HGAnno Domini

GNX-604T Advanced GN-X

An ace pilot's mass production unit that finally gets a proper close combat weapon to go with its bluish gray menace.

MechaGrade Score

3.6/5

Advanced GN-X · 1/144 · 2018

GradeHG

Scale1/144

Released2018

Runnersn/a

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The verdict

This is a Premium Bandai exclusive that takes a familiar 2008 era HG frame and dresses it up just enough to feel special.

I like it more than I expected to, mostly because the new head, shoulder rods, and thigh parts genuinely change the silhouette from the base GN-X. It is not a technical showcase, but it is a fun, fast build with a weapon loadout that finally does the Advanced GN-X justice.

Best for: Gundam 00 fans who want the ace pilot variant on the shelf without hunting down the pricier MG

The full review

What it is

This kit reuses the bones of the original HG GN-X but reworks the head antenna, the shoulder defense rods, and the thigh armor so the Advanced variant actually reads differently on the shelf, not just a recolor. I went in expecting a straight repaint job and came out liking how much the new parts change the profile, especially around the shoulders. The bluish gray and white scheme feels right for a United Nations ace unit, and building it moves fast since most of the frame engineering was already worked out a decade earlier. It is a light, satisfying evening build rather than a weekend project.

The catch

The frame underneath is genuinely a decade old at this point, so do not expect RG-level engineering or the part-count depth of a modern HG. The instruction manual is short, around 8 pages, which tells you how simple the assembly actually is. Bandai leans on a sticker sheet for some of the color work rather than molded plastic, which is a known soft spot for HG00 era kits in general, so panel colors and small accents will need stickers if you want them to show up at all. As a Premium Bandai exclusive it is also not something you will find sitting on a regular store shelf.

Who it's for

Grab this if you are building out the Gundam 00 cast and want the Advanced GN-X specifically, or if you like the idea of a quick, low stress build with a genuinely new weapon to assemble in the proto-GN lance. Skip it if you want cutting edge engineering or you are hoping molded color will do all the work for you, since you will be relying on stickers in a few spots. For most 00 fans building the elite pilot roster, though, this earns its spot next to the standard GN-X.

The build story

What the build is actually like, and the engineering worth knowing about.

The build itself is quick and low friction. Since the core frame is the established GN-X mold, gate placement and part fit are already sorted out from years of refinement, so this goes together in an evening without any real surprises. The new head, shoulder, and thigh runners are the highlight of the whole build, and clipping those into place is where the kit actually feels distinct rather than a rehash.

Articulation carries over the GN-X's known strengths: a 360 degree waist rotation and double jointed knees that give it a decent range of dynamic poses for an older HG frame, and the particle generator binders on the shoulders pivot out of the way so the arms are not fighting the backpack for clearance. The accessory set is where the Advanced GN-X earns its name, with the new proto-GN lance for melee, a GN beam rifle that converts to a mid range configuration, and a beam saber that slots into the rifle barrel when not in use.

Lore & trivia

01The Advanced GN-X was fielded between the first and second seasons of Mobile Suit Gundam 00, issued specifically to United Nations ace pilots rather than general line units.
02Official paint was dark blue and bluish gray, but pilots were permitted to set their own colors to boost morale, which is why ace Deborah Garriera's unit is remembered for its crimson finish rather than the standard scheme.
03Despite the upgraded GN long range beam rifle, the Advanced GN-X carried limited particle storage and a slow startup time, a weakness that cost both Deborah Garriera and Amy Zimbarist their units when their GN particles ran dry mid battle.
04This HG version released in April 2018 as a Bandai Hobby Online Shop (Premium Bandai) exclusive, well over a decade after the original HG GN-X mold it is built on.