MG 1/100 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee OVA - Written Reivew by Team GG

MG 1/100 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee OVA

Written Reivew by Team GG [PatrickGrade]

Video Review [Part 2] by HERE

Video Review [Part 1] by HERE

Unboxing Video & Images: HERE

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Just four months after the release of the huge MG Full Armor Unicorn Gundam, the Master Grade Unicorn mold gets another release, this time in the form of MG RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee. The Banshee is the sister unit to the Unicorn Gundam, designed for use in the atmospheric conditions of Earth. The color scheme is nearly the polar opposite of the first suit; dark blue for the primary color with gold accents as well as a clear orange psychoframe. The V-fin is drastically different, meant to invoke the image of a lion’s mane as opposed to the horn of a mythical creature.

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In the novel the color scheme, the intended environment of operation and the lack of the La+ system were the primary differences. For the OVA, Bandai decided to change things up even more, which I think was a good decision. The OVA version looses the Beam Magnum, Hyper Bazooka and shield and instead has unique weapon permanently affixed to either arm as well as a few other minor design differences.

On the right arm is the cumbersomely named Armored Arm BS, which is a beam smart gun that is reminiscent of a rail gun. The BS is folded away in Unicorn mode while in Destroy mode it folds out and covers the hand. The left arm has the massive Armored Arm VN, which looks like a giant fist when in Unicorn mode and a menacing claw/pincer device in Destroy mode. The BS is a super long range weapon in the OVA while the VN is a CQC weapon intended to grasp and vibrate the target to pieces.

This MG does a good job implementing the new design elements with a minimal amount of new plastic. Some of the inner frame is molded in clear ABS plastic to accommodate the glowing areas that Banshee exhibits in the anime. The legs, backpack and torso are put together, as far as I can tell, in exact same way as original MG Unicorn, aside from the color differences of course. The chest is the same until you get to the cockpit hatch area and collar. The Banshee uses a few different pieces here to further differentiate itself from the Unicorn. These pieces are simply decorative and only provide a visual difference.

The head is largely the same as before, but with a uniquely designed V-fin. Like the Unicorn, the large section of the V-fin splits in half but there is a smaller section that stays in the same position. In addition, the Banshees’ “horn” is unique with several sharp points extending off of the main “horn”. This creates a pretty interesting looking V-fin, probably one of the most interesting looking in fact. When transformed, it reminds me of stylized deer antlers or perhaps a branching lightning bolt.

You would think the construction of the arms would be dramatically different on the Banshee, but it’s surprisingly similar. For the most part, you build the arms up like before until you get to the part where you clip on the sides around the Beam Tonfa/Beam Saber storage area. Instead of using the normal sides, you instead combine each half of the respective weapon that you built up in previous steps around that area. There isn’t much to the construction of the BS, although the VN does have some interesting steps because of the articulation of each of the claws.

So if you were looking for an entirely new build experience, or at least a significantly different process, the Banshee doesn’t really satisfy that role. That possible disappointment aside, the overall visual difference is pretty significant. The silhouette has been altered pretty greatly, especially on the upper body, and each of the weapons are completely unique in both design and implementation. I can’t think of another kit that I have put together that uses weapons in this way, not in the Gundam universe anyway.

I feel that the VN is more satisfying than the BS simply because there is more you can do with it. Each of the four fingers can move independently of the others and they each have a few points of articulation. The BS looks nice, although it comes away from the arm at a somewhat odd angle. I think both weapons could use benefit from some additional exposed psychoframe since they are both a little light on it.

And if you wanted to, you could use the beam sabers pretty much like before. The hand on the right arm is accessible when the BS is stored away. With the VN transformed, you can fit the beam saber handle in the hand, although the hand can’t move around all that much.

The color scheme works really well in my opinion. Being a fan of the University of Michigan, the blue and gold color scheme is very appealing to me. I like the clear orange for the psychoframe more than the clear red and as much as the clear green. It lights up pretty nicely under a black light and does a decent job of recreating the glowing effect from the anime. One disappointment is that the V-fin uses a dark blue sticker instead of a piece of plastic on one area.

None of the issues inherent in the Unicorn mold have been fixed here; the knees are still limited when it comes to articulation, the transformation is still finicky and time consuming and the kit overall is still pretty limited as far as posing and playability goes.

Another nice touch is that because there is so much leftover plastic, you can actually almost achieve a full Banshee ver. Ka out of this, although you’re missing the beam rifle, bazooka and all of the crazy stickers.

But I think the Banshee looks really good. I really like the Destroy mode, I think both of the new weapons are a nice departure from the standard beam rifle and shield weapon load-out. The MG Banshee more than a color variation and I think it would be a good time even if you have built the Unicorn a time or two before. So, if you enjoy the Unicorn mold, or if you haven’t bought one version or another because the Unicorn is too plain, give the Master Grade RX-0 Unicorn 02 Banshee a try, I think you will have a good time with it!