MG XXXG-01S Shenlong Gundam ver. EW (Gao Gao)

Presenting the newest addition to Gao Gao line of Master Grade, MG 026 Shenlong Gundam ver. EW ;) Just for what it worth, this is my 10th build of Gundam W :P

Manufacturer: Gao Gao/TT Hongli
Scale: 1/100
Grade: MG
Origin: Gundam W
Price: RM80 (Limited time promotion @ RM70per unit. Those who are interested can contact me @ duelmasterng@yahoo.com)

Please take note that I did minor coloring and panel lining with gold, silver & metallic marker ;)





Section 1: Runners

Detailing are very good! I would say it is up to 99% as good compare to the original. The plastics quality is the usual Gao Gao quality which is quite good ;)

















Section 2: Decals

This kit comes with 1 set of dry-sticker (yellow background below), 1 set of dry-transfer (white background below), and the usual foil stickers for the mono-eye. The quality of the dry-stickers are as good as Bandai, and the dry-transfer is of very good quality :)





Section 3: 1st Batch Premium - The Fangs Sword

As premium item for the 1st batch, Gao Gao bundled in this Fang Sword that is specifically made for Shenlong ;)

The sword only some in single color (white) so we would need to paint it with the colors of your liking... I just painted the sword with my markers for the sake of this review and might recolor it in later day ;)





Section 4: Weaponry

The Fang Sword

This is the premium item that comes with the 1st batch of Gao Gao MG Shenlong. The molding is pretty nice but all parts are in a single white color :P

• Pro - We can personalise the color to our liking;
• Con - might be a turn-off for straight-builder :P

Dragon Fang

Dragon Fang, the signature weapon of Shenlong. This Gao Gao version is the exact replication of the original so no complain :P I just wished that the Dragon Fang could be extended a bit more ;)





Shenlong Trident

A very straight-forward trident :)



Shenlong Shield

Another exact replication of the original. Very nice shield indeed ;)





Section 5: Skeleton Build

The Legs

Articulations are very good ;)




The Waist

Quite a complicated waist with individually moveable front, side and back skirt armors ;)




The Chest

The pull-out mechanism would allow the shoulder joints to be pulled out for more dynamic posing. The abdomen can also be tilted forward at some minor degree for posing ;)




The Arms

Excellent articulations for the arms!



The Head

Excellent parts separation (credit to Bandai) and detailing. I colored the eyes and sencors instead of using the foil stickers ;)




The Naked Monster Hunter?






Section 6: The Legs

Very solid legs here... the outer armor actually pretty thick :P And due to the thick armor, knee and ankle articulations are hindered by a large degree (flaw to Bandai)!






Section 7: Waist

Pretty complicated waist section here, but parts separations are fantastic (credit to Bandai)! I would advise using a little super glue for the blue parts on the side skirts ;)





Section 8: Chest

Very nice chest piece with excellent parts separation :) The abdomen can bend in small degree as it is using 2-way ball joints ;)





Section 8: Arms & Shoulders

Due to the thick armor, the elbow articulation is affected big time as you can see from the pictures below... Other than that, the arms are fantastic ;)

Shoulder armors are directly attached to the arms but poses no issue as the shoulder is pretty standard piece with excellent parts separation.

As for the hands, the usual Gundam W series of hands, with moveable thumb and eschangeable fingers. Some might not like this but I actually prefer this over the Wing hands :P




Section 10: Semi-Completed Mecha

Purposely leaving the left arm and right leg naked for photo ops :P







Section 11: Shenlong, Ready to Fight!

Photo ops after applying some decals ;)

Kung-Fu Pose









Posing with Trident & Shield









Posing with Fang Sword & Shield ;)










Posing with Dragon Arm











Quick Review

Plastic Quality and Detailing

The plastic quality the usual Gao Gao/TT Hongli quality. The detailing are very nicely done and it comes close to 99% of the original.


Articulations

Articulations are excellent with only the skeleton (inner frame) but due to the thick outer armor, quite some hinderence on the knees, ankles and elbows :(

• Head/Neck: Very good! The head can be tilted upward ;)
  
• Shoulder: Normal. Nothing much to comment here as the shoulder armors are attached to the shoulders and not individually attached to the joint like Wing Gundam.
• Arm/Elbow: Good, but the elbow articulation is affected by the thick armor!
• Wrist: Normal.
  
• Hand: Normal. The usual Gundam W series of hands, with moveable thumb and eschangeable fingers.
  
• Waist: Excellent! Can even turn 180 degrees without hinderence ;)
• Skirt Armour: Excellent! Individually moveable, and not hindering any posing.
  
• Hip/Tight: Excellent! Highly pose-able ;)
• Knee: Normal+, but the knee articulation is affected by the thick armor!
  
• Ankle: Normal-... the ankle articulation is affected by the thick armor!
• Feet: Normal+. The tips of the foot can be tilted downward ;)

Looks and Feels

The detailing is pretty good and come close to 99% of the original!!! The snap-fit is also very nicely done! The flaw of this kit lies on the design of Bandai, where the thick armor is actually hindering the ankle, knee and elbow articulations.

One thing I must comment here is the superb quality and usability of the decals much to my delight, after suffering heartache from Dragon Momoko silly decals :P

Overall, this kit is excellent and would be a fantastic replacement for the original! But like I always say, do buy original if you can afford it ;)

Till next time...


Fin :)