Gao Gai Gar (GM - Genesis Machine)

Hi guys :) Long time no see.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my friend Station Wensin II for his effort in getting me back to model kits reviewing, and would like to thank GM - Genesis Model to have me doing this review on this big a$$ GAO GAI GAR :)

Manufacturer: GM - Genesis Machine
Scale: Unknown
Grade: ---
Series: GAO GAI GAR
Price: TBA

Section 1: Runners

The plastic is pretty nice for a big a$$ model (as big as a Bandai PG). The coloring is pretty standard but it could be made better. Gates are very easy to trim and it does not leave obvious nub marks, with a few exception that I will point out in the detailed review section.

Parts separation is done nicely, and detailing are pretty nice too; you can definitely make this more exciting than the straight-built kit in this review with a tad of coloring here and there :)

Snapfitting experience is good. No excessive force needed :P

I'm just have little issue with some very obvious seamlines which I will also pointed out in the detailed review :P

Section 2: Accessories and Stickers

The shoulder liners come pre-painted with pearl finishing, and it looks very nice :)

This kit also comes with a pair of fully articulated manipulator (hand) and a knuckle-hands for it ultimate move pose. The articulation of the manipulator is near to excellent ;)

It also comes with LED gimmick, where the eyes of GGG and the lion head would light up.

Lastly, the stickers are in very good quality and are not difficult to apply.

Let's start with the assembly next section on ;)


Section 3: Foot

The foot is pretty simple, but the ankle articulation is pretty awesome despite the actual utilization is somehow limited by the shin armor :P

A small disappointment here is the seam line is very obvious for the back of the foot.

Section 4: Leg

Parts separation is nicely done. The shin + knee + tight are together so I shall show them all together :)

Here are the parts...

And here's the build sequence for the left leg ;)

Section 5: Waist

Pretty standard waist unit. The front skirts are individually articulated, as with the side skirts.

Here's the lower body, and a size comparison with a HG kit :)

Section 6: Chest and Torso

This is another pretty straight forward chest and torso unit. The shoulder mechanism allows great articulation which is crucial for the posing of its ultimate move :)

The torso can be tilted slightly forward and backward where it connects to the chest unit.

At the time of this review, the instruction and replacement parts for the LED is yet to be available, so I will add the LED section at the bottom once I am done with it.

I will have a separate section for the lion head next :P

Section 7: Lion Head

There are 2 tones of matte gold for the lion head. The part separation is nicely done but one have to be very careful and patience assembling the jaw, as the instruction and illustration is not very helpful.

Here's my 2nd small disappointment where the seam line is very obvious for the lion's jaw.

The red color on the lion's mane is from the stickers, and they are very nicely done.

I would need to take apart the chest unit to install the LED once replacement parts are in.

Section 8: Arms

The arms are mainly identical left an right, with small differences at the forearm. Articulations are very good, and the joints are sturdy enough for poses and holding 1/60 weapons from other PG model kits :P

The pre-painted shoulder liner looks very nice... the manufacture should in fact make the color finishing with pearl coloring for the entire kit... It would up-class the kit by 3-level ;)

Here's the arms attached to the rest done so far ;)

If you observe from the manual, the shoulder is a straight line across, but I prefer to pose it this way instead :P

Section 9: Head

The head are also nicely done with good parts separation. Just take note to make sure the larger round of the connector to the neck is facing downwards :)

Section 10: Backpack

The backpack is another big a$$ unit! It comes mostly in black but the detailing is quite nice and one can definitely add some personalized detailing here :)

The wing units can be pulled out and adjusted a little to the back to allow more dynamic posing.

Backpack, or jetpack, attached to the main machine :)

Section 11: Weapon

Parts separation is nicely done, so one could do some coloring to make this more impressive ;) I just wish that the manufacturer make the orange color less plastic-like, but I guess this would be left a mission for the modeler :P 

Section 12: Basic Posing

Just some statics posing and a size comparison with another HG kit. More action poses after I am done with the LED.

Section 13: LED

The LED unit is nicely done and fits well. There is a green LED for the lion eyes, and a white/blueish for the head. One can switch on and off the LED by opening the lion mouth on the chest.

From the instruction slip, it looks pretty simple to fix but its more than that... due to the legs of the white LED, one need to take apart the chest unit to insert the LED for the head as shown in the picture below :P

Section 14: More Action Poses

Dash punch with the help of the newest of action stand :) GGG is only resting on the stand for this pose but is quite steady ;) The wings can be tilted a little for more dynamic posing.

Here are some from GGG ultimate move :)

My Personal Experience 

First of all, I was surprised with all these new player in 3rd party model kits, and the selection. I do welcome this Gao Gai Gar, and look forward to more of the same Super Robot genre of model kits ;)

Overall, it took me about 11 hours to complete this kit with review and photo-taking in mind; it should take me 6-8 hours otherwise.

This is a fair simple kit, where I would rate that is more complicated than a HG, but yet to be at MG difficulty. I believe most would enjoy building this kit.

The joints are pretty stiff initially since it is not using polycap, so one have to move it a few times to loosen them a bit. I guess the manufacturer made a wise choice not using polycap as this is such a big kit and it need extra holding power for the joints.

Overall Rating (Not giving points, just what I felt)

Assembly Experience: Very good :)

Plastic Quality: Decent

Parts Separation: Very good :)

Color: Decent, could be better

Detailing: Good :)
Posing Possibility: Pretty good ;)
LED: Nicely done :)

Recommendation: If you love GGG but the chokogin is too expensive for your budget, get this :)

Articulations

Head/Neck: Good
Shoulders: Excellent
Arms/Elbow: Excellent
Waist: Good
Skirt Armor: Good
Hip/Tight: Excellent
Knee: Good
Ankle: Very Good
Feet: Good

See you guys around :)