Kit review: HGCE 1/144 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam (+ Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II)
The Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II, a modified form of the Strike Freedom Gundam, is equipped with the newly designed Proud Defender wings. The Proud Defender was originally intended for use with the Rising Freedom Gundam, but due to development delays, it was adjusted for the Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II. This is the return of the Strike Freedom Gundam used by Kira Yamato at the end of the Gundam Seed Freedom movie, 20 years after its first appearance in Gundam Seed Destiny.
HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam is the 250th in the mainline HG series. It also marks the 50th HG kit released since the original HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam was the 201st released in 8 years.
1. Info
HGCE 1/144 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom
Price: 2970 yen
Release date: May 25, 2024
HGCE 1/144 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom
Price: 2970 yen
Release date: May 25, 2024
2. Design
Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam is a combination of Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II and Proud Defender backpack:
– Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II:
This is an upgraded version of the original Strike Freedom Gundam. Its appearance, although similar to the HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam Revive Ver. (released in 2016), the body proportions have been completely remade to be slimmer and more like in the anime model (see illustration below).
In addition, most of the details of the designs have been changed. To visualise, the shoulder armour, arms, hip armour and thrusters mounted on the back of the legs are the most obvious differences. The forearm armour where the beam shield is attached has been repositioned from the forearm to the wrist. The original Strike Freedom ankle thruster was a hidden mechanism in the calf. The Type-II was changed to be exposed to the outside like the original Freedom. One change I appreciate is that the Type-II’s beam saber mounting position has been changed to be similar to the original Freedom, which makes it look much more compact. After all, you can see the difference in Bandai’s model reproduction technology after over 8 years.
Unfortunately, this kit does not come with the “Super DRAGOON Mobile Weapon Wing” backpack, so we must use the one from the old HGCE Strike Freedom.
Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam is a combination of Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II and Proud Defender backpack:
– Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II:
This is an upgraded version of the original Strike Freedom Gundam. Its appearance, although similar to the HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam Revive Ver. (released in 2016), the body proportions have been completely remade to be slimmer and more like in the anime model (see illustration below).
In addition, most of the details of the designs have been changed. To visualise, the shoulder armour, arms, hip armour and thrusters mounted on the back of the legs are the most obvious differences. The forearm armour where the beam shield is attached has been repositioned from the forearm to the wrist. The original Strike Freedom ankle thruster was a hidden mechanism in the calf. The Type-II was changed to be exposed to the outside like the original Freedom. One change I appreciate is that the Type-II’s beam saber mounting position has been changed to be similar to the original Freedom, which makes it look much more compact. After all, you can see the difference in Bandai’s model reproduction technology after over 8 years.
Unfortunately, this kit does not come with the “Super DRAGOON Mobile Weapon Wing” backpack, so we must use the one from the old HGCE Strike Freedom.
– Proud Defender:
A support craft backpack resembling a Striker backpack for the Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II. It has a white colour scheme, with a new gold colour on the middle wing. It is attached with a black-bladed katana sword on the back. The front of the plane is the cockpit where Lacus flew at the movie’s end. Each wing comprises 3 layers, similar to the original Freedom, but the middle layer is a wing part smaller than the outer 2 layers with small wings inside instead of a large cannon. According to the original design concept, the winglets were detachable dragoons, but this idea was later abandoned. And this leads to a problem in the design of this kit. Their shape is reversed compared to the model on the film (however, it is still accurate according to some of the initially published lineart images). However, this does not affect its overall design too much.
Regarding the two outer wing layers, the shape of each layer is similar to a wing layer of Strike Freedom. The difference is that it does not have a dragoon attached, but inside will be a pink line layer.
A support craft backpack resembling a Striker backpack for the Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II. It has a white colour scheme, with a new gold colour on the middle wing. It is attached with a black-bladed katana sword on the back. The front of the plane is the cockpit where Lacus flew at the movie’s end. Each wing comprises 3 layers, similar to the original Freedom, but the middle layer is a wing part smaller than the outer 2 layers with small wings inside instead of a large cannon. According to the original design concept, the winglets were detachable dragoons, but this idea was later abandoned. And this leads to a problem in the design of this kit. Their shape is reversed compared to the model on the film (however, it is still accurate according to some of the initially published lineart images). However, this does not affect its overall design too much.
Regarding the two outer wing layers, the shape of each layer is similar to a wing layer of Strike Freedom. The difference is that it does not have a dragoon attached, but inside will be a pink line layer.
– Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam:
This is what it looks like after Strike Freedom Type-II removes the Super DRAGOON backpack and dock with the Proud Defender. After docking, the two wings will be expanded, and each outer wing layer will open to reveal the metallic pink lines hidden inside. The current colour scheme of Mighty Strike Freedom can be related to Lacus’s usual colour scheme.
This is what it looks like after Strike Freedom Type-II removes the Super DRAGOON backpack and dock with the Proud Defender. After docking, the two wings will be expanded, and each outer wing layer will open to reveal the metallic pink lines hidden inside. The current colour scheme of Mighty Strike Freedom can be related to Lacus’s usual colour scheme.
3. Build quality
The plastic quality of this kit is very good, and the nubs are easy to handle. In this kit, 2 yellow runners with different shades of gold were used for the inner core joint parts and metallic yellow for the exposed parts, such as the two wings of the Proud Defender. Like the HGCE models in the SEED FREEDOM series, this kit also has extremely good parts separation, so almost the entire Strike Freedom Type-II body does not need to use any special sticker on the head. Stickers are mainly used on separate weapon parts (except for the katana, which is completely separated into 3 parts). In particular, the pink lines inside the Proud Defender’s outer wing layers use a new type of glossy hard decal used in the HG TWFM Schwarzette Gundam. The black plastic of this kit is darker than the old HGCE Strike Freedom, so when using the Super DRAGOON backpack, the colour will be a little different if you pay close attention.
(the sample illustrated in this review only uses the eye decal and lines on the Proud Defender).
The plastic quality of this kit is very good, and the nubs are easy to handle. In this kit, 2 yellow runners with different shades of gold were used for the inner core joint parts and metallic yellow for the exposed parts, such as the two wings of the Proud Defender. Like the HGCE models in the SEED FREEDOM series, this kit also has extremely good parts separation, so almost the entire Strike Freedom Type-II body does not need to use any special sticker on the head. Stickers are mainly used on separate weapon parts (except for the katana, which is completely separated into 3 parts). In particular, the pink lines inside the Proud Defender’s outer wing layers use a new type of glossy hard decal used in the HG TWFM Schwarzette Gundam. The black plastic of this kit is darker than the old HGCE Strike Freedom, so when using the Super DRAGOON backpack, the colour will be a little different if you pay close attention.
(the sample illustrated in this review only uses the eye decal and lines on the Proud Defender).
4. Articulation
Of course, the biggest change compared to the old HGCE Strike Freedom, HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom has been upgraded with the new joint system “SEED Action System”. It has officially made HGCE Strike Freedom’s old mould obsolete at the present time:
– The head can move flexibly forward, back and side to side.
– The shoulder joint uses a 2-part double-joint system that can push the arm up and down and deeply forward, supporting Strike Freedom’s classic long-range beam rifle holding positions.
– The waist joint can be bent deeply forward and to the sides thanks to the new 2-part double joint system. Thanks to the beam shield attachment attached to the wrist, the wrist joint can move independently with the beam shield. This is a big plus in changing the design in Type-II.
– The hip joint does not use a linking joint system like the HG Rising Freedom but uses a 2-part joint system that can be pushed down arbitrarily (similar to the hip joint frame of MG Freedom Gundam Ver.2.0).
– Thruster behind the calf instead of being hidden inside and can be opened like the old HGCE Strike Freedom, Type-II is exposed on the outside like the original HGCE Freedom but has joints to push up and down, although it cannot move much.
– The ankle joint uses the same type of c-clips as that of the Rising Freedom. This joint has been cleverly designed by partially hollowing out the inner contact surface so that the c-clip part does not have to endure pressure leading to joint fracture.
Of course, the biggest change compared to the old HGCE Strike Freedom, HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom has been upgraded with the new joint system “SEED Action System”. It has officially made HGCE Strike Freedom’s old mould obsolete at the present time:
– The head can move flexibly forward, back and side to side.
– The shoulder joint uses a 2-part double-joint system that can push the arm up and down and deeply forward, supporting Strike Freedom’s classic long-range beam rifle holding positions.
– The waist joint can be bent deeply forward and to the sides thanks to the new 2-part double joint system. Thanks to the beam shield attachment attached to the wrist, the wrist joint can move independently with the beam shield. This is a big plus in changing the design in Type-II.
– The hip joint does not use a linking joint system like the HG Rising Freedom but uses a 2-part joint system that can be pushed down arbitrarily (similar to the hip joint frame of MG Freedom Gundam Ver.2.0).
