The influx of Chinese-made model kits, whether mecha-musume or actual mecha is still going strong. And while some of them are direct derivatives, there’s an increasing number of Gundam-inspired kits with designs that can be looked as their own. Earlier this year, SNAA started their own Real Grade-esque line called Beyond Exquisite (or BE) featuring designs from The Round Table Knights. Not sure if there’s an actual fiction behind this but at least there’s some connecting narrative. Their first release was the BE 1/144 Thunder Incise Grace, which is clearly inspired by Gundam Asmoday but not exactly the same. I have a copy of the kit and while I haven’t built mine, I’ve heard great things about it so I’m definitely looking forward to building mine.
Recently, SNAA has been teasing a follow up to continue The Round Table Knights lineup and they have finally revealed the next kit, the BE 1/144 Gods Guardian Gawain. At first glance, you can definitely see some Gundam inspirations with the overall aesthetic and the “Wings of Light.” But if you ask me which exact Gundam this is supposed to be, then I don’t think I can point to a specific design. So, let’s take a closer look at this kit.
Checking out these profile shots, these are clearly Gundam inspired but as I’ve mentioned, there’s no specific design that this is a derivative of, which is a check in my book. That said, the color scheme does remind me of Gundam Bael, which would be consistent if all The Round Table Knights designs are inspired by Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS. If that would be the case, then I will eagerly wait on how their version of Gundam Barbatos would look.
Before checking out the details, here are some comparisons.
First is Thunder Incise Grace and again, if we would see more of the IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS Gundams with this aesthetic, then I wouldn’t mind collecting them as they’re like an alternate Post Disaster universe. I would be curious how they’ll reinterpret the Gundam Gusion design.
Here are a couple more comparisons in terms of scale with a couple of Gundam kits. On the standard baseline is the HG Gundam [Beyond Global] and Gods Guardian Gawain is a good head or so taller. Then on the upper size benchmark is the RG Hi-Nu Gundam and it comes just a bit shorter, but that’s the Hi-Nu we’re comparing this with. Regardless, this kit will definitely fit your 1/144 scale collection.
Let’s get into the meat and potatoes of this kit, starting with the inner frame.
It is similar, but not an exact copy of the inner frame used with Thunder Incise Grace. The difference is more apparent in the lower half with how the legs are structured, but the underlying engineering that would provide articulation should be relatively similar. There are also gold bits so if you’re the type that’s allergic to this kind of gold, then be sure to bust out your gold paint.
Here are more close ups of the kit.
What I like about this aesthetic is how they seem to have unlimited choices in terms of sculpted detail and raised panels, without resorting to aggregious panel lines. The design is also a little edgy but not the kind that would actually draw blood when you build it — something the larger kits could consider. I will also once again commend the dedication to color separation, though I’m not expecting clever parts layering like modern Bandai Spirits kits, and I am expecting several runners with a bunch of tiny parts.
Articulation is taken care off by the inner frame, and the armor doesn’t introduce additional parts that would clash with one another. For the upper torso, there’s the standard forward and sideways abdominal crunch, complemented by a solid butterfly shoulder joint.
The elbows and knees provide a good bend though I’m not so sure if it could do the best three-point stance or “superhero landing” pose. But for most poses, the articulation this kit has is more than enough for those dynamic displays.
For weapons, the solicitations mention three — the Long-Range Artillery, the Dawn Blade, and and Assault Short Blade. You can then combine all three to form one massive composite weapon that the kit can underslung though additonal connector pieces.
For defense, it comes with the Guardian Shield that can be displayed in standard or attack modes by flipping out a couple of clear parts. Yes, we are starting to see more of these clear parts but that’s nothing compared to the main gimmick of this kit.
And that is the Gods Guardian Gawain in Awakening Form, which is basically attaching the wings of light effect parts with a total wingspan of 20cm. Despite this, the wings don’t introduce weight issues as the kit is able to stand with those parts attached.
Now here are some glamour shots. Note that while these images show the use of a display stand, I don’t think one is included, but you should be able to use a standard display one with a 3mm peg, unless otherwise noted.
As I mentioned earlier, I have yet to build my BE Thunder Incise Grace, but seeing the follow up, and the good reviews of the earlier kit, defintely makes me want to get this one as well. And if they do create more kits based on IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS designs, then I will definitely look forward to what they have in the pipeline.
BE 1/144 Gods Guardian Gawain
Mid-July 2024 / RMB 43
