Kit Review: 1:144 HG00 00 Qan[T] plus GN Sword IV

[E_Wing]

Kit: GNT-0000 00 Qan[T]
Scale: 1:144
Grade: High Grade 00
HG00 #: 66
Series: Gekijōban Kidō Senshi Gundam 00 -A wakening of the Trailblazer- (Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A wakening of the Trailblazer)
Release date: August 05, 2010
Price: ¥1,680 (inclusive of tax)
Number of Parts: 167 plastic parts (162 actual parts (127 Polystyrene (PS) + 4 Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) + 31 Polyethylene (PE)) + 5 unneeded parts) + foil stickers
Total Number of Runners: 5 + polycaps
Polycap Number: PC-001A
Plastic Colors: White, Blue, Red, Yellow, Gray, Clear, Clear Green
Weapons and Accessories: Twin Drive / Quantum System, GN Sword V, GN Sword Bit x6, GN Shield, stand
Kit Gimmicks: Replication of the Quantum Burst Mode, dual mode (sword/rifle) of the GN Sword V, combination of the GN Sword V and the Sword Bits to form the GN Sword V Buster Sword/Rifle, compatibility with the Action Bases 1 and 2 and stands from most other kits.
Optional kit-specific add-ons: Gundam Decal #86 for 1:144 HG GNT-0000 00 Qan[T] (¥420 (inclusive of tax)), High Detail Manipulator #225 Colored for 1/144 Gundam 00 Qan[T] (¥2,000 (inclusive of tax)), GN Sword IV “Full Saber” (Hobby Japan February 2011 (500th issue), ¥1,390 (inclusive of tax))

HISTORY:
This unit first and only appeared in the Gundam 00 movie, entitled “A wakening of the Trailblazer”, which was set in 2314 AD, 2 years after the events of the tv series’ second season.

The GNT-0000 00 Qan[T] is designed and tuned specifically for Celestial Being’s first Innovator, Setsuna F. Seiei, from blueprints based from an Innovators draft and was sent over from Veda (c/o Tieria Erde) with a Level 7 (the highest of all firewall levels) clearance for CB’s engineers to analyze, develop, and construct the unit. As a successor unit to the rebuilt GN-0000 + GNR-010 00 Raiser (now without the twin GN Drives taken from GN-000 0 Gundam and GN-001 Gundam Exia, but with dual GN Condensers attached), the Qan[T] inherits the Twin GN Drive concept and possess the new Quantum System (derived from the 00 Raiser’s Trans-Am Burst). Two new GN Drives were commissioned by the Celestial Being and was developed by a team led by Linda Vashti (wife of Ian Vashti and mother of Mileina Vashti) at Jupiter and was delivered to a Celestial Being research facility camouflaged by a GN Particle cloak. As the result of the new Twin Drive System, the Qan[T] doesn’t need any additional particle stabilizer equipment like those found on the GNR-010 0 Raiser and the GN-0000GNHW/7S 00 Gundam Seven Sword’s GN Buster Sword II. The two GN Drives are located at the unit’s chest behind the GN Condenser (like Exia’s) and underneath the shield.

Like the 00, the Qan[T]’s main weapon is a GN Sword variant, the GN Sword V. Like all of its predecessors, the GN Sword V is a dual-mode weapon: it can change from its sword mode to its rifle form or vice-versa, with the sword mode as default. The Sword V is attached to the left side skirt armor when not in use. A GN Shield is attached over the left shoulder similar to the 00 Raiser’s left GN Drive binder, but now with a GN Drive attached. The GN Shield stores six GN Sword Bits on its sides, which are primarily used as remote-controlled blade bits, but it can deploy a GN Field by placing the bits in a closed spherical formation, blocking all incoming enemy fire. Aside from that, it can combine with the GN Sword V to form the Sword V’s Buster Sword Mode or Buster Rifle Mode, depending the position of the largest GN Bit.