– Thruster behind the calf instead of being hidden inside and can be opened like the old HGCE Strike Freedom, Type-II is exposed on the outside like the original HGCE Freedom but has joints to push up and down, although it cannot move much.
– The ankle joint uses the same type of c-clips as that of the Rising Freedom. This joint has been cleverly designed by partially hollowing out the inner contact surface so that the c-clip part does not have to endure pressure leading to joint fracture.
5. Gimmicks and accessories
In addition to the equipment already seen in Strike Freedom, Mighty Strike Freedom does not have too much new equipment:
– X2 High-Energy Beam Rifle:
The 2 beam rifles are similar to the 2 of the old Strike Freedom. Although the shapes are different, these two rifles are designed with different tails so they can be linked together to form a special Strike Freedom long-range beam rifle. The handle of the gun can be folded compactly. The difference from the two beam rifles of the old HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam is that the latch on the gun’s body has been changed from vertically along the gun handle to vertically along the gun’s body so that when not in use, it can be attached directly to the two railguns on both sides.
In addition to the equipment already seen in Strike Freedom, Mighty Strike Freedom does not have too much new equipment:
– X2 High-Energy Beam Rifle:
The 2 beam rifles are similar to the 2 of the old Strike Freedom. Although the shapes are different, these two rifles are designed with different tails so they can be linked together to form a special Strike Freedom long-range beam rifle. The handle of the gun can be folded compactly. The difference from the two beam rifles of the old HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam is that the latch on the gun’s body has been changed from vertically along the gun handle to vertically along the gun’s body so that when not in use, it can be attached directly to the two railguns on both sides.
– X1 “Tvashtr” Hyper Impulse Gun:
A multi-phase beam cannon is mounted on the abdomen, similar to the old Strike Freedom version. It is highlighted with a gold barrel similar to the frame colour.
A multi-phase beam cannon is mounted on the abdomen, similar to the old Strike Freedom version. It is highlighted with a gold barrel similar to the frame colour.
– X2 “Volans Hasta” Railgun:
2 railguns are mounted on both sides, typical weapons of all Freedom versions. Its shape has also been changed compared to the old Strike Freedom. The gun barrel does not have an extension mechanism like the HGCE Rising Freedom.
2 railguns are mounted on both sides, typical weapons of all Freedom versions. Its shape has also been changed compared to the old Strike Freedom. The gun barrel does not have an extension mechanism like the HGCE Rising Freedom.
– X2 “Acuta Lacerta” Beam Saber:
A pair of beam sabers are commonly found in all Freedom or Justice versions. However, compared to the old HGCE Strike Freedom version, Mighty Strike Freedom has 2 major changes:
+ Firstly, the location of the 2 beam sabers when not in use has been changed from the 2 sides of each railgun to the mount on the top similar to the original Infinite Justice or Freedom. Each side will have a mounting bolt to help secure the beam saber better than the HGCE Freedom Gundam.
A pair of beam sabers are commonly found in all Freedom or Justice versions. However, compared to the old HGCE Strike Freedom version, Mighty Strike Freedom has 2 major changes:
+ Firstly, the location of the 2 beam sabers when not in use has been changed from the 2 sides of each railgun to the mount on the top similar to the original Infinite Justice or Freedom. Each side will have a mounting bolt to help secure the beam saber better than the HGCE Freedom Gundam.
+ Secondly, the end of each sword’s hilt is not made with a connecting gate to form a twin-edged beam saber like in previous versions. Instead, a pre-connected bar similar to the one used by the HGCE Infinite Justice Gundam will be used. The reason for this change probably comes from Bandai wanting this kit to be as close to the anime’s lineart as possible, and at the same time, Mighty Strike Freedom uses dual sword equipment with a Katana and a Beam Saber.
– X1 “Egregie” Beam Shield:
Beam Shield is mounted on each side of the bicep armour, similar to the old version of Strike Freedom. When using, we will disassemble the red part on the top (which is the part that creates the beam shield) and attach the beam shield effect. Attaching the bicep armour to the movable wrist allows the beam shield effect part to be used more flexibly. However, as always, Bandai only gives us a single beam effect part. Although the exterior design of the beam shield effect part of HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom and HGCE Rising Freedom is the same, the internal mounting pin of both is completely different, so it cannot be used to replace the missing arm.
Beam Shield is mounted on each side of the bicep armour, similar to the old version of Strike Freedom. When using, we will disassemble the red part on the top (which is the part that creates the beam shield) and attach the beam shield effect. Attaching the bicep armour to the movable wrist allows the beam shield effect part to be used more flexibly. However, as always, Bandai only gives us a single beam effect part. Although the exterior design of the beam shield effect part of HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom and HGCE Rising Freedom is the same, the internal mounting pin of both is completely different, so it cannot be used to replace the missing arm.
– X1 AVS “Futsunomitama”:
The Proud Defender backpack includes a physical Katana with a black blade. Its name is based on an ancient divine sword used by the god “Takemikazuchi” in Japanese legend. This is a thin-bladed Katana with a more minimalist design than the ones the Astray Red Frame Gundam usually uses (it also has no sheath). Perhaps because this was originally designed for the Akatsuki Gundam to be comfortable to hold with just one hand. Also, the two sides of the blade have a flat surface, and the blade has a glossy surface. This separation of surfaces in one part makes the sword so special.
The Proud Defender backpack includes a physical Katana with a black blade. Its name is based on an ancient divine sword used by the god “Takemikazuchi” in Japanese legend. This is a thin-bladed Katana with a more minimalist design than the ones the Astray Red Frame Gundam usually uses (it also has no sheath). Perhaps because this was originally designed for the Akatsuki Gundam to be comfortable to hold with just one hand. Also, the two sides of the blade have a flat surface, and the blade has a glossy surface. This separation of surfaces in one part makes the sword so special.
– X2 “Picus II” 31mm CIWS: 2 small Gatling guns are mounted on both sides of Strike Freedom’s head. This is a common weapon of Gundams.
– X1 Convergent Heavy Nucleon Beam Cannon “Disruptor”: Mighty Strike Freedom’s most powerful weapon is used in the movie. It is a powerful beam weapon hidden behind the v-fin on top of the Type-II. After docking with the Proud Defender, it will be opened and fired, much like the ZZ Gundam’s High Mega Cannon is used. In this kit, the v-fin part will be used as an alternate part with the opening hatch. However, it is only a yellow part, so you must paint it to get the full colour.
– X1 Convergent Heavy Nucleon Beam Cannon “Disruptor”: Mighty Strike Freedom’s most powerful weapon is used in the movie. It is a powerful beam weapon hidden behind the v-fin on top of the Type-II. After docking with the Proud Defender, it will be opened and fired, much like the ZZ Gundam’s High Mega Cannon is used. In this kit, the v-fin part will be used as an alternate part with the opening hatch. However, it is only a yellow part, so you must paint it to get the full colour.
– Proud Defender backpack:
After docking, the Mighty Strike Freedom’s wings will be extended. The 3 layers will be opened alternately in order, and the 2 outer white layers will be hatched open. At this point, Mighty Strike Freedom will be able to use Nanoparticle Shield and Nanoparticle Lightning Attack. However, in this kit, we will not have effect parts for them like in the Metal Robot Damashii figure version (will be released in January 2025). This is similar to the old HGCE Strike Freedom not having the Wings of Light effect, so perhaps we will have a separate version of the effect for this kit in the future (or not).
After docking, the Mighty Strike Freedom’s wings will be extended. The 3 layers will be opened alternately in order, and the 2 outer white layers will be hatched open. At this point, Mighty Strike Freedom will be able to use Nanoparticle Shield and Nanoparticle Lightning Attack. However, in this kit, we will not have effect parts for them like in the Metal Robot Damashii figure version (will be released in January 2025). This is similar to the old HGCE Strike Freedom not having the Wings of Light effect, so perhaps we will have a separate version of the effect for this kit in the future (or not).
– Here, we will learn about another change in the design of the Type 2 that is different from previous Freedom versions. On its back is a Thruster that acts as a connector to attach a backpack like the Strike. Or Infinite Justice. Proud Defender will be docked through this part. The 2 mounting bolts of this part are the same length as previous Freedom versions, so if you want to attach Proud Defender to other kits, you can use it. To illustrate, we can use Rising Freedom according to its original concept in the movie.
–> Overall: HGCE 1/144 Mighty Strike Freedom is the best HG Freedom version. As an upgraded version of the HGCE Strike Freedom Gundam, this kit combines most of the new technologies that Bandai uses for HG Gunpla models at present, typically the “SEED Action System” joint system, using stickers printed on hard plastic, katana blades with 2 different plastic surfaces,… After all, this is an extremely hot kit that everyone should try to experience, especially after witnessing the epic performance of our Kira-Lacus couple in the movie SEED FREEDOM. In addition, you can buy more and combine it with the old HGCE Strike Freedom Super DRAGOON backpack to create Strike Freedom Gundam Type-II.
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