P-Bandai: RG 1/144 Banshee's Armed Armor VN / BS Equipment - Release Info

P-Bandai: RG 1/144 Banshee's Armed Armor VN /BS Equipment [REISSUE]

Release Date: June 2025

Price: 2,090 Yen

INITIAL RELEASE

Release Date: April 2019
Price: 1,620 Yen

This expansion set features a fully articulated Armed Armor Vibration Nails [VN] and Armed Armor Beam Smart Gun [BS], both capable of transforming between Destroy Mode and Unicorn Mode. Designed for versatility, it is fully compatible with any RG Unicorn Gundam model kit, allowing for enhanced customization and display options.

Developed alongside the Unicorn Gundam, the RX-0 Banshee was designed as its counterpart, yet it bore a distinctly different aesthetic and combat role. Rather than following the Unicorn’s equestrian motif, the Banshee embodied the symbolism of a lion, reflected in its gold accents, a golden collar representing a lion’s mane, and a more elaborate horn/V-fin. Initially, the Banshee had the same collar as the Unicorn, but after sustaining damage in space combat, it was modified to its current design.

Unlike the Unicorn's predominantly white armor, the Banshee is clad in deep black, exuding an intimidating presence on the battlefield. When its NT-D System is activated, its psycho-frame emits a golden-orange glow, further reinforcing its regal yet menacing image. While the Banshee lacks the Unicorn’s La+ System, it was optimized for atmospheric combat, with major adjustments made to its operating system to counter Earth's gravity and frictional resistance.

The Banshee’s combat capabilities were refined using battle data from the Unicorn Gundam, transmitted to the Augusta Research Lab. However, despite some minor configuration differences, the two mobile suits remained largely equal in raw performance. Theoretically, any modifications made to enhance the Banshee’s atmospheric mobility could also be applied to the Unicorn, ensuring that both Gundams maintained comparable combat potential.

In the anime adaptation, the Banshee was depicted as heavier than Unit 1, with a larger effective sensor radius. Its armament loadout also differed significantly—it was outfitted with psycho-frame armaments known as the "Armed Armor BS" and "Armed Armor VN", enhancing its sustained combat capability beyond that of the Unicorn. These additions, combined with its refined systems, made the Banshee a highly advanced and formidable mobile suit, often regarded as having a higher degree of completion than its twin.