Lighting Model

LED Unit Review

The LED unit power section takes 4 AA batteries.

The special LED parts that go inside the GN Drive.
They look incredibly impressive.

The central torso unit has a connector cluster that links up with the GN Drive LED unit.

The LED units for the head and limbs.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Maybe they figured there'd be a lot of disassembly/reassembly because of the LED units — a

Maybe they figured there'd be a lot of disassembly/reassembly because of the LED units — a parts separator is included in the box.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Make sure to do a lighting test on the LED units before assembly! Just so you know, if the

Make sure to do a lighting test on the LED units before assembly!
Just so you know, if the GN Drive LED unit isn't connected to the central section, none of the LEDs will light up.

That's how the LEDs connect to the head and limbs.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Assembling the torso LED unit. The wires branch out through the gaps between the joints lik

Assembling the torso LED unit.
The wires branch out through the gaps between the joints like that.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - The LED wires going to the arms are cleverly routed around the shoulder joints to exit outw

The LED wires going to the arms are cleverly routed around the shoulder joints to exit outward.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Each arm has 3 LED units placed in the forearm, bicep area, and shoulder as shown. (1/3)

Each arm has 3 LED units placed in the forearm, bicep area, and shoulder as shown.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Thread the LED wire coming from the torso through the inside of the intermediate connector

Thread the LED wire coming from the torso through the inside of the intermediate connector parts, then attach the arm.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Next, route the wire from the body around the inside of the shoulder so it comes out over t

Next, route the wire from the body around the inside of the shoulder so it comes out over the top of the shoulder,

then connect the LED connector and tuck it out of sight inside the shoulder.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Once the wires are routed, it does become pretty difficult to fully rotate the shoulder and

Once the wires are routed, it does become pretty difficult to fully rotate the shoulder and raise it all the way up.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - For the legs, 2 LEDs are placed at the knee and thigh, and you'll need to route the wires c

For the legs, 2 LEDs are placed at the knee and thigh,
and you'll need to route the wires carefully inside the knee joint to account for articulation.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - The LED wires for the legs need to be threaded inside as you assemble from the hip joint do

The LED wires for the legs need to be threaded inside as you assemble from the hip joint downward in order.

Connect the connector, then stuff it loosely inside the thigh.

Connecting the head LED parts to the body.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - When routing the wires inside the stand pillar, you'll want to follow the manual carefully

When routing the wires inside the stand pillar, you'll want to follow the manual carefully and tuck them in nice and gently.

The power section and switch block are located inside the center of the stand.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Once you build it as the Lighting Model, some of the standard version parts end up as lefto

Once you build it as the Lighting Model, some of the standard version parts end up as leftover parts.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - The LEDs lit up with just the frame built. Each press of the button cycles through modes, p

The LEDs lit up with just the frame built.
Each press of the button cycles through modes, producing all kinds of different lighting effects.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - The LEDs lit up with the lights dimmed a bit. Each press of the mode button produces differ

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Dimmed the lights and turned on the LEDs. Every time you press the mode button, it lights u

Dimmed the lights and turned on the LEDs.
Every time you press the mode button, it lights up in all kinds of different patterns and colors.
There are 7 steps total, but in practice it really comes down to 4 main modes.

1. Activation Mode : Only the head, chest, and GN Drive light up, with the GN Drive's LED spinning as it glows.
2. Blue/Green Lighting Mode: The LEDs across the entire body light up in blue.
3. Blue~Red Dynamic Mode : The body LEDs slowly alternate between blue and red.
4. Red Lighting Mode :
The LEDs across the entire body lock in at a steady red glow.

To get a better sense of how it actually works, check out the YouTube video below ^^
(If it doesn't play directly on this page, YouTube direct link for reference)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shot with the lights dimmed a bit more (1/6)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shot with the lights dimmed a bit more (2/6)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shot with the lights dimmed a bit more (3/6)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shot with the lights dimmed a bit more (4/6)

Shot with the lights dimmed a bit more

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - With the lights completely off, the PG Exia itself becomes the light source, and the colors

With the lights completely off, the PG Exia itself becomes the light source,
and the colors of the surrounding space transform dramatically. (Club vibes?)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Head lighting close-up (1/3)

Head lighting close-up

Chest area lighting close-up

With triple-layered clear parts plus seals on top, it honestly looks just like a CRT screen.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - The shoulder silicone strips lit up. Thanks to the light-conducting material, the light flo

The shoulder silicone strips lit up.
Thanks to the light-conducting material, the light flows beautifully along the strips in a really cool way.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - The solar furnace lighting on the arms and legs looks pretty convincing too, thanks to the

The solar furnace lighting on the arms and legs looks pretty convincing too, thanks to the multiple layers of clear parts and seals.

