MGEX ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam 1/100

Gold frame. Eight Super DRAGOONs. Full Burst Mode. And six different metallic finishes hidden beneath the armour. The MGEX Strike Freedom isn’t simply another Master Grade — it’s Bandai pushing the Strike Freedom concept as far as it could go.

The MGEX 1/100 ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam recreates Kira Yamato’s legendary Mobile Suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny as the second release in Bandai Spirits’ premium Master Grade Extreme (MGEX) line.

Released on 19 November 2022, its development theme was the pursuit of the highest level of metallic expression in Gunpla. Bandai combines three types of special surface treatment, two metallic moulded colours and etched metallic stickers to produce six different metallic expressions throughout the spectacular internal frame.

ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam

The Strike Freedom is one of the most recognisable Gundams of the Cosmic Era.

Piloted by Kira Yamato, it serves as one of the principal machines of the Clyne Faction during the latter stages of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.

Its design takes the basic concept of the Freedom Gundam and pushes almost everything further.

More firepower.

More mobility.

More remote weapons.

More gold.

And considerably more wings.

The MGEX takes that already extravagant design and turns it into one of Bandai’s flagship 1/100 Gunpla projects.

Master Grade Extreme

MGEX isn’t simply another name for Master Grade.

Bandai describes Master Grade Extreme as a high-end MG brand built around an individual “extreme expression” theme for each Mobile Suit.

For the Strike Freedom, that theme is:

Extreme metallic expression.

And Bandai didn’t achieve that by moulding the entire frame in one shade of gold plastic.

Instead, different materials and surface treatments are layered throughout the internal structure to create a far more complicated mechanical appearance.

Six Different Metallic Expressions

The internal frame is the centrepiece of the entire model.

Bandai uses a combination of:

• Three different types of special metallic processing
• Two colours of metallic moulded plastic
• Etched metallic stickers

That creates six distinct types of metallic appearance throughout the frame.

Some areas are bright and reflective.

Others are more subdued.

Some components look almost plated.

Others provide darker metallic contrast.

The result is a frame that deserves to be displayed before you even start fitting the exterior armour.

Build the Frame Before You Hide It

This is one of those Gunpla kits where you’ll probably spend an unreasonable amount of time staring at the internal structure before adding the armour.

And you should.

The gold frame is effectively a display model in its own right.

Bandai deliberately designed it to be visually impressive even before the Strike Freedom’s familiar white, blue and red exterior components are installed.

Take some photographs.

Admire it.

Then reluctantly cover half of it with armour.

Gold Visible Through the Armour

Fortunately, Bandai knew hiding all that metallic work would be slightly cruel.

The exterior armour has therefore been structured with carefully designed gaps that allow portions of the gold internal frame to remain visible.

Red clear components are also used around areas including the shoulders and arms, creating additional layers where the internal mechanical structure can be seen beneath the exterior.

The result is a much more complex appearance than simply placing white armour over a gold skeleton.

MG’s Most Extensive Frame-Linked Articulation

At release, Bandai described the MGEX Strike Freedom as incorporating the largest number of frame-linked movable gimmicks in Master Grade history.

Movement in one mechanical section causes surrounding frame and armour components to move with it.

This technology had appeared selectively on previous MG and RG kits, but the MGEX uses it extensively throughout the body.

Bend the joints and the surrounding mechanical structures respond.

Move the limbs and armour sections shift naturally.

It’s mechanical movement designed to look organic rather than simply functioning as a collection of hinges.

Designed Around Human-Like Movement

The Strike Freedom’s fictional design is intended to provide movement approaching the natural motion of the human body.

Bandai specifically used the MGEX internal frame to reproduce that concept.

The interconnected frame movement allows the completed model to achieve natural-looking poses while still retaining the complicated armour and weapon systems surrounding it.

That becomes particularly important when you start recreating Kira’s signature poses.

Full Burst Mode

Obviously, you’re going to do it.

Wings open.

DRAGOONs deployed.

Railguns positioned.

Beam Rifles ready.

Everything pointing in a different direction.

Full Burst Mode.

Bandai specifically engineered the MGEX articulation to recreate the Strike Freedom’s iconic Full Burst poses while maintaining the mechanical movement of the frame underneath.

It’s one of the defining displays for the entire kit.

And at 1/100 scale, it takes up an impressive amount of shelf space.

Super DRAGOON Mobile Weapon Wing

The enormous Super DRAGOON Mobile Weapon Wing dominates the Strike Freedom’s silhouette.

Eight DRAGOON units surround the backpack, giving the Gundam its instantly recognisable winged appearance.

