Unbox the Bandai Gundam AGE HG Shaldoll Custom Kit:
The HG 1/144 Shaldoll Custom is a fascinating entry in Bandai’s High Grade Gundam AGE line, a kit that stands out not for being flashy or complex but for its unique design and the surprising amount of character it packs into a simple, affordable package. Released in April 2012 with a retail price of around 1,260 yen, this kit represents the mass-produced mobile suit from the second generation of the *Gundam AGE* anime, a grunt suit produced by the Madorna factory for the Earth Federation Forces, and at its core, the Shaldoll Custom is a testament to the philosophy that even the most standard-issue mobile suit can be a compelling and enjoyable model to build.
One of the first things that strikes you about the Shaldoll Custom is its color scheme, as the kit features a striking and somewhat unusual palette predominantly molded in a bright, almost lime green that is rarely seen on other Gunpla. This distinctive color, combined with its clean, almost plain design, gives the Shaldoll Custom a unique presence on any shelf, and the kit is comprised of six runners and a foil sticker sheet, all packaged in a box measuring 30 by 19 by 5.8 centimeters and weighing 230 grams. One of the first surprises for builders is that the iconic visor is not a clear piece but rather a solid blue part that requires a metallic turquoise sticker to achieve its final look, and while some might find this a point of contention, others see it as a minor detail that does not detract from the overall experience.
Despite its simple appearance and the fact that it is designed to be an accessible, fun to build kit for less experienced modelers, the Shaldoll Custom boasts impressive engineering for its time, and the articulation is one of its strongest features, a hallmark of the High Grade Gundam AGE line. The kit features double-jointed elbows and knees, allowing for deep and dynamic bends, while the torso is on a ball joint and the head features a double ball-joint neck for expressive poses. The shoulder joints can tilt and swing, and the hip joint axis can swing frontwards, contributing to a wide range of motion, and this level of articulation is so good that it has been compared favorably to some High Grade Universal Century kits, with reviewers praising the knee separation as particularly impressive.
In terms of weaponry and accessories, the Shaldoll Custom comes with a standard but well-thought-out arsenal for a frontline grunt suit, including a DODS Gun, a shield, a beam saber, and an assortment of expressive hands. A notable feature of the beam saber is its storage on the backpack, a design choice that many reviewers appreciate, and the rifle also has a neat gimmick where its front section can be popped off and turned, while the shield can be mounted on either forearm, providing some posing flexibility that adds to the kit’s overall playability.
The Shaldoll Custom’s simple and clean design is a double-edged sword that has been widely discussed in the community, as on one hand, its plainness makes it an incredibly custom-friendly canvas where builders can easily add their own touches, panel line details, or even repaint it entirely to create a unique look. The kit is praised for its excellent molding and surprising amount of surface detail, particularly on the legs, which provides a great foundation for custom work, though on the other hand, some hardcore modelers feel that kits like this are too toy-like and lack the complexity they desire. The community reception has been largely positive, with many builders expressing genuine affection for this unique grunt suit, and some reviewers have noted potential issues with joint tightness, a common occurrence in Gunpla that can be easily fixed, while others have reported that their kit was perfectly stable out of the box.
