a real headache, but in terms of sheer bulk it's a pretty impressive kit.

But.. the critical problem with this Super Gundam is.. the stability is absolutely terrible; And the root cause of all these problems isn't the G-Defenser — it's the Mk-II body itself..

First, the backpack popping off is one thing.. but strapping such a big, heavy load onto the back of a Mk-II whose joints were already wobbly and barely able to stand on its own — the result is pretty much what you'd expect.. -_- It's incredibly nerve-wracking to leave standing on its own. T_T Of course, with some careful posing and pulling the legs back slightly, it's not impossible to get it standing alone.. but with those weak joints, even the slightest shift in balance and it'll topple forward or backward with a crash. So when displaying it in Super Gundam form, you absolutely need to lean it against something from behind, otherwise it will fall over eventually; (Personally I gave up and store the G-Defenser separately.) In other words, you can get it standing for a moment, but it's extremely precarious..

The ridiculously long long rifle is another problem. The Mk-II's grip strength is already weak, and on top of that the wrist joint pops out easily.. so rather than "holding" the rifle, it's more accurate to say you're resting it against the body and just draping the hand loosely over the grip. Bottom line, the overall stability of the Super Gundam is the worst among MG kits.. -_- To fix this, strong super glue reinforcement in multiple spots on the body is a must, and even then the structural instability from the joint design remains.

Also, while the G-Defenser is faithful to its functions.. the detail just feels a bit plain overall to call it MG-grade. It's big, but it feels more like HGUC quality. Even compared to the later HGUC Super Gundam's G-Defenser, the only real difference is size — the detail is barely any different;; If anything, the HGUC version locks together much more solidly and feels better overall.

Whatever the case, the significance here is that the G-Defenser finally got the MG treatment, and with that the Mk-II is now complete in its definitive form — that's a big deal. Stability issues aside (;), the sheer commanding presence of the completed form is great.

For anyone planning to pick up the MG Mk-II, the Super Gundam — which includes the full AEUG version — could be a worthwhile kit. It comes with the AEUG version base Mk-II 100% intact, plus the G-Defenser to bring back all those nostalgic memories! The parts count is generous and satisfying — it really does feel like a Mk-II ultimate gift set.

That said, going in with zero expectations for the joints and stability is better for your sanity. If you're just planning to display the G-Defenser separately on the side, it's not a huge deal — but for actually experiencing the Super Gundam's presence.. it's just too fragile. Leaning it against a wall for display does look pretty cool in its own way.. but if you really want the Super Gundam, I'd strongly recommend going with the HGUC Super Gundam instead — it's sturdier and better quality overall.

Anyway, this kit ended up tipping the love-hate balance for the Mk-II just a little further toward the "hate" side. ^^;;;

MG FXA-05D G-Defenser with RX-178 Super Gundam
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★★★★	Panel lines and parts separation hide a lot of seam lines. The G-Defenser does have some seam lines though..
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★	G-Defenser color separation is decent but a little lacking.
Proportions	★★★☆	Setting the Mk-II aside, the G-Defenser gives it quite an imposing presence.
Articulation	★★☆	Not much different from the Mk-II alone, but the extra load limits the range of movement even further.
Joint Strength	★★	Putting a heavy load on a Mk-II that already has poor joints is really painful.
Internal Frame	★★	Movable frame only on the legs. Hard to expect much from the G-Defenser in this regard..
Detail	★★★★	Not bad.. but the G-Defenser is big yet a bit plain.
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★★	With the G-Defenser added, the Mk-II achieves its fully armed configuration.
Parts Count / Price	★★★★★	443 parts total. Parts per ¥1,000: 110.8. Accessories are plentiful and generous.
Uniqueness	★★★	The definitive Mk-II. Unique for sure.. but way too fragile.. -_-
Dalong's Point : 70 pts.

MG Super Gundam | 1998. 12 | ¥4,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.