The Qan[T] was given to Setsuna after he wakes up from his comatose state from a mental attack caused by the Extraterrestial Living-metal Shape-shifter (ELS). On his way to break the ELS forces and reach their mothership in order to communicate with them, he saved Patrick Colasaur from being assimilated and death. During when the ELS’ GN-XIV copies began to form around him, Setsuna deploys his GN Sword bits and arranged them to form a circular GN Field for his protection. Later, he disengaged the GN Field and combined the bits to the Sword V, creating the Sword V’s Buster Rifle mode, and then fired a massive beam saber while in Trans-Am mode, but with the mothership regenerating from the damage. While regenerating, Graham Aker’s partially-assimilated GNX-Y903VW Brave (Commander Test Type) slammed into that portion during Trans-Am, creating a large hole for Setsuna to enter but as a result sacrificed himself. When Setsuna reached the ELS’ mothership core, he activated the Qan[T]’s Trans-Am System in conjunction with the Quantum System, resulting in a Quantum Burst, but after the unit’s outer armor are purged. After finally reached to understand the ELS, Setsuna and the Qan[T] quantized to the ELS homeworld and therefore disappear, only to return fifty years later when he visited an aged and blind Marina Ismail in her country home, with the Qan[T] outfitted with new armor and wings (possibly from assimilation) emitting GN Particles in an angelic fashion while being covered in flowers.

PRELIMINARY REVIEW
Box art

Front:

Standard box art for the 00 movie kits against a white backdrop, in this case it’s the Qan[T] with the sword bits deployed with the CBS-74 Ptolemaios 2 Kai behind it.

North side:

The north side of the box, featuring the mech’s specs and info, pilot info, and some of the mech’s profile views (front, rear, and some action poses). The rightmost portion of this side shows the list of the different type of plastics used (PS, PE, ABS) and its recycling info, the box art illustrator’s name, and the product’s barcode.

South side:

The south side of the box features the different details of the kit, including its weapons. The rightmost side features the straight-built kit with its included stand, much like with the 1:144 HG SEED kits.

West/East side:

The west/east side of the box, which is essentially the same as the front but with the box art’s upper half shown. The kit number #66 designates that this kit is the 66th kit of this entire series (tv + movie).

Box open:


Kit contents:
Note: Manual not shown

Runners:

The kit is composed of a total of six runners, containing a total of 131 parts and 36 polycaps. The runners are labeled A to D, with the stand labeled as BA1, which probably means as “Base 1”. The polycaps used is the PC-001 set with expansion A. All parts in the runners A-D and BA1 are used, plus all but five of the polycaps.


Runner BA1 and D are both clear green, except that the former is darker and has glitters all over it.

Manual:

Front page:

Typical manual from the kits based from the movie, which shows the same art used as the box art, as well as the front and rear view linearts, and the screenshot, lineart, and the pilot’s info.

Manual “centerfold”:

This is the manual's “centerfold”, except that this is one of the pages located on the rear, colored side of the manual. This section of the manual contains the weapon and mechanism info of the mech, as well as the some of the different poses of the kit.

Manual catalog:

This page contains the list of the Gundam units that Setsuna piloted in their respective kit form, together with some of the highlights that the kits offers. At the top of this page is a some sort of explanation of the movie, along with some screenshots of the other three Gundam units.

Color Guide:

The kit’s color guide is shown below the manual catalog. As with all Bandai kits the paints used are GSI Creos' Mr. Color paint series, although a pre-mixed Mr. Color color set may be available for the kit’s normal color scheme.

Building instructions side:

As opposed to the colored half of the manual, the other half of the manual contains the black-and-white instruction pages (except for the last page, which is colored). On this side the building notifications, parts list, spare parts order slip, and the building manual proper are located.

Building notifications:

The building notifications are located at the top of the manual’s first page, which is the first page of the manual proper. Only eight out of 14 are not grayed-out, meaning that these are the notifications that are used in this kit.

Parts list:

The parts list of the kit, which is one of the things to check out (for completeness) before buying.

