SD Gundam Force Grappler Gouf

Release 2004.5

Price ¥300

BANDAI BANDAI Japan product info

Runners

Parts diagram

Manual

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Front view of straight build before stickers

SD Grappler Gouf - After applying seals (1/2)

SD Grappler Gouf - After applying seals (2/2)

After applying stickers

Hollow undersides on the feet.
The thighs are assembled from two parts, so no hollow undersides there.

SD Grappler Gouf - Cut out the 12 images along the right edge of the manual sheet, stack them in order, and staple them toget

Cut out the 12 images along the right edge of the manual sheet, stack them in order, and staple them together —
— then you can flip through them with your finger for a fun little flipbook animation effect.

The head does rotate compared to earlier kits, but the articulation still feels pretty limited.

Action pose

Together with the SD Zapper Zaku.

<Common Notes for the SD Gundam Force Series> --------------------------------------------
SD Gundam Force was an anime that aired in 2004, and since it was aimed at younger kids, the model kit lineup was also released as simple ¥300-class kits.

Overall, the part count is kept to a minimum, and the color separation is basically three molded colors with a few seals thrown in. It's quick and easy to build, which is a plus, but the straight build visuals are relatively lacking. The hollow undersides are limited to the feet and inner thighs — less than you might expect — but most kits have a fixed neck, with only the shoulders and feet rotating, giving you pretty one-dimensional articulation. Weapons are also kept minimal at just one or two, and there are no extra accessories to speak of.

As a bonus, you can cut the right corner of the manual into 12 strips, stack them up, and flip through them with your finger for a flipbook animation effect. (Kind of like those little hand-flip comics that used to come in old packs of gum!)
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This kit is the SD Grappler Gouf, released as No. 8 in the SD Gundam Force series. The look feels like the Gouf Custom's design and color scheme translated into SD form, and the cluster of verniers on the back gives this kit its own unique personality. It basically stays true to the series concept, but a few slightly more refined options have been applied compared to earlier kits. Unlike the previous entries where the neck was fixed in place, the neck joint here actually rotates, and the inner leg hollow undersides have been eliminated by joining two parts together.

Nothing else particularly stands out, but it's a kit you can enjoy for the simple fun of snapping together an SD Gouf with some unique weaponry in no time. :-)

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.