Series: First Grade (FG) 1/144
Title: GN-003 Gundam Kyrios
Release Date: 09/2007
Suggested Price: ¥ 600
No. of Parts: 47 + 10 stickers
Plastic colors: dark gray, flat white, yellow orange, flat yellow and light gray polycaps
Gimmicks: none

Introduction

Contributor: Anime-Mun
Date: September 25, 2009

First and foremost, this is my first Gundam model review after so many models. The order was supposed to be a High Grade version but I got this instead, oh well. My first view of this when examining the trees and instructions (printed on the box interior) was that this was not going to take much time, something proven quite right as I completed this model within an hour and a half, not including painting. Which with this version is necessary even if you do use the included stickers, which only detail most of the head and the sides of the forearms, along with the sub-machine gun sight. Also, due to the simplicity of this particular suit model transformation is not possible, which to more enthused modelers, is quite the disappointment.

Head

With the head section the build comes up to four pieces: face, sides of the head (left/right) and the V-fin. The face is what we've all come to expect from a Gundam; eyes, face guard, and beard-like decoration. In other words nothing out of the ordinary, the sides include the rear head fin and vents on the side for detail, also not out of the ordinary. What stands out is the V-fin, not only due to the lack of the red center like all of the 00 suits but simply because it actually stays in no matter what. Something of annoyance was the V-fin constantly falling out or breaking on a 1/144 scale, but here it's not only strong and sturdy it's also a tight fit; I've dropped the head a few times on its own just to test this and every time it held together. Sadly though I must say that this is the best part of this kit.

Torso

On the torso section there is some slight contradiction. The shoulders are very nimble and poseable, even more so than nearly 100% of High Grades I've seen and built, although I contribute that to the suit's general design as a whole, I hope to see that in the High Grade of this suit. The binders in the back as well as the skirting is solid state and can't be modified for mobility in anyway, not even to turn the bulk of the torso, the crotch is immobile. Making this part reminiscent of pre-High Grade models from Gundam series. I know this from actually making some that I have found from the early 80s.

Arms

Arms are fairly standard with that part of the shoulder construction, much like every other 1/144 scale Gundam model, same with the elbow construction.  However the hand is fused with the forearm, making it to where you can only pose it aiming in certain fashions, also the shoulder armor is only two parts and all white which also leads to details being diminished. In other words the arms are slightly sub par and also lead back to what I said earlier about 80s Gundam models.

Legs

Legs are about as same as the arms, the only interesting part here is how the designed the torso part, something that I think would help later HG models if it were included, and something I've seen in my Master Grade Nu Gundam model on having the crotch joints separate from the torso. This also being something I hope transfers to the HG of Kyrios. Other than that though, the legs are much like many earlier 1/144 Gundam models.

Weapons and Accessories

As for the accessories there are only two to speak of, the GN Shield and GN Sub-Machine gun, as it has no beam sabers at all. Each are only one piece each, this is good for the sub-machine gun because all you have to do is paint the sight and you are good to go. With the shield it's a disappointment once again because the interesting part on the shield is its weapon quality giving it a claw similar to how Deathscythe's or Sandrock's shields worked. No visions of crushing or stabbing with this shield model as it's simply one piece.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while I criticized this model heavily for its faults, it is a good kit for beginners and especially for children who happen to be in the first grade due to the fact that the pieces can be removed with little to no mess without the use of clippers or knives. It is durable - even if dropped it stays together fairly well as well as very easy to understand instructions.  Also it does include some unique model concepts that are rarely seen in the Gundam world.  However it needs heavy painting to make it the most accurate it can be to the source suit and is unable to perform some more dramatic scenes due to the inflexibility of the lower torso and hands. If it were any more expensive I would ask for my money back but then again it is probably called a First Grade model for more reason than one, so if you are thinking of buying this on purpose I hope it's to start your child out on building models as a hobby.

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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