Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A
A unit developed by the Foundation using ZAFT technology. As its name implies, it has a black body, as well as a unique design not found in other factions, and a slit mono-eye. It specialises in hand-to-hand combat and was piloted by Shura Serpentine, leader of the BLACK KNIGHT SQUAD, the queen’s royal guard.
Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A is the third kit from the HGCE Seed Freedom series released after Rising Freedom and Immortal Justice.
– Info:
HGCE 1/144 Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom
Price: 2970 yen
Release date: Feb 23, 2024
Order yours here!
HGCE 1/144 Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom
Price: 2970 yen
Release date: Feb 23, 2024
Order yours here!
– Design:
As the name Black Knight of this machine, Shi-ve.A has a main black colour tone with a few red details. Its design, especially the head and mantle, has a style from the of a Western armour knight. Even though it is a mono-eye machine, the helmet’s design still makes it look like a machine with 2 eyes. Its frame parts are golden yellow like the Strike Freedom’s frame.
The interesting point is that the design of the beam mantle is inspired by Tokai Teio outfit in Umamusume.
As the name Black Knight of this machine, Shi-ve.A has a main black colour tone with a few red details. Its design, especially the head and mantle, has a style from the of a Western armour knight. Even though it is a mono-eye machine, the helmet’s design still makes it look like a machine with 2 eyes. Its frame parts are golden yellow like the Strike Freedom’s frame.
The interesting point is that the design of the beam mantle is inspired by Tokai Teio outfit in Umamusume.
– Build quality: As always, Bandai’s plastic quality is excellent. Even though they are mostly black parts, they are easy to handle nubs without being obvious. The golden yellow parts have quite a good colour. The mantle effect part is a flexible plastic sheet coloured with a red effect that looks quite interesting.
Although this kit also has a large decal sheet, most are unnecessary. In particular, 2 types of face decals create the effect of mono-eye moving and shooting beams (the sample in this review does not use any decals).
Although this kit also has a large decal sheet, most are unnecessary. In particular, 2 types of face decals create the effect of mono-eye moving and shooting beams (the sample in this review does not use any decals).
– Articulation: Like the previous two kit models of this line, Shi-ve.A also uses a new joint system, “SEED Action System”. The neck joint can be deeply folded to support the head with large armour parts that can move freely. The shoulder joint uses a double joint system that can be pushed deep in front of the chest and up and down, helping to move the arm comfortably without getting entangled with the large shoulder armour. The new waist joint part helps bend deeply forward and to the sides simultaneously, making posing much easier. Although the hip joint does not have a sliding joint like Rising Freedom and Immortal Justice, it can still perform leg-kicking positions best. The ankle joint can be flexed well to support positions using the beam on the instep.
– Gimmicks: In addition to the new design, Shi-ve.A also has unique gimmicks:
+ First, the red chest armour can open to both sides to reveal a gimmick when using the “Close-In Needle Projection System”, which was used to defeat Rising Freedom.
+ First, the red chest armour can open to both sides to reveal a gimmick when using the “Close-In Needle Projection System”, which was used to defeat Rising Freedom.
+ The instep has a hole to attach a beam effect blade, quite similar to the beam blade on Infinite Justice’s legs.
+ The backpack can rotate left and right as desired, and the 2 large thrusters can move up and down. In addition, a special feature is that it has 2 small wings that can attach a beam mantle effect. This part replacement mechanism is also quite simple so that it can be used or not.
– Accessories: Since Shi-ve.A is a melee machine; it has almost no weapons like a beam rifle, and the style is quite similar to Infinite Justice:
+ X1 Close-in Anti-Armor Blade “Dis Pater”: A heat-bladed sword held in the right hand. When not in use, it can be mounted on the back of the side armour, similar to the beam rifle on some Gundam models.
+ X1 Close-in Anti-Armor Blade “Dis Pater”: A heat-bladed sword held in the right hand. When not in use, it can be mounted on the back of the side armour, similar to the beam rifle on some Gundam models.
+ X1 ROC Shield “Svarog”: The left hand is equipped with a shield that integrates many functions. The shield’s head has a large opening and closing claw that functions as a melee weapon. The tail is also a small detachable pincer connected to the shield by a wire and two connecting parts.
+ X1 Close-In Needle Projection System: The weapon is mounted inside the chest armour. When used, it opens the chest armour and shoots a series of needles. However, Bandai does not give us needlepoint parts to symbolise this attack in this kit.
+ X3 Beam Saber: 3 beam sabers similar to the beam sabers of Freedom and Justice. The end of each sword handle also has a connecting pin to attach the two swords together. When not in use, 1 will be mounted on the right side armour, and the remaining 2 will be mounted on the left side armour.
+ X2 Beam Sword: 2 beam blades are attached to the instep. However, unlike Infinite Justice and Immortal Justice, it is a straight beam with a flat blade instead of a curved blade connected to the knee armour.
–> Overall: Although HGCE Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A is a kit model with a new design, and it still retains the recognisable features of the MS in the Gundam SEED series. In addition to the flexible new joint system, the new gimmicks and equipment are also unique. This is a kit model worth experiencing if you like the style of a knight and are a fan of the Gundam Seed Freedom movie.
“You will end up here, Freedom!“
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