I don’t ever buy 1/144 Gundam models because I always think to myself “just a little more and I can buy the 1/100 or another MG”. I also don’t like how they lack (reasonably) considerable amount of details for the most part… but I’ve been outdated though. My impressions of 1/144 scaled models were of that in 1999-2001 when all I could afford were 1/144s and they do sucked back then. Times changed and so have I. The 1/144 Exia (from Gundam 00) is the first 1/144 model I’ve bought in over 8 years.
Going through the runners and manual, I was expecting a lot of small parts to be lacking in details but was pleasantly surprised that most pieces are generally in the correct colors so there’s no need to paint. Only small spots (such as the face vents and other tiny areas) needed detailing but they are so minimal that not doing anything will still be more than okay for the model. multiple hands are included to hold the weapons and a single left-hand that is wide open (why no right hand?). Mono-color weapons (including the beam saber which is a solid white plastic toothpick) are to be expected and damn do they look bland… but it’s not so bad since it’s at least in its closest correct color. Clear orb parts are included for the body which made the kit look a bit more high quality. Lastly, there’s also quite a bit of foil stickers to put on (they’re mainly dark strips you place all over its limbs and inside the clear pieces).
Building the model is pretty easy with a psuedo-inner frame to it. The pieces are really small but that’s because they actually make up the correct color details of the Gundam. The structure of this 1/144 is truely deserving of the “HG” rank since it is like a miniature 1/100 in terms of pieces and construction methods. I could say there’s even some hint of MG design put into it like construction of the hip, sliding parts in the knees and shoulders. This kit was actually interesting to assemble.
The completed model moves like a dream. It can stand with no problems and it can pose in different range effortlessly. I actually went ahead and push its joint to the limit, twisting the arms and shoulders as far as I can, bending its knees into acute angles, and stretching its legs wide apart and amazingly… it still holds out! Only barely though because then it would be only supported by the edge of its feet and could easily tip over. This model poses just as well and maybe even better than most recent 1/100 Gundams and definitely a few notch better than older 1/100 and MGs that could only stand. Proportions are slender and not a bit bulky. As a matter of fact, this 1/144 is actually better looking and better proportioned than its 1/100 counterpart.
Problems with this model is that the GN daggers/blades stored on its hips can pop off easily if you try to be dynamic with adjusting the legs. The front ankle plate is also a bit easy to knock off. I can’t think of anything negative to say other than these two for the model. Other little annoyances are minor details such as the vents on the face and the “gap” between the white and red pieces of its feet. I corrected this by painting the vents with a yellow Gundam marker and painted the gap black. Easy Fix.
This is definitely a fun little kit to play around with and if you like Gundam Exia, then you should pick the 1/144 over the 1/100 because its bigger counterpart looks bland and weird with its not-as-sleek proportions.
Gundam Astraea Conversion
Fact: I never thought about buying the 1/144 Exia… and I actually bought its Astraea conversion parts first when I saw the Dengeki Hobby magazine at Kinokuniya. I was going to sell the Astraea parts on ebay since I know it’ll become rare but then seeing in the magazine, I was intrigued by Astraea’s design so I went ahead and bought the 1/144 Exia to convert it.
I didn’t like how Astraea’s v-fin is so tiny so I stuck Exia’s v-fin back on and it looks 10x better with the big “ears”. I was also disappointed that I have to remove the clear orbs on its arm and legs to put on some of Astraea’s parts so I only did half. The overall design are straightforward and simple and gives the model a cleaner look. I like that Exia’s cone-shaped “backpack” is swapped for a tri-something thingy (haha, don’t know what to call it) which looks better. No weapons included which sucked.
The Astraea grew on me so I kept Exia that way.
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July 12, 2008 at 1:58 PM
where did you get the beam for the beam saber
July 12, 2008 at 6:55 PM
It came with the HG 1/144 Exia. It’s originally a white toothpick until I painted it pink :)
July 16, 2008 at 11:13 AM
oh i just got this model but the wierd part is there are beams sabers and beam daggers but no beams
July 16, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Yea… that’s the thing with most HG 1/144… The beam saber is one piece and is a solid color. You’ll have to paint your beam saber.
August 14, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Hi,
I stumbled across this site, amazing reviews, I really enjoyed reading through. I happen to just get the Astraea conversion kit but unfortunately not the magazine. I had a request, will it be possible for you to put up scans of the instructions in the magazine for putting together the conversion (or email to me). I will appreciate it very very much. If it’s not possible, that’s ok too. Thanks!
