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Bandai RG Strike Freedom - Review

I honestly can't remember the last time I had my hands cleaning nubs. Model kits. Mentioning it shrieks fear. It stomps horror thinking how pain in the ass it has become to build plamo.

I remember though, how passionate I was diligently cleaning each nub marks, painting, detailing every inch and corner of my romance. Craving another kit after spending hours, heck, even days burning my hungry GunPla heart to its content. And then it stopped. Burnout I guess? Still, I do have a soft spot for mechs and I did not stop loving the franchise. A shift from kits to figures was the medicine of my ailing hobby. With the solidity and articulation Robot Damashii has provided made me less interested in building.

So.... What got me into model kits again? Exciting releases such as the one being reviewed, the announced Real Grade Exia, and some other 1/144's HG & RG's I haven't got my hands on (Zeta, RX-178), and a a bit of inspiration coming from unexpected gifts *grin* <3. Who am I kidding?! Figures ain't as cheap as kits. My collection did balloon a little but obviously not my savings. LOL.

Back to basics. Surprised at how eager I was with this kit brought joy to my weary GunPla heart. Renewed vigour! Ooooohhh!!! Who am I kidding again?! Efforts that was put into the kit is not even half of what I did back then. But that must be the answer to my woes. Working on the kit instead of having fun with the hobby was the reason I had a burnout. Now, I had fun. Onto the review........ STRIKE FREEDOM!

No top coat, no sanding, nub marks removed with just a hobby knife (and dabbing weather marker - works like a charm) sped up the process of building. Added the fun factor and less stress too! 360:





Looking good! I love how the clear stickers on RG's works very well


Past


Future


Pew pew pew pew pew pew






and more PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW >> beam spam




Badass



PPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWW





Rail guns! Nifty :D




My weapon of choice - swords





Messed up the sticker on the shield. Argh an eyesore








Ike!!! Funneeee.....! Err.... Dragoons!!!!!!!!


Family portrait



Pros:
Most stable RG I ever built
Gimmicky wings
Action Base connector now compatible with AB1
Fun build!

Cons:
Back heavy
Ground poses are impossible with the wings attached
As with RG Freedom, joint on arms fell of quick. RG RX-78-2 is a year older but as stiff as a rock
Most stable RG I own but still has stability issues
Shoulder armor kept poppin

Bandai has improved a lot since the first release of Real Grade line with the existing problems such as stability. I glued and reinforced the joints just to make the photography session at least bearable but still not as bad when I had RX-78-2 and Char Zaku. A must have for Real Grade fans. Hopefully more kits in the future for me! :)
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