Nice in depth review, solid job showing it off. Some notes/trivia: The RG is based on the TV version and the MG is an imagined Endless Waltz version that doesn't exist, neither does the MG Shenlong design because the Altron Gundam is the replacement (which is available as P-Bandai only). The Wing Zero Custom you're used to seeing with the angel wings is also an EW design and a rebuild of the original Wing Zero also called the "Proto Zero" which exists as an MG EW kit (get it, it's simple but fun). One caveat is that the eyes on the 'dragon heads' on the RG are different and that the EW single line eyes are more correct, but Real Grade is in itself a redesign grade for what they'd look like in real life, so there's that to consider as well. All Wing kits are technically "Ver Ka" since they are designed primarily by Katoki, both the TV and EW designs. While I don't know whether the RG is strictly a "Katoki" kit (he may not have worked on the RG design, but it IS based on his design), all the EW MG's are, since they're his own redesigns of his own designs. So that MG Epyon you have is already a "Ver Ka". Why does a Ver Ka Wing Zero Custom exist then, you might ask, well, it has the same design and proportions as the 2004 kit (and other variations), but modernized and includes the bird mode and water slide decals. It's by far a better kit in every way, but it stays faithful to the EW design. The reason I'm dumping all this esoteric Wing knowledge is because when you ask which gunpla people should get, there's a question you need to ask people first: Do you prefer the TV version or the 'if Epyon was in EW' version? They look similar but the wings, shoulders and center chest are dead giveaways. It's a little important that you compare the grade to itself, not to an MG, even if it's over a decade older, at least mechanics wise (the aesthetic comparison is important). In some ways it's more relevant to compare it to the recent RG Wing Gundam (TV version), at least when it comes to build mechanics. I think your criticism on the wing articulation seems spot on, they should be able to move together better than that and have some degree of swivel, even if they do artificially tilt (which is a nice workaround). On the plus side it seems very solid, especially for what are likely the biggest and heaviest RG wings we've seen so far. The Hi-Nu binders are likely heavier, but it's a difference in design, size and leverage. If you do compare it to the MG, then it would bear mentioning that the MG has weight issues, that the polycap holding the wing pack is a loose point and that the wings themselves are prone to drooping due to their weight (as are the arms due to the weapons, even if the cable helps). I have no doubt the RG is 10/10 in rigidity while the MG is below standard, even from when it was new. It's very unstable on the stand due to its adapter and an absolute pain to pose and move. It's fixable, but a huge consideration for customers. A nitpick you missed is the hole on the inside of the ankle guards, there because it's a copy part and it has 'horn' on the outside. Even the super cheap HG Leo had plugs for a similar design issue - A sloppy oversight from Bandai's side I think. Anyway, nice video, get well soon!
Thanks for trivia and some nice infos! First of all I always compare grades if I have opportunities with the same model because a lot of ppl can’t decide if they want 1/100 or 1/144 ver of kit. Me included. And by the verka it was obvious that I’m talking about upgraded 1/100 :) as surprising as you may find it there is big % of ppl watching these videos who do not watch or care about anime at all but only collect models. In my reviews I’m treating everybody equal - both fans of anime and those who just love plastic. So comparison between kits is strictly model wise. For some it does not matter what they are based on. But fair point. I will think about trivia section in reviews to bring more infos about history of specific design. So thanks for pointing this out. I can agree with some bad things about MG, I mentioned them in my review of Master Grade, but it’s hard to agree that RG Epyon is 10/10. It’s not perfect RG(for me personally) by any means and the connector parts that are breakable are just tragic for me. That itself is a big downside. Of course it’s just opinions. Im always trying to show the model from all possible perspectives and as objectively as I can for both seasoned experts and also newcomers. Thank you for your comment ❤ I’m still resting but today I’m starting filming new material for ya :)
@@gundamartz Just a quick one - By 10/10 rigidity I mean stiffness, being able to hold limbs at the point you set them at. I think you’re right that the shoulder joint is a potential weak point, just need to build it myself to know for sure. Regarding Ver Ka I understand, but they’re not upgrades, they’re Katoki’s redesigns (which is what the MG Epyon literally is and why it’s unlikely to be re-redesigned). Most of them have problems, so don’t mistake them for high quality kits. Newer ones are better, but there’s always something weak or ‘experimental’ about them.
yeah exactly - MG EPYON just needs 2.0 or Ver.Ka upgrade(update or upgrade - words, you know what I mean ;)). For example I love what they did with Zeta. For sure there is a lack of additional equipment but as a design I love how they balanced it and it kills 2.0 in terms of looks for me(and everything else tbh). I can agree with some experimentation and also that they are not perfect kits as a whole line. I have an opinion that it’s also not a holy grail of kits as ppl used to call them - they are just MGs in white boxes. When I started I remember that whole internet was like “Verka is the hardest thing on earth and only for pros” hehe. But still love the redesigns of mr Katoki. Im waiting for Narrative as I love the looks from the promo materials and I know that ppl are angry about it but at least we will have something new in 1/100. But still I’m waiting for some IBO MGs and still hope we will get some…
I loved the review! I'm new to Gunpla and want to get an Epyon. I have two questions: 1- When comparing the RG and the MG, which is more durable and has parts that don't fall apart easily? 2- There's a new P-Bandai MG 1/100 Gundam Epyon EW (Sturm und Drang). Should I wait for it?
