Given Bandai’s love for recoloring and doing the most minor of tweaks to release the same kit over and over again, this RD begs the question:
Where’s the MG Crossbone Gundam X-2 and X-3? You think Bandai would’ve released them by now given just how little retooling and adjustment they need to make to release them (mostly the heads and chest, and add a shot lancer for the X-2). Not that I really wanted the other two but I’m just saying…
Images from Ngee Khiong.
On a semi-related note, there’s a recolor that I had in mind that if Bandai ever comes out with it, I’ll lose a great deal of respect for them. I joked to myself about it from time to time… Strike Rouge Ver. Kira Yamato color… those who watched SEED Destiny should know what I’m talking about XD. It’s a bit of a far stretch but judging at how Bandai rehashes stuff nowadays, I wouldn’t put it pass them (if they’re that desperate).
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January 30, 2010 at 11:43 AM
God those RD figures look hideous. Also please not Bandai do a MG of that Strike Rouge. 1/100 maybe.
January 30, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Well, if you’re basing your comments on the pictures here of an unfinished RD figure, then why not take a look at the others (finished or otherwise) to make a judgement? If you have and you’re making a sweeping judgement, then why? I’m just curious, since I don’t think they’re that bad.
They may not be GFFs in terms of detail, but from what I read (as I don’t have one, but it seems to be the consensus), articulation and durability makes up for it.
January 30, 2010 at 2:14 PM
Oh sorry I thought these were finished. I did look at a RD figure today at the anime store. Man they are tiny. Seriously $45 bucks for a HG action figure.
January 31, 2010 at 10:31 AM
What specific figure did you see? I’ve just checked some pages of RD figures on HLJ, and according to that, prices tend to vary (I believe the amount of gizmos is a factor)…
http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN957305
This Robot Damashii figure of Turn A Gundam (which I’d like to get some day) costs about $33, as does Turn X. Prices tend to fluctuate around RD figures (and after having browsed HLJ, I believe some things like size, amount of gizmos, production, things like that, are factors); The Unicorn Gundam (in normal mode) is a bit cheaper at $31, while the upcoming Destroy Mode version of Unicorn Gundam will be $7 more expensive. Earlier RD–like some 00 ones–will fall short of $30 (though a rather large early RD came at about $75).
There’s also the possibility that the store you mentioned tends to charge more on things. I have the Wing Gundam GFF figure (Z has too), which at HLJ, is around $38. Around the time I got it, it was around $5 or $6 less expensive, while a state-side store that had imported it was around $10 more expensive (and the 1/100 MG version that was sold out at the same store was less expensive, while the prices of both then and now at HLJ are about the same).
January 30, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Oh, MG Crossbone X-2 would be totally awesome, especially for that that unique V-fin it has. But you’re right, its taking them way too long to do the relatively simple recolor and add a new weapon and minor modifications to the head.
I guess the MG Astray line has more chances to get milked just starting by all the recolors they can do lol.
January 30, 2010 at 10:47 PM
Not just the MG line… they are milking the hell out of the 1/100 frame as well!
January 30, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Strike Rouge ver Kira Yamato? That’s awesome :D. Basically Strike with Rouge’s shield thrown in. I wonder if they’ll make that boaster thing they gave it.
Nah.
January 30, 2010 at 5:42 PM
High chance to get conversion parts for X-2 & X-3 instead of waiting Bandai’s “evil-mevil” milking scheme on releasing this kit.
January 30, 2010 at 6:25 PM
Actually…those with the Strike and Rouge could make the Strike Rouge ver. Kira colours…like you did in your Impulse vs. Strike comic.
I don’t really think Bandai would be so desprate as to release a Rouge Kira colours…I mean they already released the Aile Strike, Launcher + Sword Strike, Strike Rouge, Aile Strike + Bazooka, clear edition Strike Rouge, and Strike + IWSP. Correct me if I missed anything. (Noir’s don’t count)
Could care less about Gundam RD figures, for now my goal is to get at least ONE Knightmare Frame RD…but they’re so damn expensive!! I mean the Gawain sells for over $100 at some places!
