Master Gundam & Fuunsaiki HGFC 1/144

Master Asia doesn’t arrive alone. He arrives on horseback.

The HGFC 1/144 Master Gundam & Fuunsaiki brings together one of Mobile Fighter G Gundam’s most iconic Mobile Fighters and the legendary mechanical steed Fuunsaiki in one brilliantly unusual High Grade package.

Originally released by Bandai on 27 August 2011, the set includes the GF13-001NHII Master Gundam, its dramatic cloak system, Master Cross and Sekiha Tenkyoken effect parts, plus a large 1/144 Fuunsaiki that can actually carry compatible Mobile Fighters.

GF13-001NHII Master Gundam

Piloted by the legendary Master Asia, Master Gundam is one of the defining machines of Mobile Fighter G Gundam.

Where many Gundams rely on enormous rifles, cannons and missile systems, Master Gundam reflects the fighting style of its pilot.

This is a Mobile Fighter.

Martial arts come first.

Its design is dark, sinister and instantly recognisable, combining deep blue and black armour with red and yellow detailing and the enormous wing binders hanging from its back.

And then there’s the cloak.

Master Asia – The Undefeated of the East

Few Gundam characters have ever made an entrance quite like Master Asia.

Also known as the Undefeated of the East, he is Domon Kasshu’s martial arts master and one of the most powerful fighters in the entire Future Century timeline.

Master Gundam reflects him perfectly.

Elegant when standing still.

Absolutely terrifying once the fighting starts.

And apparently completely comfortable riding into battle on a robotic horse.

Because G Gundam has never allowed common sense to interfere with a good idea.

Transforming Wing Binder Cloak

One of Master Gundam’s signature features is recreated directly in the HGFC kit.

The huge rear wing binders can be arranged to reproduce both their deployed appearance and the distinctive closed cloak configuration. Bandai even designed the armour so Master Gundam can recreate poses with its hands emerging from beneath the cloak.

It’s an essential part of the character.

Close everything around the body and Master Gundam takes on its mysterious cloaked appearance.

Open it up and the silhouette changes dramatically for battle.

Attack Mode

Deploying the rear sections gives Master Gundam a much larger and more aggressive appearance.

The huge pointed structures spread outward behind the Mobile Fighter, immediately transforming the silhouette from mysterious martial arts master to full-on Gundam Fight opponent.

That means the same kit can produce very different displays depending on how you configure the binders.

Martial-Arts Articulation

A Master Gundam kit needs to pose.

Standing upright holding a rifle isn’t going to cut it.

The HGFC design incorporates the articulation needed to reproduce the exaggerated fighting stances associated with G Gundam, including kicking, striking and wide-legged martial-arts poses.

Multiple hand options further expand those possibilities, making Master Gundam considerably more expressive than a conventional military-style Mobile Suit.

Master Cross

Naturally, the Master Cross is included.

This flexible-looking cloth weapon is one of Master Asia’s signature pieces of equipment and allows you to recreate some of his most recognisable combat techniques.

Bandai specifically includes an effect component for reproducing the Master Cross in action.

It also gives Master Gundam something rather different from the standard Beam Saber or Beam Rifle normally found in an HG box.

Sekiha Tenkyoken Effect

Things get even better when the special attacks start.

Bandai includes a large effect component for recreating Sekiha Tenkyoken, one of Master Asia’s signature techniques.

It’s exactly the kind of exaggerated accessory that belongs with a G Gundam kit.

Normal hand?

Too boring.

Give Master Gundam an enormous glowing martial-arts attack instead.

Darkness Finger

Master Gundam’s hand options also allow the model to recreate the Mobile Fighter’s famous Darkness Finger attacks.

These expressive hands are particularly useful because so much of Master Gundam’s personality comes through its martial-arts poses rather than conventional weapons.

Combined with the wide range of arm and leg positions, you can create some fantastic confrontation displays against God Gundam.

And Then There’s Fuunsaiki

As good as Master Gundam is, the real reason this particular release stands out is sitting in the other half of the box.

Fuunsaiki.

A mechanical horse.

For a Gundam.

Not a motorcycle that transforms into a horse.

Not a support vehicle vaguely shaped like a horse.

An actual robotic horse designed to carry Mobile Fighters.

And yes, you build it.

Fuunsaiki in 1/144 Scale

Fuunsaiki is recreated as a substantial model in its own right.

Its large body, mechanical legs, head armour and flowing tail make it considerably more than a simple display accessory.

Once completed, Master Gundam can actually be positioned riding Fuunsaiki.

