HG

M1 Astray

Kit Review

Straight build

HG M1 Astray - Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HG M1 Astray (1/3) HG M1 Astray (2/3) HG M1 Astray (3/3)

HG M1 Astray - Detail shots (1/5) HG M1 Astray - Detail shots (2/5) HG M1 Astray - Detail shots (3/5) HG M1 Astray - Detail shots (4/5) HG M1 Astray - Detail shots (5/5)

Detail shots

HG M1 Astray - There's a feature that lets you mount the shield and rifle together. (1/2) HG M1 Astray - There's a feature that lets you mount the shield and rifle together. (2/2)

There's a feature that lets you mount the shield and rifle together.

HG M1 Astray - You can attach them to the side of the backpack like this.

You can attach them to the side of the backpack like this.

HG M1 Astray - A total of 4 hands are included.

A total of 4 hands are included.

HG M1 Astray - Articulation is pretty good overall.. but compared to the arms and legs that fold completely, the hip joint's

Articulation is pretty good overall..
Compared to the arms and legs that fold completely, the hip joint's upward range of motion is a little disappointing.

HG M1 Astray - The shoulder joints extend forward in two stages, but the range of motion isn't as wide as you'd expect.

The shoulder joints extend forward in two stages, but the range of motion isn't as wide as you'd expect.

HG M1 Astray - Shooting pose (1/3) HG M1 Astray - Shooting pose (2/3) HG M1 Astray - Shooting pose (3/3)

Firing pose

HG M1 Astray - Trikeros action (1/2) HG M1 Astray - Trikeros action (2/2)

Trikeros action

HG M1 Astray - Double Trikeros aerial action (1/4) HG M1 Astray - Double Trikeros aerial action (2/4) HG M1 Astray - Double Trikeros aerial action (3/4) HG M1 Astray - Double Trikeros aerial action (4/4)

Double Trikeros aerial action

HG M1 Astray - Beam saber charge action (1/3) HG M1 Astray - Beam saber charge action (2/3) HG M1 Astray - Beam saber charge action (3/3)

Beam saber charge action

HG M1 Astray - Together with the HG Astray Red Frame. The M1 Astray is a completely new design. (1/2) HG M1 Astray - Together with the HG Astray Red Frame. The M1 Astray is a completely new design. (2/2)

Together with the HG Astray Red Frame.
The M1 Astray is a completely new design.

The M1 Astray is the second brand-new kit in the HG SEED Remaster series, following the Raigo. It was released once before as a No Grade, but it's finally getting its moment in the spotlight as an HG thanks to the Remaster release.

The name says Astray, but the design is completely different from the existing Gundam Astray. While the original Astray has that muscular, warrior-like look, the M1 Astray goes for a more urban, clean-cut appearance — so even though they share the Astray name, the two feel quite different.

Given that it carries the Astray name, you'd naturally have high hopes for the articulation. The arm and leg bend articulation is solid enough, but the hip joint's range of motion is surprisingly limited, which makes the overall articulation feel a bit hit-or-miss. The ankle area in particular isn't very flexible, so action poses don't come together quite as well as you'd hope — a bit of a letdown there. That said, it's still better than your average HG, and the joint strength is good.

To sum it up, it can't quite match the legendary Astray's dynamic posing potential, but it still feels like a worthwhile kit as a clean, stylish new release in its own right. The Raigo in the Remaster lineup is also a new kit, but when you consider that it's ultimately just a variation of the Mobile Baku, the M1 Astray deserves a bit more credit as a truly all-new design.

Either way, it's a great-looking kit that lives up to the Astray name, and if you're a SEED fan who's gotten tired of the Remaster line recycling the same old stuff, the M1 Astray in particular is definitely worth picking up and building. :-)

HG M1 Astray | 2012. 6 | ¥1,400

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.