When Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM was announced, I was already ready to accept the wave of SEED-related kits Bandai Spirits is expected to release. And while we did get a number of new kits, I always found it a missed opportunity that they capitalize the nostalgia and release modern versions of the old SEED High Grades. But it looks like we have one hidden in disguise with the reveal of the HGCE Duel Blitz Gundam along with the HGCE Lightning Buster Gundam, but I’m just interested with the former and I’ll explain why.
Now, I know very few international screenings have been held for the movie so what Bandai Spirits revealed are definitely spoilers. But I bet most of those checking out the upcoming kits knew them anyway. The Duel Blitz Gundam is the upgraded form of the Duel Gundam from SEED, now equipped with a Nuclear Jammer Canceller, and is compatible with the M.E.T.E.O.R. support unit.
The name comes from the fact that this variant of the Duel Gundam is equipped with weapons inspired by the Blitz Gundam. These include the rocket-propelled Gleipnir grappling claw on the left arm, and a couple of Lancer Darts on the right. These, along the other weapons, are mounted on the newly designed Assault Shroud armor.
The Gleipnir can be displayed as it’s being launched with the help of a dedicated stand and a bendable wire. Each shoulder armor also contains its own set of weapons. The left has missile launchers and a storage for a Beam Saber handle while the right has a flip out Beam Cannon. The armor parts also don’t seem to impede articulation, which is all thanks to the ‘SEED Action System’.
But much like the original, you can remove and purge all Assault Shroud armor parts from the Duel Blitz Gundam and you are left with a standard Duel Gundam. But which Duel Gundam exactly?
After some visual inspection, both from myself and a lot of folks online, the general consensus is that this is indeed the standard Duel Gundam. In-universe this is might be different thanks to the reactor upgrades and whatnot, but as a model kit, this is the Duel Gundam ‘revive’ kit many have been waiting for, and that includes yours truly.
Stripped down of its armor, the Duel Gundam has an even wider range of articulation thanks to the ‘SEED Action System’. The kit also comes with all the accessories of the original, except for the shield. I guess you can take one from the HGCE Aile Strike though there are no mounting ports on the forearms of this Duel Gundam. I can imagine another release of this guy with the original Assault Shroud armor that also comes with the original shield.
I mentioned in the RG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 post that I might be getting two copies of that kit, and it looks like it will be the same for this guy. One built as the Duel Blitz while the other as the standard Duel. I don’t think the same applies to the Lightning Buster Gundam as while the designs are similar, the kit definitely uses parts unique to the Lighning Buster. But I’m not interested in that kit so that’s okay.
HGCE 1/144 Duel Blitz Gundam
July 2024 / ¥2,700
Order via HobbyLink Japan