Spare parts order slip:

The order slip for ordering spare parts of the kit to Bandai, located at the right corner of page 1. The price list for each part is located at the lower left of the page (not shown). Not to mention that the order slip can only be used in Japan though.

Building directions:

The main directions for building the kit starts on page 2 of the manual, with in this case the body is being built first.

Manual last page:

The last page of the manual, in complete Technicolor. Since this page is located on the “colored side” of the whole manual, then this page is to be colored also. There are also cases wherein two pages of the instruction manual that are on the colored side, not only one (for example the HG00 #05 Kyrios Gundam, which has one and a half portion of the manual on the colored side). This page shows the very last instructions, usually the weapons, stand, and/or the transformation process.

MAIN REVIEW:
Note: Some foil stickers are applied to this kit as directed by the manual. All clear parts (not the clear green) are not assembled to this kit except for the eye/rear head sensor, and the chest’s GN Condenser. Any large seamlines that may be present on the kit are the result of trimming the underlying male pegs for disassembly preparation, unless stated otherwise.

Body parts:

Head:

The kit’s head, which is essentially a blend of Exia’s and 00’s. A hexagonal GN Condenser on the side of the head was used instead of a circular one. Like the 00, the head is made up of two halves, plus the faceplate, the rear “headband”, and the v-fin. The v-fin is pure white, meaning there are no stickers used on it, although the blue parts on the head are stickers.

Body:

The chest and backpack of the kit, which is kinda similar to Exia’s (because of a GN Condenser at the front of the GN Drive) except that there’s no portion on it that can move independently. It has two ball socket polycaps for the shoulders and a single hinge-type polycap for the GN Shield binder, with the ones for the shoulders a little bit special since it can swivel to the front for additional articulation for the shoulders. As with the 00, the Qan[T] has an independent red, upper waist part connected to the body and the lower waist by ball polycaps.


The “inner frame” of the chest

Arms:

Typical construction of the arms from this series. The Qan[T] is the first Gundam to feature an asymmetrical pair of arm assembly (the two arms are actually the same, except for the shoulder armors (wherein the left looks like a chopped version of the right) and the arm guard). Like the 00, the two parts on the elbows provide shearing action (with a polycap in-between them), and the wrist can move independently. The kit also includes an open left hand just like the Exia.


The arm’s sideward movement range. The movement range of the right one is hindered because of the white shoulder guard on the shoulder armor. Aside from that, it is pretty much the same as the 00’s (including the elbow/arm movement range).

Lower waist:

The kit’s lower waist, which is kinda patterned after the 00, with the exclusion of the red crotch plate. The lower waist is connected to the upper waist part via a ball polycap. The front and side skirts can move independently thanks to their own ball joint polycaps.
Legs:

The leg assembly of the kit. Like the 00, the leg assembly is divided into five major sections: the hip joint, upper leg, knee cap, lower leg, and the feet. The knee joint is incorporated in the upper leg, therefore a pre-paint modification is needed before sealing this kit. A single part (part B6) is used to connect the two legs together, then it is connected to the lower waist portion. The stand is connected at the bottom of this part, with part B1 covering the stand slot when not in use.


The leg’s movement range

Weapon systems:

The Qan[T]’s weapon system which, like the Exia and the 00 Seven Sword, is a seven-sword weapon system. The Qan[T]’s “Seven Swords” consists of the GN Sword V, and six GN Sword Bits, divided into three pairs.

GN Sword V:

The Qan[T]’s main weapon, the GN Sword V. Like all of its predecessors, the Sword V is a dual-mode weapon, meaning the weapon has two modes and can switch modes when necessary (in this case, a sword and a rifle). Among all GN Sword variants, the Sword V is more akin to the Sword II: its basic form is a sword, and it changes to its rifle mode/form when the blade is twisted at 90 degrees. Unlike it’s predecessors, the blade itself (and not only the blade edge) is composed of the same material that the GN Condensers are composed of.