January 30, 2010 at 10:42 PM
Bandai will find a way to milk the Strike model… oh yes they will! And isn’t the RD the only Gawain iteration in material form?
January 30, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Just imagine it… a MG Strike V2.0… >_>
*runs*
January 31, 2010 at 10:04 AM
then again, seeing as they made the Aile Strike and added a Bazooka that it only used in like, two episodes of the series and made it into a new model…yeah, they’re gonna find some way to milk it again, probably a Strike 2.0 like rndm said…
And yes, the only known model/figure of Gawain is the RD…but so is the Lancelot Alibion, Guren SEITEN, Tristan, Tristan Divider, Galahad, and all those other grunt Knightmares like Sutherlands and Glasgows. Which just brings me to the question of why Bandai didn’t make models out of them…I mean RD’s making big money with their figures, and Bandai’s only got, what, 5 Knightmare Frame models?
January 31, 2010 at 9:20 PM
MG Strike? I guess possibly Gale Strike from VS Astray has a chance…
January 30, 2010 at 6:34 PM
why bandai seems to be more focused on RD with that many side??
i really shocked when i see vf-25 messiah with that perfect articulation T_T
why didn’t they just improve the plamo ver??
and V2!!!!!
January 30, 2010 at 10:43 PM
cheap labor/materials + high markup = PROFIT! from RD stuff.
January 31, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Would you think it’s worth it after seeing the latest images of the V2 Assault Buster Gundam?
http://ngeekhiong.blogspot.com/2010/01/robot-damashii-v2-assault-buster-gundam.html
:)
January 31, 2010 at 7:50 PM
RD?? absolutely not in my plan…
but MG, i’ll think bout it again ^^;
February 1, 2010 at 12:49 PM
nah… definitely not for ~$60. That’s the price for the MG Red Frame right there! I’ll happily take the figure in its gray prototype form though…
February 1, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Well, you can always buy gray paint, dump the entire figure in there, and you’d get a similar (if not same) result… :)
Just curious; what holds your interest of the MG Red Frame (IForgotTheExtendedTitleThatIndicatesMoreFeaturesThanNormalRedFrame) over the RD V2 Assault Buster Gundam?
February 1, 2010 at 7:27 PM
whoa! so, MG V2 is already in lineup?? when?
January 31, 2010 at 7:46 PM
yeah, it’s all about profit ^^;
January 30, 2010 at 6:46 PM
bad coloring, >..<
January 30, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Ahh Geez…. It’s just like how it takes a whole year to recolour RX-78-2 into RX-78-3…
Bandai’s gotten pretty lame these days….What’s with all the clear colour MGs coming out…
Not like they have anything other than novelty.
A clear colour kit is ugly unless it’s like all clear glass armour plating on dark inner frame IMO
Revoltech/HCM Pro > Robot Daimashi any day…
January 30, 2010 at 10:46 PM
Yea I hate colored clear parts…. but I do LOVE that smoke clear RX-78-2!
January 31, 2010 at 2:00 PM
I KNOW!!
I want that kit so bad….like drooling over it seeing the pictures…jk
February 1, 2010 at 6:38 AM
It is cool indeed.^^
January 30, 2010 at 11:17 PM
I’m guessing it’s mostly to repromote older kits.
January 30, 2010 at 7:42 PM
i would love to get a X-2.
January 30, 2010 at 7:46 PM
LOL that’d be extreme laziness on their part.
And the only other MG Astray I want Bandai to pump out is the Gold Frame Amatu
…what? I can dream right?
January 30, 2010 at 10:40 PM
It’s hard to tell just how Bandai’s marketing decides what should be released. Maybe the “easy recolor” isn’t as easy as we think with anything that’s not Astray or OYW. Right now we have Unicorn Gundams in 4 different lines (HCM, RD, HGUC, MG) and not a single Banshee in sight. And Unicorn’s the in thing right now.
