[Kit Insight] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build RX-93-v2 Hi-v Gundam

A big, beefy hunk of metal (and plastic)!

[Kit Insight] Mcshow Metal Build 1/72 X-105 Blue Warrior

Third party die-cast figures can be a bit of a mixed bag: while they cost a fraction of officially-sanctioned ones, the quality may sometimes leave much to be desired.

[Accessory Analysis] MJH 1/100 Caletvwlch Set - Straight Build

An extremely cost-effective alternative to the real deal that ultimately still lacks the premium feel of the original.

[GALLERY] Sculpt Labs "Metal Build" Perisoreus Internigrans (Vanishing Trooper MK-II Mass Production Type)

A third party rendition of a Super Robot Wars mecha that just looks and feels phenomenal. 

[QUICK LOOK] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build Evangelion Eva-01 Test Type

It's not hard to see why this particular Metal Build product is so crazily popular.

[QUICK LOOK] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Crossbone Gundam X1

Shiver me timbers!

[Kit Insight] Metal Gear Metal Build 1/100 Strike Freedom Sapphire Version

An admirable attempt to make an affordable third party iteration of one of the most popular mobile suit designs in its most premium form.

[Gallery] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 GN-0000GNHW/7SG 00 Gundam Seven Swords/G

The final form of the 00 Gundam Seven Swords immortalised as a Metal Build figure for the 10th Anniversary of 00 Gundam!

[Gallery] MoShow/Poison Toys/Kungfu Toys Metal Build Plus 1/100 00Q Qan[T]

While cosmetically similar to the Bandai version of the Metal Build 1/100 00Q Gundam 00 Qan[T], this third party offering bears many distinct differences, notably in the bundled equipment!

[Gallery] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Gundam Exia (10th Anniversary Edition)

A worthy - but pricey - addition to 00 Gundam's growing Metal Build line!

[METAL BUILD] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 GNT-0000 00 Qan[T]

Setsuna's endgame mobile suit, immortalised in Metal Build form!

[Accessory Analysis] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Tactical Arms II L & Tiger Pierce Option Set

More goodness for the fantastic Metal Build Gundam Astray Red Frame!

[GALLERY] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Powered Red & 150 Gerbera Straight [Power] Option Set

Powered Ridiculousness!

[Gallery] Metal Club Metal Build 1/100 GN-0000/7SG 00 Gundam Seven Sword/G [Inspection Colours]

Third party companies are giving Bandai a run for their money in the area of Metal Build collectibles, and this 00 Gundam Seven Sword/G makes a very strong case.

[METAL BUILD] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 F91 Gundam F91

The Formula Project Gundam F91 can be considered one of the most enduring masterpieces that stemmed from a Gundam series. It boasted a sleek, unique design that is complemented by a rich story that gave birth to another longstanding Gundam classic (Crossbone), securing the F91's place in the annals of Gundam history. Therefore, it comes to no surprise that a Metal Build version of the venerable mobile suit would prove immensely popular.

And it is.

[Metal Build] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame Full Weapons

As long as Bandai continues to make Metal Builds, people will continue to buy them. 

The Astray Blue Frame was teased sometime back along with a number of other potential releases, but the Blue Frame was more or less confirmed with a definite release date. True to the Metal Build brand, the Astray Blue Frame Full Weapons is exquisite, meticulously crafted with precision and a keen attention to detail. There are various sections on the armor that are painted in off-white, to give it a pseudo-camouflage look befitting of the clandestine Serpent Tail.

[Accessory Analysis] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Strike Freedom Gundam Wings of Light Option Set

Bandai and Tamashii Nations have been doing some fabulous work with the Metal Build line of high-end collectible figurines, releasing model after model that always receive considerable reception and a corresponding spike in business profits. Seeking to further monetize this revenue stream, the creators have also released Option Sets to enhance the base Metal Build, whether it is in the form of additional weapons, armor or just a few pieces of well-crafted plastic.

[Kit Insight] Mo Show Metal Build Plus 1/72 Aile Strike Gundam

Yes, it's not called an Aile Strike Gundam but everyone knows it is an Aile Strike Gundam. 

And man, what a glorious Aile Strike Gundam it is. 

For a third party creation, Mo Show's first foray into the high-end metal-composite toy market is impressive, amazing and will give Bandai a run for its money if it could match the Japanese company's output and economies of scale. Nevertheless, it is still a very remarkable product, chock full of gimmicks and finished with a level of quality that is nearly indistinguishable from the original brand's.

The LEDs man, oh god the LEDs.

Mo Show is definitely one to look out for.

[Metal Build] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 MBF-02 Gundam Astray Red Frame with Flight Unit

There isn't much to be said about the Astray Red Frame. 

There is just something about that sleek design, that overall look that screams Japanese by blending traditional elements with futuristic technology as well as that massive katana that is rather out of place in a mecha universe where laser beams fly fast and furious. However, the Astray Red Frame has transcended expectations and soared to immense popularity, more so than any of its other coloured brethren and arguably some of the protagonist mobile suits with plenty of airtime in the mainstream series.

Therefore, it was only a matter of time before Bandai dropped the Red Frame in Metal Build format. The groundwork has already been laid via the Metal Build Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Mina, which is a beauty in its own right, and fans have been clamouring for the Red Frame ever since. What was surprising however, was the fact that Bandai dropped the Flight Unit along with the release of the Metal Build Red Frame! As an Option Set that doesn't exist in any official 1/100 format, the Flight Unit can be seen as the final piece to the Red Frame puzzle, the one thing that completes a standard Astray Red Frame. The Red Frame by itself is a bare skeleton, while the Tactical Arms frankly looks bulky and awkward on a mobile suit as sleek and agile as the Red Frame. Hence, the Flight Unit complements the Red Frame perfectly, it is THE backpack for the Red Frame. 

The Metal Build renditions of both the Red Frame and the Flight Unit don't disappoint, although I feel that Bandai is cutting back on the die-cast quotient in their recent Metal Build releases. That's not to say that the Red Frame feels cheap and light; the main body has a nice heft to it and all the shine associated with the metal frame is there in beautiful, marvelous shades of metallic red. 

Of course, Metal Builds are not perfect, and come random nub marks or blemishes can be found here and there, although most of these are few and far between. One gripe however, is the design of the V-Fin attachment point. Rather that affixing the V-Fin to the head unit as per all other Metal Build releases, the V-Fin of the Red Frame is packaged away from the main body, and you'll have to pop it in place during "assembly". The design here is a little flawed, as the V-Fin pops out with the slightest touch. If you're not careful, said V-Fin can disappear into the 4th Dimension. However, this is an easy fix with a drop of glue or cement, but you'll have to be very, very careful.

Overall, the Metal Build Gundam Astray Red Frame is a sexy beast, definitely a must-get for all Red Frame fans out there.

[Metal Build] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Strike Freedom Gundam

It is a Metal Build variant of the insanely popular Strike Freedom Gundam, what more is there to be said?

A near complete redesign of an already awesome mobile suit, the Metal Build treatment of the Strike Freedom features many acute angles and keen edges, with nary a curve or rounded corner found throughout its metal composite frame. As an analog to the Demon Lord motif of the Metal Build Destiny Gundam, the Strike Freedom invokes images of an armored archangel, sent to do eternal battle with its mortal nemesis. 

And it has the equipment and accessories to accomplish its task.

The finishing is superb, the quality is great, the joints are tight but the feet is somehow a little too underwhelming to hold up such an amazing figure. Nevertheless, the Strike Freedom is a fantastic addition to any Gundam collection, if you have a deep enough wallet, that is.