Metal Material Model GQ - Force Impulse Gundam

Series	Metal Material Model GQ
Title	Force Impulse Gundam
Release Date	December 2004
Manufacturer	Bandai
Suggested Price (JPY)	5,500
Scale	1/100
Height (cm)	approx. 18.0 cm
No. of Parts	1 figure + 19 additional parts + 1 instruction manual + 3 plastic runners
My Rating	Very Good

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Comment
Force Impulse Gundam is the third release of Bandai's Metal Material Model and the first of the three version of Impulse Gundam from Gundam Seed Destiny anime series. As the following release of Metal Material Model Strike Gundam and Launcher & Sword Strike Gundam, Bandai labeled this next entree 'GQ' an acronym for 'Gundam Quality'.

As expected from this series, it is made of super heavy metal that makes it feel sturdier than most plastic models. This comes with a base model of Impulse Gundam with additional component snap-in letting you build the Force Impulse Gundam or split them into three sub-units namely, Core Splendor, Leg Flyer and Chest Flyer.

Packaging
This comes packaged in a colored box with windows at the front and back revealing Impulse Gundam. The figure and additional parts are kept in a transparent plastic tray with the instruction manual and three plastic runners kept in a plastic bag tapered to the tray. The plastic runners consist of two white runners with eight plugs each and the other in blue with two plastic plugs. The plugs are intended to cover up the expose screws on the figure, a feature first seen in SOC GX-24 Tetsujin 28.

The following is the part list of this package.

1 figure separated in 2 portions.
2 transparent red beam blade (to attach to beam handle to form a complete beam saber)
2 beam handle (attach to strike backpack)
1 core splendor (w/ removable missiles, foldable wings, able to convert to core block)
1 "Force Silhouette" jet pack (w/ moveable wings and thruster)
2 wings (attach to "Force Silhouette" jet pack)
2 combat knife (store in compartment at side skirt armor)
1 beam rifle (moveable scope, can attach to rear)
1 shield (extensible on all four sides in Force Impulse mode)
1 additional shield connector (to swap with existing in chest flyer mode)
1 white armor piece (attach to leg flyer as cockpit)
1 additional antennal
4 additional hands


Impulse Gundam crossed his combat knives	Impulse Gundam rear view, ready to make a kill


Front view of Force Impulse Gundam	Rear view with the attached Force Silhouette. Lower wings are moveable

Appearance and Metal Composition
The package did not specify the exact scale for this figure but it is obviously in the range of a 1/100 scale. The paint job and finishing is quite good for a mass produced toy. There do have some paint run here and there, which is minor and could be let pass. The figure painted in standard Gundam color scheme of white, blue, red and yellow. I prefer the idea of flat color here where it produce a less plastic look compare to the prior Metal Material releases. In overall, this is a plain and basic toy without any decorative decals found as in the fix figuration series. It is merely paneled with grey linings on some selective area.

Unlike the prior release of Metal Material Model where the entire inner frame is made of metal, metal is found only at second half of this figure making this a middleweight comparing to its predecessors whom weights at a whooping 5kg. There is 2 reason I can think of why Bandai's idea of cutting down the metal composition. Firstly, the weight of the upper abdomen might stress the Core Splendor block and secondly is obviously the reason to cut its production cost. The lighter upper body does have another advantage here where it produce a figure with an excellent center of gravity making it well-balanced in any pose.

The bad is it does feel less exclusive with half of the metal gone.

Articulation
The articulation is main feature here. Although it comes without an inner frame, it is still superb in every way. It uses mostly of double hinged joints and ball joints. The head is ball jointed. Upper arm rotate in Y-axis couple with double hinged for the elbow. Shoulder moves upward at an angle allowing it to adopt some signature pose as seen in anime. Feet separated in 2 parts with a tri-ball joint and move independently. An excellent improvement is found on the waists area where it rotates and shift sideways even with the armor put on (although in limited range). Skirt armor move 90 degrees upward not hindering any leg movement. Both side skirt armor can open reveal compartment for the combat knifes.

Gimmicks
Impulse Gundam is a combiner robot and this figure faithfully replicates the design as seen in the anime. It can be separated into 3 separate unit namely, Core Splendor, Chest Flyer and Leg Flyer. While these 3 unit combine will give you the basic Impulse Gundam that comes without any modular attachment. Force Silhouette jetpack, beam rifle and shield are then added-on to it giving you a spectacular Force Impulse Gundam. The Force Silhouette jetpack comes with articulated wings and thruster. The beam sabers are plug on via the readied slot.

Conclusion
Force Pulse Gundam comes in a flat colors scheme and a good amount of 'chogokin' (die-cast) makes this a serious piece of action figure rather than a toy. Great articulation makes this pose-able in every mean. This is also a ’Gattai’ (combiner) robot that ensure a good amount of play. The bad is this might be too simple for collector who demand much more detailing comparing to a later release of Force Pulse Gundam in the GFF line (Cosmic Era #7001). I choose this older release over the GFF version because I am someone who fancy function over style. I prefer a rock heavy action figure rather than a beautiful piece of PVC brick.

This item is purchased from Mongkok, HK.