Favorite release this year was hands down the Zeta ver ka. Absolutely beautiful kit, a marvel of mechanical engineering. Bandai really outdid themselves with this kit. It's got fantastic stability, articulation, and is fully transforming, so you'd think that one of those three points would have been compromised to some degree, but it scores 10's in all categories. Furthermore Bandai really must be doing something funky with that plastic because the molds were sharper than I think I've ever seen, and the plastic itself was far softer. I can't wait to see what they do next. Also, no Zeta ver ka in the video, riot!
It was nice built but building the kit was absolutely miserable. Then the limited accessories for the price i kinda agree with zaku on not putting it here. It was definitely not my favorite verka and i really like zeta gundam
@@JimC1984 What was miserable about it? It was a long build, but I didn't mind it because the parts layered together so nicely and with such a tight fit - particularly on the leg build. I will say that I made a newbie mistake and accidentally forgot to put a part in one of the legs right as I finished it, forcing me to pull apart the entire leg and have to rebuild it pretty much from scratch, so I had a pretty painful experience, and yet still enjoyed it. The only thing I don't like about the kit is that the chest is still so hollow inside and the swivel peg joint in the chest is so short that it easily works itself loose. The peg for the neck assembly is also a very weak contact point in what is otherwise a very solid construction.
What would be cool as MGSD? Zeta Gundam. Heavyarms. Turn A/Turn X. DoubleX Gundam. What we'll probably get? Knowing Bandai... Unicorn Gundam (Destroy mode).
100% Agree with the Michaelis being a kit to mention as a highlight in 2023. It was my least favorite design out of the 5 main suits in the Season 1 batc. After building and posing it around with photos my opinions shifted; I fell in love with it;. It is without a doubt my #1 HG pick out of the WFM line. It's a joy to fiddle and pose with it, and it doesn't feel fragile, whilst keeping it minimal with the C-clips (For comparison, the shoulder binders of the HG Pharact are incredible loose over time).
It's not exactly gunpla but one of my favorite kits from last year (and just in general) was the HG Guren Seiten. Great build process and the plastic quality out of the box is pretty exceptional with a great set of colors and mix of finishes that make it look fantastic even as a completely straight build. Would love to see a video of your favorite non-gunpla model kits of last year too. Also love the MGSD kits and hoping to see more. My most-wanted is probably the atlas gundam, but I'm expecting Nu to be next.
The MGSD Barbatos is amazing. It’s such a small package with a lot to offer. Probably my favorite kit of 2023. I would love to see and MDSG of the kashatriya. I think it would be perfect for the line and would like great in those proportions
I’ve been impressed with all the Witch kits I’ve built. Every one has been so easy to pose. Never been a fan of SD kits but might check out the Barbatos.
My surprise favorite that came out of nowhere was the HG Shin Burning Gundam. It has all the features you'd expect the Burning Gundam to have as well as the extra effect parts. It's one of the easier to pose and the effect parts gives you a lot of options, especially the cloak that can double as a set of wings. With the success of SEED Freedom, I'm expecting we'll see at least a new MG or two out of them, especially since they went out of the way to redesign the HGs as well. The Akatsuki is especially overdue for an overhaul. What I want is a proper MG Barbatos Lupus Rex and a redo of some of the other IBO frames with the upcoming interquel Urdr Hunt. As for an MGEX, God/Burning for sure. Bring the RG size one to an MG with an emphasis on its posing and flexibility by utilizing some of the PGU tech in it.
I haven't built the Barbatos yet, but the MGSD Freedom was surprisingly good, I was blown away how detailed and sharp everything was. Zeta Ver Ka I thought was ok, didn't blow me away since I don't care for the Waverider transformation, but it's sharp and stable. I would love to see an MGSD Zaku, or just grunt suits. But most likely we'll be getting a Unicorn and maybe Aerial/Caliban while it's still popular.
I can't recommended Gundölva enough for those who hasn't built it yet. It cost me almost if not thrice as the original price to import but it was so good I'm buying another soon!
I just realized that RG Epyon''s spikey rod was actually released with PBandai RG Tallgeese 3 back in 2019, that means it's not a ''new'' MS joints part, but a mass production of an exclusive gimmick. Anyway, RG Epyon is still the best/second best gunpla kit ever made IMO.
