-- 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 ¥300–¥600 entry-level range. 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 flip 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 the HG line. The parts count is low, so assembly usually takes about 10 minutes, and considering the price, the build feel and overall look are pretty decent. These are great entry-level kits if you just want a quick, affordable build or something to practice painting on — just don't go in with sky-high expectations.
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<Kit-specific Notes>
This is kit No. 6 in the series, the 1/144 Buster Gundam. With 4-color separation plus stickers, it delivers one of the better color representations in the lineup. The standout feature is that the elbows are fixed at a 90-degree bend to recreate the Buster Gundam's signature firing stance. Because of that, it looks a bit awkward just standing normally, so you're probably better off leaving it locked in that shooting pose. Some of the weapons have hollow backs due to the reduced parts count, but the real win here is how well it captures the Buster Gundam's iconic pose. :-)
AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.
