Product Line / Metal Robot Spirits ⟨Side MS⟩
Scale & Class / Non-Scale Collectible Figure
Manufacturer / Bandai Spirits / Tamashii Nations
Release Date / 2018
Appearances / SD Sangokuden
Many often dismiss SD Gundam designs as targeted to younger audiences because of their cute proportions. However, there has been a recent trend, probably started by Gundam Build Fighters Try, where an SD design would be translated to ‘real type’ proportions. These would’ve produced great looking Gunpla, but their very ornate designs would be hard to replicate without using marking stickers or hours of masking and detail painting. Bandai Spirits seemed to take notice and decided to feature more SD Gundam designs with real type proportions in the Metal Robot Spirits line. Such is the case of the Musha Gundam as it appeared in the serialized manga SD Sangokuden.
The die cast parts mainly provide stability and are limited to the joint assemblies and lower limbs. This helps in the poseability as the Musha Gundam design is derived from a warrior clad in samurai armor. The armor panels feature tons of sculpted detail to look like linked plates and are painted in bright red and brick red accents on the edges for added depth while the ornamented bits are mostly in gold. Articulation is standard though the large shoulder armors can hinder outward arm movement. The ankle armors on my copy also tend to pop off which can be annoying when doing wide-legged poses. Replacement hands aside, the Musha Gundam has several weapons: a katana, shield, naginata (straight and bent), and Tanegashima Rifle. Display options include a black base with gold lettering, and racks to display all weapons with the actual figure similar to how samurai armors are seen in Japanese museums.
