Last December I built the Real Grade Nu Gundam. This December, I figured I ought to keep the streak alive by building a new Nu Gundam: the RX-93ff:
In some ways the RX-93ff is the epitome of what Gunpla is all about. It exists for the purposes of marketing and promotion, and literally nothing else.
The story (as far as I can tell) goes like this: Bandai wanted to open up a new shopping center in Fukuoka, complete with its own life sized Gundam statue. They decided on the Nu Gundam, likely because it remains one of the most popular mobile suit designs in Japan.
But there’s a problem with that decision - if you made a statue of the Nu Gundam complete with its six fin funnels, it would be structurally unsound. The funnels are asymmetrical and tall. The wind could easily rip them off the statue, if not cause the entire thing to topple.
The solution, then, was to make a new variant of the Nu, one with a single giant fin funnel that can act as a third leg to help keep the statue stable. They solved a practical problem in a way that would also give them an excuse to make brand new model kits. From a cynical perspective, I find it brilliant how easily Bandai is able to turn challenges into opportunities.
Custom Colors
I made all these alert boxes in the same colors as the RX-93ff, just for funsies :)The Model Kits
Yes, Bandai made three model kits (and a figurine) of this new Nu Gundam. First you’ve got the SD version:
Then there is the Entry Grade version, which is the one I have. It’s based on the existing Entry Grade Nu Gundam released last year:
Next there is the Real Grade model, which is based on the existing RG Nu, and looks pretty close to a replica of the statue:
Finally, they made a Robot Damashii figure as well:
A Side-F "Exclusive"
Technically these model kits are “only” available from the Fukuoka store. Even their packaging says so. But obviously that’s not entirely true given that they were sold on Premium Bandai (at least in North America).About the Mobile Suit
Here is the official description of the RX-93ff straight from the instruction manual:
The RX-93 ν Gundam was able to be rolled out based on the plans by Captain Amuro Ray and an MS that Anaheim Electronics began developing on their own which was originally commissioned by Bright Noa, the commander of the Londo Bell unit.The Neo Zeon's Global Cooling Plan was carried out ahead of time, and Captain Amuro of the Londo Bell unit had an MS that met with difficulties, such as the implementation of Psycho-Frame which had not been included in the original specifications of the MS and the last minute adoption of six Fin Funnels, which required adjustments.
However, the Axis Shock saved the Earth's crisis. Similar to the FA and HWS's specifications, the Long Range Fin Funnel equipment is one of the ν Gundam's armament plans that could not be made in time since the MS was rolled out earler than expected.
The Long Range Fin Funnel combines the technology of Fin Funnels and the firepower of Mega Beam Launchers, resulting in an all-range weapon that could grant the MS the ability to engage in anti-ship combat by a single MS when operated by a Newtype.
On the other hand, the adoption of the special Long Range Fin Funnel required the MS to be remodeled, resulting in the RX-93ff specifications.
The RX-93ff ν Gundam was restored at SIDE-F and is based on data of actual battles left on the Ra Calium, as well as armaments for an incomplete equipment plan proposed by crew members at the time. The color scheme of Captain Amuro's personal marks have also been changed. SIDE-F is a commercial colony constructed in the L3 orbit where further developments have yet to come.
The best way to describe the Long Range Fin Funnel is that it is a funnel-ized (and smaller, relatively speaking) version of the Hi-Nu Gundam’s Hyper Mega Bazooka Launcher (seen in the photo below):
Or to put it yet another way, it is basically the Nu Gundam with an anti-ship cannon. In my opinion, it’s a bit overkill, in addition to being a lot less versatile than the original six funnels. But it sure does look cool.
The RX-93ff also has an alternate color scheme, swapping the very dark blue of the original Nu with a spiffy looking navy blue, as well as boasting that really cool looking rainbow unicorn decal (as well as some striping on its front skirt armor that looks a bit like the French flag).
About the Entry Grade Nu Gundam (in general)
People have been raving all year about how great the Entry Grade Nu is. They say it is extremely movie accurate while being pleasantly simple to build.
Personally, it looks a bit too plain and smooth to my eye, so I’m curious to see if I feel that way once this build is done.
About this Model Kit in Particular
The original Entry Grade Nu comes with a gun and shield, but no fin funnels. This version comes with its giant funnel, but no gun or shield.:w
Personally, I wish it came with everything, I also understand. Given the sheer size of that funnel, I can’t say that I’m getting short changed.
Here are a few more remarks and notes about the mobile suit/statue:
- It has its own website separate from the website for the shopping center itself.
- Yoshiyuki Tomino was in some way involved in its creation. If I’m reading things correctly, it sounds like he may have done nothing more than “supervise” the design of the rainbow’ified version of Amuro’s unicorn emblem, which sounds like a glorified way of saying “we asked for his approval so we can include his name in press releases”. If he had any deeper involvement than that, I’d like to know
- I’ve seen at least one person claim that the RX-93ff is canon, though they didn’t explain what they meant by that. Is it canonical that this design existed as a schematic (easy enough to believe)? Or is it canon that it was actually assembled (much harder to believe)?
- Something tells me that the facts about this design are being distorted by lots of bad translations. For example, the description on the Gundam Wiki is currently written in a way that implies that the Nu Gundam and the Hi-Nu Gundam exist in the same continuity, which has never been true. All of which is to say that any and all of the info I’m writing about here may end up being incorrect. Take it with a grain of salt.
Final Thoughts
- Since this came from Premium Bandai, I'm going to treat it like a premium model and use the good stuff on it (the "good stuff" being Mr. Hobby Matte Coat).
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Sunrise made a promotional video that plays at the Side-F store depicting the RX-93ff squaring off against a new variant version of the Sazabi:
Which itself is boasting some cool new funnels of its own:
But the craziest thing of all is that at one point, Amuro uses the Long Range Fin Funnel as a FREAKING BEAM SABER!!
