Series: Mobile Suit in Action!! (MSiA)
Title: GF13-017NJ Shining Gundam
Release Date: 12/2002 (US)
Suggested Price: $5.99
No. of Parts: 1 Shining Gundam figure + 1 Core Lander + 6 parts
Plastic colors: gray, yellow, blue, red, white, translucent green, translucent pink, gold
Gimmicks: beam sabers (2), 2 sets of hands, clear 'Shining Finger' right hand, Core Lander, extra Super mode head, transforming Super mode armor (shoulder, arm guards, and calfs), new gold inner parts for Super mode

Introduction

Contributor: Derrick "tomduo" Lang
Date: January 20, 2004

The original release of the US Shining Gundam was a new look into new MSiAs. The original also had a transforming 'Super mode' gimmick, which had the inner parts painted metallic gray. However a re-release of the Shining Gundam MSiA left a new metallic gold repaint. This is the third version of Shining that Bandai has officially released.

Head

The regular head seems a bit to small in scale with the rest of the body, while the super mode head is only a shade larger than the normal. Also the heads have very limited movement vertically, but can turn a full 360 degrees with no problems.

Torso

The torso is rather normal, providing standard shoulder and hip joins for the appendages, and tough waist articulation. Because of the waist design, it's hard to get it to swivel. I wouldn't go to far in fear of breakage.

Arms

Using ball and socket joints, the arms fit rather snuggly onto the torso, with fairly good movement. The elbow joints are strong, and hold up fine against the Shining's light beam sabers. They also hold up to medium beam rifles from other MSiAs. On the forearms are the sword blockers/beam cannons which rise up for 'Super Mode', and sport the new gold paint. They stay secure rather easily.

The hands use the previously standard peg-in-hole joints. It can make things difficult to change hands, and after a bad experience before, I am afraid I might damage the peg.

The shoulders are mounted on the torso peg joints, and don't interfere with arm movement. However mine tend to fall off easily, which is something easily fixed with common extra hold hairspray sprayed lightly on the parts. Also with the 'Super mode' gimmick, the shoulder armour slides up to reveal the new shiny gold parts.

Legs

Overall very good legs. They lack the double knee joints of previous MSiAs, but have wonderful ankle articulation. With movement is a little limited, the leg is very sturdy, and stays where you want it. On the calves are the thrusters, covered by the calf covers. Underneath, the thrusters are painted gold in the new scheme. The feet are snug, and with the new ankle joints, have wonderful poseability.

Weapons and Accessories

Beam sabers (Daisho)- The Shining Gundam MSiA comes with a set of a long and a short beam saber. The pair remind me of a Daisho. The handles fit nicely in the open hands, and hold the translucent pink blades well. However they both don't fit well in the hip sword holder, like the line art. This is only a minor thing.

Core Lander- This fits well into Shining's back, and has an articulated cockpit to do so. It also has an array of thrusters with limited articulation, and a pretty nice paint job.

Hand sets- The Shining Comes with 2 sets of hands, fists, and open hands to hold accessories. The open hands fit the beam sabers perfectly. However these hands use the old peg-in-hole style, and can be difficult to change.

Shining Finger- The finger seems a bit larger than the other hands, but it is perfectly modeled after what the animation shows it as. That and the plastic is translucent, giving it a nice 'glowing' effect under a black light.

Super mode head- This head shows the opening of the face plates in the 'Super mode'. It's just a standard head, and while a bit smaller in scale, fits the figure nicely.

Conclusion

A nice release by Bandai. I'd prefer the re-release with the nice gold, rather than the old silver 'Super mode' pieces. While there are minor scale problems, and a few articulation problems, this is a very sturdy figure. Domon would be honored to get this MSiA.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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