The Build Strike Exceed Galaxy is ready to launch!
But first, let’s talk a little about the visual design.
At first glance, you might reasonably believe that the Exceed Galaxy looks a bit unorthodox.
Compared to Sei’s other Build Strikes, it lacks a fancy backpack, and the overall surface detail is also simplified.
And then there’s the matter of the color scheme. It’s not quite monochrome, but there’s still a lot of white. And not a lot of red.
None of these observations are wrong perse, but allow me to offer some counter observations. First, while the lack of a fancy backpack or fancy detailing may be at odds with the other Build Strikes, it’s perfectly in line with the initial design of the original Strike Gundam, before it gets any of its Striker Packs:
If we look at the Exceed Galaxy as a throwback to this design, then it makes perfect sense.
As for the colors, if we want to get stupid and technical, it does have all the traditional colors; white, blue, red (don’t forget there’s some red on the backpack), and even yellow shows up in its head. So yes, technically speaking this model doesn’t abandon the traditional Gundam color scheme. It’s just that the color placement is so different.
I’ve talked before about how choices in color placement are just as important as choices in color palette. You can get a lot of different looks just based on whether certain colors dominate (or not), or if certain colors are paired close together (or not).
In this case, we have a mostly white and grey mobile suit with bits of blue (and clear pink) dotting the body, which makes those colors stand out more. The end result is that the Exceed Galaxy arguably looks more colorful than it actually is.
(One more thing - the clear pink bits are also a callback to the Star Build Strike, which has clear pink bits on its Universe Booster attachment; which, by the way, is compatible with the Exceed Galaxy)
Overall, it’s not so much a different look than other Strike Gundam variants, but rather one that subtly plays around with our expectations to create something that feels both new and familiar at once. It’s certainly grown on me over time, and I have a feeling it will continue to do so.
Now let’s look at some poses
I am happy to report that none of the model’s C-Clip joints got loose and wobbly during this photoshoot. It’s still possible that that may happen in the future, but at least they remained sturdy for now.
Now for an early complaint - the shield is too small:
I still think it looks great, but it doesn’t look like it offers much in the way of protection. To be fair, you could arguably say the same about the Build Strike’s shield, but at least that has a gun attached to it, so it technically serves an alternate purpose.
Then again, technically the same thing is true here, as we can plug the Exceed Galaxy’s extra fancy beam effect part into the shield like so:
Though the novelty of this gimmick fizzles out when you remember that you can also attach it to the gun:
Speaking of the gun, it’s got a cool little trick that I haven’t mentioned yet:
There’s actually a smaller gun underneath!
The small Beam Rifle is arguably a little too small, but it’s still a clever gimmick.
We’re not done yet. You can, of course, equip the OG Strike Gundam rifle for some dual wielding action:
But wait, there’s more! You can attach the Core Fighter to any of the model’s hardpoints. So you can have it give ‘em a lift:
Or do a rocket punch:
You could put it elsewhere of course, but hopefully you get the idea.
All in all, despite the low price, and despite its relative simplicity, this is an extremely playable and poseable model right out of the box. It pleases me to no end to know that Bandai put so much effort into showing off the Exceed Galaxy’s potential for customization even just using its basic components. Ironically, the best way to get people interested in buying more accessories is to show them what the model can do before they have to buy any.
That being said, it could use some more accessories. Put a pin in that for now …
Comparison with Build Strike
I mean, I had to do this:
I never expected the Exceed Galaxy to match the level of detail and intricacy of the Real Grade Build Strike, but even still, I think it manages to hold its own.
It’s got all the same stuff, in all the same places. Really the only area where the EG lazes out is the backs of the feet. Everything else is pretty much there.
Sadly, the comparison falls apart once we add the Build Booster:
Now it just looks like it’s missing something. Thankfully though, we can fix it. Remember that we see the Exceed Galaxy dock with the Galaxy Booster and the Universe Booster in the show:
Sure enough, it’s compatible with them in real life too. They even have a special website with instructions:
And it just so happens that I have both of these Boosters lying around. So let’s put them together, and then see how they look on the Exceed Galaxy.