HGUC 1/144 Unicorn Gundam [Unicorn Mode] Review - Part 1

Price: 1500 Yen

At first, I thought I wouldn't be able to get this guy as it was rather out of my budget after I bought the Destroy Mode. However, I luckily got some extra (Christmas) funds and managed to buy this as well when I bought the HGUC RX78-2 G30th.

I initially tried to use Flickr to upload the photos but it was rather tedious for me to use to post. I have to go to the images and go to all sizes to get the HTML codes (let alone the images raw URL) one by one...

About the Gundam:
I don't particularly know much about the Unicorn Gundam story-wise as I never bought nor read the novels (then again, I can't read Kanji). Basically, this is the "normal form" of the Unicorn. It is piloted by Banagher Links who seems to be your run of the mill teen suddenly becoming a Gundam pilot.

Specs:

Read on for the first part of the review for the usual box, box open, runners and building process shots!

Part 1: Box

Part 2: Box Open!

Part 3: Runners

Yes, finally a beam saber! However, I find it weird they gave the Unicorn a GREEN eye sticker considering it is always shown to have blue eyes. Why is this?

Also, note that the "C" runner is duplicated as it is meant for the arms and legs.

The usual plain cover HGUC manual.

Part 4: Building Process
Note: If you noticed that the body of the Unicorn is in a different shade of white, it is due to me doing a pseudo panel wash panel lining completely this time. It is much easier to do as there quite a good amount of panel lines but I did waste a lot of tissue paper. >.>

Part 4.1: Torso

I don't really like how the beam sabers are connected to the backpack. They essentially just slide in, no locks or anything. The thrusters also cannot move unlike the Destroy Mode's thrusters dues to a different connection was used.

Part 4.2: Head

Even though I don't tell you guys often but I normally sharpened my HGs and NGs V-Fins whenever possible even since I started panel lining everything I build.

Part 4.3: Arms

Unlike the Destroy Mode, you actually get open palms this time, a pair of them!

Basic HG articulation... wished they did do more than that for the 100th and 101st HGUCs. XP

Part 4.4: Legs

I don't really like the blue parts of the feet... crazy big nub marks are a pain to hide with simple tools.

So-so articulation. The leg design really hinders it from bending more...

Part 4.5: Waist

Part 4.6: Hyper Bazooka

The bazooka was surprisingly quite detailed at this scale. I think it is more detailed than the HGUC Hi-Nu's. It has a moveable second handle and a peg for it to attach to the back of the Unicorn.

Part 4.7: Shield

It comes with two connectors just like Destroy Mode so that you can connect the shield to the back or arm. I also just recently found out that the small connector can be used to connect to the arm as well.

Part 4.8: Extra

The small part is for the Hyper Bazooka. It is used to when you take out the ammo of the bazooka and clipping this on instead. I guess its for posing the Unicorn in a reloading kind of position. The ammo here, however, only sticks onto the back skirt and not into the bazooka.

Part 5: Preview Shots

UM: Ah, I'm completed!

DM: YES! Quadruple beam sabers GET!

UM: ...but they aren't of the same colors nor length...
DM: So what?
UM: Wanna go fishing?

DM: ...no.
UM: ...BUT!
DM: NO.
UM: >_<

Okay, that's all for now. Stay tuned for the next part which I feel can be up by Wednesday or Thursday. I might even slap in a skit for it so... yeah. Sadly there's no HGUC Sinanju as of now so I guess I'll just try to make good use of what I already have around me. >)

Continue to part 2 here.