Series: High Grade (HG) 1/100
Title: NRX-0013 Gundam Virsago
Release Date: 01/1996
Suggested Price: ¥ 1800
No. of Parts: 93 + polycaps + foil stickers
Plastic colors: violet red, midnight blue, gray, gold-plated silver, clear orange, clear green
Gimmicks: Foldable wings, Mega Sonic Cannon, beam saber, Strike Claws (2), Strike Shooters (2)

Introduction

Contributor: G-Slayer
Date: January 4, 2006

The “Ghost Gundam” is the scariest Gundam I’ve ever seen next to the Deathscythe Hell and the Devil Gundam. A bizarre cross between the Altron and the Epyon, in my opinion. At first glance, I wasn’t that impressed by this kit. But as time passed, I wanted the kit more and more, even though I’ve yet to see Gundam X. I got this one at an anime shop along with an SD kit.

Head

The head is standard fare, typical of any 1/100 model. The part for the eyes includes the “lens” for the front head camera, a nice touch indeed. A sticker is included for the eyes and the head crest, which needs paint on the back.

Torso

I’m including the wings in this section. But first, the Virsago’s chest has two large holes in which two loose, detailed gold parts are held in place with clear orange frames, which can come off easily. The chest can be raised from the waist to reveal the Mega Sonic Cannon, which slightly hinders movement of the waist. Stickers are included for the chest and the cannon.

At the Gundam’s back is a pair of large wings that can fold over themselves and have little rockets. When I had opened and closed the wings the first time, they were splitting apart at the seams, which is why I don’t move them very often. two movable parts in the backpack add to the articulation of the wings. Speaking of the backpack (which needs painting for accuracy), the rocket attached to it needs glue to stay in place.

The abdomen is standard except that the rear skirt armor has a hole for the rack (also in need of paint) on which to store the hilt of the beam saber. The rack also needs glue to stay in place. You can pose the rest of the skirt armor but the front skirts come off each time you move them. Stickers are included for the front skirt armor.

Arms

Though obviously taking more work to build than the arms of other models, the Virsago’s arms are probably its best feature. When not in use, these extendable, sturdy arms can be folded and concealed in the Virsago’s large shoulder armor. A Strike Claw is mounted on each forearm. Paint must be used on the Strike Claws along with the hands, which can hold the Virsago’s weapons with almost no problems.

Legs

The legs are the most standard parts of this kit, next to the head. I won’t go further in this section except to say that the legs are well-detailed, sturdy to a degree, and need painting at the heels of the feet.

Weapons and Accessories

Included with this kit are two 3-barrel Strike Shooter guns which can either be carried separately with both hands or come together to hold with one hand. Each gun features a movable claw that can be painted but stickers are included. Of course, there’s also the 2-piece beam saber as mentioned earlier.

Conclusion

On a final note, the gold-plated parts were the biggest problem I had with the kit. While sanding off the rough edges (which I do as carefully as possible), the gold rubbed off. The bottom line is that I have to do more painting with this HG-if you can really call it that-than with any other HG I own. All in all, the 1/100 Virsago HG is decent and nicely done. While it’s got lots of cool gimmicks, it’s not without its flaws.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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