* This series follows a standardized lineup format where most kits share the same characteristics, so I'll cover the common points first and then get into what makes each one unique ^^
--- 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 really impressive — seals are kept to a minimum, yet the kits still look incredibly flashy. 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 nice and easy. 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 kits are heading these days. The hollow areas you'd expect from any SD kit are mainly found on the inner sides of the arms and legs, but they're positioned in spots where they're not too noticeable, so it doesn't really bother you.
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 Silhouette frame concept but deliberately simplified it. Even so, this frame is a step up from older SD kits when it comes to articulation. Knee joints have been added where there were none before, the shoulders can swing slightly forward and back, and the waist can rotate on all of them as standard. The frame structure also allows the upper body to lean forward a little, which gives you more expressive poses than previous SD kits.
Accessories are kept pretty minimal — most kits come with just one unique weapon. So while the contents are simple, the visual impact is anything but, and being made in China probably helps keep the value-for-money feeling strong 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 clicks with you, this is a seriously addictive lineup.
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The 11th kit in the SD Sangoku Soketsuden series is the Sun Quan Gundam Astray. The name is easy to mix up with the Sun Jian Gundam Astray from kit No. 5, but the two look completely different. The Sun Jian version is based on the original Astray concept, while this Sun Quan version takes the Sengoku Astray as its base — you can spot the connection in the way the swords are stored on the shoulders, just like the Sengoku Astray.
Three swords of different sizes are included as weapons — from smallest to largest, they're named Tōka, Hitetsu, and Ichigomon. You can plug the handle of a sword into the hole in the mouth to make it look like the kit is holding it between its teeth. These swords can also be combined with the weapons from the SD Sun Jian Gundam Astray to form a massive bow for a cool crossover display.
Anyway, this is a warrior-style Astray that's quite different from the similarly named Sun Jian Gundam Astray, and the generous use of clear parts gives it a uniquely striking look. It's a great kit! :-)
AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.