GN Sword Bits:
Another distinct weapon for this unit are the six GN Sword Bits. The bits are divided into three pairs, labeled A-C, with the A pair being the longest, and the B pair being the shortest. The bits can be used to remotely slice/ram the enemy units, and also make a defensive barrier for the Qant[T]. The Sword Bits are stored on the shield when not in use.

GN Sword V Buster Sword/Rifle:

The Sword V’s Buster Sword/Rifle are formed when the Sword V combines with the Sword Bits, with the A bits forming the tip of the sword. The Buster Rifle form is just the Buster Sword with the opened A bits. To combine the bits to the sword blade, the sword blade is swapped with another sword blade, but with hardpoints near the tip to connect the bits into. Problem in the Buster Rifle mode is that it cannot be held in one hand; it needs the other hand to hold it as support.

GN Shield:

The GN Shield with the docked GN Sword Bits. The Shield apparently looks similar to the 0 Raiser’s wing binder, but with a GN Drive attached on the back. The Shield is connected to the backpack by a binder arm, just like the 00 Raiser’s. The unit’s Quantum Burst mode is formed when the Shield is folded to the back, aligning the two GN Drives end-to-end.


The GN Shield without the Sword Bits, and the Shield’s GN Drive.

PROFILE PICTURES:

Front view:


Rear view:


Left side view:


Right side view:


Quantum Burst mode:


Various attack poses:






Optional decal:

The optional, sold-separately decal for the kit.

Comparison with the normal 00:
Note: Qan[T] on the left, 00 on the right

Head:


Body:


Arms:


Lower waist and legs:





Binder arm:


Weapon systems:


CUSTOMIZATION:
The 00 Qan[T] is a stand-alone kit, meaning that any owner-defined modifications are limited (usually adding another GN Shield unit to the right side and its corresponding bits, aside from additional detailing), until the release of Hobby Japan’s GN Full Saber add-on kit. With the add-on kit, one can put the Full Saber on the right side of the kit without making any modifications. Aside from that, one can use the 1:144 HG SEED GSX-401FW Stargazer’s outer beam rings and the stand adapter to replicate the deployment of the Qan[T]’s bits.

JUDGING CRITERIA: (Note: applicable criteria involved. 10 highest)
Construction: 7 out of 10 (above minimal masking and pre-paint modifications)
Parts sealing: 4 out of 10 (for a 1:144 kit, that is understandable)
Foil sticker use: 4 out of 10 (aside from the eyes and the GN Condensers, those on the head, sword blade, and the shield can be easily made as individual parts)
Articulation: 8 out of 10 (for a 1:144 kit, this is very articulated, although there are some obstructions)
Detail: 8 out of 10 (detailed kit)
Kit modularity: 7 out of 10 (the owners who bought this kit are either for a review, to collect, to modify, or largely because of the Full Saber add-on kit)
Quality vs. price: 7 out of 10 (same price as the Seven Sword/G, but with a stand)
Collectability rating: 7 out of 10 (based from above)

Rating formula:
[(Construction – Parts sealing – Foil sticker use + Articulation + Detail + Kit modularity + Quality vs. price)/5 + Collectability rating (extra)]/2

KIT RATING:
6.4 out of 10

[E_Wing]

Kit: GN Sword IV “Full Saber”
Bundled with: Hobby Japan February 2011 (500th issue)
Scale: 1:144
Release date: December 25, 2010
Bundled Price: ¥1,390 (inclusive of tax)
Number of Parts: 30 Polystyrene (PS) plastic parts
Total Number of Runners: 2
Plastic Colors:

blue, clear green (regular)
clear blue, clear green (web limited)

Kit Gimmicks: blue molding instead of the usual white, multiple weapon mode configuration, compatibility with other 00 movie Gundam-type kits (preferably for 1:144 HG00 #66 GNT-0000 00 Qan[T])


HISTORY:

