Release Date: August 2026
Price: 2,420 yen
INITIAL RELEASE
Release Date: June 2021
Price: 2,090 yen
The Rick Dias used by Apolly and Roberto from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is officially joining the HG lineup with updated parts, refreshed articulation, and its recognizable anime color scheme faithfully recreated with molded colors!
Based on the HGUC Rick Dias, this version features updated exterior parts and revised joints inspired by the original design artwork from the series. The refreshed construction gives the mobile suit a cleaner and more modern appearance while keeping the heavy AEUG style that made the Rick Dias stand out during the Gryps Conflict.
The articulation has also been improved to match the latest HG standards, allowing for more dynamic posing and smoother movement across the body. Whether equipped with its Clay Bazooka, Beam Pistols, or Beam Saber, the Rick Dias is capable of recreating powerful action scenes straight from Zeta Gundam.
Originally developed by Anaheim Electronics as part of the ambitious Zeta Project, the RMS-099 Rick Dias became one of the AEUG’s most important mass-produced mobile suits in the battle against the Titans. Designed with heavy influence from former Zeon engineers, the unit carried over classic Zeon-style features like the mono-eye sensor while introducing advanced technology such as the lightweight Gundarium γ armor material.
The Rick Dias was initially planned to carry the name “Gamma Gundam” before eventually receiving its final designation, a name inspired by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias and symbolizing a major turning point for the AEUG movement.
With its updated proportions, anime-accurate colors, and modern HG articulation, this release looks like another solid addition for longtime Zeta Gundam fans and collectors of early Gryps-era mobile suits.
Cool... now give us the Break Dias.
ReplyDeleteI could kinda understand the (not) char one being p-bandai but like... why the normal variant. :(
ReplyDeleteWhy is a regular grunt p Bandai? Makes no sense to me at all
ReplyDeleteLet me guess, Bandai too afraid that the old original kit will no longer sell much if this went out as Retail. (Possible COVID affecting their decisions as well no idea)
ReplyDeleteMore like they don't think a HG Rick Dias will sell well at all is my bet.
Delete^This
DeleteSince there aren't enough changes (e.g. redesign or remodeled like Revive versions) they probably figure it's not cost effective to release it on the main market and get folks to pay more for it. As you said, buyers will be dissuaded from buying the 1.0 ver when there is a 1.5 available.
It looks cool and all but its NOT worth it. Compared to the price you will be paying for this as a P-bandai and with how little improvement there is, youre better off just going with the older HGUCs instead. Its much cheaper and theyre not that rare as theyve had alot of reprints. The kit has alot of new parts and details but didnt get that desperately needed articulation or gimmick improvements overall. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS, there are better P-bandais and normal releases that are worth more than what youll end up paying for this disappointment of a kit unless youre really dead-set on getting a "semi-modernized" 1/144 Rick Dias.
ReplyDeleteSpeak for yourself.
DeleteI'll gladly take this over the old pieces of junk that preceded it.
The improvements may not be much in the grand scheme of things, but in the case of the Rick Dias, they're more then worth it to me.
This release was inevitable.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a newly retooled Revive of the Rick Dias is clearly preferable but I have to intervene on your point about the articulation of these new 1.5s. I own the Quattro's version of this as well as an original HGUC and the articulation in the arms and legs are worlds apart.
ReplyDeleteAnd for those that are keen on details like proportions and accuracy, this improved version is definitely better than the old HGUC. Plus the colors this new one is molded in are so much better (surprise--not everyone paints all of their kits 100% of the time). That said, its worth sharing that the only new parts are all of the red runners (on Quattro's version) and the rest of the components that make up the arms and legs save for the hands, soles/bottoms of the feet, the shin cover, and the shoulder peg connecting the arms to the body.
Ultimately, I'm happy with mine and I think it was a worth while purchase. I'm pleased to see the Early Type is getting a release. Though because the differences could be considered minor by some, I'd recommend anyone looking into this one to get it while it's still in preorder, if you can. Otherwise paying some third party chump 100% markup would not be worth it.
Cool, but I'll take the older HGUC. Cheaper and easier to find. For a bulky looking MS, I don't think it should even be too articulated in first place.
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