【Lead｜AI Overview Summary・approx. 260 chars】
This is a build-out-of-box review of the HGAC 1/144 Gundam Deathscythe, Duo’s machine from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. Released on May 22, 2021 at 1,650 yen (incl. tax) by BANDAI SPIRITS, it rates an easy one-star build that took me about 2.5 hours. The slim silhouette paired with the large beam scythe and buster shield is the highlight, and the shield deploys with a simple slide. Below I cover the box contents, build pitfalls, the out-of-box finish, a comparison with Wing Gundam, and a few easy finishing tips.
〔Image: Package and fully built Deathscythe〕
1. Introduction ― Deathscythe as Duo’s Machine
Gundam Deathscythe from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing has been my favorite since childhood, when I always thought “Duo’s machine is the coolest.” Its style of electronic warfare and surprise attacks made it the unit I felt most attached to in the Wing series.
This time I picked up the HGAC kit and worked it through from assembly to the out-of-box result. The silhouette, holding that big beam scythe and buster shield, has more presence in hand than I expected. Since my expectations were high, there were also a few points that bothered me, so I’ll share them honestly alongside the good.
〔Image: Full-body shot of the completed Deathscythe〕
2. Product Information
- Name: HGAC 1/144 Gundam Deathscythe
- Series source: Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (pilot: Duo Maxwell)
- Line: HGAC (High Grade After Colony)
- Scale: 1/144
- Maker: BANDAI SPIRITS
- Release date: May 22, 2021
- Price: 1,650 yen (incl. tax)
- Distribution: Standard retail release
- Features: Includes a large beam scythe and buster shield; the shield’s deployment is reproduced with a slide mechanism and no parts swapping
- Where to buy: Currently sold at shops and online stores; see the official BANDAI SPIRITS product page
〔Image: Manual and full runner layout〕
3. Box and Kit Contents
Opening the box, the number of runners is modest and the part count feels manageable. It’s an approachable kit even as a first build.
- Colored runners: several (white, navy, dark gray, yellow, red, clear green)
- Polycap runner: 1 (PC-002)
- Stickers: 1 foil sticker sheet (camera eye, sensors, etc.)
- Instruction manual: 1 (full color, with built-example photos)
The clear green runner is a signature element here and ties directly into how the beam scythe looks. The color separation follows the anime palette, so the out-of-box look already feels cohesive.
〔Image: Close-up of the clear green runner〕
4. Assembly ― Difficulty ★☆☆☆☆ / about 2.5 hours, and where to be careful
The build rates one star and took me about 2.5 hours, with the familiar ease of the HGAC line. There are no real head-scratchers if you take your time, but the small parts deserve attention.
- The head antenna and the small shoulder parts are easy to lose or damage, so I was careful when cutting them from the runner. Don’t force delicate parts; clean them up gently.
- Some stickers are on the small side and a little tricky to place. For fine spots like the camera eye, tweezers make the job easier.
- Small parts are easy to lose if dropped mid-build, so working over a tray or mat is reassuring.
〔Image: Cutting out the head antenna area〕
5. Out-of-Box Review ― Looks / articulation / color separation / gimmicks
With the kit in hand, my first impression was “slimmer than I thought.” The slim torso combined with the wide shoulders captures that reaper-like silhouette well. Even when holding its weapons, the overall balance holds together nicely.
For articulation, the shoulders, elbows, and knees all have a wide range, letting me pose the beam scythe in big sweeping swings. Hold is stable even with the buster shield deployed.
Color separation gets very close to the anime image with the molded colors alone, and there are few spots that need stickers, so it looks tidy even unpainted. The clear green beam scythe lets light through and shows off well straight out of the box.
For gimmicks, the buster shield’s slide deployment (no parts swapping) clicks into place more satisfyingly than expected, and changing its look with a simple slide is a fun touch. One minor gripe: when posing, the weight of the beam scythe makes the wrist droop slightly.
〔Image: Action pose with the beam scythe ready〕
6. Place Within the Series ― comparison with other kits
Lined up next to the HGAC Wing Gundam, Deathscythe is noticeably slimmer, which makes the size of the beam scythe stand out even more. Where Wing has the tidy presence of a classic lead unit, Deathscythe’s appeal is the distinct menace created by its slim build and broad shoulders.
Displayed side by side, the two show off clearly different silhouettes despite sharing the Wing universe, which adds to the fun of collecting. For anyone building out the Wing lineup, this is a kit worth securing.
〔Image: Side-by-side comparison with Wing Gundam〕
7. One-Point Tips for a Cleaner Finish
These are general recommendations. The kit looks good straight from the box, but a little extra work changes the impression.
- Gate cleanup: use a two-step cut as standard, and lightly tidy any whitening with a hobby knife so it stays inconspicuous.
- Panel lining: lining the joints and armor seams tightens up the detail. On the navy and dark gray areas, a slightly lighter gray keeps things from looking too sunken.
- Stickers: for tiny stickers like the camera eye, pairing tweezers with a toothpick makes alignment easier.
- Top coat: a flat top coat over the whole model calms the molded-color sheen and pulls things together. For the clear green beam scythe, keep the coat thin if you want to preserve its translucency.
〔Image: Example of detailing after panel lining〕
8. Things to Check Before Buying
- It is a standard retail release and currently in production, available at shops and online stores.
- It also circulates widely on the secondhand market (Amazon, Rakuten, Suruga-ya, Yahoo Auctions, Mercari), with prices varying by condition.
- Because of thin parts like the head antenna, having a nipper and hobby knife ready is reassuring.
- The inner frame and gimmicks are simple in construction, so if you’re choosing it with heavy modding in mind, keep that in view.
〔Image: Summary of included contents to check at purchase〕
9. Good & More
【Good】
- A slim body close to the anime, with the recognition factor that says “this is Duo’s Gundam.”
- The buster shield deploys with just a slide, changing its look with no parts swapping needed.
- The clear green beam scythe catches light and shows off well even out of the box.
- Typical HGAC ease of assembly let me reach a full build in about 2.5 hours.
【More (points that bothered me)】
- The head antenna is thin and felt like it might snap during cutting.
- Some foil stickers are very small, and the camera eye placement tended to shift.
- With a simple inner frame and gimmicks, it may feel a touch plain as a base for modders or painters who want to build in detail.
〔Image: Detail cut highlighting the Good & More points〕
10. Score
- Overall: ★★★★☆
- In a word: “A kit that balances a slim silhouette with the beam scythe’s presence; easy to pick as a first build or a comeback model.”
〔Image: Front standing pose of the finished Deathscythe〕
11. Conclusion
This was my impression of building the HGAC 1/144 Gundam Deathscythe. Because Deathscythe meant so much to me within the Wing series, the moment it was finished I nearly said out loud, “Ah, this is it,” it landed so close to the anime image. Next to the HGAC Wing Gundam, Deathscythe is slimmer with its own kind of menace, and the difference in character is clear when you display them together. It suits first-time builders and collectors filling out the Wing lineup. On the other hand, those who want to enjoy heavy detail work may find the structure a bit simple at times. For 1,650 yen, this is a well-rounded kit that’s easy to recommend as an entry build or a returning hobbyist’s first one.