As seen in the Chapter 14 of the graphic novel and MS development book Kidō Senshi Gundam 00V Senki (Mobile Suit Gundam 00V : Battlefield Record), the GN Sword IV is the predecessor of GNT-0000 00 Qan[T]’s GN Sword V and the GN Sword Bits. It is an experimental weaponry system designed to test its variable weaponry system using its Bit Control System before it was finalized and miniaturized into its current form. Unlike the backpack-like structure of the GN Drive used in the normal 00 Qan[T], the traditional GN Drive Cone chassis was used. When the GN Sword IV is connected to the Qan[T], it resembles that of its predecessor, the GN-000 + GNR-010 00 Raiser and giving its full designation as GNT-0000/FS 00 Qan[T] Full Saber but lacking its Quantum System (and its miniature Veda terminal that was added later in the movie). This setup is equipped with two experimental weaponry: the multi-mode GN Sword IV, an experimental buster sword based on the GN Sword III and the GN Buster Sword II which was used to test the variable weapon change later used on the GN Sword V, and three GN Gunblades, dagger-like blades attached to the GN Sword IV that are used as close- and medium-range weaponry, as well used as remote weaponry (like the GN Sword Bits). The data from the Sword IV was later used to develop the Sword V and the Sword Bits.

During the course of the movie, it was shown that in Veda’s simulations that the 00 Qan[T] FS is capable of repelling the Extraterrestrial Living-metal Shape-shifter (ELS)’s invasion of Earth by itself, but was based on very incomplete data, including the ELS’s self-regeneration capabilities. It is unknown how the 00 Qan[T] FS will par against the ELS in actual combat.


PRELIMINARY REVIEW

Box art:

Front:

The kit, along with other add-on kits included in Hobby Japan and Dengeki Hobby magazines, are enclosed in a small box to prevent damage. Those boxes are always included with the magazine issue that they came from, and cannot be bought separately. In this kit, the box features a CG art of the 00 Qan[T] FS with Jupiter in the background, with the logo of the High Grade Gundam 00 (HG00) 1:144 kit series on the lower left corner. At the right half of the box, the title logos for the movie and the novel are shown, because they at some point featured this unit. At the lower right portion the logos for Bandai and Hobby Japan are present, indicating that these two companies may have direct collaboration in making this conversion kit, as well as a possible indication that Bandai may bundle this add-on kit with the HG00 Qan[T] in the near future . It is also noted that Hobby Japan’s last add-on kit bundle (the conversion parts for the GNR-010/XN XN Raiser) does not have the Bandai logo on its box.

North/South side:

The north and south side of the box, featuring a rather simplified version of the front side minus Jupiter.

West/East side:

Same style as the north/south side, but with the novel’s title logo only and the GN Sword IV instead of the Qan[T] FS.

Underneath the box:

Underneath the box contains the contents of the kit, the Qan[T] FS colored lineart, and the completed model, both painted and unpainted.

Box open:


Kit contents:
Note: The manual is located in the magazine


Runners:

The two runners on this kit, labeled “A” and “B”. Runner B contains the clear green parts, and the rest are on Runner A.


The labeling for Runner A, which is the same for any Bandai-released kit (kit name on the front, Bandai mark at the back).

Manual:
Note: Magazine pages are photographed for illustration and documentation purposes only

The four-page manual, located at pages 16-19 of the magazine. On the top left portion of the manual’s page one, the kit’s parts labeling are shown. Page three involves the construction of the different weapon modes of the Sword IV, and page four shows the adaptability of the Sword IV to other kits. It is noted that no spare parts order slip is included in this kit, considering this is a limited release and may not be released again by the time the magazine is reprinted.

Building and painting tutorial:

The kit’s building and painting tutorial, located on pages 30-34 of the magazine. This tutorial is always included when a new kit (including an add-on conversion kit) is released.

MAIN REVIEW


This review will cover the different weapon modes of the GN Sword IV, as well as the other included parts.

Weapon systems:

GN Gunblade (Blade Mode):

The first form of the GN Gunblades. Just like all of the GN Sword series (except the Prototype GN Sword), the GN Gunblades possesses a dual-mode configuration, the first (and also the default) of which is the “blade form”. The blade form is used for close combat with the same purpose as the Exia’s GN Blades and the 00’s GN Sword II and its variants.

