Yes, we are getting a freaking HGUC D Gundam First from Double Fake: Under the Gundam, who would have thought!? As far as obscure mobile suit designs go, I was leaning towards the Sisquede from SD Gundam G Generation: Monoeye Gundams to potentially get a High Grade since we did have the SD Gundam Cross Silhouette version and some Tamashii Nations figures. On the other hand, the D Gundam First over here is totally from left field.
Double Fake: Under the Gundam is a side story manga set in the U.C.0090s that has our main protagonist, Darry Neil Guns from the Monotone Mouse Corporation, getting caught up in the conflicts that will ultimately lead to the Second Neo Zeon resurgence as seen in Char’s Counterattack. A fan of the RX-78-2 Gundam, Darry modifies a mobile worker unit to look like the legendary mobile suit and joins the fray.
Designed by Hitoshi Fukuchi, the D Gundam First has a very unique silhouette that would set it apart from the other Universal Century Gundams, it’s official Gundam status aside. I don’t know how mobile workers should looks in the U.C.0090s, but if it’s similar to what Banagher Links used in Gundam Unicorn, then Darry did one heck of a job to make it look like a Gundam.
As this unit was retrofitted from a mobile worker, it doesn’t have the standard weapons expected from a combat mobile suit, much more a Gundam it’s posing as. Its primary weapon is a double-barreled beam shotgun, along with Knuckle Crushers mounted on each forearm, and they can be flipped forward when deployed. It also has a drill gun that can shoot wired drills, not sure of its combat effectiveness but it’s there.
Even more wired weapons are seen here, including wired explosives and wired anchors, and fortunately, it does come with multiple wires though I think there’s only one pair of connector parts? It also has a pair of beam sabers with beam effect parts and a shield so there are a lot of display options.
This one really surprised a lot of Gunpla builders since this is such a deep cut from the multitude of Gundam side stories. I mean we are likely getting retools for the D Gundam Second and Third so the choice does make sense. If I’d be given the choice, I do want to see designs from Mobile Suit Gundam U.C.0096: Last Sun to get kits, like the Gundam G-First. In any case, I am getting this guy though note that this is once again a Premium Bandai exclusive, which is a huge bummer.
HGUC 1/144 D Gundam First
February 2025 / ¥2,300
Premium Bandai Exclusive
