Introduction:
Here’s an old kit that I have forgotten to create a
review because of my dramatic absence. I am not sure how old it is, but it was
the time where Daban Model was still at it making fancy box arts. It’s also
from their 88 series that’s still active until now. Their current one that has already
arrived here in my country is the 8822 item or known as the 00 Qan[t] ver MB.
This one is 8803, so yes; the kit’s been out for quite some time.
I think I bought this kit back in January 2020 when the
COVID-19 hasn’t really started spreading much. And because of boredom, I had to
build all of my remaining backlogs. I will try to be brief and on point as much
as possible. If I have missed a few issues, please do point them out.
There are some missing pictures or the information are not
enough. I didn’t focus on the kit very well because I was really disappointed
when my laptop contracted a virus that wiped out a lot of my files. The files
were not really new and I still have a backup. The reason why I felt really
down is because I don’t have a backup of my 2 possible Bandai reviews; 00 XN
Raiser and 00 Qant Full Saber. Both folders containing their pictures are all
gone.
Anyways, I hope I can still review them once I manage to
get a good flow in my income again. Also, my apologies if you will see any
typos. I just keep on typing what’s in my mind and check them later.
Unboxing:
Design is a bit different because Daban usually copies
the same box art from Bandai. It seems they had a different approach on how to
tease their consumers. Okay, so the front has this almost 3D-looking art of
Double X.
Another thing I noticed is that they didn’t use the word
“fighter” to replace the word “Gundam”. The name just says “Double X”.
The back side of the box has the image of the actual kit.
And it’s also showing the rear view or the backpack of Double X.
The sides of the box doesn’t feature much important; just
the detailing of the main suit and its backpack.
There are only 6 plastic bags inside the bags and it was
no surprise. They packed at least 3 runners again in each bag.
As for the construction manual, the design is just the
same with its box art.
Contents are pretty much your usual manual in black and
white.
Another disappointing part, just on my own side, is that
they didn’t include the guide for the decals. I don’t mind the challenge but it
could have been less of a hassle if they have a basic guide for this. They just
placed a built image of the model which is even worst because it doesn’t even
have any colors. (seriously Daban?)
Runners:
The kit features 21 runners and I could say that its
below average. Usually I keep seeing kits with more than 25 runners. Not a big
deal. I just want to mention it.
You also have the foil stickers for the satellite panels,
a small foil sticker sheet for the eye sensors and cannons, and the waterslide
decals.
Head Unit:
Parts separation here is decent. It was nice they
separated those fins for the cheeks for anyone who wanted a different painting
idea. But it can be troublesome if it doesn’t fit in well.
For some odd reason, the facemask is leaning more on the
left side. I have checked it many times and sanded some of the parts but it
just really look like that. Not a big deal for me, but you might want to check
it out.
Body Unit:
The body unit features average amount of parts with good
color separation. Of course, that is thanks to Bandai since they are the one who
designed it first.
I tried experimenting using the reflector stickers and I
messed it up a bit. The hexagonal design was really hard to align because the
paper was thick. Trimming the sides was a pain.
Anyways, you just have your usual tight peg issues but
they can still fit properly. No other problems aside from that.
I forgot to take pictures of the body unit’s
articulation. Sorry about that. :/
Arm Unit:
The amount of parts for the arms is just average. The
inner frame parts were simple and very straightforward.
The yellow parts under the forearm armor (dark blue),
also known as the radiator plates, are quite fragile and they are prone to
breakage if not careful. Avoid removing them c-type pegs as much as possible.
Attaching them together was painful too because of the usual tight fitting.
As for the design, Daban Model did a really nice job here
and there are a lot of panel lines. An additional yellow piece is added in the
forearm as well which the Bandai version doesn’t have. A separated gray piece
attached on each side of the forearm is added as well.
The articulation is also good but not that great. Not
much of a big deal for me though.
Of course, we have the gimmicks where you can lift the
forearm armor and show those yellow radiator plates inside.
Upper Body Unit/ Shoulder Armor Unit:
The amount of parts here is just average but there were
added yellow parts here for the detailing.
There were no major fitting issues here and it was easy
to build. Unlike Bandai’s version, this one boasts a lot of panel lines and the
help of those yellow parts to add some color to the plain dark blue scheme. I
also added some Uniball Signo metallic green to as well.
The middle section of the Shoulder Armor is articulated where you can pull these sensors up. They will be the locks that
will hold down the satellite cannons.