The solar furnaces also change color depending on the mode.

GN Drive lighting close-up

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Side torso lighting close-up. (1/2)

Side lighting close-up.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Forearm lighting close-up. (1/3)

Forearm lighting close-up.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Thigh lighting close-up. (1/3)

Thigh lighting close-up.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Leg lighting close-up. (1/3)

Leg lighting close-up.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Lighting with full hatch open. (1/4)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Lighting with full hatch open. (2/4)

Lighting with full hatch open.

Lighting with GN Drive hatch open.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - The stand also has a power line so you can light up the LEDs even when the GN Drive is deta

The stand also has a power line so you can light up the LEDs even when the GN Drive is detached.
In that case though, the main body doesn't light up — only the GN Drive does.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - GN Sword action (1/4)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - GN Sword action (2/4)

GN Sword action

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shooting pose (1/4)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shooting pose (2/4)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shooting pose (3/4)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Shooting pose (4/4)

Firing pose

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Beam saber action (1/4)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Beam saber action (2/4)

Beam saber action

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - GN Blade Action (1/4)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - GN Blade Action (2/4)

GN Blade action

GN Blade action 2.

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] - Together with the PG Unicorn Mode LED effect. (1/3)

Together with the PG Unicorn Mode LED effect.

The PG Exia Lighting Model comes with an LED unit included, which is why it runs ¥14,000 more than the standard version. That's even ¥2,000 pricier than the LED unit for the PG Unicorn — though looking at what's inside, there is a pretty uniquely designed LED unit specifically for the GN Drive added in there.

The process of installing the LED unit is similar to the PG Unicorn, but the wiring layout is much simpler and easier to work with. Probably because there's no complex transformation gimmick like the Unicorn has, which makes the whole build a lot more straightforward.

The LED unit delivers lighting effects all across the body from head to toe, and to pull that off, special light-guiding parts made from silicone material are used. Those light-blue semi-transparent soft runners are exactly what they're for — and sure enough, the lighting effect looks noticeably brighter than any other kit out there. This is the kind of material used in fiber optics and similar applications where light is transmitted while being contained inside a non-conductive medium, and Bandai is proudly touting it as the first ever use of light-guiding material in a Gunpla kit.

The shoulder stripe sections in particular are also made from light-guiding silicone, so even with just a slight dimming of the room lights, you can clearly see the light flowing along those stripes. And unlike regular LEDs that just stay one color, the PG Exia's LED unit offers multiple colors and modes, making for a really dazzling display.

The LED unit operates in 7 stages:

1. Switch ON — powers on in standby mode
2. Mode switch press 1 — the head lights up and the GN Drive begins its rotating light sequence
3. Mode switch press 2 — all LEDs light up in green
4. Mode switch press 3 — LEDs slowly alternate back and forth between green and red
5. Mode switch press 4 — all LEDs light up in red
6. Mode switch press 5 — stages 2 through 5 play through automatically in sequence on a loop
7. Mode switch press 6 — LEDs turn off and the unit enters standby mode

In terms of actual usable states, you can light up the LEDs in 4 different ways — modes 2, 3, 4, and 5. Leaving it on mode 6 lets everything play through automatically in a dynamic sequence, making it a really impressive display piece. Though to save power, it automatically drops back into standby mode after 15 minutes.

You can check out these lighting effects in the review photos and video above — it's a far more dynamic and premium-looking display than even the already pretty flashy PG Unicorn LED lighting. The one thing I'd wish for is a bit of sound effects to go along with it, since right now it's just the colors silently changing with no audio whatsoever.

That said, the LED lighting effect alone is easily the best we've ever seen, and you'll find yourself just staring at it in amazement for a good while. What I especially like is that thanks to the light-guiding silicone material, you don't need to make the room pitch dark for it to look great.

Anyway, it really does seem like achieving the best LED lighting effect ever was the number one development goal for the PG Exia — and the end result is absolutely worth it. Personally, I've generally been pretty skeptical about LED lighting effects in terms of value for money, but the PG Exia genuinely has me giving it a big thumbs up. And by the same token, a PG Exia without the LED lighting does feel like something's missing.

That said, ¥14,000 for the LED unit is still far from cheap (it's literally the same price as the PG Strike), so it's a big investment just to switch on occasionally. If you're thinking about picking up the PG Exia, you'll want to think carefully about whether it's worth it for you. :-)

PG Gundam Exia [Lighting Model] | 2017.12 | ¥20,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.