* This series is a lineup with a standardized format, and since most of the features are the same across kits, I'll cover the common points first and then get 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 produced 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 excellent, which keeps seal usage to a minimum while still delivering a really striking look. The detail is a little soft in places, but the sculpting and sense of volume are impressive, 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 proportions are heading these days. The hollow areas you'd expect from an SD kit show up mainly on the inner arms and legs, but they're positioned where they're not too noticeable, so it doesn't really stand out.
In terms of construction, a shared frame runner is included, though it only covers the torso and thighs. It feels like they were going for something like the SD Cross Frame but deliberately simplified it. Even so, this frame is a step up from older SD kits in terms of 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 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 anything but, and since 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, which is a neat little touch. Overall, I'd call the quality "better than expected" — if the style is your thing, this is a seriously addictive lineup that's a lot of fun to build.
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The 15th kit in the SD Sangoku Soketsuden lineup is Xiahow Dun Tallgeese III. Tallgeese did get an SD kit a long time ago as part of G Generation, but this Sangoku Soketsuden version is far more Tallgeese-like and just looks fantastic. It really captures Tallgeese's distinctive design concept while pulling it off beautifully in the Sangoku style.
For weapons, the right shoulder is equipped with the Doppo-Ho-, which serves as the Dober Gun equivalent, while the left shoulder carries a shield called the Yangren Bi. Clip the Yangren Bi onto the front of the Doppo-Ho- like an effect part and you can recreate the Doppa Hodan. The inside of the Yangren Bi can also store the clear mask detached from the face, and the Doppo-Ho- has a slot for the Wing Memory.
That said, the hollow areas are more noticeable here than on other kits in the series — not just on the inner legs, but the back of the waist is pretty bare too, which is a bit of a letdown by comparison. Still, if you're a Tallgeese fan, this is one I'd highly recommend — it's a fantastic SD Tallgeese. :-)
AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.
