Head
The head is a work of art. No complication for its build. What i like is the streamlined look that most 00 gundams have. There's a huge cavity for the head where you can put the LED unit to make the eyes glow as if the gundam is actually functioning.
Torso
This the part which i enjoyed constructing the most. At first it looks very complicated. You have a huge O-ring where you slide the arm pegs into interlocking positions and to fill up the cavity, the cockpit is used. Also, in the final construction, wherein you dock the 0-Raiser's fuselage onto the 00 gundam, it bends backward. Clearly a weak point to hold the immense weight of the body. also, if you add weight to either side of it, when the arms are attached, it will tilt to one side. All in all, this is where my main problem with the 0-raiser is and we haven't even gotten to the drive holds. This part cannot hold weight.
Arms
GN condensers play a major part of it's construction. also, once the condensers are in place, it will be an effort to pose it to how you want it to look like. Nothing complicated with the arms, just a simple straight build.
Legs
The legs look like an oversized MG Exia's leg. not to much internal features here. nor will they show up. The thing is held together by of course, the largest GN Condenser of the kit. however, the balance of this part is incredible, special thanks to that foam looking sticker thingy. It is so stable. It can hold the whole 00 Raiser, yep not just 00 gundam BUT the 00 Raiser as well, in a standing position that doesn't have to look too bad because the legs are splayed wide apart in an ungodly angle.
Waist
The waist unit is a simple build. what i don't like of this part are the skirts. They are too loose and don't hold into place. A mod is in order for it to stabilize.
Backpack a.k.a. GN Drive holding unit
Hmmm... this thing is deceivingly stable. without the wing binders that is. However, it is also nice to look at. Not to mention it gives the 00 gundam it's "body" for without it, the whole thing looks like a uhm... dehydrated machine. With the wing binders, it droops. And all that stability? Poof! Gone! Bandai could've made this part stronger. Heck, they should've had! It would hold the weight of the wing binders so logically, put weight on it!!! x(
0-Raiser
The 0-Raiser's body is a disappointment. I thought it was going to be like the skygrasper where internals are present and all. However, you don't. It is like a hollow bone. So in that sense, i wasn't able to paint the body and had to make sure i cut everything clean. The wing binders are more forgiving. But, they still don't have internals. When you say PG it is all about internals, internals, INTERNALS! And bandai skimped out on this one. And when you attach the binders to the GN Drive holders, it is supported by only two THIN AND FLIMSY LOOKING pegs. It also makes the holders sag with all the weight. Bandai wth? you could've put an internal system on this to make it more stable and attach well to the GN Drive holders. Alas that was not the case.
Weapons
What i like here is that huge-ass sword called GN Sword III. Well, I like big swords being wielded by mechs. Gunfighting is a little soft in my books. Nothing can do any better than a good ol' hand-to-hand or in this case, sword-to-sword combat. Which is fitting since the pilot of the 00 Raiser is a close-quarters-combat specialist. The GN Sword IIs i won't ever use in rifle mode. Dual wielding is epic people. As for the GN shields, well, i can just sell em off or set them aside. Setsuna doesn't need a shield. He'll just bust those mechs with that buster sword-like GN Sword III of his.
Gimmicks
Not much gimmicks here. Or i just didn't get to notice. But really, the only gimmick here is the GN Drives. Sweet things made by bandai. Also, the locking mechanics of the Condensers that make it hold a pose without sagging down even with the immense weight of say, the GN Sword III on hand. But really, the thing that kills here is the GN Drives. nothing else.
Final Verdict
I was ecstatic for this PG. But somehow, in the end, i wish that bandai went slow with the 00 raiser. Release it in MG first then, from there, improve on the MG for the PG. They should've since this is an iconic MS here for the 00 fans. And gundam in general. After all, an icon is one who gets destroyed again and again but still wins out in the end (hear that Strike Freedom?). Well, the only big issue here is how it can hold the weight. The condensers do pretty much their job. But the torso doesn't. It is too nimble. Or shall we say, weak in general. That part needs a ton of modifications for reinforcements. However, i still liked the kit as a whole despite the weight issues and binder issue. And nothing beats a kit being able to hold a pose for infinity while you snap up shots from different angles.
So the final verdict? I'll give it an 7.5/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment