Okay, let me try to explain Gundam: The Origin. This started out as a manga retelling of the first Gundam TV show, but it has since been animated in part. In many ways it's typical of prequel and expansion trends you see in big franchises. As the name implies, it functions as an explanation for the One Year War, especially with those segments animated, but its more of a remix. As you might imagine, the continuity drifts after a while, most obviously with the mecha designs. These initially look to be a same-thing/different-artist affair but end up with some noteworthy differences, in an uncanny valley kinda way. Today's subject is one such example. What first appears to be a minor GM variant, but features vulcans in left forearm and heavy weapons built into the backpack.
Tangent for a second: why is it only the Federation that routinely features vulcans/miniguns/machineguns/anti-infantry-dakka as secondary weapons? Within the context of the One Year War at least. These weapons make the most sense in a combined arms conflict, not a mobile suit versus mobile suit war. As the Federation had no suits at the start, it was combined arms, shouldn't every Zaku have that feature? <quick google> Oh, Origin doubles-down on this, and has Federation suits much earlier. OK. Now it makes less sense. Moving on.
So, here's the thing. This is a luxurious kit, with a load of weapons, including some you didn't know you wanted. It utterly shamed the regular GM, although that's very old. The GMGM has lost its top spot. This is extremely new and it's an Adele situation, where they took what was already a nice Gundam and turned it into a grunt. Best GM ever? I don't know, but it's a question you can reasonably ask. The articulation, engineering, colour separation, and sheer quantity of stuff like waterslide decals make for a good argument there. The legs are especially well-engineered, with numerous little quality of life touches. I mean, the beam saber mounts are even articulated, making a drawing pose that bit easier. Thrusters are articulated in places too, and there's even a toe joint.
HOWEVER.
However, this is a kit that requires an individual sticker for each missile in those pods. Yes, one individual red sticker for each missile. 26 of them. Also, for reasons I don't fully understand, the circular joint covers are separate pieces, which then require stickers. Why? Also, we're using a lot of polycaps here, which mostly work great, but these are also used for backpack hardpoints, and mine don't feel great. I think a hard plastic part would have worked better there, but your mileage may vary. So a bit of a mixed experience then? Well, it's like someone created the perfect chocolate cake, only to go cheap on the icing, and top it with a hazelnut.
So, you can probably guess what I skipped, and I shall now gently shift towards the build and painting. I opted to paint the missiles while still on the runner, as an act of spite, and opt for a load out that didn't over stress any polycaps while still retaining the Origin style. This meant the "early type" Beam Spray Gun with those missiles, and the optional, erm, butt rack for the beam sabers. Other weapons have gone into bitzbox as deposits against future projects. I did a basic weathering job, painting silver behind the visor as I like that effect, and gunmetal for those joint covers. I declined to apply the waterslides as I honestly do not care. In other news: I found my action base!
My general tone and petty complaints aside, I do like this kit an awful lot. Origin kits are clearly prestige items for Bandai, which makes the imperfections worse, but it's hard to dislike the end result. If you like the look of this kit, and are aware of those imperfections, I'm pretty sure you'll have a good time.
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