GN Gunblade (Gun Mode):

The second form of the GN Gunblades, which is used like the Sword II’s rifle mode, but are more akin to the GN-006 Cherudim Gundam’s GN Pistol II, except that the Pistol II’s have their pistol forms as default.

GN Gunblade Twin Edge:

The combined form of two GN Gunblades in their Blade Mode. It resembles the twin-lance configuration of the GN Sword II, only shorter.

GN Katar II: Note: the review author invented this name because it resembles the Seven Sword’s GN Katar, only longer.

The GN Katar II, which forms the primary blade section of the GN Sword IV. The handle for this weapon is placed on the end of the primary blade section. This weapon is used and handled the same way as the GN Katars.

GN Sword IV Saber Mode:

The basic form of the GN Sword IV, which involves the primary blade section, the main body and the hilt, and one of the Gunblades mounted on the side. Usually used in conjunction with the GN Gunblade Twin Edge.

GN Sword IV Rifle Mode (High Output - Rapid Fire):

The second form of the GN Sword IV, which is used as a rifle for medium range combat. It is essentially the primary blade section and one of the Gunblades forming a blaster-type weapon. Like the GN Sword, GN Sword Kai, and the GN Sword III, the blade is folded back and pointing to the mech’s body, exposing the rifle nozzles. The Sword IV’s main body and the other Gunblades can be placed on the main binder arm, or formed as the Twin Edge.

GN Sword IV Rifle Mode (Wide Cutter Beam):

Essentially the same as the High Output - Rapid Fire mode, but with the primary blade section pointing outwards.

GN Sword IV “Full Saber”:

The fourth form of the Sword IV, with all parts attached. It is basically the Saber Mode with all Gunblades attached, and used the same way as the GN Buster Sword II’s sword mode. The three Gunblades functions as the secondary blade sections.

GN Sword IV GN Launcher Mode:

The fifth and final form of the Sword IV, which is essentially the Full Saber but with the Gunblade edges extended. It is held using the bottom Gunblade handle and one of the side Gunblades’ handle, and it is used as long-range, high-powered buster launcher.

Backpack:

The brand-new backpack, which was designed to adapt the Qan[T]’s backpack and have it resemble with the 00 Raiser’s but with a GN Drive cone at the middle. The Drive cone, the binder arm, the main backpack body, and the hardpoint for the Qan[T]’s own binder arm are physically separated for easier painting, although some additional detailing has to be done on it.


The installation procedure of the new backpack. The whole GN Shield (with the GN Sword Bits) and the binder arm has to be removed from the Qan[T] before attachment of the new backpack. The polycap for the Qan[T]’s binder arm has to be pointed to the back since it is the main latching point of the new backpack. The GN Shield and the binder arm assembly is then mounted on the new unarticulated hardpoint. Since it uses an unarticulated hardpoint compared to the original backpack, the kit cannot be shown in its Quantum Burst mode, not to mention that it now uses the cone design for the Drive and also its specs doesn’t say that it has the Quantum Drive (and the Veda terminal) installed.

GN-010 Gundam Zabanya adapter part:

The adapter part for the 1:144 HG00 #67 GN-010 Gundam Zabanya, specifically for the GN Gunblades to be attached at one side of the Zabanya’s GN Holster Bits. Since there is just one included adapter, only one side of the Holster Bits the adapter can be attached into, although theoretically it can be attached to both sides of the Holster Bits (for a total of four, three Gunblades each adapter). For the Gunblades to be attached to the adapter, they must be in their blade form.


The Gunblades attached to the adapter.

