RGCosmic Era

ZGMF-56E2/γ Blast Impulse Gundam Spec II

The same brilliant RG Impulse frame in a green-tinted, cannon-heavy artillery loadout.

MechaGrade Score

4.1 out of 54.1/5

γ Blast Impulse Gundam Spec II · 1/144 · 2024

GradeRG
Scale1/144
Released2024
Runnersn/a

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The verdict

This is a proven RG frame wearing new colors and bigger guns, and that combination works.

The Advanced MS Joint chest and separable Core Splendor gimmick are still some of the cleverest engineering RG has ever put in a 1/144 box, and the Blast Silhouette's oversized Kerberos cannons give the kit a completely different silhouette from the standard Force or Sword loadouts. I would not call it essential if you already own another RG Impulse variant, but on its own it is a genuinely satisfying build.

Best for: RG Impulse collectors who want the artillery-focused Blast Silhouette variant, or SEED Freedom fans who want Lunamaria's specific suit

The full review

What it is

This is the Blast Silhouette loadout of the Spec II era ZGMF-56E2/γ Impulse, the suit Lunamaria Hawke pilots in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, reissued as a P-Bandai exclusive with a new light green color scheme in place of the original white. Underneath the paint it is the same excellent RG Impulse platform that has been earning praise since the original Force Impulse release, with the Core Splendor able to separate from the Chest and Leg Flyers and reassemble the same way it does in the show. Building it feels like getting a familiar, well-sorted kit with a fresh coat of paint and a much louder set of guns strapped to its back.

The catch

The Advanced MS Joint frame leans on ABS in the hips and some joints, and like other RG Impulse variants those parts can feel tight out of the box and loosen slightly with repeated posing over time. The V-fins, especially the thin light green pieces on this colorway, are delicate and easy to snap if you are not careful handling or removing them from the runners. Full color accuracy on some of the smaller Kerberos cannon and railgun details still needs Gundam Markers or paint, since molded color alone does not cover everything. At roughly 4,400 yen through Premium Bandai, it is also a limited-run exclusive rather than a shelf-stock kit, so it costs more effort and money to track down than a standard release.

Who it's for

If you already have a soft spot for the RG Impulse line, or you specifically want Lunamaria's Blast Silhouette from SEED Freedom, this is a well-built kit that rewards the extra hunting required to find it. It is also a strong pick for RG builders who want a change of pace from the usual white and blue Gundam palette, since the green tone and huge cannon mounts genuinely stand apart on a shelf. I would not recommend it as a first RG, since the small parts and separable transformation gimmick reward some prior RG experience, and I would not tell someone who already owns Force or Sword Impulse Spec II that this is a must-buy twin, since the core kit underneath is largely the same.

The build story

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

The build moves fast if you have handled an RG before. Gate placement is typical Bandai RG, mostly hidden on inner faces, and the chest and torso go together with the same satisfying click as other Advanced MS Joint kits. The trickiest moments are the tiny railgun and cannon sub-assemblies and the V-fin, which needs a gentle hand rather than a hard pull off the runner.

The standout engineering is still the separable Core Splendor, a genuine show-accurate transformation gimmick shrunk down to 1/144 without feeling like a compromise. Articulation benefits from the double-jointed elbows and knees and shoulders that can hike up for overhead poses. Color separation on the main body is strong for molded plastic, though the smaller cannon and railgun details benefit from a Gundam Marker pass. For the price, you get a full weapons loadout including the beam rifle, shield, prototype railgun, four hand parts, the Silhouette Flyer, landing gear, and effect parts for the Defiant Beam Javelin, which is a lot of accessory value for a 1/144 kit.

Lore & trivia

  • 01The Blast Impulse Gundam Spec II is piloted by Lunamaria Hawke in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom.
  • 02The Spec II colorway exists in-universe because a new, higher-voltage battery changes how the Variable Phase Shift Armor reacts, turning the original white parts into the light green seen on this suit.
  • 03The Blast Silhouette's signature weapons are the two M2000F Kerberos high-energy long-range beam cannons, mounted on the sides of the Silhouette and swung underneath the shoulders when firing.
  • 04The RG version was released in September 2024 as a Bandai Hobby Online Shop (Premium Bandai) exclusive priced around 4,400 yen.

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