Leg Unit:
I still consider the amount of parts here as average. The
inner frame parts look simple as well with no other fancy gimmicks.
It was still a decent build process with no big problems.
The tight parts in the inner frame pegs were avoidable but I don’t want them to
become too loose. Attaching the yellow radiator plates was quite scary too,
because they seemed fragile.
As for the detailing, there are a lot of panel lines
again and the calves’ armor where the radiator plates are hidden looks bigger
compared to Bandai. The foot is designed to look blockier while Bandai has a
rounded one. I like the detailing here but I also like Bandai’s take on their
kit because it has a closer feel to the anime series.
The articulation here is quite decent and you can do a
good bend.
The feet are separated into two sections giving it some
nice articulation. They can slightly bend forward or bend downward. The forward
bend doesn’t look good in my own opinion because of the ankle guards. I know
the suit is meant for aerial movement but I wanted it crunch more.
Waist Unit:
The parts here for the waist unit also looks average. It
doesn’t have a lot of parts separation, considering the MS really do look
simple.
I forgot to take notes here and I don’t remember any
issues. I’m not going to lie about it.
Heading straight to the detailing, Daban Model continued
adding a lot of panel lines with some extra gray parts on the back skirt. These
raised surfaces would definitely look good if they are painted to gray or any
color of your choice that would match well with white.
Articulation-wise, this unit is doing great. The front
skirt gives a nice flip and you can also tilt them a bit.
The side skirts are doing well with their movement range
and can fully rotate.
The back skirt can only move that much considering the
design as a single movable skirt.
Backpack Unit:
These are all the parts to build the backpack unit and
they are of average amount based on the other backpack units I have built
before.
If someone is going to ask why I didn’t add the satellite
panels and the cannons, well I have my stupid reasons. The satellite cannons are
attached to the backpack but they are not part of the backpack unit. :v
Detailing-wise, Daban Model did a good job here. They
even added some yellow parts for the thrusters which something Bandai doesn’t
have. It also features a lot of panel lines as well. Articulation? There are no
other movable parts aside from the connectors.
As for the issues, it’s just the usual tight pegs
especially for those female pegs where you will attach the satellite panels.
It’s a little tight but it’s your own decision if you want to scrape it. I
didn’t do that because I want it to have a solid pose and make sure they don’t
loosen up quickly.
Satellite Panels:
Compared to Bandai, It seems that there are few more
pieces here.
I don’t want to use the foil stickers so I did a little
experiment using reflector stickers. I chose the white one for the satellite
panels. It was quite tedious because the reflector sticker strips weren’t wide
enough. So I had to use 3 strips and hold them together on my mat.
Using the cover, I would press it down hard and start
cutting on the edges with the tip of my hobby knife.
Of course it’s not as perfect as the actual cover and I
will just trim it until they fit perfectly.
I think the result is great.
As for the issues, those yellow covers didn’t fit well on
the panels. I know that the stickers I used were a little thick, but they still
pop out sometimes even if the stickers weren't applied yet.
You see the slits on the sides of the yellow cover? If you
place them on the base, the pointy sections are a little thick for them. I had
to scrape the slits. I was also forced to use super glue on one of the panels
that affected the shine of the sticker. :/
That’s the only problem I encountered which is minor
because it can still be fixed. Moving on the articulation, it follows the same
mechanics or engineering from Bandai’s design and the middle panel isn’t
attached yet.
You will attach it manually once you spread them open.
I like that Daban Model added a lot of panel lines, but I
don’t like what they did on the tip of the middle panel. I prefer the spiky
sides from Bandai where the spiky corners are there but very subtle. I do like
the sides of the middle panel though.
Armaments:
Satellite Cannons:
The amount of parts for the cannon is more compared to
Bandai. The reason is that they added these extra parts to the sides near the
tip which I will show later.
There are no fitting issues, but I disassembled the sides
a couple of times because I got confused with the manual’s drawings. Of course,
after getting the idea on the first cannon, I can do the same on the second
one.
Detailing is great and looks more like a 2.0 version
compared to Bandai. I am not saying Bandai’s design is bad. Theirs looks closer
to the anime series.
As for the gimmicks and articulation, let’s start with
the sides that I mentioned earlier. The cannons are designed to have these separated
panels, giving it a fiercer look. Kind of looked like a futuristic railgun for
me.
The cannon is separated into two segments. The back end
is separated and you can pull it out, giving you an extra range of movement
because of its hinges.
It can do a nice 90-degree angle as well.
Beam Rifle:
I counted the parts and Bandai has the same amount. So
it’s just an average amount for a beam rifle.
The design or detailing is pretty much the same with
Bandai’s. There are just a lot of panel lines and the bottom section is
different.
The handle is articulated and you can fold it inward to
reveal these clamps that can be used to attach on shield’s connector.
No big issues here and the build was quite
straightforward.
Shield:
The shield features average amount of parts and exactly
the same with Bandai’s.
No fitting issues here and it was very smooth. As for the detailing, it’s still the same with Bandai.
There were just a few added panel lines .I don’t know about the proportion
though.
The adapters or connectors are quite articulated and has
a nice tightness on the joints. I don’t want them to be loose especially when
doing action poses.
Beam Saber:
I guess there’s no need to explain the beam saber parts
here. :v
No issues and the beam effects fit nicely.
No problem attaching them onto the side skirts as well.
Decals:
It’s nice that Daban Model is still generous with their
freebies. Even though the waterslide isn’t that of high quality, it is still a
nice sheet of waterslide decals. The markings lifts off from the backing paper
quite fast so do not leave them soaked for more than 20 seconds.
Completed Model:
Close-Up Shots:
Action Pose Shots:
I would like to apologize as well if I didn’t take any
pictures for size comparison and articulation test. I was really down when 2 of
my possible reviews are now gone. I also didn’t take enough pictures for the
action poses because of the same reason. But its range movement is decent to
perform a few extreme poses.
Building Report:
Plastic Quality: A-Rank
The plastic is just fine. It’s not as great as Bandai of
course. But there were no flashes or dimples which is a good thing for me. A
few imperfections though, like the surface aren’t of the same shine? Kind of
hard to explain and I don’t have a picture for it. It’s like a swirl on the
surface. But overall, it was good. Glossiness is just fine and the same with
the other new Daban Model kits they have released (except for the MB versions with
glossier finish).
The panel lines were decent; some were shallow and some were
deep enough. I am not sure if this will be an issue if you use a panel line
accent or a pour-type marker. I used my mechanical pencil too because the
plastic isn't too smooth and the lead can still write down on the surface.
Detailing: S-Rank
They certainly did made a lot of changes in the detailing
and I love most of it. There are few things that I mentioned that seems off and
could have been better if the detailing is still near-identical with the
original. The panel lines are great and the model has a lot.
Articulation: A-Rank
The detailing didn’t affect the articulation or movement
range of the model. Base on the movement of the Bandai one, their pretty much
the same.
Armaments: A- Rank
Even though the model just has the usual weapons from the
original series, I will just add a factor of their detailing especially the
changes made on the satellite cannons.
Proportion: A- Rank
I had to check the images from when it was first
revealed. I have mixed opinions about its size and bulkiness. I like both the
Bandai’s original size and this slightly bit taller version of Daban. Of
course, many will pick Daban because it’s bigger. Even the v-fin of Daban is
bigger and wider compared to Bandai. They didn't overdo resizing a lot of the parts and they look just fine or you could say symmetrically balanced.
Gimmicks: B-Rank
The gimmicks are still the same with Bandai and they [Daban]
didn’t add anything else. Technically this is A-Rank for Bandai. I made it
B-Rank because I am expecting more from Daban.
Extras: C: Rank
I wanted to give them a D-Rank because they didn’t even
gave use an action base. But I will give a C-Rank instead because of the free
waterslide decals.
Difficulty: B-Rank
The kit is still your usual bootleg with common issues
that you might have probably experienced from other kits of Daban. It’s not
perfect but the issues are still manageable making it fun to build on my side.
I did a lot of fixing on the satellite panel covers though, but it’s not a big
problem to avoid the kit.
--END OF BUILDING REPORT—
That’s it for my review with the MG 1/100 Double X of
Daban Model. I’m sure I have missed a lot of details or other issues. I will
try to answer questions as much as possible if they related to the kit.
Reminder that I have my notifications turned on. Any spam messages or
suspicions links will be deleted. Anyways, I will try to follow this up with
another review as soon as possible. If all goes well for me
this year, I might be able to review either Judge Gundam (if it arrives in the
Philippines) or the PG Exia of Daban.
I will read the whole article again after publishing to check any errors.