GN-011 Gundam Harute adapter part:

The adapter part for the 1:144 HG00 #68 GN-011 Gundam Harute, specifically for the attachment of the primary blade section to the nose of Harute’s MA mode, making it perfect as a ramming weapon. When transformed to MS mode, the primary blade section still remains at the MA’s nose, but it can be removed to function as the Katar II. The Gunblades can be either attached to the primary blade section, or to the part above the handle of Harute’s GN Sword Rifle by slightly modifying (or actually cutting) Zabanya’s adapter parts.


Harute’s adapter attached to the primary blade section.

PROFILE PICTURES:

Front view:


Rear view:


Left side view:


Right side view:


Various attack poses:

GN Gunblade (Blade Mode):


GN Gunblade (Gun Mode):


GN Gunblade Twin Edge:


GN Katar II:


GN Sword IV Saber Mode:


GN Sword IV Rifle Mode (High Output - Rapid Fire):


GN Sword IV Rifle Mode (Wide Cutter Beam):


GN Sword IV “Full Saber”


GN Sword IV GN Launcher Mode:


GN Sword V:


00 Qan[T] weapons comparison:



CUSTOMIZATION AND OTHERS:
Since this is a conversion and an add-on kit, various customizations can be done, sometimes using two or more of this conversion kit (aside from the Zabanya, the Harute can be outfitted with three Full Sabers, and ten Gunblades (four conversion kits) for the #69 CB-002 Raphael Gundam’s five-fingered GN Claws). The Full Saber is especially valuable to modelers, since it can be modified into something else (one modeler used the Full Saber as a rifle/sword in the unrelated 1:144 HGGB GPB-X80 Beginning Gundam showcased in the same magazine issue). Aside from that, the backpack can be used to mount another Full Saber in place of the GN Shield, or vice-versa.

It is interesting to note that this kit was molded in blue, and not the usual white color. However the parts that are supposed to be white are molded separately, except for the white stripe on the primary blade section. The gray parts have to be painted by masking the other parts.

[E_Wing]

Note: all of my pics are working, just click on the non-showing thumbnail for the full pic.

[E_Wing]

Optional decal:

In the following issue of Hobby Japan (March 2011 issue no. 501, released January 25, 2011 for ¥930 (inclusive of tax)), they released an (almost) all-white marking seal sheet for the 00 Qan[T] and the GN Sword IV. The markings for the GN Sword IV are similar to those found on the 1:100 Metal Composite 00 Gundam Seven Sword, and the same white stripes from the GD (Gundam Decal) #86 1:144 HG 00 Qan[T] (¥400 (inclusive of tax),including the stripes for the sword bits) for the base kit. The decal placement and tutorials are located from page 97 to 102, with the marking seal inserted between pages 98 and 99. The supposedly white parts on the main body of the Full Saber are made as marking seals, and a white Gundam Marker (#11, made by GSI Creos, ¥210 (inclusive of tax)), for decal finishing and for painting the white parts .

My suggestion for the decal is to scan it and print it with a printer capable of printing in white (or send it to a printing service).


Hobby Japan March 2011 front cover


Close-up of the marking seal notice on the front cover.


Page 97 of the magazine, showing the numbering and placement of the marking seals. About half of the seal sheet is for the Full Saber (#1-22), and the other half is for the HG Qan[T] (23-49); total of 66 markings. The markings on the upper left of the decal can be used as replacements for the A/B/C markings on the seal #1, 7, and 9 (respectively) for those who want to paint the kit. Also the marking seals for the Qan[T] can be omitted if one has the water-slide decals for the kit (either Bandai’s, self-made, or from a 3rd party).


The tutorial section for the marking seal application (pages 98-101). Apparently for some reason the marking seals need to be dipped in water first (maybe to provide additional surface adhesion?). As said above, a white Gundam Marker is used to paint the parts white, and as a decal “extension”.


Page 102 of the magazine, showing the completed kit. The above half of the page shows the completed kit with the included marking seals, while the below half (second pic) with the GD #86 added.


The marking seal itself.

[E_Wing]

Added the marking seal from HJ March 2011 issue. Apparently my Harute and another Full Saber kit (both clear) are taking their time in customs but will still take part in this review.