Gundam Astray [Red Frame]

Wow. First new PG box I've seen in 4 years!!

Box art from the side

Box art on the bottom

The top has a carry handle, as expected.

PG boxes come in various sizes,
and the PG Astray box is the same size as the PG Zeta.

Inside the box there's something that looks like a small box with black-and-white photos on it...

Next to the small box, the special plated blade for the Gerbera Straight is stored separately.
Seems like they wanted to emphasize just how special it is..

Just the runners inside.
Hmm.. looking at this alone, the runner volume doesn't seem as large as you'd expect.

A runner shot that's every bit as PG as you'd expect.

Seeing all those tiny parts lined up like this..
it's been so long since I've seen a runner layout like this — so uniquely PG. Really glad to see it again... ^^

These are the newly tooled runners added for the PG Astray.
About 70% are new runners, and for something marketed as a variation, it seems like they put in quite a bit more effort than expected.
(Note: the silver-plated cylinder runner in the photo above is shared with the PG Strike — photo error ;;)

The runners carried over as-is from the existing PG Strike amount to roughly this much.
Less than I expected. That goes to show just how close to a brand-new PG this really is...

The transparent green clear parts on the A runner

Oh wow.. the parts have a really great sense of volume, as expected.

Parts for the Gerbera Straight using a slide mold.

Some clever parts for the Gerbera Straight's color separation.
Nice work, Bandai. lol

Looking at the foot runners.. the foot parts come in pairs of two,
but oddly enough, one of the two is attached to a different runner.
Seems a bit strange, right? Normally you'd expect two identical runners...

Looking more closely at the larger runner, the runner with the backpack parts
is separated by a system injection switch.
This either means.. they're planning a variation with a slightly different backpack..
or maybe they originally intended to offer one of the foot soles as a first-run limited clear version but dropped it partway through.

The solid one-piece fingers unique to PG kits are carried over from the PG Strike,
but each knuckle segment is molded in a different color.

Frame parts with some impressive depth to them..

Gold-coated Gerbera Straight parts.

Silver-plated runner with cylinders attached.

Now then.. this is the infamous Gerbera Straight blade runner.
Just how special is it that it's packaged separately inside the box?

First off, there's a yellow warning label inside the runner packaging.
Here's roughly what it says — basically it's telling you to be careful because the blade tip is sharp..

● This product is intended for ages 15 and up, so absolutely do not give it to kids younger than that.
● Unless you're keeping it in the scabbard, make sure to fit the separate protective tube as shown in the instructions..
● The blade tip is reproduced so realistically that it's dangerous, so store it carefully. You might hurt yourself if you forget about it.
● Don't play rough by stabbing or swinging it around..
● The blade tip is reproduced so realistically that it's dangerous (same thing written again;) Never point it at people or living creatures.

I was so curious that I peeled off the protective tape.. (it was stuck on so stubbornly it barely came off;;)
Well, it is pointy, but not sharp enough to actually cut you.
Still, probably best to be a little careful just in case..?

Whoa.. I'm not sure how they did it, but..
The wavy pattern on the blade is finished in matte, which makes it clearly distinct from the plated sections.
A simple coating wouldn't produce that kind of effect.. looks like they used some kind of special technique.

The die-cast parts that were included in the PG Strike are included here painted in red.

The 3 polycap runners are molded in red too, fitting for the Red Frame.

LED-related parts and screws.

For markings, you get dry decals + clear seals + foil stickers.

As befitting a PG, the manuals include a monochrome assembly manual and a full-color introduction booklet.
On top of that, there's a small Astray comic book included as a first-run limited bonus.