Series: High Grade (HG) 1/100
Title: GAT-X103 Buster Gundam
Release Date: 03/2003
Suggested Price: ¥ 2200
No. of Parts: 125 + polycaps + foil stickers + 1/20 Dearka Elthman figure
Plastic colors: dark green, beige, orange, gray, clear
Gimmicks: gun launcher, high-powered beam cannon, missile launchers, combining two cannons

Introduction

Contributor: Matt "GuyverC" Bellamy
Date: December 13, 2003

The third Gundam in the SEED 1/100 line returns to simplicity... or does it? It's parts count is quite low, so can it live up to the standards set so far?

Head

Buster's head is quite nicely done. The sculpt is pretty menacing, and looks dead accurate. Except for the eyes and camera, everything is molded in proper colors and looks great. It doesn't have a collar to prevent its neck articulation. It only has a neck guard off the head, but it doesn't affect it too much. Like with all the SEED kits, its "V-Fin" is rounded, so it could stand some sanding.

Torso

Quite plain in many ways, much like the Strike, looks great. Details are right from the lineart, and all pieces are molded in the right colors. I was quite pleased to see, as well, the shoulder joint from the Strike returns in this kit, giving the arms some much needed extra articulation to handle it's big weapons. The backpack is pretty simple, but I was pleased to find the booster jets are actually moveable. Not by much, but still a nice touch. The backpacks main feature, however, is to lock the cannons to when not in use.

Now, normally in kits, you connect the torso to the crotch/hip armor and are done. Well, the Buster has an extra piece to put in between. This is where the weapons are. The parts attached here are where the "arms" that keep the large cannons attached to the actual Gundam at all times. These "arms" are made up of quite a few joints, allowing the cannons to be positioned in many ways. More on this later.

Arms

Pretty standard arms sadly. They didn’t improve the design any, but I never figured they would. Elbows only have 90 degrees of movement, however, unlike with the hands on the other SEED 1/100 kits, you won't have to take these apart to use the cannons. The shoulder armor, however, has its ups and downs. The shoulder armor houses the missile launchers, with pop up cover. The missiles will need to be painted, as they are molded right to the shoulder armor. The big thing is, they are so bulky; it restricts the shoulder joints movement from the torso. Unless you’re like me, and leave the arms off the peg just a bit (or make extensions), it could cause some posing problems.

Legs

The legs on Buster again go back to simplicity like with Strike, but add some things from the Aegis that make them work much nicer. The thighs have two joints. The common ball and socket joint for the hip, and a horizontal joint in the thigh that helps turn the leg to the side for better balance. Tossing in the fact the legs are also very sturdy and heavy with ankles that move...but not too much, and you have the makings of a very fine, stable set of legs.

Weapons and Accessories

Gun Launcher - Very nicely detailed, with two handles. One hidden (with the trigger), and the other near the muzzle of the cannon (for holding onto in combined mode). The lack of articulation in the arms, however, makes this hard to pose with.

High Powered beam Rifle - Again, highly detailed, with two handles. A sticker is provided for the sensor. Again, articulation issues make it difficult to pose with.

Combined - The real power of Buster is putting the weapons together. Keeping one gun as far back as it can, and bringing the other forward, and plugging them together is all real simple. The arms fold forward easily, and they plug into each other pretty snugly. At least in combined forms, the arms have an easier time reaching the handles on the cannons. The process is basically the same for each version of the cannon.

Conclusion

A simple kit, with a bit confusing system to work its main weapons. Still a very solid kit, and a good show from Bandai. Standard, but with some menacing gimmicks that make a pretty good kit.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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