MG Turn A Gundam They have better pictures up at Danny Choo's site so I thought I'd make a few observations.
One thing that I find very odd is they have the "retroconned" version to the left of the lineart and a more anime accurate version on the right. Are we actually 100% sure that the one on the left is the actual Master Grade kit? I think the one on the right may be the older 1/100 kit but I find it odd that it matches the lineart more then the one on the left. While Bandai has made some differences between the lineart shown in the manual and the actual kit, NONE have been dramatic as the kit on the left. IT even seems different from the lineart in the background as well. I find it particularly odd that they are retroconning the Turn A so much from the anime version but they are apparently including Loran's cow. I loved Loran's cow, but it's fantasy-anime image seems the opposite of the hard-core utilitarian slant they are using for the Gundam. The major differences are: The inclusion of a traditional Gundam Mohawk Camera - But they still include the other helmet piece Completely different kneepads - It's missing the red line in the middle Placement of the Moustache - They spread them out farther from the red chin piece. It almost makes me think of the head fins on the Victory Hexa head instead of a lowered v-fin It almost appears that there is a typical Gundam face shield hidden in there as well. The Moustache is chopped - Instead of the pointy moustache they are cropped straight across at the ends. More traditional crotch - The Crotch "sticks out" like the RX-78, GP-01, etc. IT almost looks like the Core Fighter slides into a socket. This is ironic because in many ways the original Turn A cockpit was considered more phallic than the regular Gundams at the time. Shoulder Armor vents appear to be missing - Replaced with what almost looks like the beam saber handles While I actually like the new "Turn A Gundam" I have a hard time acknowledging it as the Turn A Gundam since it is so radically different. It's almost as if Bandai is saying "This is how we would've designed the Turn A Gundam if Tomino would've allowed us to add our two cents". Since the Turn A was allegedly hollow on the inside except for the Nanobots, I wonder what they are going to do with the MG kit. The hollowness of the design made me think that the original 1/100 was essentially the final version so I NEVER expected to see them attempt a MG kit for it. But then again look how they ditched the monoque design of the Zakus... I wonder if this opens the door for a MG Turn X??? HGUC Zock On a different note was anyone else shocked at the price tag on the HGUC Zock? I know it is supposed to be a little bigger than the Acguy, but it must be even bigger than I thought. It is interesting that they are putting so much attention into the internal torso detail. Another blurring of the lines between the HGUC and MG lines. MG Gelgoog version 2.0 I am not sure what to think of this kit yet. I am a little taken aback by the changes they made to the cockpit to allow it to be opened. It just seems wrong. The new shield clip seems like it could end up being an irritant. The arms and legs seem improved. They are going for a more flexible skirt ala the Zaku 2.0. The feet remind me a lot of the MG Zaku 2.0. While I do think the Zeta and Gelgoog were the designs most in need of a version 2.0 I am actually rather ambivalent about this kit. I'll probably get it eventually, but I am not as excited as I am about the Zaku 2.0.
