Many years have passed, and this is the very first time that I reviewed a non-gundam model kit. As a Gundam only fan, to be honest, I am very skeptical about reviewing or even trying to build other mobile suits that didn’t carry the name Gundam. However, this time is different, the Sinanju really caught my eyes. Especially the Crimson Red Sinanju version of Full Frontal. Today's blog is about the MG Sinanju model kit variants. Hopefully this little guide will help you to choose your own version of the Sinanju.
Here I go.
MG-Sinanju Stein Ver. Ka
Materials: PS, ABS.
Runners: 23 runners in total
Release Date: February 23, 2013
Arrangements:
• Beam Saber x2
• High Beam Rifle x1
• Shield x1
• Beam Cannon x1
• Missiles x4
Head - The back panel of the head prevents it from moving freely.
Body - Hip articulation is second-to-none. The abdomen is rotatable side to side but quite not easy. Back and forward bending at the abdomen-chest area shows restriction. Rotation at the hip section is also limited.
Arms - Great flexibility over 90 degrees. Rotation is available.
Hands - Fully articulated fingers. But it is easy to break if you apply too much force.
Hip - Front skirts extension is great. The side skirt has limited movement. The back skirt movement is less than 90 degrees. The center rear hip includes a weapon mount.
Backpack Thrusters - 2 sides of the backpack can move up and down. A little side to side movement is achievable. Hoods top and bottom can open and close. The fuel tank tube is a whole solid pre-molded therefore the appearance of assembling lines of two pieces snapping together is absent.
Legs - can perform excellent frontal movement. Knee bends over 90 degrees thanks to double joints. Side thruster pieces can extend outward and rotate back and forward.
Feet - Ankle armor can lift upward for further ankle movements. Ankles can move side to side easily at joints. Also, multiple joints at foot provide decent articulations.
MG-Sinanju Stein Narrative Ver. Ka
Release Date: June 29th, 2024
Materials: ABS, PS.
Runners: 33 runners
Arrangements:
• Beam Saber x2
• High Beam Rifle x1
• Shield x1
• Grenade Launcher x1
• Twin Beam Axe x1
• Bazooka x1
The differences are minor compared to the original Ver. Ka. Such as
- Difference shape at the tip of the shield.
- Including Axe beam Saber that can be mounted into the shield or can be detached for holding.
- The grenade launcher now can be attached to the shield
- Bazooka now can be attached beneath the beam rifle.
- Colors are different in certain body parts. Most noticeable with Zeon crests.
- Longer Fuel tanks.
Compared to the MG Sinanju Narrative (Release Date: Jan 19th, 2019), there are no differences at all except for extra runners which are made up for extra parts. The normal has 31 runners compared to 33 runners as seen in the Ver. Ka version, and also comes with a few water decals and two sheets of stickers.
MG-Sinanju OVA: Full Frontal Version. (RED)
Release Date: March 27th, 2013
Materials: PS.
Runners: 23 runners
Arrangements:
• Beam Sabers x2
• Twin Beam Axe x1
• Beam Rifle x1
• Shield x1
• Grenade Launcher x1
• Bazooka x1
A distinctive Crimson Red color represents the Red Comet Char Aznable. But the pilot is Full Frontal, A pilot who claims his name.
Head - Head is different from the grey Sinanjus because of the distinctive Zeon tube design surrounding the neck, and big horn with the mono-eye. The head can pivot upward almost 90 degrees thanks to neck joints. Also, it can also fully rotate on its own axis.
Shoulders - Has double joints. The first joint is located at the chest piece of the kit and the beginning of the shoulder armor. The second joint is at the end of the shoulder armor, and it can flip up to allow the arm to lift 90 degrees.
Arms - The arms can nicely bend 90 degrees vertically at elbows and extend a little outward direction at shoulders. The beam saber placement which can be seen by simply “pop-out” the armor part underneath the arm of the Sinanju.
Hands - Unlike the other MG version of the Sinanju, which has five separated pre-assemble fingers, this OVA Sinanju Red fingers can only articulate at the second digit of each finger (except the thumb that has no articulate digits) . The hands pivot 360 degrees at the wrists.
Body - In general, the articulations are overall similar to other versions of the Sinanju. It can perform a minor abdominal crunch and pivot side to side. At hip, the Sinanju can rotate its waist side to side but is limited because of the Zeon tubs interference. Front, side and back skirts pivots are also restricted by the tubs. Hence, thighs movements are also limited.
Legs - Can lift but less than 90 degrees because of the interference of the front skirts. Knee has double joints that help the shin section to perform a nicely “right-angle” bend. The side thrusters sections can also fully rotate 180 degrees in both directions. The feet can pivot side to side at their central axis and can bend backward nicely. However, because of no moving parts at the front shins, the feet can only lift at a minor degree. The tips of the feet are smaller compared to the other versions of the sinanju.
Backpack - It is different from the standard Sinanju. The side thrusters are covered by two pieces of armor hinges located at both sides of the main thruster pack. The armor hinges can expand and the inner thrusters can extend outward to resemble wing-like structures. The thruster wing pivots can also be achieved at their joint connections at the backpack. The Fuel tanks underneath the thrusters can also partially rotate on their own axis.
Shield - the shield tip is pointed, and it can be equipped with the bazooka as well as the grenade launcher. Also, the twin beam axe can also be attached to the shield just like the Narrative version.
Rifle - a sleeker design compared to the other Sinanju, the beam rifle is thinner. However, it can be attached with either a bazooka or a grenade launcher.
In conclusion, each Sinanju comes with unique design characteristics and each of them carries a variety of different weaponries that provides excellent choices for customers who are looking for something that is not always exquisite to Gundam design style. The majestic look of the red Sinanju gives users the feel of owning a top tier Mobile Suite that is exclusive to the royal palace while the grey Narrative Sinanju still remains the design of the Earth Federation with some extra Zeon crests emblemed on its body. Whether you imagine yourself a leader of Zeon’s “Sleeves” faction or an “All-Time” Earth Federation soldier, the Sinanju series has your back.
Until next time Mina-san,
-Novice Coordinator.