Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.
Truly a PG-worthy bulk..

1. Basic Photo

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (1/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (2/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (3/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (4/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (5/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (6/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (7/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (8/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (9/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (10/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (11/14)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Full body shots from various angles. (12/14)

Full body shots from various angles.

Upper body close-up

The chest ducts have really impressive depth and detail.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Head close-up. Nice and intricate, just like you'd expect from a PG, right? (1/3)

Head close-up. Nice and intricate, just like you'd expect from a PG, right?

Back side close-up

Backpack and butt skirt

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Shoulder section. No matter how I look at it, it really bugs me that the inside of the duct on

Shoulder section.
No matter how I look at it, it really bugs me that the inside of the duct on the back of the shoulder isn't color separated..

Those chunky arms.
Perfect color separation is a given!

The hands, with amazingly crisp color separation thanks to single-piece molding.

Those chunky legs

Solid thighs..

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - The calves are really solid too. (1/3)

The calves are really solid too.

The feet.
The thicker feet make the overall height a little taller.

Beam rifle and shield

The shield attaches by sliding up the gimmick on the elbow first.

The Gerbera Straight mounted on the side skirt.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - A gimmick unique to the PG. The side skirt opens up to reveal the mounting hole for the Gerber

A gimmick unique to the PG.
The side skirt opens up to reveal the mounting hole for the Gerbera Straight.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Cockpit hatch open. The opening angle and gap are really narrow.. looks like it'd be quite a p

Cockpit hatch open.
The opening angle and gap are really narrow.. looks like it'd be quite a pain to get in and out;

The backpack's attachment method and gimmicks are the same as the Astray in other scales.

Eye light-up. You need the room to be pretty dark to really see it.

The included 1/60 pilot figure.

Since it's based on the PG Strike, quite a few Strike-related parts end up as leftover parts.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Among the leftover parts.. the Strike's Armor Schneider happens to come with color separation.

Among the leftover parts.. the Strike's Armor Schneider happens to come with color separation.
Feels like a waste to just leave it as leftover parts.. ^^;

The base body with weapons removed.
Even without the weapons it's still impressively bulky.

2. Mechanic Frame

Outer armor removed.
It's been a while since we've seen a packed-full PG armor-off shot.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Inner frame shots (1/2)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Inner frame shots (2/2)

Internal frame

The head frame that accidentally ended up looking like a mono-eye..

Upper body front frame

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Back side frame (1/2)

Back frame

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Arm and leg frames. Basically almost identical to the PG Strike. (1/3)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Arm and leg frames. Basically almost identical to the PG Strike. (2/3)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Arm and leg frames. Basically almost identical to the PG Strike. (3/3)

Arm and leg frame.
Basically almost identical to the PG Strike.

Foot frame.

The PG Astray has non-slip rubber pads on the soles of its feet.

The articulation in frame-only state is pretty impressive, though...

Dense detail molding on the inside of the outer armor.

But.. maybe they were rushing, because some armor pieces have no molding on the inside at all.

3. Action

Huh..
The articulation is a bit surprising.

The arms have such bulky biceps that they don't fold all the way..

The leg articulation is worse than the 1/100 No Grade OTL

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - The hip joints especially. The red part of the front skirt barely moves at all, which severely

The hip joints especially.
The red part of the front skirt barely moves at all,
which severely limits how high the legs can be raised.

The shoulder's range of motion up/down and forward/back is also narrower than expected.

The cylinders at the armpits and waist that are exposed during posing..

The kneeling pose that's a PG trademark is tough to pull off too..

On the other hand, the legs do splay out wide to the sides.

You could spread the legs even further, but..
that big crotch hits the ground.. (come on!)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - The kneeling pose achieved with maximum effort. Looks a bit unstable. (1/3)

The kneeling pose achieved with maximum effort.
Looks a bit unstable.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Beam rifle action pose. Maybe it's the sheer size, but the poses look pretty cool. (1/5)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Beam rifle action pose. Maybe it's the sheer size, but the poses look pretty cool. (2/5)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Beam rifle action pose. Maybe it's the sheer size, but the poses look pretty cool. (3/5)

Beam rifle action pose.
Maybe it's the sheer size, but the poses look pretty cool.

Draw pose.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #1. The Astray just looks best with its sword drawn. (1/6)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #1. The Astray just looks best with its sword drawn. (2/6)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #1. The Astray just looks best with its sword drawn. (3/6)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #1. The Astray just looks best with its sword drawn. (4/6)

Box art pose #1
The Astray just looks best with its sword drawn.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - This kit comes with a rubber tube that fits over the tip of the blade as a safety guard. It's

This kit comes with a rubber tube that fits over the tip of the blade as a safety guard.
It's a thoughtful touch to prevent accidental injuries, but..
it really kills the look, so who knows how many people will actually use it;;

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #2. Getting that pose right was quite a struggle; (1/9)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #2. Getting that pose right was quite a struggle; (2/9)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #2. Getting that pose right was quite a struggle; (3/9)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #2. Getting that pose right was quite a struggle; (4/9)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #2. Getting that pose right was quite a struggle; (5/9)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #2. Getting that pose right was quite a struggle; (6/9)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Box art pose #2. Getting that pose right was quite a struggle; (7/9)

Box art pose #2
Getting that pose right was quite a struggle;

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Two-handed grip pose. (1/7)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Two-handed grip pose. (2/7)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Two-handed grip pose. (3/7)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Two-handed grip pose. (4/7)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Two-handed grip pose. (5/7)

Two-handed grip pose.

