Custom Build #002 Part.1

I'm currently abandoning my previous project because I need inspiration. Finals during last semester also had an impact in this project. Although I do not intend to continue #001, I am not completely abandoning it. Meanwhile I'm going to concentrate on a new project.

Gundam Eclipse is holding a summer contest. Basically, you mod a recently purchased model kit and show it off! The prizes are fantastic, but I'm aiming for the first prize: MG Delta Plus.

I purchased NG 1/100 Gale Strike Gundam in April. Although I'm satisfied with it, the model kit does not look great on my shelf. Later on, it utterly annoyed me because the candy-like colors do not look impressive at all.

I had an idea of turning Gale Strike into a heavily armored mobile suit like Ex-S Gundam. The inspiration came from GFF Ex-S Gundam that I bought in May. I figured, "What if I re-imagine Ex-S Gundam in Seed universe? Although it utterly failed, Seed is supposed to be the new UC, afterall."

I started this project a few days after the contest was announced, which was June 2nd. And, here is the progress so far:

Week one: Head was slightly modified. Torso, back, and waist parts were heavily modified. I used a lot of spare parts from 00 model kits that aren't used. Pen caps (green) were used to imitate thrusters on the back skirt.

Week two: Scratch-built a  beamsmart gun using a rifle that came from Kotobukiya's Weapon Unit #6 as a base unit. A pen (green) cap is used to imitate energy tank. Basically, I used a lot of unused writing utensils to build this gun.

Week three: Sensors and pipes are added to the chest piece. Shoulder parts are slightly modified. Side skirts are modded into storages for beam sabers.

The progress of this project has been halted because my parents are in the states right now. So, I had to put away modelling stuff away at the moment. Also, I ran out of pla-plates. So, until my parents leave New York and I get my supply of pla-plates, then I can resume this project. :)

EMSIA Freedom Gundam

Freedom Gundam is the dawn of Kira Yamato's beam-spamming legacy. A lot of people love and hate this mobile suit because it is nearly invincible (until Providence Gundam trashed it). Some even think that the design is a knock off of Hi-Nu Gundam. However, I love Freedom simply because everything about it is just freakin' beautiful and awesome. Although I like this mobile suit, I actually hate Strike Freedom. I think the whole design is just too flashy. Also, the DRAGOON system particularly in Strike Freedom is cheesy, like side7reviews put it.

Front side and back side views of Freedom.

I'm actually amazed that there is literally nothing wrong in this action figure in terms of paint and molds. In the past, my MSIA figures have a handful of paint bleeds and molding errors. However, this figure doesn't. 

The plastic materials that made up this figure vary from very sturdy to soft, making this figure very durable. 

The wing span of the wings are outstanding. It's almost twice the length of the figure! Oh gracefulness..

The reason why I like Freedom so much is because its peacock wings. I quickly fell in love with the wings when the silhouette of this mobile suit appeared in the second opening of Gundam Seed (my most favorite opening from Seed universe actually!).

I think that HG didn't do justice on Freedom's design. In fact, the line butchered the mobile suit so much that I threw away my HG Freedom. HG made Freedom look so chubby and the wings barely represent the aesthetic of this mobile suit. Afterwards, I  bought Cosmic Region Freedom. I sold it right away after I opened it because the line couldn't capture the sense of awe that Freedom's wings give out. Nice details and decals, though. Then, MG wasn't even in my mind because I prefer 1/144 model kits. Then, I saw side7reviews review on EMSIA Freedom. Boy, finally!

Anyways, this figure is back heavy. I'm not sure if this figure can stand only with its two feet, but I have tried so many attempts and I failed. You will need a small stand to support its back. The wings are enormous, afterall.

Accessories included are: one shield, one beam rifle, two beam sabers, three beam saber handles, and six manipulators.

side7reviews mentioned in his review of EMSIA Freedom that this figure is squat in terms of height. While I agree, I think that you have to actually pose this figure so that it does not look squat. The proportion of the other things in this figure is just right.

There are no holes or pegs in this figure for any kind of display bases to attach. So, you will need Tamashii Stage Act to pose this figure. I am very impressed at this figure because the articulations are very flexible. You can pose Freedom in any kind of poses you want. Literally, anything.

In conclusion, I don't regret spending $50 on this figure because it is that great. I am very satisfied at how playable this figure is and durable at the same time. Even though it is slightly smaller than 1/144 model kits, its large graceful wings will definitely tower most 1/144 model kits. Honestly, words can't describe how amazing this figure is. I'm not too sure about this, but EMSIA Freedom is a rarity these days because of the decline of MSIA line production due to the release of Robot Damashii figures. So, if you can find this figure for around $40, I'd say you go get it. Especially, if you love Freedom Gundam.

Overall: 10/10

This is the pose that stole my heart.. c: