Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam Part 8 [Final]

Good design overall, just not crazy enough
A couple more action poses from Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam to start off this final posting for this series series. ^^


With support using Soul Stage Act 3 Action Support Clear Type.

















In terms of action poses, this is certainly a really fun action figure to play with. ^^ As a matter of fact, I think I got carried away in that for having a few separated postings on G-3 Gundam's action poses. ^^; Then again, I supposed I'll be repeating this "mistake" when I start reviewing the Super HCM-Pro and Robot Damashii [Side MS] versions of Gundam RX-78-2, since they are just as amazing in terms of articulation design and come with plenty of accessories and option parts each for extended playability.

In terms of articulation design on the other hand, just how great is Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam when compared to other action figures, particularly those designed with articulation as their main strength? A comparison with Banpresto's Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2 might just be able to answer that question. ^^




Instead of height, their proportion is the real difference between the two Gundam action figure in terms of their mecha design I think. While Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam adopted a more conventional design that is consistent with Gundam RX-78-2's lineage, ^^ Banpresto's Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2 featured a very humanistic take on the original design which gave it a somewhat deformed look. The super slim shin and feet and the bent chest are clear examples of that design direction.

Personally, I prefer the conventional look of Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam over Banpresto's Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2's weird proportion anytime. ^^ When coupled with the playablity factor, the former is able to strike a balance between its looks and action poses. For Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2, its over-the-top articulation design was what I went after when I bought it. It's a very fun figure to play with, but its weird proportion design still didn't manage to appeal to me until today. ^^;

Then again, even though I like this Extended MSIA figure better in terms of looks, Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2 is evidently much more impressive when it comes to articulation design. ^^;



Much wider backward bend for the head of Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2 with its neck hinge joint.




The waist articulation of Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2 completely trumps that of the Extended MSIA figure. ^^;
From the first picture above, you can see that it has a slightly more flexible elbow bend as well - enough to perform a 180-degree bend. ^^


Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam's elaborate shoulder joint design gives it a slight advantage over the Humable Model figure over that joint.


While the Humable Model figure's knee is slightly less articulated than that of Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam, the figure's ability to lift the leg forward for a wider range thanks to its movable front skirt armor parts is more than enough to regain the "lost advantage" from the knee competition I supposed. ^^


The front skirt armors being movable is a feature not available for Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam.


Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2's ability to lift its leg forward for a wider range can be seen even clearer in this image.
By the way, both figures show an amazing level of stability in support their respective one-legged standing pose. ^^



I think Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2 is the clear winner when it comes to how well the two figures look for their kneeling pose. ^^;


I very much prefer the more polygonal and conventional look of Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam's shield. ^^


In terms of molded details, there's no comparison I think. Level of details is never a competing point for the Humable Model figure.



I like Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam's beam rifle for the additional details and movable points (support handle and targeting scope). The option part included that allows the weapon to be mounted behind the Gundam figure is a huge plus point as well.
Just looking at their articulation design, Humable Model Gundam RX-78-2's over-the-top flexibility and posability is very difficult for this Extended MSIA version to match. The former is designed to move without any consideration for its actual mecha settings I guess. All that are fictitious obviously, but with super slim shin, tiny feet and its very humanistic proportion, you could call the Humable Model figure a humanoid action figure if you want. ^^ On the other hand, it's clear that this Extended MSIA figure was designed with consideration for its actual mecha settings as well as its articulation. All the subtle molded details all over its body as shown in Part 3 are clear evidences for the first point mentioned just now, while the various action poses it's capable of pulling off as shown in the last few postings are testament to its excellent articulation design. Because of the differences in design emphasis, a straight comparison between the two action figures is not exactly fair I think. ^^

A "casual" comparison with MSIA Gundam Exia reveals a few interesting similarities between the two.




(Left) Both have the same range of bending for their elbows.
(Right) The double hinge design of said joint is the same as well.


(Left) Like this Extended MSIA figure, MSIA Gundam Exia is designed with front skirt armor parts that lack individually movable joints. The range of bending for their knees is the same as well.
(Right) The double hinge design for their knees are very similar it seems.
The "Extended" title of this figure does seem kind-of pointless when compared to Gundam Exia from the MSIA line. ^^;

Checking on their release dates: Extended MSIA Gundam RX-78-2 (the base model for this G-3 Gundam) came out in February 2006, while MSIA Gundam Exia was released in November 2007. Representing the "new" generation in MSIA design, it shouldn't be too surprising that Gundam Exia incorporated a few perks here and there from Extended MSIA Gundam RX-78-2 to boost its articulation capability. I'm pretty sure some of the other MSIA releases from "Gundam Double O" share a few similarities in their joint design with figures from the Extended MSIA line well. ^^

The similarities were quite surprising to me when I put the two side-by-side for the comparison the first time though. ^^

Finally, a comparison with HGUC Gundam RX-78-2 to see the size difference between an MSIA figure and a 1/144 scale Gunpla: ^^



Since I'm a huge fan of this Gundam, I have nothing but good things to say about this Extended MSIA figure. XD A vintage item this is since the Gundam action figure line it originated from has been discontinued for almost five years already. Still, its age doesn't affect its great posability, making it a really fun action figure to play with. ^^

All reviews on Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam:
Part 1: First
Part 2: The one that did it right
Part 3: Of course it has to be double-bazooka
Part 4: Repeated benefits
Part 5: Grayscale action, Round 2
Part 6: Grayscale action, Round 3
Part 7: Grayscale action, Round 4
Part 8 [Final]: Good design overall, just not crazy enough

View full gallery:
Extended MSIA G-3 Gundam