Kimi The Builder

Now we are really back!

HELLO! We are back!

In today’s 639th edition of our Let’s Talk Gunpla segment. We’ll continue where we left off with our Retail release announcement discussions, as there are still a few more releases that we want to discuss.

But admittedly, there aren’t any more MGs to talk about, just HGs.

So, without further ado. Let us get into it, shall we?

HG 1/144 gMS-Ω GQuuuuuuX [Endymion Unit Awakened] (HGGQX)

Release Date: January 2026

Estimated price: JPY 2,860 (MYR 81.70* / USD 19.33* / EUR 16.57*)

*The price is subject to change, depending on the situation

This one is another kit that we were surprised to see getting the Retail treatment. We assumed that with Sayla’s version getting the P-Bandai treatment (and the currently only HGGQQX kit receiving the P-Bandai Treatment), the HGGQX GQuuuuuuX Endymion Awakened version also might get the same treatment. Why wouldn’t we assume it to be? This is the kind of kit P-Bandai usually aims to release under its ‘P-Bandai’ banner.

Thankfully, Bandai was being sensible here and gave this one a proper retail treatment, and good for them for doing so!

So what is new here, you ask?

To be honest, back when we saw the teaser announcement, we expected this one to come with only a new fixed head unit on top of the existing head units and the Zeknova effect parts. But after looking at the HGGQX GQuuuuuuX Endymion Awakend version promotional materials, we learned that we are not getting a new head part on top of the existing heads. Instead, we are getting the same two-head configuration, one is the familiar closed V-fin head variant, while the other is the standard head unit, which comes with a new feature. What new feature are we getting here, you ask? Well, they finally added hinges to the HGGQX GQuuuuuuX head unit that would enable the head unit to open to reveal the Endymion unit inside. Honestly, this alone is enough to make us want to get one.

Also, it is nice to finally not have to swap heads around. Although we do wonder how good this feature would be, will it come with a locking mechanism that would enable it to stay in the Awakened mode without wearing out the head hinge mechanism?  Or Bandai would just have us only rely on the new kit’s tightness to keep the head open?

We just have to wait and see when we get this one to know which way Bandai leans on this kit, eh?

And before we forget, yes, it does come with the Zeknova beam effect parts with this release. Which we admit looks cool as heck!

But despite the HGGQX GQuuuuuuX Awakened Version getting a lot of new stuff, this is still the same HGGQX GQuuuuuuX kit, so we don’t expect any major overhaul to the base kit.

But even with that said, we still think that this is still a worthwhile purchase for fans and newbies!

HG 1/144 ZGMF-X66S Legend Gundam (HGCE)

Release Date: January 2026

Estimated price: JPY 3,080 (MYR 87.98* / USD 20.81* / EUR 17.85*)

*The price is subject to change, depending on the situation

Honestly, we find it hilarious that we got the HGCE Legend first before we got the HGCE Providence. But we don’t mind it so much since we all prefer the Legend’s design over the Providence.

So, of course, we are excited for this.

But the question now is, is this the proper upgrade to the previously released HGSEED version?

From the looks of it, we think so.

For one, it is clear from examining the promotional materials that Bandai has improved the articulation of the HGCE’s version. Using the same ‘SEED Action System,’ it is clear that we can really bend and pose the HGCE Legend’s limbs, which enables us to pull off even more dynamic poses when compared to the HGSEED version. What this means is that now you can really pull off those crazy, cool anime combat poses that you saw in the show.  

The other noticeable change to the design that we noticed is that the HGCE’s version looked more square-ish. What do we mean by square-ish? Well, sharper design on the body and shoulder armor, and more square-ish leg unit design. This change made to the design does make the HGCE Legend look more aggressive and menacing, but admittedly, we prefer the more rounder look of the HGSEED version.

But we are not saying that this is not a good-looking kit, and we still like how it looked overall. But we just wish that they kept some of the design elements of the HGSEED version, since it looked closer to the anime version. Well, some parts of it, anyway.

But there is one thing that Bandai got right, and that is the proportion of the Legend’s Dragoon system! FINALLY, we get an HG Legend that comes with that properly ridiculous Dragoon backpack unit.

Admittedly, we do find it funny that for this version, we finally get a Legend Gundam with an anime-accurate size, but the overall look, even though it does look badass, it isn’t anime-accurate.

But even with that said, we are still keen on getting this one. Just to see how much we can push it.

HG 1/144 MS-09 Rick Dom [Challia Bull Custom] (HGGQX)

Release Date: January 2026

Estimated price: JPY 3,630 (MYR 87.98* / USD 20.81* / EUR 17.85*)

*The price is subject to change, depending on the situation

FINALLY, to close, we are now going to talk about the final of the retail HGGQX kit that was announced this round. And surprisingly, we are getting another version of the GQuuuuuuX’s Rick Dom!

This announcement does come as a surprise to us all because (just like the previously discussed HGQX GQuuuuuuX Awakened Ver.), usually we don’t get recolors as a retail release nowadays. So, yeah, we think it’s nice to see an awesome recolored kit getting a retail release.

And yes, from the looks of it, it is clear to us that this is only the recolored version of the approaching HGQX Rick Dom (Gaia/Ortega). Yes, we can’t say for sure yet how the experience of building this kit will be since no one has their hands on it, but we can confidently say it would be the same thing as Gaia/Ortega’s version.

It even comes with all the same weapons and equipment. The only difference between this version and Gaia/Ortega’s version is really just the color scheme. Instead of the Purple/Back that you get with Gaia/Ortega’s version, here you get a blue/black color scheme, which does look cool as hell, and it somehow reminds us of a certain ponytailed Zeon pilot. Even the decals and the Heat Saber come in different colors.

But is it enough to make us want to get this version? Hell yes. Because, look at it. We can’t imagine anyone looking at this and not being interested in it.

Well, ok, we admit that the third leg backpack thing might not be for everyone. But still, we can’t imagine anyone (that is not interested in Gaia/Ortega’s version) looking at this and not reconsidering their stance on getting one. That is just how good-looking it is.

This is definitely one of the HGGQX kits that we are looking forward to getting.

This concludes the 639th edition of the Let’s Talk Gunpla segment. Finally, we managed to cover all the main Retail releases that we saw last week! This round is one of the best batches of Gunpla release announcements that we’ve seen from the retail side for a while.

We have a feeling that we might see more from the retail side in the coming months or weeks, even. But for now, if this is all we get till the end of the year, it is good enough to sustain our excitement, because man, do we have a lot to look forward to in 2026!

And next in line, we’re going to cover the P-Bandai side’s latest release announcement, and it is from the series that we never imagined would finally be made into reality! We are really looking forward to that!

Also, you might have noticed a slight change to our posts, which is because we recently added a donation tab to our posts to help keep this site running and to fund our future projects. However, we want to clarify that we will not be placing any of our content behind a paywall. All of our content will remain free for everyone to access.

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Ciao!