Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Detail shots (1/4)

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Rear view with backpack removed

Backpack

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - The weapons included are the twin-barrel 52mm Hyper Velocity Shield Cannon and the Mjolnir ham

The weapons included are the twin-barrel 52mm Hyper Velocity Shield Cannon and the Mjolnir hammer.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - You can detach the Hyper Velocity Shield Cannon from the forearm and pull out the handle to ha

You can detach the Hyper Velocity Shield Cannon from the forearm and pull out the handle to have the figure hold it in hand.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - The Mjolnir has a pretty unique gimmick — you can turn the pin on the flail to wind the lead w

The Mjolnir has a pretty unique gimmick — you can turn the pin on the flail to wind the lead wire up and store it inside.
When you need it, just pull the handle to extend it, and when you're done, you can wind it back up like this and tuck it away inside.
It's kind of like the cord storage on a corded home vacuum cleaner — a fun little idea!

A small stand is also included to support the Mjolnir during action poses.

A nice variety of joint parts are included.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Using the special joint parts that support the underside of the backpack, you can mount it sta

Using the special joint parts that support the underside of the backpack, you can mount it stably on an Action Base.

Mjolnir-dedicated joint parts

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Swappable fingers are included, but just like the Calamity Gundam, only the right hand can be

Swappable fingers are included, but—
just like the Calamity Gundam, only the right hand can be switched out to rifle-grip fingers.

Large claw articulation

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - There's one odd thing I noticed during assembly — when attaching the verniers on the back of t

There's one odd thing I noticed during assembly — when attaching the verniers on the back of the legs, the fit is off.
It feels like the mold tolerances weren't quite dialed in; the pegs indicated by the arrows just wouldn't go into the holes properly, so
I had to shave them down with a knife before they'd fit. (Same issue on both legs.)

Leftover parts

Excellent limb articulation

A different hip slide gimmick is used compared to the Calamity Gundam.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - To extend the knee range of motion, you can slide the rear leg verniers down slightly to give

To extend the knee range of motion, you can slide the rear leg verniers down slightly to give yourself a bit more clearance.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Shoulder articulation. When you actually handle it, the shoulder transformation gimmick makes

Shoulder articulation.
When you actually handle it, the shoulder transformation gimmick makes the shoulder movement feel oddly restricted.

Wing articulation

Hyper Velocity Shield Cannon action

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Poses with the Mjolnir's lead wire pulled out (1/5)

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Poses with the Mjolnir's lead wire pulled out (2/5)

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Poses with the Mjolnir's lead wire pulled out (3/5)

Poses with the Mjolnir's lead wire pulled out

Large claw attack poses

TRANSFORMATION

Lift the front of the neck upward, then fold the head back about 45 degrees and tuck it in.

Open the shoulder cover as shown, then raise the machine gun inside upward.

Lower the shoulder armor out to the side, then close the cover back up.

Deploy the wings as shown, then—

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Insert the transformation joint parts into the hip joint, then push the hip slide gimmick down

Insert the transformation joint parts into the hip joint,
then push the hip slide gimmick downward to lock the joint parts firmly in place.

Fold the legs as shown, then—

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Fit the holes on the inner thighs onto the pegs on both sides of the joint parts to lock the p

Fit the holes on the inner thighs onto the pegs on both sides of the joint parts to lock the position,
then insert the locking pins between the two legs in an alternating pattern to press them together.

Move the large claw forward as shown, then—

Attach the weapons to the shoulder armor and the abdominal area to complete the transformation.

You can combine the joint parts to build a separate floor stand.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - The MA mode transformation. The wingspan exceeds 40cm, so it takes up quite a bit of space. (1

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - The MA mode transformation. The wingspan exceeds 40cm, so it takes up quite a bit of space. (2

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - The MA mode transformation. The wingspan exceeds 40cm, so it takes up a lot of space. (3/6)

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - The MA mode transformation. The wingspan exceeds 40cm, so it takes up a lot of space. (4/6)

The MA mode transformation.
The wingspan exceeds 40cm, so it takes up a lot of space.

Underside view

The nose machine gun open gimmick

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Mounted on a stand. (1/3)

Mounted on a stand.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - You can attach two special joint parts on top of the wings, and then plug in the feet of the F

You can attach two special joint parts on top of the wings,
and then plug in the feet of the Full Mechanics Calamity Gundam.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - The Full Mechanics Calamity Gundam mounted on top. The joint parts hold on surprisingly well.

The Full Mechanics Calamity Gundam mounted on top.
The joint parts hold on surprisingly well.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - This kit includes joint parts for the Calamity Gundam, and the manual guides you to use an Act

This kit includes joint parts for the Calamity Gundam.
The manual guides you to use an Action Base to additionally secure the Calamity Gundam when posing like this.
As long as you balance the center of gravity properly, it holds up fine without a secondary stand as shown in the photos —
though if you're planning a long-term display in that configuration, you might want one just in case.

Together with the previously released Full Mechanics Calamity Gundam.

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam - Together with the HG Raider Gundam released back in 2003. It took a whopping 19 years to get a

Together with the HG Raider Gundam released back in 2003.
It took a whopping 19 years to get a 1/100 scale version!

Straight build shots.

This kit is the 1/100 Raider Gundam, the second entry in the Full Mechanics series for Gundam SEED. True to the concept of achieving MG-level looks without an inner frame — similar to the No Grade RE/100 line — it reuses two frame runners from the Calamity Gundam, but over 90% of the parts feature brand-new tooling.

First off, the excellent color separation and heavily detailed panel lines give it a solid look straight from the straight build. Joint strength is also solid without any polycaps, so durability is well taken care of. The articulation gimmicks are on par with the Calamity Gundam, though the transformation gimmick does make some movements feel a bit restricted. The shoulders are the main culprit — the MA mode machine guns are hidden inside the shoulder armor, which makes the articulation feel oddly cramped. That said, there are still plenty of MG-level features like the hip slide gimmick and the vernier cover movement gimmick to widen the leg range of motion.

For weapons, you get the Hyper Velocity Dual Railgun and the Mjolnir. The railgun is normally mounted on the forearm, but you can pull out the grip and have the figure hold it in hand. The hammer "Mjolnir" — sharing its name with Thor's hammer — features a special gimmick where a lead wire is stored inside. Just like winding up a vacuum cleaner's power cord, you can turn the pin to reel the extended wire back in and coil it neatly inside. Each weapon also pairs well with the swappable finger structure, so you won't have to worry about grip issues.

This kit comes with a variety of joint parts — in MS mode, a stand joint part attaches under the backpack for a solid connection to the stand. In MA mode as well, there are multiple ways to secure it to the floor or a stand, and overall it really feels like a lot of thought went into the joint parts.

The transformation process into MA mode is a little more involved than I expected, but it's been carefully recreated in a way that makes good use of the 1/100 scale. In particular, the legs can be locked in place two or three different ways, which lets you set the angles precisely — that's definitely worth praising. The dedicated floor stand made from the combined joint parts also holds everything securely, so displaying it in MA mode shouldn't be a hassle at all.

With the special joint parts added, you can even mount the Full Mechanics Calamity Gundam on top — it's a little nerve-wracking, but it holds up better than you'd expect. That's probably because the Calamity Gundam's feet lock into the joint parts quite firmly. The manual does suggest using an extra Action Base to secure the Calamity Gundam if you're worried, and while I personally didn't feel it was necessary, it's probably a good idea if you're planning a long-term display of the Calamity + Raider Gundam combo pose.

Overall, this kit turned out to be a pretty satisfying build. Excellent color separation, articulation, joint strength, gimmicks — the works. No inner frame, but it honestly feels better than a lot of MGs out there. (The catch being that the price and part count are also MG-level.) Compared to the Calamity Gundam, which felt a bit pricey for what you got, this one actually has way more parts at the same ¥5,000 price point — so it feels like you're getting your money's worth this time around. Anyway, once the Forbidden Gundam comes out, the drug-trio will be complete. If you're a SEED fan, this is a fantastic kit that's well worth picking up. :-)

Full Mechanics Raider Gundam | 2022. 5 | ¥5,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.