Series: Kahen Senshi
Title: MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki
Release Date: 03/2003
Suggested Price: ¥ 6000
No. of Parts: 15+
Plastic colors: golden chrome, red, black
Gimmicks: golden chrome finish, full weapons loadout, great poseability

Introduction

Contributor: Winn Sevilla
Date: July 4, 2004

During the Gryps Conflict of UC 0083, Anaheim Electronics developed its new line of mobile suits to provide the AEUG with high performance mobile suits against the Titans. During the development of design one of the suggested designs failed the test of incorporating the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam's complex transformation system and thus was modified and finished as the MSN-100 Hyaku Shiki ("Type 100").

An agile and fast unit, the Hyaku Shiki is fitted with experimental "wing binders" aside from its extra verniers all over its body. Armed with a beam rifle, clay bazooka, vulcan guns, beam sabers and its notorious Mega Bazooka Launcher (a beam weapon that has its own generator for independent power supply & mobility), the Hyaku Shiki proved to be dangerous unit to cross with.

Piloted by Quattro Bajeena (Char Aznable in disguise), the Hyaku Shiki was a key unit in the AEUG's offensive against the Titans and was heavily damaged in the last few moments of the Gryps War. Retrieved by the AEUG and reconstructed to its original form, the Hyaku Shiki was again put back in service against the Neo Zeon in UC 0088.

Box art- The box's scheme having a black background with gold text (Johnny Walker black inspired?!) which is simply attractive because of the various shots of the toy in many poses.

Colors- The figure is gold plated (electroplated?!) and the internals are colored in black. Other non-gold parts are color accurate to the HGUC & MG kits.

Head

With the design based from the MG, the head looks great from all directions. Articulation is never a problem too although it is limited due to the torso's design.

Torso

Articulated lower torso, ball-jointed waist, unhindered front and side skirt armors, and great weight distribution. What PERFECT word do you think I would rate this area?!

The backpack is built solid and well detailed in every manner. Although the verniers aren't really that articulated, the power cables is definitely something to be REALLY admired at. The wing binders are ball jointed to the backpack and can be posed in any manner.

Arms

You can extend the arms forward and upward (think MG Aile Strike Gundam) thanks to great engineering on this area. Although the elbows are single jointed, there is no big disappoint to fuss about because it doesn't cause any problems. There are three pairs of hands: 1 closed fist, 1 open fist for the weapons and 1 open fist for holding the sabers.

Legs

Lavish in details because of the nature of its design, the legs are something to drool about! The lower legs "internals" are impressive and visible to the smallest piece. There's also perfect double-jointed articulation in the knees and ankles that gives this baby great balance in all sorts of poses your wild imagination can think of.

Weapons and Accessories

Beam rifle- The design of the beam rifle is simple in handling yet accurate in details. The E-PAC can be removed.

Clay bazooka- The bazooka's handle can be articulated for ease in poses (under arm & over the shoulder).

Beam sabers- Two pairs: One for unused that can be stored on the rear skirt armor and another pair with the blades. Overall the hand supplied grips them firmly with no problem whatsoever.

Mega Bazooka Launcher- The creme de la creme trademark weapon of the Hyaku Shiki in the anime is finally brought into toy form. I am so impressed with this weapon - it follows the exact transformation sequence in the anime! From cruising mode to firing mode, the launcher has zero problems. When posed in firing mode, there are also no balance problems provided you use the Hyaku Shiki to "anchor" it with its own weight.

Conclusion

Perfection in its grandest and most imaginable form, this is what MS chogokins should and always be: well balanced, well articulated & fully armed to the teeth. Poseability is sheer bliss since its only limited on one human flaw - your imagination! Of course, there's always the possibility its gold chrome finish would tarnish naturally (as expected on all chrome products), but for the record, I would definitely make investments to preserve the perfection of this great toy - as so should you.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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