The horse is articulated too, allowing you to alter its stance rather than simply displaying it as a completely static platform.

Put the two together and you get one of the most distinctive displays available in the entire HGFC range.

Other Mobile Fighters Can Ride Fuunsaiki

Bandai went one step further.

Fuunsaiki isn’t restricted exclusively to Master Gundam.

The official product description specifically confirms that other Mobile Fighters can also be mounted on Fuunsaiki.

Most importantly, that opens the door to recreating scenes with God Gundam riding Fuunsaiki as well.

So if you already have the HGFC God Gundam, this set suddenly becomes even more useful.

Display Stand Included

Fuunsaiki also comes with a display stand, helping support more dynamic configurations.

That’s particularly useful if you want something more dramatic than simply having the horse standing with all four feet planted.

Combine the stand, Fuunsaiki and Master Gundam and the finished display becomes considerably larger than you’d normally expect from a 1/144 HG release.

Two Models in One Box

That’s the major appeal here.

You’re not simply buying Master Gundam with a tiny bonus accessory.

You’re effectively building two substantial subjects:

Master Gundam

and

Fuunsaiki

The original Bandai release contains eight moulded runners, along with a foil sticker sheet and assembly instructions.

It’s an unusually generous package for an HGFC release.

Perfect Partner for God Gundam

If you’ve got HGFC God Gundam, this set becomes even more entertaining.

Master Gundam and God Gundam are made for opposing displays.

Domon Kasshu versus Master Asia.

God Finger versus Darkness Finger.

Student versus master.

Add Fuunsaiki and suddenly you’ve got even more possibilities.

And because Fuunsaiki can accommodate other compatible Mobile Fighters, the horse doesn’t have to spend its entire life carrying Master Gundam.

Fantastic G Gundam Display Piece

Mobile Fighter G Gundam kits are at their best when displayed dynamically.

These aren’t anonymous mass-production machines standing neatly in formation.

They’re characters.

Master Gundam needs the cloak.

It needs the expressive hands.

It needs the ridiculous attacks.

And, obviously, it needs the horse.

Put everything together and this becomes one of those HG sets that immediately attracts attention even when surrounded by larger Master Grade kits.

Classic HGFC Construction

This is a 2011 High Grade Future Century kit, so builders should keep its age in mind.

You’re not getting the engineering of a modern RG or the latest HG releases.

What you are getting is a straightforward snap-fit build with plenty of character and some fantastic display gimmicks.

The model can be assembled without glue for normal construction, while painting is optional.

Builders wanting a more detailed finish can add panel lining, metallic accents and additional colour work to both Master Gundam and Fuunsaiki.

Product Features

• Manufacturer: Bandai / Bandai Spirits
• Range: HGFC – High Grade Future Century
• Scale: 1/144
• Mobile Fighter: GF13-001NHII Master Gundam
• Pilot: Master Asia
• Includes: Fuunsaiki
• Series: Mobile Fighter G Gundam
• Original release: 27 August 2011
• Master Gundam cloak configuration
• Deployable wing binders
• Martial-arts posing
• Multiple expressive hand options
• Master Cross effect
• Sekiha Tenkyoken effect
• Darkness Finger posing
• Large 1/144 Fuunsaiki model
• Articulated Fuunsaiki
• Master Gundam can ride Fuunsaiki
• Compatible Mobile Fighters can also ride Fuunsaiki
• Fuunsaiki display stand included
• Eight moulded runners
• Foil sticker sheet
• Snap-fit construction
• Painting optional

Why Add Master Gundam & Fuunsaiki HGFC 1/144 to Your Collection?

Because you aren’t just getting Master Gundam.

You’re getting Master Gundam with its cloak.

Master Cross.

Special attack effects.

Darkness Finger posing.

And then Bandai puts a 1/144 mechanical horse in the box.

The ability to transform Master Gundam’s wing binders between deployed and cloaked configurations gives the Mobile Fighter plenty of display options by itself. Add Fuunsaiki and the set becomes something completely different from the average HG. Better still, Bandai designed Fuunsaiki so other compatible Mobile Fighters can ride it too.

For G Gundam fans, Master Asia collectors or builders who’ve looked at their Gunpla shelf and realised it contains nowhere near enough robotic horses, Master Gundam & Fuunsaiki is one of the most entertaining HGFC sets Bandai has produced.

Cloak open. Darkness Finger ready. Fuunsaiki saddled. The Undefeated of the East has arrived — and apparently walking was never an option.