HG 1/144 G-Exes Jackedge Part 1

Instant love
Starting on another Gunpla project after the review of MS Gundam Seed Destiny Heroines 3: Flay Allster.


HG 1/144 scale G-Exes Jackedge from "MS Gundam Age". ^^ Released just last month, this kit has got to be the newest of all reviewed items on my blog so far this year. XD I cannot tell you just how much I love its design. The skull face, overall deep purple color scheme and the huge knife mounted beneath its beam rifle made me a fan of its design almost the moment its lineart was shown many moons ago. ^^ I have the same sentiment for Gafran last year, which prompted me in getting its High Grade kit and completed it almost right away. The same experience is repeating itself this year it seems, but with G-Exes Jackedge. ^^


Come to think of it, the overall design of G-Exes Jackedge is really quite normal. ^^; It's a standard-looking humanoid MS with very standard armaments. My point is, it's not as unique as other MSs in the series like Gafran which could be an instant love, or hate. But somehow I just love the design instantly. ^^ There's a strange cohesiveness that is tremendously appealing to me. I only watched one or two episodes from the first generation arc of the anime, and just one episode from the third (^^;), but that doesn't change the fact that this MS is one of my favorites from the series so far in terms of design. The story, mecha design and model kits of the same Gundam series are separate elements in my opinion, and I can view them separately with no problem at all.

In terms of this High Grade kit, it's basically a variation of G-Exes. I've seen reviews of that kit and it seemed like a pretty simple kit to detail and build. ^^ I get to put that observation to test with G-Exes Jackedge. ^^


(Left) Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound on the top left corner of the box art.
(Right) Merchandise seal of "MS Gundam Age".




Introduction of the kit on the sides of box.


Content


All runners of this kit.

Manual design.


The same box art illustration with different arrangement for the background and the two MSs.


Illustration of G-Exes Jackedge


Centerfold.



Characters from the series and all three variations of Gundam AGE-3 are shown.


Illustration of another pirate MS, Shaldoll Rogue shown alongside Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound.
A look at the runners' design:


Runner A - A bicolor runner containing parts mainly for the body, arms and legs.


Runner label shows that it's for G-Exes.


(Left) One-piece parts for the upper arm and thigh armors.
(Right) Parts for the body.


A large one-piece part for the shield. ^^


I'm thinking of painting the two thrusters on the sole of each foot part.


Runner B - Contains parts mainly for the weapons and arms.


(Left) It's pretty obvious that the entire segment of runner containing parts for the military knife is added onto the original Runner B for this variation release. ^^
(Right) Runner label for the said segment: G-Exes Jackedge ^^


(Left) One-piece part for the shield's mount rack.
(Right) The spread palm has very nicely molded joint details.


(Left) The arc-like protruding bit on the forearm parts would eventually be enclosed within the armor parts to be assembled on top of it. I wonder what they are supposed to be for. ^^
(Right) Large parts for the beam rifle. ^^


Runner C - Contains parts mainly for the legs, backpack and waist.


Runner label shows that it's for G-Exes.


(Left) One-piece parts for the beam saber handles.
(Right) The missiles molded inside the skirt armor parts must be painted if they are to be seen when the parts are assembled. ^^;


Parts for G-Exes's head are included, even though none of them would be used. ^^;
It's not possible to have an "option" head of G-Exes as the part for its eyes on Runner A is not included for this kit. ^^;


Apart from the head, the shoulder armor parts molded on this runner are not needed as well.


Runner D - A unique runner for this kit that contains parts for the head and shoulder armors.


Runner label: G-Exes Jackedge ^^


Very nice part separation for the helmet. ^^


The skull face plate. ^^


Polycap set PC-001 and beam saber runner.


Foil sticker sheet.


All removed parts are organized and stored in individual paper containers.


All the extra parts that won't be used by this kit. ^^
Some painting and panel lining to start in the next posting. ^^