Series: First Grade (FG) 1/144
Title: GN-001 Gundam Exia (Rollout colors)
Release Date: 03/2008
Suggested Price: free with Gundam 00 video game
No. of Parts: 41 + polycaps + foil stickers
Plastic colors: white, light gray, medium gray, light yellow
Gimmicks: GN blade (2)

Introduction

Contributor: G-Slayer
Date: September 24, 2009

Featured in episodes 24-25 of the Gundam 00 TV series and the inspired video game for the Nintendo DS, this gray-colored version of the FG 1/144 Gundam Exia was included with all preordered copies of the game. Looking for a FG gunpla to practice modeling techniques, I thought I’d use this for scrapwork. Then realizing that this was practically a collector’s item, I decided to build and detail the model as I would with any other. Still, it’s just the same as the original kit, with the same amount of work needed to make it look its best.

Head

As you’d guess, nothing was done for the head that isn’t done for gunpla of higher quality- except for one thing. A polycap consisting of two ball joints, Exia’s neck allows a wider range of head movement, at least as much movement as Exia’s shoulder spikes allow. Though a cheaper Gundam product, the plastic proves to be of good quality, as I learned while snipping the tabs off the V-Fin. Stickers are included for the eyes, chin, head cameras and both sides of the head.

Torso

Composed of two large parts, the chest houses two thin holes for the shoulder spikes (which could use glue to stay in place), two pegs for the front and rear skirt armor, and a large peg underneath the torso for the double ball-jointed polycap that attaches to the legs (no doubt to compensate for the lack of articulation at the waist). This polycap also has a hole for mounting Exia on display stands.  Double-jointed polycaps are also provided to attach both the chest vents (which are separate parts) and the arms to the torso. Once that’s done, though, both arms are rather stiff in the shoulders. Stickers are included for the chest vents and the front skirt armor.

Arms

Both arms have just two points of articulation, with both hands molded on. The articulation of the shoulders is limited not only by the armor covering them (which has holes for two beam saber hilts), but also by the tape-like structure attached to each arm (which include stickers).

Legs

Each leg has three points of articulation when attached to the body.  Ball-jointed ploycaps attach the feet to the legs. Each leg maintains stability with no problems. Three stickers are provided for each leg.

Weapons and Accessories

GN blades- Unless you count the sabers on the shoulders and the daggers molded onto the rear skirt armor, the GN Long Blade and Short Blade are the only weapons available from Exia’s Seven Swords arsenal. Each sword is molded in one piece, and they are a loose fit on Exia’s hands (a problem I solved with paint).

Conclusion

This being my first FG gunpla, it’s not the worst gunpla I’ve built; actually it might be one of the best FG’s to date. It takes as much work to build as an HG, as much coloring and detailing as an SD, and has as much articulation as a cheap action figure. Despite some trouble in coloring it for accuracy (using Gundam Paint Markers for the first time), this version of the Exia turned out great for practice- just as I originally thought.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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