-- Series-wide Notes ---------------------------------
The Gundam SEED 1/144 No Grade series ran from 2002 to 2004, with a total of 22 kits released, all priced in the entry-level range of 300–600 yen. They use system injection to achieve up to 5-color color separation, but due to simplified parts construction, the elbows and knees are fixed in place. Six ball-type polycaps handle the remaining joints, so there is some movement, but there aren't really that many poses you can pull off. On the plus side, with fewer moving parts, joint strength issues are pretty much a non-issue.
Given when these came out, the detail is a bit soft as you'd expect from a No Grade kit, but the proportions are on par with HG. The parts count is simple enough that you can usually put one together in about 10 minutes, and considering the price, the build feel and overall look are pretty decent. These are great entry-level kits for beginners who just want a quick, affordable build to enjoy, or for practicing painting without any high expectations.
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<Kit-specific Notes>
This kit is Series No. 0, the 1/144 Gundam Astray Red Frame. In terms of release order it was actually the 4th kit out, but for various reasons it ended up with the 00 numbering. The feel of the kit is very similar to the 1/144 Strike Gundam — 4-color separation applied without any seals, though the detail feels noticeably softer compared to the HG. That said, it's such a stylish design that it's still a fun little kit to throw together for a quick, casual build. :-)
AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.
