The STRIKE NOIR GUNDAM. One of the limited edition toys from Tamashii Nation 2022. The moment I saw it, I knew it was incredibly stylish and a must-have. After much anticipation and waiting, I finally managed to acquire it. Now, it's review time.
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Regarding its appearance, much has already been said. When you hold and play with it, you'll find it largely deviates from the existing impression of the GUNDAM STRIKE; you can treat it as an entirely new toy. After all, many new details have been redesigned, making the mobile suit appear more "sharp" and "powerful," making it truly irresistible.
The paint application is quite exquisite, with clear markings and excellent coloring. After half a day of handling, there were no noticeable scratches, indicating a well-executed paint job and good color separation.
As for articulation, it's generally comparable to the "GUNDAM STRIKE," which by today's standards is only average. Some joint designs could be improved; for instance, the skirt armor causes significant interference, and the leg's range of motion is insufficient. Of course, simply standing with its armaments is already stylish enough.
Regarding the main body, there are some modifications to the arms, primarily the wrist section. Compared to the GUNDAM STRIKE, the articulation joint is designed in the middle of the forearm rather than near the wrist, allowing for more fine-tuning of the mobile suit's hands. As for the skirt armor, its design is even sharper.
Next, let's discuss the backpack. The method of attaching the backpack to the back is the same as other mobile suits, so I won't elaborate. The backpack, connecting to the twin wings, features numerous joints, allowing for a wide range of adjustable angles. Some of these joints are "ratchet joints," which provide greater stability. However, not every small joint is a ratchet joint or equally firm. Especially the part connecting to the backpack itself, if all of these were ratchet joints, the play experience would likely be even better. After all, some areas are tight while others are loose, making adjustments a bit challenging.
The backpack can spread open, and both the sword and cannon sections can be deployed, making the twin wings look even better on its back. However, if you photograph only the STRIKE NOIR GUNDAM main body without the backpack, it loses a bit of its charm. Therefore, the backpack is extremely important to it; it directly correlates with its "coolness."
Maintaining a consistent spread for both wings requires considerable effort.
The long cannons on the backpack are good, featuring extendable sections, which is a nice touch. However, if the barrel could extend further, appearing a bit longer, the effect would be even better.
As for the twin swords on its back, they are truly well-made. Their size is appropriate, they aren't too heavy to hold, and they exude an imposing presence, which I greatly appreciate!
Regarding other weapons, let's first discuss the main weapons: the dual handguns. Since the shoulder articulation range is the same, although the handguns have magazines, posing them in a reloading stance seems a bit difficult, and I didn't force it.
The dual handguns can be fitted with stock attachments, but it's unclear how they are meant to be used, as holding them feels quite unnatural. If one could hold a single gun with both hands, then the stock would be functional.
As for the twin long rifles, the hand holding them isn't very stable and tends to wobble. Fortunately, their length compensates, and they still convey an impressive presence.
Additionally, grappling hooks can be attached to the hands, feet, and back, but I have little interest in such twisty wires. Therefore, I only tried attaching them to the hands for play.
Overall, the mobile suit's design is very stylish, with excellent, dark, and imposing colors that exude power. However, to be fair, there aren't many areas for extensive play. While designed on the foundation of the GUNDAM STRIKE and featuring numerous redesigned elements, the mobile suit's articulation is still somewhat insufficient. If the articulation could be further improved, the toy would undoubtedly be able to strike even more stylish poses!
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