Well, this pose isn't too hard to pull off, but you really need to get the angles right..

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Beam saber draw pose. (1/3)

Beam saber draw pose

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Beam saber action. (1/3)

Beam saber action.

4. Comparison

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - First up, alongside the very first PG — the PG RX-78-2. The PG RX-78-2 has aged to the point w

First up, alongside the very first PG — the PG RX-78-2.
The PG RX-78-2 has aged to the point where it's really hard to hold a pose, and it keeps slumping over.. T_T

Together with the PG Strike Gundam, which you could call the original.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - A clean comparison of just the base bodies — the Astray is noticeably taller and more bulked o

A clean comparison of just the base bodies.
The Astray is noticeably taller and more bulked out.

For starters, the Astray's chest armor has gotten really beefy..

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - The arms have gone all muscular too. (1/3)

The arms have gone all muscular too.

Those chunky Astray legs!
They look about twice as thick as the PG Strike's;

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - The Astray's heels are bigger and taller, which ultimately makes it stand higher than the PG S

The Astray's heels are bigger and taller,
which ultimately makes it stand higher than the PG Strike.

Yeah.. even the crotch is way more massive than the Strike's.. ;;;

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Articulation comparison. Same frame, but.. the chunky Astray falls way short of the Strike. T_

Articulation comparison.
Same frame, but.. the chunky Astray falls way short of the Strike. T_T

The shoulder range of motion is also far superior on the PG Strike.

The essential articulation test — the deep squat pose comparison.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - This is just... too much of a contrast, sob sob. The Astray looks like it's being punished in

This is just... too much of a contrast, sob sob.
The Astray looks like it's being punished in that horse-riding stance.

1/100 & HG Astray together.

The 1/100 Astray is quite a gem among No Grade kits.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - It's a sad state of affairs when the PG's articulation can't even keep up with a 1/100 non-gra

It's a sad state of affairs when the PG's articulation can't even keep up with a 1/100 No Grade..

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Comparison with the 1/100 Gerbera Straight. The designs are quite a bit more different than I

Comparison with the 1/100 Gerbera Straight.
The designs are quite a bit more different than I expected..
Even the basic direction the sword hangs at the hip is flipped upside down.

Differences in the handle area.

Differences in the blade.

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Straight build shots — even in straight-built state, the color combination is dazzling~. (1/8)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Straight build shots — even in straight-built state, the color combination is dazzling~. (2/8)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Straight build shots — even in straight-built state, the color combination is dazzling~. (3/8)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Straight build shots — even in straight-built state, the color combination is dazzling~. (4/8)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Straight build shots — even in straight-built state, the color combination is dazzling~. (5/8)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] - Straight build shots — even in straight-built state, the color combination is dazzling~. (6/8)

Straight build shots.
Even in straight-built state, the color combination is dazzling~.

After what felt like a stalled PG lineup, a new release has finally arrived after four years. Master Kawaguchi once said "no new technology, no new PG," but PG is still the ultimate lineup that every Gunpla builder dreams of. Because of that, a lot of Gunpla fans had been eagerly waiting for a new PG, and at last PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] has been released. As I mentioned back when the PG Strike came out in a post called "The Conspiracy of the PG Strike".. I had predicted the release of PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] based on the manual at the time, and it turned out I was right.^^;

It is surprising that the Astray — which has a modest background, never appeared in the anime, and hadn't even gotten an MG release — jumped straight to PG. But as you probably know, the Astray's design is based on the PG Strike's frame, so it seems like the kit was developed as a way to make full use of that already excellent PG Strike frame.

Once I actually cracked open the bags, the frame is of course carried over from the PG Strike, but nearly all of the outer armor and weapons have been changed, with close to 70% of the kit filled with new runners. At that point, calling it a variation feels like a stretch — it's practically a brand new kit.

First of all, the overall detail and color separation are absolutely insane, as you'd expect from a PG. Parts you'd never even think to color-separate get the treatment as a matter of course, and since the Astray has such a complex, sculpted look to begin with, even completing a single leg requires a huge number of armor pieces to come together. The PG Strike also had quite fragmented outer armor, but those were still relatively flat panels. The outer armor on PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] is packed with bumps and volumes that are no joke — once you've got it all assembled, this kit really shows you what "beefy" truly means.

