A couple of months ago, Bandai Hobby announced a new HG 1/35 Lancelot model kit in development as part of Code Geass’ 20th Anniversary. You may also remember the 1/35 Lancelot kit released in 2007, which makes this kit a ‘Revive’ of sorts if we’re speaking in Gunpla terms. But if we will be strict with semantics, then the 2007 kit is technically not a High Grade since it was released under the Mechanic Collection line, until they consolidated these brands with the HG Lancelot Albion.
As much as the 2007 was a relatively good kit, the Lancelot does deserve the modern treatment as part of the franchise’s anniversary. I’m not the best person to ask for a comparison since my copy of the older release is still in the backlog, though the new version totally gives me a reason to pull it out and build. What I wish the new version did is to use better-colored gold plastic, similar to what they did with the HG Mighty Strike Freedom. But at least this gives flexibility for anyone who wants to paint these areas.
Gold colored plastic aside, the new kit does seem to have better articulation overall, as seen in this replication of the Lancelot’s launching pose. I wanna say the ankles almost have the same range of articulation with those seen in the HG 00 Gundam, which was very remarkable at that time.
I’ll show an image of what accessories the kit comes with later, but at the bare minimum, it comes with all the essential Lancelot weapons. For starters, there’s the VARIS Rifle, which should be able to open and close using replacement parts, and allows better parts separation. I believe the older kit lets you build the rifle in closed and opened configurations, though they’re all in blue plastic so painting will be required for color accuracy.
There’s also the pair of MVS, or Maser Vibration Swords, that can be stored on sheaths connected to the thighs. Separate parts for the hilts when the swords are in storage are also included.
And of course, you can’t have a Knightmare Frame without Slash Harkens… and Land Spinners, but let’s talk about the Slash Harkens. The kit comes with four parts for the Slash Harkens themselves and two flexible wires to be attached to the forearms.
Below are all the accessories that come with the kit.
These are all what I would’ve expected from the HG Lancelot, but they decided to include a feature that inserts a new play pattern, and most likely, intended to convince you to get another kit.
As you can see here, HG Lancelot is docked to some convoluted contraption. To those unfamiliar, this convoluted contraption is the HG Zi-Artemis, one half of the Zi-Ortygia, and formed in combination with the Zi-Apollo from Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture. And for some reason, they decided to make the HG Lancelot compatible with the HG Zi-Artemis.
Personally, I’m good with just the HG Lancelot, but it is a bonus feature if you have both kits.
If I remember correctly, the Lancelot has several variants with minor design changes. Not to mention its direct upgrade, the Lancelot Air Cavalry, and to an extent, the Lancelot Conquista. So there are definite opportunities for reusing the mold in the future. Whether they’ll do the original Guren as an HG kit is also a possibility since the original was also a Mechanic Collection release.
But until then, I’ll need to secure a copy of this guy first since it is a Premium Bandai exclusive.
HG 1/35 Lancelot
December 2025 / ¥4,500
Premium Bandai Exclusive
