Gadessa

The Gundam figures I like are the ones that don’t look like Gundam at all. Usually, they end up being the bad guys, but hey, Darth Vader was always cooler than Luke, right?

The Gadessa is a perfect example of this. There are very few Gundam conventions here, and when they are done, they are done so different that if you weren’t told this was from Gundam you would never know. It reminds me more of something out of Five Star Stories.

Gadessa is a heavy assault mobile suit designed by the bad guys of Gundam 00, called the “Innovators”. This version of the suit is slightly different in color from the production version, designed for a character called “Hilling Care”. And that’s all I know about that.

The figure is ultra-poseable and stands 15cm tall. However, this is misleading. With the feet out flat it only stands about 12cm. So what’s this all about?

Well, the Gadessa seems to be primarily an outer-space mobile suit. So in space, the toes are tilted down so that the legs come to a point. It looks really great but sucks for standing. Ideally you would display this on a tamashii display base, and the figure comes with a part to attach to the stand. But, alas, we have no Tamashii stand, so you get it displayed with its toes out flat.

Articulation is pretty crazy – I stopped counting at 20 points. Its got double-jointed shoulders, elbows, knees and even the chest has two joints.

Accessories include:

• GN Mega Launcher
• energy pack
• Beam Sabers
• optional hands
• GN Drive
• Interchangeable faceplate

The Mega Launcher is one of the most impressive weapons that I’ve seen in a long time. This long cannon can expand its three barrels for a tri-beam attack. You have to remove a small connector plate from the end, then push the long silver pointy tail in the back to extend the cannons. It’s very cool.

I originally thought the energy pack was a part from the display stand connector, but no, it’s part of the figure. It snaps on to the back skirt armor and then another connector snaps onto that to hold the Mega Launcher.

The beam saber hilts can be stored under the side skirt armor, and can be attached to the included beam sabers.

On the back is the GN Drive backpack which also serves as a cockpit and escape capsule. The sides fold out to become wings, while the whole unit can pivot on the back.

Finally, the Gadessa comes with an interchangeable faceplate. You have to remove the whole front of the head to replace it, but it’s not too bad.

As far as manufacturing quality goes, this thing is flawless. It’s made out of Sturdy ABS with POM and PVC for the joint work, and it works so well. Nothing falls off of this, and everything is tight and sturdy.

It’s a good toy, and a cool design. You won’t regret picking this one up.