Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Detail shots

Underside view

The small wings on the sides of the nose can rotate slightly left and right.

The Star Beam Cannon can be extended in length.

In addition to the Universe Booster itself, a variety of accessories are included.

The visually stunning Plavsky Wing

It gives off a similar vibe to Destiny Gundam's Wings of Light.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Two types of wing struts are included — fixed and articulated — and the articulated version has s

Two types of wing struts are included — fixed and articulated —
the articulated version has such good proportions that the fixed one seems almost unnecessary..;;

As shown above, it can spread out into three sections or rotate.

A Plavsky Power Gate is also included.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Universe Booster with the Plavsky Power Gate attached. (1/4)

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Universe Booster with the Plavsky Power Gate attached. (2/4)

Universe Booster with the Plavsky Power Gate attached.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - It's held in place by a clear multi-joint support arm — the hold is decent enough, but getting th

It's held in place by a clear multi-joint support arm —
the hold is decent enough, but getting the angle just right can be a bit tricky.

A general-purpose stand is also included.

Various parts for converting into the Star Build Strike Gundam are included as well.

To attach it in backpack form, you first need to pull out the nose and fold it all the way back.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Raise the mounting pin that plugs into the back and lift up the parts that drape over the shoulde

Raise the mounting pin that plugs into the back and lift up the parts that drape over the shoulders, and you're ready to attach.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Then remove the outer shin armor from the existing MG Build Strike Gundam and swap it out with th

Then remove the outer shin armor from the existing MG Build Strike Gundam
and swap it out with the Star version armor.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Partially disassemble the existing MG Strike Gundam's shield and replace the energy pipe section

Partially disassemble the existing MG Strike Gundam's shield,
and replace the energy pipe section with the elongated version included in this kit.

Converted into the Star Build Strike Gundam shield.

The added armor can also open and close left and right.

The additional weapon that attaches to the rifle moves freely as shown above.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Remove the front section of the existing MG Build Strike rifle, then combine the rear section wit

Remove the front section of the existing MG Build Strike rifle, then combine the rear section with the new parts.

Expanded into the Star Build Strike Gundam rifle.

It can transform into various configurations as per the show's design.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Converted into the MG Star Build Strike Gundam. (1/3)

Converted into the MG Star Build Strike Gundam.

The shoulders, chest ducts, and shin areas are slightly changed.

With the Plavsky Wings attached as well.

Six wings in total are attached — on both sides of the head and on the back/sides of the backpack.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - MG Star Build Strike Gundam with the Plavsky Power Gate & Wings all attached. (1/4)

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - MG Star Build Strike Gundam with the Plavsky Power Gate & Wings all attached. (2/4)

MG Star Build Strike Gundam with the Plavsky Power Gate & Wings all attached.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Using the secondary stand, the Plavsky Power Gate can be displayed in the configuration shown abo

Using the secondary stand, the Plavsky Power Gate can be displayed in the configuration shown above.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Passing through the Plavsky Power Gate. Apparently passing through it powers up your abilities..

Passing through the Plavsky Power Gate.
Apparently passing through it powers up your abilities..

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Firing pose using the Plavsky Power Gate. It's a recreation of a scene from the show — the gate h

Firing pose using the Plavsky Power Gate.
It's a recreation of a scene from the show — the gate has the effect of boosting the power of your offensive weapons.

Together with the HG Star Build Strike Gundam.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Together with the HG Universe Booster. The difference in color separation and overall presence is

Together with the HG Universe Booster.
The difference in color separation and overall presence is immediately obvious.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - MG joint parts are also included, allowing the Universe Booster to be attached to various other k

MG joint parts are also included, allowing the Universe Booster to be attached to various other kits.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 - Attached to the MG Sengoku Astray Gundam. The design concepts are quite different, but the colors

Attached to the MG Sengoku Astray Gundam.
The design concepts are quite different, but the colors actually match up nicely.

Attached to the MG Build Gundam Mk-II.
.... It doesn't work....

Straight build

It's pretty rare in the MG lineup to see something other than an MS get a kit release. The Universe Booster from Build Fighters is the star of the show here — it's been released as an accessory kit that includes all sorts of parts to convert the MG Build Strike Gundam into the Star Build Strike Gundam.

Under normal circumstances, this would've probably come bundled with the existing MG Build Strike Gundam and released under the title "MG Star Build Strike Gundam." But with the MG Build Strike at ¥4,200 and the MG Universe Booster at ¥2,800, that'd add up to ¥7,000 combined — so it seems like they split them up to avoid scaring off buyers with the price tag.

The main attraction, the Universe Booster itself, feels thoroughly well-designed at the MG level — it's got great color separation and all its various functions are faithfully reproduced. And actually, the volume of accessories packed in here far outweighs the Universe Booster unit itself. You get the Plavsky Wing, which is nicely done in the style of Destiny Gundam's Wings of Light, plus the Plavsky Power Gate, and all the armor and weapon parts needed to convert into the Star Build Strike Gundam.

In short, it feels like a full-option accessory kit perfectly tailored for the MG Build Strike Gundam — and sure enough, when combined with it, you can build out a fully loaded Star Build Strike Gundam. The Plavsky Wing in particular really stands out. The well-sculpted frame gets gradient-painted wing sections attached in three tiers, and they're all articulated, so you can recreate naturally angled wing positions just like a real bird's wings.

That said, once you've decked it out as the MG Star Build Strike Gundam, there are some minor stability issues from all the stuff hanging off it, which is a bit of a shame. The chest duct parts that drape over the shoulders and cover the body in particular tend to fall apart too easily, making it a bit annoying to handle. The clear support arm for the Plavsky Power Gate and the Plavsky Wing itself hold up pretty well, which is a relief — but the multi-joint arm that holds the Power Gate bends so freely in every direction that it actually makes it harder to lock in a pose. Still, the joints on the MG Build Strike Gundam that serves as the base are incredibly solid, so it can still pull off a good variety of poses even with all these accessories loaded on, which is fortunate.

All in all, if you already own the MG Build Strike Gundam, this is a pretty worthwhile flashy accessory kit — though conversely, there's almost no reason to buy this kit on its own. Think of it as a custom parts set. If anything, it's probably a good thing it wasn't bundled together and instead released as a separate optional add-on. That said, it does make me wish they'd do something like the Base Jabber from the Universal Century as a detailed MG release too :-)

* Since this kit is not a standard MS, a separate MG scoring sheet has not been prepared.

MG Universe Booster UB-01 | 2014. 3 | ¥2,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.