Bandai Hobby MG Freedom Gundam (Ver. 2.0) "Gundam Seed 1/100, Multi-Colored, 8" (BAN204883)

First of all, this kit is pretty top-heavy with the wings attached, so you're gonna want it on a base. Luckily it comes with one. But the one it comes with is weird. It's this long vertical arm with no supports. It's not fragile, but it wobbles. I have a ceiling fan and this kit just vibrates and wiggles all day long, looking like it's going to shake itself free. The base sits right where the wings are attached, so if they came off, the whole thing would for sure collapse. While the base is slightly adjustable, it's impossible to get the Gundam's feet touching the ground, or touching the bottom of the base. However, I've had it mounted for a few months, and changed the pose, moved it around my room, and it hasn't collapsed. It just wiggles like there's no tomorrow. Maybe it's fine. It just doesn't feel fine. --- Anyway, the kit itself is insane. I'll skip the stuff everybody says. If you like the look of the photos, you'll like the kit. It's great and full of surprises, too. There are three kinds of decals in here -- waterslides, dry transfers, and foil stickers. I tried to use the waterslides but I think they're too old. They won't come off the backings. The dry transfers work just fine though. Most of them are white and go on the wings, with a couple for the gun and shield, and one for the body. The foil stickers are also fine. These go on the eyes and inside the camera lenses on the gun and the head, as well as the fake lenses on the wing guns. Oh, one more thing. Most Gundam models have a bracket on their backs to hold their guns. This one does, too. It's worthless with the wings there, though. They bump into each other and the gun falls off. Likewise, there's clips for the beam sabers on the hips, but they're loose and bump into things so they're not useful either. The ideal pairing for this kit would be a less wobbly base that holds all those things. Let me know if you find one.

So far, I have built 6 MG Gundams and this is still my top favorite so far. Build took me around 14-16 hours total, including cleaning up the nubs, stickers, and panel lining, and was the time spent on it was definitely worth it. Articulation is top notch, backpack is snug fit, hands are able to hold the weapons really well, and the stand is really stable! Would definitely recommend, and wasn’t that hard to build. Just need a lot of patience, especially when putting on the stickers. Only things Imma nitpick on is, the side skirts doesn’t hold the sword handles well, but they do stay on, as long as you don’t jiggle the Freedom too hard, and I have heard the hip joints are fragile. So far, I have had no problems with it since I am very careful with it when posing any of my Gundams. Overall, really awesome kit!

As a kid, my parents would give me snap together model kits and the like on occasion. Recently, I got the urge to try some models again after decades passed. Somehow, I came to Gunpla (oblivious to how popular it is). I figured I enjoy Gundam so why not try a model kit for it. My first kit was the MG GAT-X105 Aile Strike. Going from the multiple model sprue to the finished Aile Strike was a fun process. Next up was MG GN-001 Gundam Exia - fun build but not as impressive a finished product as the Strike. Then I saw the MG ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam dip in price and decide to pull the trigger... I LOVE THIS BUILD. If there was a Perfect Grade ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam, I think I would really enjoy building that. My only complaint is the stand it ships with. I wish it was more robust and sturdier like the MG Aile Strike catapult launcher-based stand. I'm considering modifying the stand, so I have ease of mind. If you like the Freedom Gundam as much as I do, you'll like this Master Grade.

It seems like Bandai gets better with their plastic molds with every MG iteration. I had less issues buffing out nub marks with this MG than with others in the past. And I see no seams in the model between any of the connected parts. I've never built the 1.0 version of Freedom, but this updated version looks more streamlined and grittier/less cartoonish, which makes it stand out nicely. The included stand allows you a large amount of freedom (hah) to pose the model however you want. The only real issue I noticed, which was pointed out by someone else already, is that the torso peg joint is a weak point, with mine already showing stress marks when I was building. I don't mess with the torso of my MGs often, so I don't believe this will be an issue for me. Pros: + Very good quality MG model, possibly Bandai's best work yet + Updates to the standard anime-faithful Freedom makes this more than just a copy of the 1.0 version Cons: - Torso joint holds positions without issue, but shows stress marks after some regular movement. This may become an issue if you frequently change poses.

I often questioned whether this kit would live up to the hype. I can assure you it does. I haven't fully completed the build yet, but I'm nearly done. Proportions are outstanding, the color separation is excellent which really makes the features of the model pop, and the kit is well articulated. I'm not the biggest fan of seed, but the freedom is easily one of the all time best Gundam designs, and this kit really brings it to life. It can only get better if you paint it. The kit also included a stand, which is awesome. Having to buy separate stands for MG Gunpla is BS. A few notes, there are known issues with the hips. Be careful putting the legs on. I didn't have any issues, but some folks have broken the hip pegs putting them on. Remember this is a model, so use finesse. Also be extra vigilant about following the instructions, some pieces on this kit don't want to come off once they are on. Actually broke one of the lower leg panels on this trying to pull it off to fix a mistake. You can't see it now, but it is broken. So paint before you build with this one. You won't want to take it apart to paint it.

First Master Grade in 8 years, picked a good one to get back into it. This model is all around superb. Great surface detail, and articulation, quality plastic, nice assortment of accessories, and to top it all off it comes with a decent stand. Only one thing to note with this kit and I reccomend buying this before you build it. The pegs that come out of the waist unit where the legs attach is notorious for breaking apparently, you will probably see some people mention it in the reviews. Fortunately because this is so common you can easily find metal replacement versions of the part on Ebay for cheap, like 6-10 dollars, thank you China. Save yourself the trouble and just buy them, so worth it. To sum it all up this is a top notch MG worthy of any collection, even if you do not like Gundam Seed.

Love building these and my first MG gunpla and in work in progress still but package came on last day it would. No damage on the box or what so, the gunpla box all wrapped and it shows that it's new unopened. Everything was in box had no problems with any pieces but on the chest piece keeps falling and doesn't stay there. The lower body feels like not connected well but I think it we'll hold when I finnish the legs. Also came in with the water slide decals which I'm vary happy that it did and the other stickers as well. Would recommend this it's a vary nice detail gunpla as far I know. Building it takes a lot of time as for a beginner but it's not hard to build. Finnish building and first looks so awesome how big it is and the wings. Vary nice detail. One complaint I have the one hand for holding the weapon it's vary loose. It keeps falling off and as for trying stick it with the gun it falls as well. Other than that it's all good

I absolutely loved the build. I did buy an alternative metal J4 ahead of time just because of the weak hip joint, the only flaw with the kit really. Even then I only did it to be cautious, my Justice (which uses roughly the same frame) has the original piece in it and is just fine. And that all said: it just looks fabulous. Some panel lining along with some of the decals. Fantastic.