Like I always say. In this hobby patience is a virtue. Was anyone expecting Victory Gundams six months ago? I always dreamed of a Revoltech Grendizer but never expected Kaiyado to deliver one so soon.
January 31, 2010 at 12:05 AM
lol id love a ver. yamato of the strike rouge! haha that’d be too funny
January 31, 2010 at 12:21 AM
I guess I can now throw in an explanation for those who haven’t seen SEED Destiny… *SPOILERS ALERT*
After Freedom got destroyed by Shinn, Kira took the Strike Rouge up to space to save Lacus… but not before he reprogrammed its phase shift to the original Strike color scheme. Basically, a MG Strike Rouge Ver. Kira color is essentially a MG Aile Strike Gundam renamed to Strike Rouge. Absolutely No need for recolor nor tweaks!
January 31, 2010 at 1:52 AM
Actually, there is… They just have to swap the eye stickers from yellow to green ( Strike Rouge’s is green, Strike’s yellow ) and yeah, the shield… If this version ever comes out, I think even 7-11 Gundam will outsell it… XD
January 31, 2010 at 2:05 PM
Yo kid don’t diss the 7-11 Gundam okay? It was a nice piece of crap just for the sake of 7-11 okay? So you don’t make fun of it ’cause I have one sitting on my display case ready to collect dust. >=[
January 31, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Except they add another reason to make people buy -the space entry rocket booster, and maybe the price + 3000yen =not worth it… xD (depends, the whole unit may be big enough as the G-Armor)
February 1, 2010 at 1:29 AM
actually, the 7-11 gundam is quite popular at japan…or so i heard…
January 31, 2010 at 2:06 AM
To be honest, I would BUY a recolored ver of S. rouge. Speaking of RD,wonder if they will make a Heavy Arms custom. the Msia ver was…a big disappointment, the gun is Green, how wrong is that.
January 31, 2010 at 4:16 AM
haha. i know what you meant z. but i think its stupid for bandai to do that recolor
January 31, 2010 at 7:50 AM
I’m hoping Bandai would at least upgrade the joints a bit if they were to release X2 or 3. The hand pegs should be modified to hold the weapons better too.
I don’t mind seeing a recolor, but not a new MS MG based on an older MG technologies.
February 1, 2010 at 7:56 PM
I would love to have all Strike (Aile/Sword/Launcher/Rouge and maybe IWSP) in Robot Damashii series…. if Bandai produce it… that will be hot items I think…. at the end, most of the Strike Gundam fans will buy it, for Bandai it’s is all about a simple recoloring and make the few different backpack (striker pack) and at the end Bandai will still be the happiest party as Strike can be sold without much marketing effort…. maybe someday Bandai will make a statue of Strike or Kira Yamato as this is the most profitable model for modern generation Gundam…. hahahahaha
Anybody else want Strike in RD series?
February 3, 2010 at 12:37 AM
maybe only if it is based on the Evolve Strike.. aka the PG Strike >_>
… wait what?! there’s no RD Strike yet?! wow…
February 3, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Z, yup – unfortunately no Strike yet in RD line… but they did make the expensive one in GFFN line (Aile Strike) – even worst, the Strike Rouge, they make the GFFN as something limited and comes with the Launcher and Sword pack….. how cruel is that? I will surely buy that if they make it available from normal online shop like HLJ and so on…. but they didn’t…. you can now get it from E-Bay with “super friendly” price….
February 2, 2010 at 12:00 AM
I saw HCM Pro Destroy for just $55. Might be worth picking one up for CNY… xD
February 2, 2010 at 10:24 PM
How I wish there’s MG Turn-X (not GN-X) or DX….
February 3, 2010 at 12:10 AM
For some reasons I am starting to read fewer of the comments from Gundam news blogs these days; people seem to complain or whine about anything at whatever Bandai gives out, be they some new stuff or recoloured / rehash stuff.
And moreover some people jump into conclusions a bit too early, and start throwing comments on things like this Crossbone X-3 for example when it’s not the final sample.