The individual sections can be moved and deployed, allowing you to display the Strike Freedom with its wings closed, fully spread or with the DRAGOON units removed for attack.

The mixture of dark blue exterior armour and gold mechanical components makes the backpack one of the visual highlights of the entire model.

Eight Super DRAGOONs

The Strike Freedom carries eight EQFU-3X Super DRAGOON mobile weapon units.

These remote weapons dramatically expand the machine’s attack capability and are essential to recreating the spectacular multi-directional attacks associated with Kira Yamato.

With the units attached, the Strike Freedom has its classic winged silhouette.

Remove them and the backpack opens up to reveal even more of the gold mechanical structure underneath.

High-Energy Beam Rifles

The Strike Freedom carries two MA-M21KF High-Energy Beam Rifles.

They can be wielded independently for the classic dual-rifle configuration.

But they can also be combined.

Connect the two rifles and they form the Long-Range Beam Rifle, giving the completed model yet another distinctive weapon configuration.

Bandai’s MGEX frame articulation was specifically designed to allow convincing two-handed Long-Range Beam Rifle poses.

Two-Handed Long-Range Beam Rifle Poses

This sounds straightforward until you remember what’s surrounding the torso.

Large shoulders.

Armour.

Wings.

An articulated internal frame.

Getting both hands naturally around a long weapon without making the Gundam look like it’s wrestling with itself requires considerable movement through the shoulders and upper body.

The MGEX frame provides the necessary range to bring both arms together convincingly.

It’s one of the best demonstrations of what all that internal engineering actually achieves.

Xiphias 3 Rail Cannons

Mounted around the waist are the Strike Freedom’s MMI-M15E Xiphias 3 Rail Cannons.

These can swing forward into firing position, adding another pair of weapons to Full Burst Mode.

When not required, the equipment integrates into the waist without dominating the silhouette.

Deploy them alongside the rifles and DRAGOONs and suddenly the reason Strike Freedom doesn’t carry a conventional shield becomes fairly obvious.

It has apparently decided that the best defence is firing at everything simultaneously.

Calidus Multi-Phase Beam Cannon

The torso contains the powerful MGX-2235 Calidus Multi-Phase Beam Cannon.

Positioned directly in the chest, it adds another firing point to Strike Freedom’s already enormous arsenal.

During Full Burst Mode, the Calidus combines with the Beam Rifles, rail cannons and DRAGOON equipment to produce the machine’s signature all-direction attack display.

Super Lacerta Beam Sabers

For the rare occasion when something survives long enough to get close, Strike Freedom carries a pair of MA-M02G Super Lacerta Beam Sabers.

The MGEX articulation allows the model to recreate both single and dual-saber combat poses.

The official manual specifically highlights Beam Saber posing as one of the areas where the advanced frame movement improves the model’s ability to reproduce scenes from the series.

Beam Saber Combination

The two Beam Saber handles can also be combined into a double-ended configuration.

It’s another display option for builders who want something different from the usual Full Burst pose.

And with the wings spread behind it, a double-ended Beam Saber gives the Strike Freedom a fantastic close-combat silhouette.

Beam Shield

Strike Freedom’s defensive system is represented through its Beam Shield.

Clear effect components recreate the energy shield while keeping the forearms free from the enormous physical shields carried by many other Gundams.

Bandai’s manual also highlights Beam Shield-equipped poses as part of the range enabled by the MGEX frame.

Wings Designed for Display

The backpack is huge.

But Bandai hasn’t treated it as a static lump hanging from the model.

Individual wing sections can be repositioned to alter the silhouette dramatically.

Close everything together for a tighter standing configuration.

Spread the wings for the classic Strike Freedom appearance.

Deploy the DRAGOONs.

Or open everything up as far as possible and accept that the model now owns that entire section of your display cabinet.

Exterior Armour with Layered Construction

The armour itself isn’t ignored just because the frame is the star.

Bandai uses carefully separated exterior components to give the white armour depth, while dark blue, red and gold sections create the familiar Strike Freedom colour scheme.

The slightly more open armour construction deliberately exposes areas of the internal frame beneath.

It creates an almost cutaway mechanical appearance without requiring you to remove half the armour.

Etched Metallic Stickers

The MGEX also incorporates etched metallic stickers as part of its six-style metallic treatment.

These provide extremely fine metallic detailing in areas where ordinary plastic components couldn’t achieve the same appearance.

Combined with the specially treated and metallic-moulded parts, they help break up the gold frame so it doesn’t look like one uniform mass of yellow-gold plastic.

Water-Slide Decals

For builders who want to push the finished model beyond the straight build, the MGEX includes a detailed marking treatment suitable for its premium status.

