* This series follows a standardized lineup format, and since most of the features are shared across kits, I'll cover the common points together and then go into the individual highlights. ^^
--- SD Sangoku Soketsuden Common Notes -----------------
In 2019, the SD Sangoku Soketsuden project kicked off to celebrate Gundam's 40th anniversary. The plastic models in this series are made at Bandai's Chinese factory rather than the Shizuoka plant, so the molded colors are a touch duller and the plastic feels a bit harder compared to Shizuoka-made kits. That said, the color separation is impressively well done — seals are kept to a minimum, yet the kits still look really striking. The detail is a little soft in places, but the sculpting and sense of volume are excellent, and small gates are used throughout, making assembly a breeze. The proportions have also shifted compared to older SD kits — the head is smaller and the overall silhouette is more slender, which seems to be the direction SD-grade proportions are heading these days. The hollow-out areas typical of SD kits show up mainly on the inner arms and legs, but they're positioned fairly out of sight, so they don't stand out too much.
In terms of construction, a shared frame runner is included, though it only covers the torso and thighs. It almost feels like they were trying to follow the SD Cross Frame concept but deliberately simplified it. Still, thanks to this frame, the articulation is a step up from older SD kits. Knee joints that didn't exist before have been added, the shoulders can swing slightly forward and back, and the waist can rotate on all kits as standard. The frame structure also allows the upper body to lean forward slightly, which gives you more expressive poses than previous SD kits.
Accessories are kept to a minimum — most kits come with just one unique weapon. So while the contents are simple, the visual impact is impressive, and perhaps because these are made in China, the value for money feels pretty good relative to what you get. It's also worth noting that the character names are written in Chinese pronunciation rather than Japanese when spelled out in English — a nice little touch. Overall, I'd call the quality "better than expected," and if the theme appeals to you, this is an addictive lineup that's a lot of fun to build.
------------------------------------------------------
The second kit in the SD Sangoku Soketsuden lineup is the Guan Yu Yun Chang Nu Gundam. The handle of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade weapon can be adjusted to two different lengths, so when mounting it on the back you can plug it in at the shorter setting. The shoulder armor can also be combined with the Liu Bei Unicorn Gundam's Ryuutanfine for a crossover look. As for hollow-out areas, only the legs show a little, and overall they're better hidden than on the other kits.
With minimal accessories, this is a kit you can build and play with nice and simply — and it feels like great value for money to enjoy the quality of the latest SD kits. :-)
AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.
