MG Aile Strike Gundam Ver. RM

Wanna kick 2014 off to a nice start, so here’s the year’s first review: my personal favorite mobile suit in its latest incarnation.

Ever since Duel’s first prototype rolled out, I’ve been waiting for my remastered Strike. Needless to say, much a pleasurable ‘plagasm was experienced at this kit’s first announcement.

As the other G Machines slowly rolled out in all their advanced Master Grade glory, some were complaining about Strike not getting an upgrade, while others were defending the original kit, saying it didn’t require one. No matter how you slice it though, the old MG just didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the remastered G Machines, and I suppose Bandai finally heard my unspoken prayer.

Every bit as beautiful as I’d hoped it’d be. What a gorgeous-looking model. (Not in any way biased because I just like the design itself and the suit or anything).

As I mentioned above, the Duel pretty much kicked off the revitalization of the G Machines in MG form, and Bandai sure as heck kicked ass with that kit’s proportions, articulation, new gimmicks…the like. I’m so glad to see the very same given to Strike in all its glory.

Given that I don’t own the original MG Strike any longer, I’ll try to avoid lividly comparing this kit to that one over the course of this review, but forgive me if I slip on a few instances. They are, after all, different model kits of the same mobile suit.

Gotta say that redesigned head is hands down the deal-maker for this kit. It’s so gorgeous I can’t even.

Naturally I used no stickers on this kit, opting to paint the eyes gold instead, along with clear blue paint for the light-piping in the upper head cameras.

As you would expect from such a basic suit design utilizing the greatly acclaimed (at least by yours truly) X-Frame unique to the SEED G Machines, articulation is vast and effortless.

Without any cumbersome backpack (at least not yet) or fancy, bulky armor, Strike is extremely free in its range of movement. The limbs can bend and stretch in just about any direction you desire, the knee and elbow joints being particularly impressive.

See: effortless uppercut kick on one leg.

Strike also still utilizes the usual finger-swapping system for its hands, shared by the rest of its sibling kits.

Still think it’s a really annoying system, making me dig out a new set of fingers every time I want Strike to hold a different weapon, but at least with some of the newer UC Master Grades we’re getting articulated fingers again.

Always loved Strike’s cockpit.

Yeah, that sounds extremely weird, but leave me alone I’m just a Strike fanboy. I legit think it’s the coolest one among the opening G-Machine cockpits (of which I’ve all taken pictures of).

Time for some signature weapon action: Armor Schneiders deployed.

Stored in the side-skirts, which don’t really have a tab to open up with. You kinda push down on the bottom of the skirt storage compartment to pop ’em out.

Like almost any other iterations of the Strike (even the Perfect Grade) the actual knives themselves come in all gray. I went ahead and used silver Sharpie to bring mine out more. Also sanded the blades a bit to make them somewhat more lethal.

The knives do, of course, fold, and Strike wields them easily, but that’s a given considering their size.

These do ironically prove to be one of the suit’s most lethal and deadly weapons in-series. Just ask Yzak or Waltfield.

Just some silliness to show how crazy Strike’s articulation and stability are. But this is only when it doesn’t have the rear end of a plane tacked onto its back.

Aile Striker ON.

The addition of the Aile Striker really flushes out the Strike to a fully equipped mobile suit. As usual, it simply slots into the rectangular hole on the Strike’s back, nothing fancy.

The lower thrusters are on ball joints and have a pretty wide range of movement, while the upper wings are on hinge joints.

The Aile Pack itself isn’t really anything fancy (it never has been) but Bandai obviously tries to beat this usual denotation with some added fanciness we’ve never seen before.

You get some pretty insane detailing within the thrusters of the Aile Pack; all four of ’em. I took the liberty to add some gold and silver to mine to bring out the detail a bit more, but there’s a lot more I failed to highlight. Overall the mold is pretty mind-blowing and looks incredible up close.

Some flexible wing plates are also added, to create the effect where planes have the panels that move up and down to adjust air flow or whatever…nice subtle gimmick.

And of course, the wings can fold down for standby mode.

This is really only used when Strike is crouched in the catapult of the Archangel getting ready to launch.

Given, Bandai does provide you with the opportunity to recreate said scene with a giant action base replicating the launch pad of the Archangel, I didn’t bother building it. Not only do I already have the original that came with the first MG Strike, that base doesn’t really serve as much more than a giant dust magnet.

Starting with the basics: beam rifle and shield.

The beam rifle isn’t anything special; nice detailed, gray exterior with a clear piece for the scope. I used some clear blue paint on mine.

The shield is also just about the exact same thing you get with the Duel. Nothing special about it, but I do like the design.

The beam rifle also does have a second handle that can be swung around for some precise targeting action. Strike has no problem getting its arms around it.

The only real weapons the Aile Striker actually provides…

Time for some saber action.

A more elegant weapon for a more civilized age…

Oh wait, wrong franchise.

Never really Kira’s style as I remember, but two sabers are always better than one. Right, Asemu?

Strike’s playability is one of its greatest assets. The dynamic posing ability has been ramped up ten-fold from its predecessor kit.

Overall I think you get the vibe I have for this kit – I love it. Almost everything about it.

Gotta hand it to Bandai for the new aesthetics and frame; I can’t imagine anything better short of the Perfect Grade. (And I’m certain even this kit would give that hulking, wallet-ruining monster a run for its money) Details, articulation, build, and accessories are all spot-on.

PHASE 30: Flashing Blades

KKKIIIIRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! 

*pew pew pew*

You called, baby?

FOR NIIICOOOLLLLLL…!!!!!

*clang*

ASSRUNN!!!

COME ON!!

RRRAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!

Too slow!

Say hello to G-Saviour in the afterlife for me!

WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?!

A whiny little kid who can’t get over the death of his butt-buddy!

KKIIIIRRRRRAAAAAAA!!!

I’LL DESTROY YOU!!

HOW COULD YOU DO IT KIRA…?!

YOU MURDERED NICOL!!!

KIRA!

TOLLE NO STAY BACK!!

FEEL MY SORROW!

*swoosh*

*crunch*

TOLLE!!

. . . .

>:]

ASSRUUUNNNNN!!

RAWWRR!

HYAAHHH!

STRIKE KIICCCKKKK!!!

UGH!

I’m gonna…

…KILL YOU!

HYAAHH!

Prepare to get killed until you die!

Except I don’t die when I am killed!

Your plot armor can’t save you this time!!

C’MERE BABY!

ITADAKIMASU!!

…!!!

DAMMIT! ASSRUN YOU KISAMA!!

BANZAI!!