August 14, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Hey! Thanks for dropping by ^^
Yea… I’ll see what I can do for you about the instructions later tonight.
UPDATE: Romi, I’ve put up the scans from my magazine. They’re the last two images on this page. It’s a bit blurry towards the edge but they’re insignificant and you can probably still figure stuff out. It’s easy. Have fun!
August 14, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Hi Z,thanks for the scans (and ultra-fast response)!! Much appreciated. I will probably start working on it over weekend.
October 4, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Does HG Exia need some colorings?
November 10, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Only some. It looks fine without painting still.
December 17, 2008 at 11:36 PM
how did you draw a line on your exia ? i think it’s very difficult to draw a line on 1/144 scale gundam. since it’s smaller than 1/100 scale or MG..you’ve done well!!!
April 30, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Damn, this looks downright beautiful. May buy, but deliberating between this and MG Sword Impulse
May 22, 2009 at 2:53 AM
Z said = “Problems with this model is that the GN daggers/blades stored on its hips can pop off easily if you try to be dynamic with adjusting the legs. The front ankle plate is also a bit easy to knock off”
Agree, the same experience I had wit my 1/144 Exia – but other than this, everything is PERFECT for a HG kits… due to my frustration, I end up “Super Glue” that hips part – so basically it wont fall down anymore but I cannot use the other hips cover… I can live with that…
Those days, I was so disappointed when I got 1/144 HG Aile Strike… I expect a lot maybe…
So when I first get 1/144 Exia – I was hoping that at least as a main hero MS, it should be better – and yes the technology within BANDAI have make this possible and I would say now, this Exia is certainly a great 1/144 HG kits from BANDAI…
By the way, thanks to your advice Z, I will now abandon my “wishlist” to buy 1/100 HG Exia… maybe I better off waiting for the MG kit which will be released soon. I guess I can trust your opinion on that – the same as I believe that you are correct about MG Sazabi and HGUC Sazabi.
Look forward for your advise on the 1/100 HG 00 Gundam and maybe the Raiser set as well…
Cheers
July 27, 2009 at 11:11 PM
dude……i wan the 1/144 astraea gundam parts..
do u wan 2 sell
July 27, 2009 at 11:40 PM
negative. I prefer to keep the models I built ^^
January 5, 2010 at 7:42 PM
yeah, my uncle ended up getting me this kit for my birthday in 08. it’s pretty cool actually, it’s pretty articulate, although the damn short/long swords on the waist tend to hinder some leg movement when they’re, um… on the waist!
it’s been on my desk posed the way it is on the manual art, you know, the one where he has the blade on his right arm pointing and his shield arm is cocked back with an open left hand. yeah that one.
January 5, 2010 at 7:44 PM
whoops! i completely neglected the cheek vents until i reread the review! i have to do that tomorrow!
oh, i just ended up painting the shield white with a gundam marker, hate 1/144 stickers [other than the eyes of course] -_-
January 30, 2010 at 4:24 AM
HG Exia looks kind of great there. Hope Bandai will rework their older HG 1/144 models to current specs.
P.S. Esp. HG Wing Zero Custom… XD
January 31, 2010 at 6:09 PM
what is the number (like 12th or 5th)
where can i bought in hong kong these days
reply me in e-mail .
February 4, 2010 at 6:22 PM
I was going through the HG reviews looking for your 1/144 reviews to read any take you had on 1/144-scaled Gunpla, Z, and the bit at the beginning of this review is something I can relate to, especially after having built the 1/144 Turn A Gundam in late-January and posting my review/two cents on it not long ago.
But after looking at Dalong’s website to get a hint of my next model’s appearance after assembly, unless I want to suddenly get crazy about panel lines, I’m feeling a bit thankful that I don’t have to add much of any details that were lacking (which are mainly color scheme-based). In fact, I think it may be true for all of my remaining yet-to-be-built Gunpla (all 1/144-scaled, all in the HGUC lineup), with a possible exception of one, but minorly so.
But as I had to add some detail to my most modern 1/144 model (HGUC Gundam Physalis Type-MLRS), I’m used to having to do that, so it doesn’t trouble me quite so much… Well, unless the detail involves the color white and/or paint.
February 27, 2010 at 8:59 AM
i heard at april, bandai will release 1/144 astraea type F
it’s true??
February 27, 2010 at 9:14 PM
yep