With the recent release of SD Gundam G Generation ETERNAL, Tamashii Nations is going to release one of the more popular exclusive units from the game series with The Robot Spirits <Side MS> Phoenix Gundam, and yes, it’s “Phoenix” and not “Phenex.”
The GGF-001 Phoenix Gundam is a powerful machine which first appeared in SD Gundam G Generation F and has been a staple since. Not much of its development history is known, though its unique and striking design has easily made it one of the fan favorites.
I have never played any of the previous G Generation games, not am I going to play G Generation ETERNAL anytime soon, but I do see why the Phoenix Gundam has quite the notoriety among the fans of the game series. It’s distinctive red and white color scheme, along with the silhouette dominated by several wing binder units do make this design stand out.
As expected from a mobile suit named after a mythological flying creature, the Phoenix Gundam can transform into its Bird Mode, just like the Wing Gundam. In fact, it’s able to unleash its powerful attack though this mode, which we’ll check out later.
If you’ve had the experience of owning a figure from this line, then you are going to expect great articulation, to which this figure does have as well. Though those large binders are something you need to consider as things may hit against each other. On the other hand, you can also use these elements to make your poses look more dynamic.
For weapons, it doesn’t have the standard’ sword-board-beam rifle’ loadout a typical Gundam has. Instead, it has pairs of beam rifles and beam sabers for dual wielding whatever weapon you wish to dual wield.
As alluded earlier, these wing binders are not just for show as each house a Mega Beam Cannon, which makes four Mega Beam Cannons if those pairs of beam sabers and beam rifles aren’t enough. They also function as thrusters in Bird Mode.
But wait, there’s more! Those silver bits on the sides of the ‘thicker’ wing binders are actually Psycommu weapons called “Feather Funnels.” I don’t think these funnels actually store on the wing binders and the one in storage might be a dedicated filler piece. The set also appears to include the necessary Tamashii Stage to display these funnels.
And yes, there’s one more feature we need to cover. The signature attack of the Phoenix Gundam is the Burning Fire via transforming the Bird Mode into its assault form. In the games, the mobile suit is engulfed in flames when using this attack to basically ram enemies in succession. Obviously the figure can’t do that, but this mode is the closest thing.
Based on recent trends and decisions, I’ve been really veering away from buying Gundam figures released by Tamashii Nations unless its something that’s quite unlikely to get a model kit. And while the Phoenix Gundam is a popular mobile suit, which got an SD Gundam Cross Silhouette kit a while back, I don’t think it will get a non-SD model kit release. I would love to be proven wrong on that assumption but until then, getting is this figure is the only option.
Also, it’s a Tamashii Web exclusive so you know the drill.
The Robot Spirits ⟨Side MS⟩ Phoenix Gundam
September 2025 / ¥13,000
Premium Bandai Exclusive
