Metal Build 1/100 00 Gundam Seven Sword is the first release for Bandai's new 'Metal Build' series. This figure is similiar to the 'GFF Metal Composite' for having die-cast parts for the joints, but different in that the armor is said to be made out of something called 'Hybrid Material'.
Instruction Manual
The accessories are pretty complete for the 00 Gundam Seven Sword:
- 2 GN Sword II (Short), 2 GN Sword II (Long) + attachments, 2 GN Katar, 1 GN Buster Sword II, 2 beam sabers, Grapling hook cable, double sword attachment, 4 set of hands (various handles), Display stand, and clear display stand for GN Buster Sword II.
Each armament is very well made and has little gimmicks here and there. I especially like the replaceble knee armor part that can be used to swap between 00 Gundam & 00 Gundam Seven Sword.
Concept design booklet by anime mechanical designer, Kanetake Ebikawa.
Upon opening the box and taking out the figure for the first time, it definitely looks and feels like it is worth the high price tag that this figure is selling for. And the 'hybrid material' used to create the armors are really just plastic, but it also gives off a metal shine. Which makes the figure look, well... like a 'Metal Build'.
Here are a couple of comparison images with the GFF Metal Composite RX-78-2 Gundam & RX-0 Unicorn Gundam.
Profile images of the Metal Build 1/100 00 Gundam
Detachable GN Drive
The articulation of this figure is very good. The Metal Build 00 Gundam Seven Sword can do a wide variety of poses. GFFMC has nothing on Metal Build when it comes to articulation. And how does it stack up against the HG gunpla version of 00 Gundam Seven Sword? The Metal Build is just as articulate as the HG model kit, and better.
Metal Build 00 Gundam w/ Seven Sword armaments attached
Decals for this figure is top notch. I really like the designer ver. style decals on just one side of the 00 Gundam Seven Sword. The placement of rest of the decals are appropriate and doesn't seem out of place. Very nice.
If I had to really find something negative to say about this figure, it would be the GN Buster Sword II. It looks great, but it does have a very slight weight issue for the torso joint when it is attached to the left GN Drive armor, which tend to slightly favor tilting toward the left. But it is really not much of an issue overall. However, when having the figure to hold the GN Buster Sword II, the weight is indeed too much for the arms/hands to handle. But thankfully, the figure comes with a clear display stand to hold the sword in place.
Action Poses
The Metal Build 1/100 00 Gundam Seven Sword is one heck of a desktop beauty. The figure is solid with very well made metal joints, and the 'hybrid material' of the armor parts gives off a nice metal like shine. The articulation for this figure offers a broad range of possible action poses. The weight issue of the GN Buster Sword II is very minimal and can cause a little bit of frustration when trying to get it to hold with the hands. The display stand is awesome, it allows much more flexibility when posing your figure for display. Is been awhile since I had played with a well made chogokin like figure. This first offering in the Metal Build series has my approval and I definitely looks forward to their next offering.