Basically, I think Bandai's goal in developing the PG Astray was to bring out the full volume of this complex design and achieve perfect color separation. It's a design that really benefits from the generous parts breakdown that only a PG can pull off. In that sense, I'd give it a perfect 100 out of 100 for volume and color. And with all those intricate, finely divided parts combined with an excellent frame, the build experience gives you that "this is definitely a PG!" thrill. The overall feel of the kit during assembly is very PG-like, so it seems to have fulfilled its duty as a PG... but.

Since the old 1/100 Astray made quite a splash with its articulation back in the day, a lot of Gunpla fans seem to have the impression that "articulation is the Astray's strong suit." The skirts are small, the shoulders are exposed, and above all, the frame is heavily visible — so it looks like a design where the armor wouldn't really get in the way of articulation. But with this PG Astray, it seems like you'll have to boldly let go of that expectation. T_T

As you can see in the photos, the chunky outer armor alone already makes the range of motion look like it'll fall short of the PG Strike... but the real problem is that certain areas are so severely restricted that striking poses isn't all that easy. The hip joints in particular are pretty rough — the joints themselves are fine, but thanks to the front skirt's questionable articulation design, the range of motion ends up being worse than the no-grade version. When you think about how incredibly flexible the PG Strike's hip joints were, this problem feels even bigger by comparison.

The front skirt on the PG Astray is split into a white section and a red section, and they're designed to move independently... but the problem is that the upper red skirt section has an extremely limited range of motion, which means the entire front skirt barely lifts up at all. Because of this, despite having great hip joints, the thighs can't even reach 90 degrees before getting blocked by the skirt — a pretty grim situation. As a result, those die-cast front-to-back swinging hip joints never get to shine. In fact, you actually have to swing the hip joint gimmick backward to get the thigh to lift even a little more, so it's barely contributing to articulation at all. Unless you modify it somehow, I'd say this is pretty close to a design error in stock form. T_T

Thanks to the chunky armor on the legs, full bend is impossible, and the ankle range of motion is comparatively limited too, so ground contact isn't great either. The shoulder joints also have a narrower range of motion than the 1/100 no-grade, making it hard to pull off dynamic arm poses. In short, don't expect much from the articulation. It's not so bad that you'd call it terrible or say it can't be dynamic at all — it's just that you shouldn't go in expecting a PG Strike. They share the same frame, but the difference is huge. T_T

On the flip side, the overall joint strength is quite solid — at the very least, I'd say this is probably the most stable-standing PG among all PGs released so far. A lot of PGs tend to have slightly wobbly ankles due to their heavy weight, but the PG Astray stands up really straight and firm, which is reassuring. (You won't fall over, I trust you.) That said, when you try to push through the limited articulation to get action poses, armor pieces tend to pop off here and there quite a bit. Best to keep the poses moderate.

Setting aside the somewhat awkward articulation, the Gerbera Straight — the Astray's signature weapon — turned out really nicely. The near-perfect color separation on the scabbard and handle, plus the blade with its special wave-pattern finish, is genuinely cool. Even with the somewhat lacking articulation, somehow having the Gerbera Straight in hand makes everything feel twice as dynamic.

One fun thing — both the Gerbera Straight and the scabbard have a peg-locking feature on the palm, but the scabbard actually locks onto the hand far more securely than the Gerbera Straight itself does. It's already surprising that the scabbard has a palm-locking gimmick at all, but the fact that it locks so satisfyingly well is an unexpected bonus, if you want to call it that.

Still, a PG is a PG — several new systems have been incorporated.

- Anti-slip rubber pads are attached to the soles of the feet to compensate for the limited ground contact.
Having actually tried it out, it's a surprisingly effective feature.
- The side skirts open up to reveal a weapon-mounting gimmick. A fun idea.
- The method of attaching the Gerbera Straight to the hip has been completely redesigned from scratch. Very PG-like thinking.
- A clever slide gimmick has also been added to the back of the knees. Something the PG Strike didn't have.
- For the first time in a PG, a proper full set of dry decals is included.
(Most PGs only come with seals; the exception was the PG MkII Titans version, which had dry decals only for the logo and numbers.)

Anyway, for fans who are hungry for that overwhelming presence and build experience that only a PG can deliver, this could be a real godsend after a long drought. Since all the outer armor is completely different, the build definitely gives you the feeling of "this is a new kit." Other grades have been leveling up so much lately that the PG's exclusive appeal has faded a little, but the relaxed, premium quality you can only feel at this large, high-end scale is still more than enough to make you think "yep, a PG is a PG." As long as you don't have unrealistic expectations about articulation, you can get an amazing result from just a straight build alone — so it's a kit I'd recommend even to first-time PG builders.

One more thing — the fact that Bandai chose the PG Astray is hard to deny as a sign that they had endless variations in mind going forward. The Green/Blue/Gold Frame versions will almost certainly come out in some form, whether as regular releases or limited editions, and if they really push it, maybe even the Amatsu. -.- My one concern is... rather than just swapping the Astray's colors every year and calling it a day, I sincerely hope they'll give Gunpla fans who are truly hungry for something new a genuinely brand-new PG. :-)

PG Gundam Astray [Red Frame] | 2009.3 | ¥18,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.