Applying the markings across the large 1/100 armour surfaces helps turn the relatively clean anime design into something much more mechanical.

Take your time with them.

This isn’t the sort of kit you rush through on Friday night because you want it finished before Saturday morning.

Display Base Included

A dedicated display base is included.

That’s important.

The Strike Freedom is already a large 1/100 Mobile Suit, and once those wings are spread and the equipment deployed, the footprint becomes considerably larger.

An aerial display also suits the design far better than simply standing it upright with everything folded behind it.

Get it airborne.

Spread the wings.

Then start deploying everything.

Kira Yamato

The MGEX naturally represents the Strike Freedom as piloted by Kira Yamato.

The machine was built around Kira’s exceptional abilities, combining extreme mobility with an enormous selection of weapons that can engage multiple targets almost simultaneously.

That philosophy is perfectly represented by the model.

Almost every direction you look, there’s another weapon.

From Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny

The Strike Freedom is one of the defining machines of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny and has become one of the most popular Gundam designs from the Cosmic Era.

That popularity has resulted in numerous Gunpla interpretations over the years.

HG.

RG.

MG.

MG Full Burst.

And now MGEX.

But the MGEX isn’t simply another upscale.

It’s Bandai’s showcase version built around the mechanical and metallic spectacle hidden beneath the armour.

A Proper Premium Gunpla Project

This isn’t a quick build.

The MGEX Strike Freedom is aimed squarely at builders who enjoy the process as much as the completed model.

There are layers.

Lots of them.

Build the frame.

Experience the linked articulation.

Add the metallic details.

Install clear components.

Add the exterior armour.

Build the enormous backpack.

Construct the weapons.

Apply the markings.

Then spend another hour trying to decide how you’re actually going to display it.

That’s the MGEX experience.

Product Features

• Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
• Range: Master Grade Extreme – MGEX
• Scale: 1/100
• Mobile Suit: ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam
• Pilot: Kira Yamato
• Series: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
• Original release: 19 November 2022
• Second release in the MGEX series
• Development theme: extreme metallic expression
• Six different types of metallic expression
• Three types of special metallic processing
• Two metallic moulded colours
• Etched metallic stickers
• Extensive gold internal frame
• Highly detailed standalone frame
• Extensive frame-linked articulation
• Armour designed to expose sections of the metallic frame
• Red clear components revealing internal structure
• Super DRAGOON Mobile Weapon Wing
• Eight Super DRAGOON units
• Full Burst Mode display capability
• Two High-Energy Beam Rifles
• Combined Long-Range Beam Rifle configuration
• Xiphias 3 Rail Cannons
• Calidus Multi-Phase Beam Cannon
• Super Lacerta Beam Sabers
• Beam Shield effect equipment
• Dedicated display base
• Premium 1/100 snap-fit construction
• Painting optional

Weapons & Accessories

High-Energy Beam Rifle ×2 – can be wielded independently or combined into the Long-Range Beam Rifle.

Super Lacerta Beam Saber ×2 – close-combat weapons with beam effect components.

Super DRAGOON ×8 – detachable remote weapon units mounted across the Mobile Weapon Wing.

Xiphias 3 Rail Cannon ×2 – waist-mounted weapons that deploy forward for Full Burst Mode.

Calidus Multi-Phase Beam Cannon – integrated into the chest.

Beam Shield effect parts – recreate Strike Freedom’s defensive energy shield.

Display Base – supports aerial and Full Burst configurations.

Why Add MGEX ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam 1/100 to Your Collection?

Because this is the Strike Freedom turned into a showcase of what Bandai can do at 1/100 scale.

The armour looks fantastic, the wings are enormous and the Full Burst configuration delivers exactly the sort of shelf presence you’d expect. But the real reason the MGEX stands apart is underneath all of that.

Bandai developed the kit around its extreme metallic expression, combining six different metallic effects across a frame engineered with extensive linked movement. Even once the exterior armour is fitted, gaps and clear sections deliberately allow that internal structure to remain visible.

Then there’s the weapon loadout.

Eight Super DRAGOONs. Two Beam Rifles. Rail Cannons. Chest cannon. Beam Sabers. Beam Shields. And a backpack big enough to make you reconsider how much space you thought was available in the cabinet.

For Gundam SEED Destiny fans, Kira Yamato collectors, experienced Master Grade builders or anyone looking for a genuine centrepiece Gunpla, the MGEX Strike Freedom is one of Bandai’s most ambitious interpretations of the design.

Gold frame built. Wings spread. DRAGOONs deployed. Full Burst ready. The MGEX Strike Freedom doesn’t quietly sit on a shelf — it takes ownership of it.