Hello my friend! Thank you for kind words. Appreciate it. 1) both are good in terms of how they are made. I personally prefer MG counterpart. But you will be happy with both. Just choose which design and scale you prefer more. 2) If you want to go with 1/100 I would definitely wait for Premium edition. Cool accessories on board (especially the sword effect part!), so only good things and it’s always better to have more if you can grab Sturm und Drang edition :)
i dont think that the price of this model kit (or most RGs ) isnt too much ,in fact 60 is the base price for an RG (the Vi Nu being on the expensive side ) and i dont think thzt the wings having less articulation is bad : keep in mind that th RGs are supposed to be "what a gundam/ model kit can look like if it was a 1:1 scale working robot" i think it does bring the "real" aspect quite well bcz the wings works like a place type wing
I'd avoid it, especially since the details are tiny and the foil decals are genuinely good, but if I *were* to do it, I'd use a 1mm Molotow chrome pen. Be aware that it takes a long time to dry properly (days).
@salapaterka Personally I think that markers are very cool. You can achieve some beautiful effect in a very simple way. For parts like swords etc chromes are perfect. For small details it can be tricky to get to the small spots so I advice to try using toothpick or brush to detail small parts etc. As mentioned they need to dry and cure and you always need to watch to not scratch the surface. Take your time and experiment and see what do you prefer in final result. When I started I was doing a lot of marker finishing touches(not only chrome) but now I prefer straight oob builds with only panel lines and stickers or to fully paint the kit. Still good chrome marker will look out of this world as a detail when applied correctly.
Hi, yes, it’s coming to the channel soon. I was waiting for other big kits for some cool comparisons in review. Now I got them all so I hope to review MKII in late November. I have a specific schedule and there was a big delay in delivery of other kits that I needed for this video unfortunately so I needed to postponed it. November is gonna be about some bigger models, so some cool things coming up :)
Just built this, was slightly disappointed at how over hyped the kit has been. The main issues I have is the over amount of under gating applied to the part, which usually puts the undergated nub close to a crucial part or at an angle which can be hard to cut. Secondly, the coloured runners are the most brittle runners I’ve ever dealt with, is that normal? Overall still a beautiful kit, but can deffo understand why it’s over hyped.
Hi my friend. Only problems with the plastic was the joint section of the arms in my case. Rest of the parts are ok (wing parts was in fact a little pain. There was a moment where I thought that I will broke the plastic during snapping - so maybe you have right). I mean this kit is really beautiful and love the aesthetics but some of the downsides like the limitation of wings movement (which is unacceptable for me in RG - they should be crazy posable in this incarnation, especially that MG can do crazy good and it is an old boy) and the material durability of the inner frame is just meh. Now we can only dream about Ver.Ka that will be the ultimate Epyon model kit :) I think that a lot of ppl was waiting for another Epyon model kit after the original MG and it was little out of nowhere when they announced it. I was hyped myself as hell - like I mean really. Was waiting for it so much. HLJ did not delivered my preorder so I was desperately searching for one and got my import copy fast enough. Wing is a piece of nostalgia for most of the fans so I understand the hype as well as the fact that some ppl will not see some downsides of this model :)
If you ask about section that I mentioned as a fragile - it is normal process of posing for those who do photography (or just pose for fun). Bandai used very fragile material in the joint section in this model. Weird decision for a kit that can do some heavy posing. So if you pose a lot you just use joints as much as you can and it’s worth to mention that it can break easily in this case - which one more time - is a bad design decision.
@gundamartz I've never been a huge fan of wing kits even though I keep going back to wing zero lol, might be the nostalgia, but Epyon was a favorite and to me should've been the next MS for Heero to use for the rest of the series
@@der76216yeah for most Wing is a big nostalgia trip for sure. But Epyon is top notch design, one of the best in general. Everything is “right” with it. I love this big sword to death. Great design.
Yeah I get what you have in mind. I like the slim sharp body of the RG but there is something in MG that speaks to me more. As mentioned in comment section both are different incarnations of tv/ew so it’s for personal taste matter. Let’s hope we will get verka someday.
As much as i love the review, i have trouble following on what you're saying especially how you say RG and MG. You should emphasize the M and the R more. Because the accent makes the word MG and RG sound the same.
