RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee

RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee – That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? Gundam robots often have odd names with multiple numerals in them, the key thing here is that it’s the Banshee version, which is infinitely cooler looking than the regular Unicorn Gundam.

RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee was provided for review by Bluefin Tamashii Nations and is available to purchase from Amazon.com and wherever Tamashii Nations products are sold.

As you can guess, this mech comes from the current Gundam anime series Gundam Unicorn. The RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 “Banshee” is the sister unit to the white RX-0 Unicorn Gundam developed as part of the “UC Project”by the Vist Foundation and Anaheim Electronics in Universal Century 0096.

Both the RX-0 Unicorn and Banshee are built entirely with “Psychoframe,” the quasi-paranormal material that responds to Newtypes, which are revealed and glow when the NT-D is activated

This release is the latest in the Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite which takes a deluxe Gundam figure, adds metal, and then Hajime Katoki goes wild over it. It’s a really interesting line with high-quality builds and tons of accessories (Usually).

The box is typical high-end Bandai – lots of nice graphics and tiny words. Inside is a large styrofoam tray and a large clear tray.

The Banshee (as we’ll call him for short) is a sharp Mobile Suit. I mean that literally – that gold horn could poke an eye out. The finish is a dark metallic blue with gold highlights. Most of the exterior of the figure is plastic, with metal being reserved for the internal skeleton. This gives the figure a good feeling of weight without affecting the gimmicks.

Right away you notice some striking features on the Banshee. Each arm features a unique form of weapon called Armed Armor, which we will go into in more detail below.

The figure comes with a backpack that needs to be attached out of the box. It can house two beam sabers that are on precarious hinges.

Articulation is fine, but not extreme. There aren’t any double joints in the knees or elbows, but that’s due to the ability to transform Banshee into Destroy mode. But we’ll get into that in a minute.

Banshee comes equipped with the ability to wield FOUR beam sabers at one time, but only two beams are included. You can remove the saber hilts from the backpack and insert into either of the holding hands OR you can fold over the hilts on the forearms to create the Beam Tonfas.

Most GFF figures have the ability to change between modes and Banshee is no exception. To transform into Banshee mode is akin to folding origami. Each time I transform it I find another panel I missed the last time around. In fact there are several pictures below where I missed some of the chest panels entirely. Apologies in advance.

To start off, remove the panels on either side of the head. Lift up the head plate, fold the gold cover up, and then place the faceplate down. Take each of the side panels, flip them, and re-attach them to the opposite sides.

Banshee comes with three different horns for the head. One is a solid unicorn horn, one is a horn that transforms from Unicorn to Lion mode, and one is a soild Lion mode. Its ‘lion motif’ is an artistic allusion to the “Lady and the Unicorn” tapestry which “Gundam UC” parallels: where the Lion attempts to sway the Lady (Princess Mineva Zabi, heir of the original Principality of Zeon) from the Unicorn.

Lift up on each shoulder and pull the side panels out. The inner panel should rotate but I found that I actually pulled one right out of the socket. Be careful here.

Pull each shoulder out and then pull the torso up. Then flip down the chest panels. There are also two small vulcan cannons that lift up when the shoulders are extended.

Notice that the center panel opens up – I believe this is the cockpit.

The front of the waist opens up in two places to reveal the inner mechanism. Each front and side skirt has an opening panel as well.

The backpack has three panels to open, two of which reveal additional thrusters. The rear skirts flip open and reveal thrusters as well.

On the right arm is the Armed Armor BS – a flat dual beam cannon of sorts. It can fold over the arm and cover the hand. Each of the fins get pulled out during destroy mode and a folding cover hides the fist.

The left arm has the Armed Armor VN – a large, articulated claw that hides a hand inside. This signature claw extends at each joint and features metallic gold claws. In the anime, the Banshee would grab other Mobile Suits with the claw and use super vibration to destroy them.

To give the Banshee a wider stance in Destroy mode, you have to adjust the legs at the hips. To do this, pull back on the center piece on the rear of the waist and pull the legs out to the side and then back in. This will align pegs which clip into place when you push the panel back.

Each leg pulls down at the thigh and knee. The knees open up, the back leg panel pulls out and when you lift up the grey tabs on either side of the leg, the lower leg can be pulled down.

Finally, the feet extend by folding out the heel and re-arranging some panels.

In Destroy Mode, Banshee looks AMAZING.

The idea behind Destroy mode is that when an enemy Newtype is detected, the NT-D (Newtype Destroyer System) activates, giving the Gundam unit increased power and abilities. The side effect is that the NT-D opens the panels of the Gundam, exposing the inner glow of the machine.

The Banshee also includes various weapons that can be mounted or stored on the figure.

The Beam Magnum is the large rifle that can be held by one of the variant hands. This long rifle features an extending center section in wich a variety of magazines can be inserted. You have your choice of a solid magazine or one that separates into sections. The extra magazine can be mounted on the rear skirt.

When not in use, the Beam Magnum can mount on the back by a fold-out peg in the gun.

The Hyper Bazooka also has a removable clip and extending barrel. A handle on the side also folds out. This too stores on the back when not in use. As you can see only one weapon can be stored on the back at a time.

A shield is included that mounts to the back of the left arm via a multi-hinged connector. This allows the shield to be in various positions either on the side or behind the arm. The shield can extend and an X-shaped i-Field barrier generator can be exposed.

Finally, a stand is included, and it’s actually pretty lame. A white baseplate features tampo printing and a clear rod connects to an arm that snaps in under the crotch. It’s not very secure.

Overall I liked this piece a lot, more than I thought I would. I was initially daunted by the amount of work needed to transform Banshee into Destroy Mode, but once I got the hang of it it was fun and interesting. I also like that despite the complexity of the piece, it’s relatively self-contained and does not require parts swapping to achieve the effect.

RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee was provided for review by Bluefin Tamashii Nations and is available to purchase from Amazon.com and wherever Tamashii Nations products are sold.