While we’ve been getting a steady stream of Gundam Wing Dual Story: G-UNIT kits, folks seems to be really looking forward to the Hydra Gundam. Today’s not that time though but what they’ve announced is something I was actually looking forward to get. And that would be the HGAC Gundam Griepe, Odin Bernett’s third mobile suit from the manga.
Before going deep though, let me show the original kit, branded as HG, released in 1997.
While this is is branded as HG, it is very much in the same vein as those 90s Gundam Wing kits, with bare polycap elbows, knees, and even the manipulators themselves. The same is true with the parts separation, or lack thereof, and the sculpted details. That said, I do have these older kits in my backlog and I do intent on building them at some point, sort of a way to torture myself or something.
Much like the other G-Units, or Gundams, from this manga, the HGAC versions got a redesign that puts them closer to the Gundam SEED aesthetic than their peers like the Leo-R or Leo-N. And from what I’ve gathered, the redesigns are more aligned to the Gundam Wing G-UNIT: Operation Galiarest retelling of the story.
It does keep the same elements of the original, most notable being those binders that fold as part of its mobile armor transformation, more on that later. That’s the main reason why I’m keeping the old kits, the difference is stark enough to warrant building both versions at some point.
Unlike the other HGAC releases, these modern G-UNIT kits utilize c-clip connections for a good amount of joints, something you’ll either love or hate. But regardless of the joint engineering, the Gundam Griepe is able to be displayed in dynamic poses especially when using its weapons.
These include the Beam Lancer and the Hyper Mega Particle Launcher. It also has another weapon in both of its transformation which we’ll check out now.
First is its standard Mobile Armor Mode transformation where the wing binders in Mobile Suit Mode folds over the flared out arms, while both feet fold backwards, creating this oddly shaped flight unit with a nose cone. Mounted below the nose cone is the Buster Mega Particle Cannon, the most powerful weapon of this mobile suit.
Halfway between the MS and MA Modes is the Assault Mode, which is basically like the Gerwalk Mode if we’re talking in Macross terms. You basically have the MA Mode transformation but the legs are instead folded down and each Grapple Claw are deployed for a more intimidating silhouette. The nose cone also folds down to expose the Buster Mega Particle Cannon.
Here’s everything that comes with this kit, and it looks like there will be a bit of parts-formation with the alternate torso pieces included. Likewise, and this is something Bandai Spirits should do to more kits, an Action Base 7 is included.
If we’re just talking about the five Gundams from the original G-UNIT manga, then I should be all good once I get Gundam Griepe over here. But if they add more as part of the Operation Galiarest retelling and continuation, then I will play by ear on the succeeding kits they’ll release.
HGAC 1/144 Gundam Griepe
December 2025 / ¥4,100
Premium Bandai Exclusive
