Series: Advanced Mobile Suit in Action!! (AMSiA)
Title: GAT-X105 Strike Gundam (Striker Weapon System)
Release Date: Strike: 01/2003, Aile, Sword & Launcher: 02/2003
Suggested Price: Strike: ¥ 2000, Aile: ¥ 2500, Sword & Launcher: ¥ 2800
No. of Parts: varies per figure
Plastic colors: Strike: red, blue, white & gray. Aile Pack: red, black, yellow. Sword: blue, light blue, gray, white & clear red. Launcher: light olive green, yellow, red, gray
Gimmicks: "inner frame" system, Katoki-ish styling

Introduction

Contributor: Winn Sevilla
Date: January 24, 2004

Despite the fact that Gundam SEED is currently showing in Japanese television, Bandai already churned out its merchandise already. Newfound fans and critics found themselves flooded with kits. All sorts of "grades" seemed to invade the Gundam SEED market that was meant for all types of fans. For the first time, Bandai seemed to go all out for this installment.

And now, enter the next generation of Mobile Suit in Action figures, the "Advanced MSiA." Featuring the "Inner Frame System", a MSiA scaled down version of the Master Grade G Gundam kits' "Action Frame." A very first in the MSiA category, it would seem to be quite a promising toy.

When I first saw the pictures of the AMSiAs, I used this fact to neglect myself from buying the HGGS & Quick Assemble kits. When I found myself staring at the Strike Gundam AMSiA at the local kit shop, despite some bad incidents happening that day regarding bad credit collections, I am sensibly satisfied with this baby because it was simply worth to change the mood. Followed are the Aile Type and Sword / Launcher Type series, in which I decided to purchase as well since I made it a point the Strike Gundam should could never go out without any of them.

The GAT-X105 Strike Gundam was one of the five Gundam units that was left out while the other four were stolen by ZAFT in a secret research facility in Heliopolis. The Strike featured a very distinctive modular weapons system in three known variations: "Aile" for high speed and mobility as well as air capabilities, "Launcher" for long range artillery / energy bombardment and finally "Sword" for close combat / melee attack. Despite ZAFT having four Gundams (Aegis, Duel, Buster & Blitz) to fight against, these modular weapons system allowed the Strike to be at par with them. Kira Yamato, a 1st generation coordinator finds himself as the fated pilot of the Strike not because of taking sides, but simply for the sake of protecting his friends in the federation ship Archangel.

* I'll be making this review as a compilation of the Strike Gundam and all of its Weapons Systems. Separately, these are the AMSiA packages that Bandai released for your information:

1. Strike Gundam
2. Strike Gundam (de-active mode) with Aile System
3. Strike Gundam with Sword & Launcher System

One noticeable thing about this AMSiA is the quality of the material. Noticeably it seems to be made of the same materials used in Fix Figurations! There seems to be no warping and bent parts that you find in basic MSiAs and the paint used for the parts is typically in flat, non-glossy colors like the ones used in the Fix. Also, the scale for the figure itself is considerably very close to the 1/144. For an expensive price, the material, paint quality and scale totally makes it worthy.

Note: The Strike Gundam in "de-active mode" or phase shift down colors is simply a fairly nice color rehash of the RX-78-3 Gundam G3's gray colors that can "fashionably" go with any of the weapons systems.

Box art- Generally, all three Strike Gundam AMSiAs are presented in this format: the figures' "inner frame" on one side while the snap on armor and the modular systems on the other. The rear box design shows the completed figure and their respective modular systems on it as well as a concept drawing of the "inner frame." Typically the overall box design is simple; it shows how good the figure just by looking at the box is a good marketing concept.

Head

Very clean. Great scale, crisp shape, colors and panel lines are excellent. Typically just as how Fix heads are done. Remarkably, the head antenna is done very pointy and straight unlike basic MSiAs. Articulation is very fine but when you add on the armor, horizontal articulation is interrupted because the "brace" gets in the way.

Torso

Shockingly, the waist isn't really articulated since there is no allowance on the skirts themselves. It's just a total irritating fact that it is an AMSiA. And since this is the basic Strike, there is no backpack but the rear portion of the torso features articulated verniers. The skirt armor is connected via ball joint pegs but only allows very little articulation making it not suitable for kneeling poses.