My pick is for the failed moderoid tetsujin 28. Either version that sold out everywhere. Cheap Styrofoam plastic but very easy snp together that works on the simple yet esthetically pleasant job by moderoid 😂❤
Love the MGSD Freedom, plan to get the Barbatos soon. Wouldn't be surprised to see an RX-78 eventually, but it should be packed in with a Char's Zaku. Another prediction, MGEX Phenex Narrative ver ka.
I'm really hoping for an MGSD 00 Raiser or ZZ (Or maybe Qubeley or the O, but no way were getting those yet). Anything with big proportions that's normally either really expensive or very unwieldy to pose.
IMO, Gundvolva is the best HG of 2023 the articulation is really good, and the color suits for beginner if they wanted to combine it with HG Build Customs add-on (no painting needed)
Man I love Michaelis!!! For me, it's my favorite WFM kit and what I've used as a base to kitbash other WFM kits! All of my Aerial's have Michaelis legs and feet! Love the shoes far better than the standard Aerial shoes! HAHA!
For someone like me that has limited display space, but likes details and gadgets on the kits. MSGD Freedom and Barbatos, with the RG Epyon were my favorites of this year. I definitely can't wait to see what the next MGSD will be (I hope it won't be more Unicorns). I do hope Bandai finally gives the MGSD line a RX-78. On April 7 2024 will mark 45 years of Gundam.
I really really wanted to love the Lfrith Ur, but sadly my copy came loose out of box (easy fix) and some of the parts were straight up only half finished being printed. Nothing too important was missing and I could finish the kit, but it kinda just soured me on the kit
For something that seemed like a fake, the MGSD kits were way better than I expected. And here's hoping that the new SEED kits continue the upward trend in quality of HG kits. I really hope they aren't just Build style kit bashes with older parts and continue to improve the HG line.
That's a great wishlist for me to add to the already long wishlist of gunpla kits I would like to own and build. Well,... minus the MGSD Freedom. And the HG Lfrith Ur (got mine already; backlogged sadly).
Even though Epyon is an ms from Wing series which should be smaller than regular Gundam for example Rx-78-2, Bandai made the Rg taller exceeding even the regular Gundam. So i guess is not quite a small kit, but sure it has quite a lot of small parts.
I used to do all the grades I’ve of gunpla but I kind of gave up on real grade because they’re just too delicate and I always break them in someway not saying that they’re not good kits though
big disagree with zeta ver ka not being on the list. It truly is a marvel of engineering and it excels in everything its meant to do. the build was amazing, and tbh I would for sure have put it there instead of the full mechanics kit or instead of Lfrith Ur.
I am personally really underwhelmed by the L'frith Ur. It just kind of looks like a generic design from AGE or 00, but not in a really interesting way. I dunno it really just doesn't stand out to me at all aside from the gatling gun.
SO ARE SD'S not as cool because there too cute? I feel that the MGSD are a great middlemen for the gunpla product, but EVERYONE ELSE WANT SERIOUS GUNPLA STUFF!😂
The SD design isn't for everyone. In Japan cute things are embraced, but in the west cute things are hated. Japan hates egdy but the west loves edgy. As a Super Robot Taisen fan I'm very used to SD but others may find it weird. I like most SD designs but not SDEX (they look a bit off compared to usual SDs), not SD Sangoku Heroes (too busy, too much) and not the Gunpla-kun one (just ugly and creepy). For example I don't like half of Witch from Mercury designs, especially the Michaelis development line but others like it. The thin slim feminine mecha (aside from Jehuty of course) just weird me out for some reason. To each their own. And it's a good think there's so much out there that anyone can find something they like.
Ngl the mgsd line is probably the most disappointing thing for me, it would be fine if we were still regular MGs but man I feel like Bandai is just telling me to keep my money.
Have you tried building one? I understand the aesthetic may not be for everyone, but the kits are really nice and fun to build! Maybe try one of you can find one on sale or something 😊
Sorry, I don't like any of the designs from Witch From Mercury, and I like the Lfrith Ur a lot less than most of the other designs. Calibarn and Aerial are probably the only "good" ones from the batch to me, as a UC absolutist, and the only kits from the series that I would consider buying. To be honest, I don't like a single design in this video either, lol. The MGSD Freedom is at least really neat with the eyes and head camera details, that's the thing that interests me about that line.
