An amazing piece to accentuate you Metal Build 00 Gundam collection.
Producer: Bandai Tamashii
Price: Approx. $250 USD
Release Date: Oct. 2019
Item Height: 6.75″
Item Weight: N/A
Batteries: N/A
WHERE TO BUY: Premium Bandai (Sold Out)
Back in 2011 Bandai added one of my personal favorite Gundam Mobile Suits to their lineup in the 00 Seven Sword (from the series “Gundam 00”) with a Tamashii Web Exclusive (read; really hard to get if you’re outside of Asia) Raiser add on set in 2013. In 2017 the Metal Build line added the Web Exclusive Metal Build 00 Raiser set (which came with both the 00 Gundam and Raiser without the Seven Sword weaponry.) This year they did a recolor of that 00 Raiser set with a “Designer Blue” recolor and it definitely lives up to that branding in both the color and styling of its deco. Check out the video above to see it in action while I expand with some written thoughts and gallery below. Of course, let me know what you think of this one in the comments as well!
Presentation: The box is pretty standard fare for the Bandai Metal Build toy line however this Designer Blue variant does have a nice slip cover with a cool graphic of the raiser as well as the Tamashii Web Exclusive shipper box. As to be expected the inner contents are packed exactly the same as the previous Raiser set release given that it’s a repaint (which certainly isn’t a negative since everything is well packed within their clamshells and styrofoam.)
Build: So many Metal Builds products have been covered on this site and the Metal Build 00 Gundam Seven Sword/G which uses the same base mobile suit was reviewed in depth so I won’t rehash what’s become a pretty standard build style for this line. However since the big draw on this is the recolor it should be noted that the paint job is absolutely exquisite on it. the lines of the almost cartoon-styled shading throughout it are so well done that it makes me wish I could see the production process on it. The Raiser especially knocks it out of the park with the paint applications.
Accessories: Here’s a list of the accessories taken from the previous 00 Raiser release listing;
[Set Contents]
-Main 00 Gundam model
-Alternative hand part x left, right 4 types each
-GN sword II x 2
-GN sword III
-GN sword connection parts
-GN beam saber x 2
-Beam blade x 2
-Posable GN condenser tank x 2
-Posable GN drive x 2
-0 Raiser model
-Alternative canopy
-Side binder x 2
-GN shield x 2
-Display stand (00 Gundam) set
-Display stand (0 Raiser) set
The accessories are ones that have been pretty standard on the Metal Build 00 variants for years but the Raiser on this piece really stands out more than the previous two standard-colored versions. Something about this particular deco really lets the detailing of it shine and I can honestly say I’ve gotten a much greater appreciation for the job that Bandai has done on this piece because of it.
Articulation: The articulation on this one is just as solid as the previous releases of this mold with it really being able to pull off about as many realistic poses as you can imagine and looking good doing so.
Overall Score: 8.5/10 – The Designer Blue variant of the 00 Raiser does its job well in the sense of being a recolor that really stands out with a deco that looks like a trendy “designer brand” piece. The paint job on this one is done so well that it’s insane. The only thing that I would say is that this isn’t really a piece I’d recommend for someone who doesn’t have a pre existing version of the Metal Build 00 Gundam on your shelf. The purple coloring is just so far from accuracy that just doesn’t make for a proper sole 00 Gundam display.
Check out the gallery below, and if you fancy a Bandai Tamashii Metal Build 00 Raiser Designer Blue Variant for yourself, order one ASAP at Premium Bandai.
