While everyone is still waiting for Premium Bandai to announce a Gundam Lfrith Pre-Production Model from The Witch from Mercury “PROLOGUE” special, the second Gundam to appear in the side-story manga Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury: Vanadis Heart has been announced as a Premium Bandai exclusive, and I’m not getting one. That’s not saying the kit, or the design is bad, but it feels good to pass up on these online exclusive kits, especially if they sold out in a fraction of a second on the official site.
Despite the Katakana reading as “Anocta,” this Gundam is called Gundam Lfrith Anavata, and is yet another derivative of the original Lfrith appearing in Vanadis Heart. Compared to the Lfrith Jiu, the design of Lfrith Anavata is much closer to how the original looked and is, apparently, a more combat-oriented mobile suit.
Like I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I’m not a fan of the design and would definitely pass up on this kit, but fans of the original Lfrith will probably pick this one up. I can see a good number of parts, particularly in the legs and the arms are lifted from the Lfrith while the torso, feet, shoulders, and head are original (to an extent).
And they’re not joking when describing this mobile suit as combat-oriented with the twin back-mounted beam guns and the two “Narukami” swords on the arm-mounted shield.
Being a Gundam Lfrith derivative, the Lfrith Anavata also has shell units on the chest and shoulders, though they’re just stickers covered by clear parts. You do have the option of using alternate stickers for the deactivated shell units.
As mentioned, the Lfrith Anavata’s signature weapons are the pair of Narukami swords/blades mounted on its shield. If their sharp blades are not enough, these swords can also be charged for a more dangerous attack. You are getting a couple of effect parts to replicate the charged state of these swords. In addition, electric discharge effect parts are included to replicate the Lfrith Anavata throwing the sword in its charged state. Lastly, a similarly colored stand is also included to replicate the sword-throwing pose.
Again, and not to undersell this kit or the design, but it’s not for me and I’ll gladly pass up the pre-order. But for those who do, either be ready to jump at your official Premium Bandai online site or wait until the kit appears in the aftermarket.
HG 1/144 Gundam Lfrith Anavata
December 2023 / ¥1,900
Premium Bandai Exclusive