Since Bandai is known for rehashing previous items and/or with the recolouring, this “milking” strategy is not exactly a new thing anymore. Besides, as Ngee Khiong has once said, it’s your wallet and your decision to buy whatever you want. If people like the recoloured or variants of a particular something then they will buy it, and it’s just the way it is.
As for the Robot Damashii, it appears that they are releasing quite a few things that have not been in recent gunpla yet for the Gundam side of the line, like the limited Advanced GN-X, Turn-X, and possibly the upcoming GM which is speculated to be the GM Sniper II. Well I am glad that they are releasing 00 Gundam 7S/G to 1/144, despite people ranting that they want a MG by now. The 1/144 version of 00 Gundam is actually quite a good model; I built it twice and I am quite satisfied with it so far (one 00 Gundam for my sister’s friend, one 00 Raiser + GN Sword III for myself). And oh yes Cheridum SAGA (aka Seven Gun) is going to be on RD line as well. Well of these things what I do hope gets into gunpla are the Advanced GN-X and quite possibly the GM Sniper II as well.
On the other hand, the Full Metal Panic section of Robot Damashii is quite popular afaik, well at least with the Hong Kong forum I have lurked in recently (ToysDaily forum). Quite like the mecha designs but I am at a shame to say that I haven’t watched the series yet.
February 3, 2010 at 12:33 AM
I like your comment # Q… 23456 xD
I don’t really read other people’s comments regarding product releases but i do bash Bandai from time to time for cheap rehashes simply for the fact i think they could’ve put the R&D money into something else that should’ve been released who knows how long ago… but hey, it’s just one opinion from me ^^; But yes, i also give them credit for releasing “out there” stuff like MG GN-X and Cherudim SAGA (wow).
And I’m surprised you haven’t watched Full Metal Panic… I mean, given the other animes and military hobbies you like I thought it was a given. I’ve had my eyes set on that Bonta-kun figure!
February 3, 2010 at 2:47 AM
FMP actually has pretty good mecha designs, but i watch it not for the mecha factor, but the laugh factor… XD When it comes to laugh factor, Zero no Tsukaima series is the best. But, be sure that you are ready before you watch that series. Is robot damashii taking over the MSIA line? I don’t hear about it anymore…
February 3, 2010 at 11:31 PM
EXkurogane.. yes you’re right, MSIA and MSIA Ext. is discontinued by Bandai…
In fact MSIA was not that great if you compared to the Robot Damashii – especially the size…. I do have both MSIA and MSIA Ext.
Soon I guess GFFN will take over the normal (and lousy GFF) but Bandai will sure maintain the GFF MC.
February 4, 2010 at 4:02 PM
as if the regular GFF line is not expensive enough already. Comes to think of it, there haven’t been a GFF release in awhile…
February 5, 2010 at 5:40 PM
i think GFF is a master grade version of RD ^^;
February 6, 2010 at 12:09 AM
I would guess in detail, but not in articulation, and probably not in durability. Yeah, I don’t have one yet, but from photos and reports from others I’ve seen, that’s the impression I get from the best way of comparison I can do.
Given recent reports from Ngee Khiong, though, I have a pretty good incentive to build up my figure collection before models (though not currently, since the following aren’t released yet). While most people are going bonkers over the GM Sniper II, I’m reacting similarly when I see the WaDs, Kapools, and Borjarnons (TAG’s Zaku IIs with minor differences in color scheme and design that don’t make much of a difference). Nice that, for once, TAG is getting some love beyond the two most prominent MSs. :)
February 3, 2010 at 4:38 PM
I want the Laevatein….
it’s probably gonne be my first RD, maybe my only RD, I like mostly hands-on building kits.
You know, it feels good to enjoy the process of building the Mecha, and when it’s finished you get something you put your heart and soul into…
you feel closer to your kit that way.
any way Z, when you brandish your Xacto knife when you’re cutting nubs, try to yell out “WILL KNIFE!”
Doing that somehow gets me going
February 4, 2010 at 4:01 PM
I’ll most likely cut the actual piece in half or somethign if I do that xD