Series: Mobile Suit in Action!! (MSiA)
Title: GAT-X105+AQM/E-X03
Release Date: 05/2004 (US)
Suggested Price: $7.99
No. of Parts: 1 Strike Gundam figure + 10 parts
Plastic colors: white, blue, red, yellow, green, black
Gimmicks: "Armor Schneider" combat knife (2), beam rifle, shield, combo weapons pod, "Agni" hyper impulse cannon, hands (4)

Introduction

Contributor: Chris Guanche
Date: January 16, 2006

For the first half of Gundam SEED, the multi-purpose Strike Gundam was the star of the show. Through the use of Striker packs, the Strike Gundam could adapt for flight, melee combat or long-range attack. Later packs added even more functions. The Launcher Strike Gundam was one of the few SEED MSiA to actually make it to America. The base figure is the same as the Aile Strike Gundam reviewed here, so I'm not going to waste time saying the same things. This review will focus on the Launcher Striker pack and accessories.

Weapons and Accessories

"Agni" hyper impulse cannon- This weapon is made of two pieces of plastic screwed together. It's colored mostly green, with bits of red and yellow. It's nicely detailed can be held with one or two hands. When not in use, it's stored on the backpack storage rack.


Combo weapons pod- This is comprised of two pieces. The front piece goes over the right shoulder and locks in place with a protrusion that slides through an open slot on the shoulder. The pack piece locks into it, and there's your combo weapons pod.


Backpack storage rack- The storage rack connects to the Strike Gundam via the Striker pack mount on the back, just above the thrusters. Nothing special here.


Sky Grasper (not included)- If you previously purchased the Aile Strike Gundam w/Sky Grasper, you're in luck. You can attach the backpack storage rack to the aft portion of the Sky Grasper's body, and the "Agni" connector can swivel to position it underneath the left wing. Because the ends of the Sky Grasper's wings are identical to the Strike Gundam's shoulders, you can attach the combo weapons pod in the same manner. Throw in your display stand and you have a nice configuration for the figure.

Beam rifle- This is the same beam rifle that comes with the regular Strike Gundam figure or the Aile Strike Gundam figure. The beam rifle was never used in conjunction with the Launcher pack in the anime, so I'm not sure why it's included here. Think of it as a spare if you have other Strike Gundam figures and lose a part or two.

Shield- Same as above.

"Armor Schneider" combat knives- Very small. They each fold in two and are stored inside the hip armor. Pay close attention to these because their size makes them easy to lose.

Hands- Two sets of hands: open, and closed fists.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, Bandai only released a handful (literally) of SEED MSiA in America. The Strike Gundam's elegant and simple design translates into great detail and poseability for the figure. If you've previously purchased other Strike Gundam figures, this is worth it for the accessories. It's a nice bonus that you can mount the Launcher pack onto the Sky Grasper if you already have it. If you want to accessorize your Strike Gundam, you can pick up the Japanese SEED Strike Rouge MSiA, which includes the Launcher and Sword packs, or the DESTINY Strike Rouge, which includes the Aile pack and Sky Grasper. Sure it's pink, but the Strike is the Strike no matter the color.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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