Editor's Review] Beginners and experienced modelers alike are sure to be satisfied with the ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Nu Gundam! The plastic model "ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Nu Gundam" is no joke!

Are you enjoying your Golden Week? Let's make the most of this year's Golden Week with Gundam plastic models!

So, this time, Editor A challenged the latest Gundam Model Kits "ENTRY GRADE 1/144 ν Gundam". I would like to review it.

ENTRY GRADE" is an introductory kit series with the catchphrase, "The next generation of first Gunpla. Up until now, the "Gundam" and "Strike Gundam" mobile suits representing the 20th and 21st centuries have been commercialized, and the third kit is the "ν Gundam," which was voted number one in NHK's "All Gundam Poll!

You can find out how this popular mobile suit was made into a kit in "ENTRY GRADE" at ....... Let's take a look!

First of all, let's assemble it!

First, let's start with the package. The design is nice and simple, with the Nu Gundam standing tall with the runner in the background.

Now let's open the package!

There are 5 runners.

The parts are arranged according to the parts to be assembled, so you can say that this kit is very easy to assemble.

The key point is the "touch gate specification" that allows parts to be cut off from the runner by hand without using nippers.

Thus, the contact points between the runners and parts are miniscule!

However, since the touch gate is also used for thin parts, forcibly twisting the parts may cause them to break, so if you are concerned, it is safer to use nippers to remove the parts. Also, if you cut out the parts by hand, you may be left with gate marks (runner marks left on the parts), so in such cases, you can trim them with a knife or paper for a clean finish.

Another point is the head part!

The head is molded as a single piece, so there are no joints between parts.

This specification was also used in the "HGUC" version. The "ENTRY GRADE" version has also incorporated the good points of the past kits.

Now, let's try to assemble it straight away!

It took about 30 minutes so far. Just by cutting out the parts by hand and assembling straight away, a Nu Gundam of this high quality can be completed!
The coloring is almost perfect, using only molded colors. The color-coding of the "V" mark on the waist, the yellow toes, and other details are especially impressive.
As expected of "ENTRY GRADE", it is no joke!

First, a close-up of the head area. The black area around the green eyes has been reproduced by making use of the shadows created by the bumps in the parts, just as on previous "ENTRY GRADE" models. The black around the eyes can be reproduced without painting colors. I think this structure is the greatest invention in the history of Gunpla!

The slit in the skirt part is open. This allows the slit area to look black without painting, etc., and gives a sense of the depth of the part.

If you forcefully look into the figure from the bottom, you can see the parts around the waist, but this is hardly noticeable when the figure is displayed in a normal way.

Vernier parts of the arms. The white armored vernier part is open, exposing the frame underneath to reproduce the depth and color of the vernier interior. Including the slit in the skirt, the design that makes use of the opening of the parts is a point unique to the "ENTRY GRADE" version.

The arms are movable like this. The arms can be raised straight up, and can also be angled horizontally.

Both shoulders can be pulled forward.

The elbows are movable on one axis. It can be bent quite deeply.

The waist has a two-stage structure that allows the figure to bend down or tilt over at a very deep angle.

The neck can also be raised and lowered quite widely.

Next, let's look at the legs.

Forward, the legs can be raised almost 90 degrees. Backward, they can hardly be moved due to the rear skirt.

The knees are movable on two axes and can be bent quite boldly.

The ankles can be moved back and forth in a fairly large range of motion.

Lateral movement is also excellent, and even when the legs are spread wide, they are firmly grounded.

The crotch parts are as shown here. The combination of ball joints and movable axes allow for quite a bit of freedom of movement.

Also, the left and right skirts are connected by an axis, so they move together.

The soles of the feet are like this.

There are some holes in the legs, but the detail is quite well reproduced. The vernier is also well sculpted.

Weapons included are a shield and a beam rifle. The white part of the beam rifle has a monaka structure. The shield has an open slit to expose the gray parts on the back side to reproduce the coloring as in the setting.

The back of the shield looks like this. The missiles and beam gun are integrated as expected, but the back side is also well detailed, giving a perfect sense of density.

Now let's put the weapon in its hand!

Wow, it looks so cool!

It's a great time to be in the age of ...... to be able to build something this good for such a reasonable price and assembly.

However, since we're here, I'd like to make a little modification to this to make it an even cooler nu Gundam!

A little inked and a little modification will make it one rank up!

The "ENTRY GRADE 1/144 ν Gundam" looks perfectly fine assembled as is, but I'd like to modify it a little more.

First of all, the basics of Gunpla processing! First of all, the basic of Gunpla processing!

This time, I used "GSI Creos Gundam Marker for Sumi Inlay Black".

Shield is like this! I also applied foil stickers.

Here is a comparison of before and after inked.

The slits on the face and chest are much tighter now.

Gundam Marker for Smudge Injection can be wiped off with a fingertip or tissue immediately after application, so it is recommended for beginner modelers!
Also, as is familiar with Gunpla, the tip of the head antenna was thickened for safety reasons. The extra tip was cut off to make it thinner, giving the head antenna a more edgy look.

The inside of the vernier of the leg parts was also painted black to give it more depth.

This alone is a very effective processing.

Next, the front skirt is divided.

Before inserting it between the waist parts, let's split the shaft connecting the left and right sides of the front skirt in the middle. It is between the thick part. Note that if you cut off the thick part, the skirt will not be fixed!
Now the left and right skirts will be movable independently, allowing you to put them in cooler poses.

This is an image of her in a fight with Sotheby's. It would look a little awkward if both skirts were raised here. If you want to have her take action poses like this, please try skirt splitting.

Another point to note is that the "ENTRY GRADE 1/144 ν Gundam" can also be equipped with the "HGUC" version of the ν Gundam.

Here are the New Hyper Bazooka and Fin Funnel from the "HGUC" version of the ν Gundam. If you attach them to the "ENTRY GRADE 1/144 ν Gundam", you can see the result at ......

This is what it looks like!

I can't get enough of it! It's so cool!

By the way, the New Hyper Bazooka could not be held in the hands because the size of the holes in the hand parts do not match. However, just by carrying it on your back, the power of it is very different.

The handle of the beam saber mounted on the backpack can also be held in the hand. Of course, the beam saber effect of the "HGUC" version can be attached (Editor A was unable to take a picture of the effect because he had lost his personal one. ...... Our apologies).

Now, let's try some poses.