* 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 the individual features. ^^
--- 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, 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 impressive, and small gates are used throughout, making assembly a breeze. The proportions have also been slimmed down compared to older SD kits — the head is smaller and the overall silhouette is more streamlined, which seems to be the direction SD-grade kits are heading these days. The hollow gaps that are a classic SD trademark 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 almost feels like they were trying to follow 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 poses a better feel 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 visuals are flashy, and being made in China probably helps, because the value for money feels pretty good relative to what you get. It's also worth noting that when the character names are written in English, they use Chinese pronunciation rather than Japanese — which is a nice touch in its own way. 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.
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The 26th kit in the SD Sangoku Soketsuden lineup is Dian Wei Master Gundam. The silhouette captures Master Gundam's distinctive look so well that anyone can immediately tell it's based on Master Gundam. The axe memory stores on the back, and the kit comes with an axe weapon called the Budan Kyotenbu.
The Budan Kyotenbu can have its blade section deployed, and in that deployed form, wings can be added to combine it with Cao Cao Wing Gundam. The hollow gaps only show up a bit on the legs — the arms are made up of two-part assemblies that close up cleanly. It's a solid, average-quality SD Sangoku Soketsuden kit, and I'd especially recommend it to fans of Mobile Fighter G Gundam. :-)
AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.
