Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Seals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack — Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Unicorn Mode (1/6)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Unicorn Mode (2/6)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Unicorn Mode (3/6)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Unicorn Mode (4/6)

Unicorn Mode

Unicorn Mode detail shots

Outer armor removed.

Inner frame shots.
Same structure as the RG Unicorn Gundam.

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Inner frame detail shots (1/4)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Inner frame detail shots (2/4)

Inner frame detail shots

Cockpit hatch open

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Just like the RG Unicorn, both a movable and a fixed head antenna are included. The fit o

Just like the RG Unicorn, both a movable and a fixed head antenna are included.
The fit on the movable one is solid enough that the proportions look great even without using the fixed version.

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Detach the revolving launcher, rotate the fixing pin 90 degrees and plug it in, and you c

Detach the revolving launcher and rotate the fixing pin 90 degrees to plug it in,
and you can mount it along with the magazine on the rear skirt.

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Remove the revolving launcher's cover and rotate the internal gimmick 180 degrees to atta

Remove the revolving launcher's cover and rotate the internal gimmick 180 degrees
to attach the beam jute like a bayonet.

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Plug the elongated joint parts into the Armed Armor DE and unfold the backpack, and you c

Plug the elongated joint parts into the Armed Armor DE
and unfold the backpack, and you can lock it in place at the back.

Pilot figure.

It's not easy to get the backpack to sit perfectly flush when folded...

Leftover parts.

Articulation is identical to the RG Unicorn.

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Shooting poses (1/2)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Shooting poses (2/2)

Firing pose

Two-handed shooting pose with the Armed Armor DE mounted on the back

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Beam saber and beam jute poses. (1/3)

Beam saber and beam jute poses.

Together with the HGUC Banshee Norn in Unicorn Mode.

Transformation

The transformation gimmicks on the new parts stay true to the lore, as you'd expect from the RG line.

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Destroy Mode (1/6)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Destroy Mode (2/6)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Destroy Mode (3/6)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Destroy Mode (4/6)

Destroy Mode

Destroy Mode detail shots

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Dynamic action poses (1/4)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Dynamic action poses (2/4)

Dynamic action poses

Beam saber pose

Beam tonfa action

Together with the HGUC Banshee Norn in Destroy Mode.

Together with the RG Unicorn Gundam.

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Straight build shots — Unicorn Mode / Destroy Mode (1/4)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Straight build shots — Unicorn Mode / Destroy Mode (2/4)

Unicorn/Destroy Mode straight build shots

The RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn has been released as the 27th kit in the RG lineup. The base body is naturally built on the RG Unicorn Gundam, with additional parts for the Banshee Norn and Armed Armor DE added to the mix. Just like the Unicorn Gundam, a first-release limited edition version with Unicorn Mode box art is included — same contents, just different box art. (See images below)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn - Box art comparison between the first-release limited edition (left) and standard edition

Box art comparison between the first-release limited edition (left) and standard edition (right)

The frame and base body are identical to the RG Unicorn Gundam, and it still delivers that incredibly precise transformation gimmick that surpasses even the MG, along with solid locking and excellent articulation. At the same time, the downsides carry over too — the joint balance feels a bit off in places, and the Unicorn Mode feet don't grip the ground very well. The shoulders in particular are extremely stiff, so when you try to move them you often end up knocking other parts off or accidentally triggering the Destroy Mode gimmicks — which is still a bit of a shame.

That said, it's still impressive how they managed to cram such a precise transformation gimmick into such a small frame while nailing both proportions and articulation. Thanks to the deeper color scheme and the more elaborate backpack and Armed Armor DE, the visual impact is even stronger than the Unicorn Gundam.

The newly added backpack and Armed Armor DE transformation gimmicks and functionality are also implemented with a quality that's more than worthy of the RG title. The Armed Armor DE can be mounted on the backpack using a separate joint part, and the revolving launcher added to the beam rifle is cleverly designed so you can rotate the internal gimmick to attach the beam jute in bayonet form.

Like the RG Unicorn Gundam, there are still a few minor nitpicks here and there, but the overall quality and value for money are outstanding. Honestly, being able to enjoy this level of quality for ¥4,000 — as a Gunpla fan, that feels like a blessing. This one's a gem. :-)

RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn | 2018. 2 | ¥4,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.