* This series follows a standardized lineup format where most features are shared across kits, so I'll break the review down into common traits and kit-specific 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 impressively done, keeping seal usage to a minimum while still delivering a really striking look. The detail is a little soft, but the sculpting and sense of volume are excellent, and small gates are used throughout, making assembly a breeze. The head is also smaller than traditional SD proportions, giving the overall silhouette a slimmer look — seems like SD-grade proportions are trending in this direction. The hollow backs typical of SD kits are mostly found on the inner sides of the arms and legs, but they're positioned in a way that keeps them fairly out of sight, so it's not too noticeable.
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 similar to the SD Cross Frame concept 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 impressive, and perhaps because it's 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 touch that sets this series apart. Overall, I'd call it "better quality than expected" — if the theme clicks with you, it's a seriously addictive lineup that's a lot of fun to build.
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The 22nd kit in the SD Sangoku Soketsuden lineup is Sun Shangxiang Strike Rouge. It's a strongly feminine kit, and it uses the same black common frame runner #2 that was used in SD Diaochan Kshatriya. The hollow backs on the arms and legs are relatively clean compared to other kits in the series, and the Chakram Memory stores neatly in the left shoulder.
For weapons, two Huhou Zhuanlun are included, which can be rotated and combined into a circular form. You can also bring over the backpack "Baigu Shenqi" from SD Sun Jian Gundam Astray for a fun crossover combo. On top of that, 2 parts from frame runner #2 end up as leftover parts. One thing to watch out for — the horn-like structure on the back of the head has a somewhat weak connection and tends to pop off easily, so keep that in mind.
It's a cute and pretty little kit, and if you're a fan of feminine mecha designs in particular, this one should be a real treat. :-)
AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.