Arms

The torso to shoulder connection is a two-way peg connection that lets the arms swivel forward and backward - a distinctive design. The shoulder armor is connected to the upper arms through a ball joint peg, in which fits very snugly. Sadly, the elbow connection through is quite disappointing. Supposedly expecting a ver.2.0 elbow joint, it was except that the connection between them is made quite weak - the connection is open rather than closed, and the sockets are just isn't firm enough. Extra hands included aside from the basic closed fists is a beam rifle hand for the right and a semi-open hand for handling to rifle stock and shield. (The Sword & Launcher however, have two extra pairs of hands to accommodate left & right handling of weapons.)

Legs

For this section of the AMSiA, it is simply PERFECT. The knee joint is a thicker, more durable design of the ver.2.0 knees, making it poseable for kneeling poses IF ONLY NOT limited by the skirt armor. The foot articulation is marvelous - typically the same style of the High Grade Gundam Seed kits: double jointed connection. Armor design is absolutely excellent.

Weapons and Accessories

Basic weapons- The beam rifle is molded very nicely and clean cut design. The stock can be moved sideways for aimed shooting purposes. The shield however, is connected through a hole in the side of each arm - NOT using the traditional HGGS standard shield brace support. To compensate for this, the shield has a handle for the hand to hold. One irritating fact for this basic Strike Gundam: NO ARMOR SCHNEIDER!

Aile system- This system attached through removing the top vernier in the rear portion of the Strike figure and plugging it on the exposed peg. In my opinion, this version of the Aile system looks better compared against the kit versions. It's got a longer wingspan, tail and detailed exhaust fins. The lower verniers are articulated via ball joints are fairly secured. Since the lower vernier fins are long, you can use them as a support to compensate for the Aile system's rear added weight. Despite the fact that there are beam saber hilts attached to this, there are no blades supplied - which is an irritating matter. Generally, the sheer "Katoki-ish" design is why I love this system.

Sword system- The only noticeable difference in this version when compared against the kit is the longer "Mydas Messer" (beam boomerang). The "Schwert Gewehr" (mega beam sword) has a beam blade and can be attached to the backpack for non-use. The left shoulder armor is attached by removing the Strike figure's shoulder and replacing it. The messer can be snugly holstered on the shoulder armor by removing the blade. The "Panzer Eisen" (claw) is attached to the left arm but doesn't quite fit snugly hence a little crazy glue is required. Although the tip of the claw is articulated cannot be detached which is a big disappointment. The backpack can be fitted in the back of the Strike firmly and without removing any verniers. Handling of the weapons is good, since there are extra hands provided. Altogether, the Sword system is a great system to hang on to the Strike I'll say.

Launcher system- The "AGNI" (high impulse cannon) is delicately detailed against its kit counterparts. Poseability is very limited however - the limited length of the support brace attached to the backpack makes it awkward. The only decent solution is to eventually remove the brace and lean the gun against the side waist armor. The backpack simply fits in the rear side of the Strike without the consequence of removing anything, while the brace is well articulated, but as said earlier, it makes Poseability awkward - if only it can be extended like the HGUC S/Ex-S Gundam, it would never be an issue. Unlike the Sword system, the very nicely detailed "combo unit" (machine gun & missile) simply attaches over the right shoulder but it lacks the appropriate depth through to firmly fit in. As a result, it dislodges itself most of the time - I'll be applying crazy glue to secure it. My opinion for this system is to at least have some patience whenever you're going attach it to the Strike.

Conclusion

The AMSiA Strike Gundam has some good points: Fix Figuration quality & color, accurate & detailed armor/weapon parts and 1/144 scaling. The bad points however, is the weak elbow system, less articulated skirt armor and waist and lack of Armor Schneiders.

As for the Weapons system: The Aile is perfect in form but lacks beam saber blades. Sword is almost perfect except for the Panzer Eisen's (claw) lows. Launcher's AGNI (impulse rifle) is awkwardly posed while the combo unit lacks grip, but can be compensated with a few minor adjustments.

It's simply a game of chance: Love it or despise it. This review is intended to give you my insights and observations and will not be tolerated for bias in judging on whether to accumulate the items or not - but for the record, I'm quite content with it.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

<<back to Gundam