There is a lot about the original Sandrock design that I like. There are things that, techncially speaking, I think it does better than the Endless Waltz redesign.
For instance, I think original design does a much better job at leaning into the whole “Ancient Persian Warrior King” theming. And I admire how much more colorful it is.
But having said all that, in the end I think I like the EW version more. Yes, theming may be weaker, and yes, it is less colorful, but it has a sense of presence that I find undeniable.
It’s a combination of a lot of things. It’s the extra large size of its shotels - and they way they’re positioned perpendicularly rather than parallel to the body. It’s the larger size of its shield, and the bigger thrusters.
It’s the fact that it has an actual gun (and a nasty looking one at that).
Basically, EW Sandrock looks like something that could kick your ass. It may not have fancy beam weaponry or crazy gimmicks like all the other Gundam Wing Gundams, but it doesn’t need them. This Sandrock will kill you with brute force physicality.
To be fair, I basically said the same things about original Sandrock back in 2021, but that was before I knew how much better it could be. Now I feel like it pales in comparison to the EW version. Case in point - look at this:
Compared to this:
Or this:
Compared to this:
There’s no comparison: EW Sandrock captures the vibe that OG Sandrock wants to have, but doesn’t quite capture.
I still think that there is - or was - room for improvement with this redesign. I don’t understand why Katoki removed so much of the color from the torso or the shoulders, and I think he could have added some more detail to the legs.
But credit where it’s due - Katoki seems to have (correctly) identified that Wing’s designs are outlandish, and that one way to enhance them is to further embrace that outlandishness. Making Sandrock’s accessories bigger and badder was exactly what was needed to really make the design come together.
But it’s not just that. There are a few other small touches that I appreciate. For example, while the shoulders aren’t as color as they used to be, I like how they look more … feathery.
Also, while I miss the double V-Fin, there’s something about the overall head sculpt that I like better. It may not be as ornate as the original, but it has a better shape. It looks more like an actual soldier’s helmet.
On top of all these positive traits, it helps that this model turned out to be both very sturdy and very poseagenic. I don’t tend to take lots of photos of Master Grades because they like to fall apart, but not Sandrock. Aside from a few hiccups early on, it was rock solid throughout the rest of the shoot.
Which is wonderful, because I kept finding cool poses to put it in:
Master Grade Sandrock can’t help but look cool, even just holding Master Quatre:
This was the most fun I’ve ever had posing a Master Grade. In fact, it makes me wish that they were all like this.
After being a 1⁄144 scale partisan for years, I can finally admit that, when done right, the extra size and detail of a Master Grade can add a lot to the overall look of a Gunpla. But that only means so much if it can’t pose, and thus can’t emote.
Too many Master Grades feel creaky or unstable or fragile, as if they’re ready to collapse under their own weight. I’m not sure what this one does to buck the trend. Maybe it’s because it’s much smaller than other MG’s, and thus is less of a victim to the Square Cube Law. Or maybe it’s that its inner frame is simpler and sturdier.
Or maybe I just got lucky.
Whatever the reason, I’m pleased with the outcome. It’s nice to have a Master Grade that’s not just “look but don’t touch”
Conclusion
In my personal experience, Sandrock is one of, if not the least liked of the five Gundams from Wing. But I’m convinced that if this were the version of Sandrock that people saw on TV way back when, they might have sang a different tune. For all its faults, I really think it captures the true essence of the what this design always wanted to embody. It’s the Warrior King that’s heavy on the “warrior”.
And as for the kit itself, it exceeded my already high expectations. Good build, good looks, sturdy design. It’s now got me interested in building all of the other Endless Waltz Master Grades. Thankfully, I won’t have to wait too long to do the next one, as I have one other on the backlog. Look for that build some time in the near future.