HG 1/144 Murasame Kai

This is the High Grade 1/144 Murasame Kai. :) This mobile suit comes to us from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, and is piloted by Mu La Flaga. An upgraded version of the Murasame. While the basic frame and weapons remain unchanged, the shape and transformation mechanism have been significantly updated. Like its predecessor, the Murasame Kai is capable of transforming into an aerodynamic mobile armor form that grants it excellent air combat performance. The Murasame Kai can carry more ordnance in mobile armor form via its hardpoints on the wings, improving its ranged bombing and cruising range capabilities.

I’ve always really digging the mobile suits that feature transformation gimmicks, which is why I couldn’t resist picking up this kit. And I have to say, it’s pretty cool! Unlike many kits in the Gundam SEED Freedom line, this kit uses very few stickers, and requires very little paint. Very similar to the HG 1/144 Z Gundam revive, this kit uses a parts docking system for the flight form transformation. Basically, parts are removed from the kit and placed onto a special base pieces that allows you to display the kit it’s flight form. One very important thing to take note of is that while it may look like this kit comes with duplicate parts, this is not the case. The duplicate parts are actually used specifically for the flight mode, so do not throw these away. Also, do not glue the chest panel, as it does need to be removed to be used for the flight mode. My best advice before you glue anything on this kit on this kit would be to look at the instructions before you start the build so you know what pieces need to be able to be removed.

Honestly, this is a really solid kit, and I found almost no issues with it. If I HAD to nitpick on something, it would be that the beam saber has a very annoying habit of popping off of the side skirt while you’re posing the kit. This is a pretty minor thing, though, since it pops right back on pretty easily.

All in all, this is definitely a really cool kit! I love the color scheme, I love sharp styling of it, and I definitely think it’s worth picking up. The build is fun, and even if you don’t add paint or panel lining, you’re still going to have a really great looking Gunpla.