Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - Banshee Destroy Mode. (1/4)

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - Banshee Destroy Mode. (2/4)

Banshee Destroy Mode.

Unlike the SD Unicorn, a psychoframe exposure gimmick has been added inside the legs.

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - Leftover parts from the SD Unicorn Gundam. As you can see, the single-color leg parts that wer

Leftover parts from the SD Unicorn Gundam.
As you can see, the single-color leg parts that were used on the SD Unicorn get classified as leftover parts.
Depending on your preference, you could use these parts to recreate Unicorn Mode, right?

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - A comparison between the now-leftover leg parts from the old SD Unicorn (left) and the upgrade

The now-leftover leg parts from the old SD Unicorn (left) and
A comparison with the upgraded legs from the SD Banshee (right)
Look closely and you'll notice both are actually Destroy Mode legs either way.

The Armed Armor VN's fingers can be posed in a variety of ways.

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - Armed Armor BS action poses (1/3)

Armed Armor BS action poses

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - Armed Armor VN action poses (1/3)

Armed Armor VN action poses

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - Transformed into Unicorn Mode. The transformation process is the same as the existing SD Unico

Transformed into Unicorn Mode.
The transformation process is the same as the existing SD Unicorn Gundam, but..
Leaving the new legs with their brightly exposed frame makes it look a little rough..

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - It's a bit of a visual trick, but swapping in the single-color molded legs that were classifie

It's a bit of a visual trick, but swapping in the single-color molded legs that were classified as leftover parts makes Unicorn Mode look a bit more convincing.
That said, the skirt frame stays exposed and fixed, so it's still a slightly rough-looking Unicorn Mode ^^;

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - The Armed Armor BS and VN are fully articulated for transforming between Destroy and Unicorn M

The Armed Armor BS and VN are fully articulated for transforming between Destroy and Unicorn Mode, just like the MG. Pretty impressive!

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee - Unicorn Mode beam saber action (1/3)

Unicorn Mode beam saber action

Together with the SD Unicorn Gundam.

Together with the MG and HGUC Banshee.

Just as expected following the SD Unicorn, the Banshee has been released as a BB Senshi as well. Beyond the obvious change to a deep navy blue molded color, the head antenna has been updated to match the design specs, and the Armed Armor BS and VN have been added to both arms.

Unlike the SD Unicorn though, the leg parts have been changed so that the psychoframe is exposed, making the Destroy Mode look a lot more realistic. The single-color molded leg parts from the original SD Unicorn are still included, but since those legs are also Destroy Mode legs, they just end up as leftover parts. They're not technically Unicorn Mode legs, but if you swap them in when transforming to Unicorn Mode, the color scheme does look a bit more convincing ^^ (see photos)

Just like the Banshee itself carries a heavier, more imposing color scheme compared to the Unicorn, the SD Banshee gives off a strong, powerful vibe too — especially with those flashy antler-like head antenna and that oversized head, which really give it a lot of personality. Both the Armed Armor BS and VN are articulated, so you can naturally transform between Unicorn and Destroy Mode, and the VN in particular can be posed at all sorts of cool angles.

Since the base body is the same as the existing Unicorn, the kit shares similar characteristics — the fixed-elbow arms and limited hip joint range of motion make it harder than you'd expect to pull off really dynamic poses. The ball joints on the arms, legs, and feet still tend to pop out during posing, which is still a bit frustrating, but the overall look is so good and the weapon loadout is so solid that it still strikes a great pose even with fairly simple positioning.

All in all, with some upgraded parts over the original SD Unicorn and a heavier, more striking color scheme, this kit feels like a step up in quality — and it's a well-crafted SD kit that any Unicorn fan will have a great time building. :-)

SD Unicorn Gundam O2 Banshee | 2013.3 | ¥1,200

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.