【Lead｜AI Overview Summary｜approx. 260 chars】
The HG 1/144 Shenlong Gundam (Clear Color) is a THE GUNDAM BASE exclusive based on Wufei’s close-combat machine from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, molded mainly in deep clear green. It was released on April 27, 2024, priced at 2,090 yen (tax incl.), in 1/144 scale (HGAC line). Build difficulty is one star, with about 2.5 hours of work. Compared to building the standard version, the way the green shifts in shade under different light is the real highlight. This article digs into the kit contents, build notes, an out-of-box look, and finishing tips.
1. Introduction ― Wufei and the Shenlong Gundam
Among the cast of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Wufei Chang paired with the Shenlong Gundam is one of my personal favorites. Its close-combat design, swinging out the right-arm “Dragon Hang” to strike, sets it apart from the other Gundam Wing suits that lean on beam weapons, and it carries the air of a martial artist.
This time I picked up the THE GUNDAM BASE exclusive Clear Color version. It takes the standard HGAC Shenlong and reworks it in a clear molding centered on a deep clear green. The moment I opened the box and saw the transparency of the runners, I paused. Even though it is the same machine, it shows a completely different face from the standard release.
〔Image: full package and the clear green runners〕
2. Product Information
- Name: HG 1/144 Shenlong Gundam (Clear Color)
- Series source: Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (Wufei’s unit / Shenlong Gundam)
- Line: HGAC (1/144)
- Maker: BANDAI SPIRITS
- Format: THE GUNDAM BASE exclusive
- Release: April 27, 2024
- Price: 2,090 yen (tax incl.)
- Molding: clear molding centered on clear green
- Base model: HG 1/144 Shenlong Gundam (general release / September 10, 2022 / 1,650 yen incl. tax)
- Where to buy: THE GUNDAM BASE storefront and official product page
〔Image: box side with spec details〕
3. Package and Kit Contents
Opening the box, here is what I found inside:
- Several colored runners (clear green, clear white, clear red, clear gray, etc.)
- One polycap runner (PC-002)
- One foil sticker sheet (to fill in the sensor areas)
- One instruction manual (shared with the standard version)
The lineup of clear runners is lovely just to look at. The foil sticker covers only the sensors as a minimum, and the manual is identical to the standard release. Since the parts breakdown follows the base model, anyone who has built the standard HGAC Shenlong will feel right at home.
〔Image: runner overview with polycap and stickers〕
4. Building ― Difficulty 1 Star / About 2.5 Hours
Build difficulty is one star, and the time needed is about 2.5 hours. It uses a standard HG layout with no unusual steps. That said, the Clear Color version has a few points worth knowing, so here are the things I noticed while actually building it.
- Gate marks show easily on clear parts, so I trimmed them carefully. Transparent material makes stress whitening and leftover nubs more visible, so cutting twice with the nippers and then slowly cleaning up is the way to go.
- The right-arm Dragon Hang is heavy, so keeping a pose steady takes some thought. Once assembled, this is where I spent the most effort finding a good display angle.
- Compared to building the standard version, the difference in how the same parts catch and pass light was fun, and I kept holding pieces up to the light to check.
The difficulty itself is low, so it suits first-timers to the Shenlong. As long as you stay mindful of handling clear parts, there are few real stumbling points.
〔Image: clear parts mid-build and gate cleanup〕
5. Out-of-Box Review ― Look, Articulation, Color, Gimmicks
With the Shenlong assembled, the first thing that struck me was the depth of the clear green. I had built the standard version before, but this felt like a different machine entirely. The shade of green shifts depending on how the light falls, and changing the viewing angle becomes a pleasure in itself.
The Dragon Hang deployment gimmick is here again, and switching to the extended-arm state changes the mood at once. However, in that state the elbow joint becomes nearly fixed, so getting the bold poses from the show takes a little wrestling. The Beam Glaive on the back has good length and looks great just leaned into place, making it a favorite point of mine.
- Proportion: the martial-arts silhouette is intact, with a cool, refreshing feel added by the clear molding.
- Articulation: standard HG range. The elbow is restricted when the Dragon Hang is deployed.
- Color separation: mostly reproduced with molding and stickers, and the transparency makes it pop even without painting.
〔Image: finished out-of-box build with Dragon Hang deployed〕
6. Placement Within the Lineup ― Comparison
The base HGAC Shenlong Gundam is the standard release from September 2022, a kit that solidly meets the HGAC bar in articulation and color separation. The Clear Color version inherits that proportion and construction, swapping only the molding for a limited variant.
Lined up with other Gundam Wing HGAC kits, the green-tinted Shenlong stands out instantly. Even owners of the standard kit will feel a clear shift, making it a nice accent in a shelf display. If you want to enjoy the bare detail, go for the standard version; if you want transparency and shelf presence, the Clear Color version is the pick. The two complement each other neatly.
〔Image: comparison with the standard and other HGAC kits〕
7. One-Point Tips for a Clean Finish
From here are general finishing suggestions.
- Gate cleanup: cut marks show on clear parts, so leave a margin with a second cut, then tidy carefully with a design knife or file to limit whitening.
- Panel lining: wash can flow too far on clear molding, so keep the area narrow with enamel or a lining pen and wipe overflow early to keep the transparency.
- Top coat: a clear gloss coat is a good way to preserve the see-through look. A semi-gloss gives a calmer texture.
- Action base: the Dragon Hang arm is heavy, so a base helps stabilize the hold.
〔Image: texture after lining and top coat〕
8. Things to Check Before Buying
This kit is a THE GUNDAM BASE exclusive. Store stock fluctuates, and depending on timing it can be hard to get. On the secondhand market it shows up on Amazon, Rakuten, Suruga-ya, Yahoo Auctions, and Mercari, but as a limited item it stays fairly popular.
One Clear-Color-specific note: applying the sensor foil sticker removes the transparency at that spot. If you prioritize the see-through look, plan how to handle the stickers in advance. Knowing about the Dragon Hang’s pose-holding quirk beforehand also makes it easier to plan your display.
〔Image: limited package logo and exclusive labeling〕
9. Good & More
【Good】
- The clear green transparency gives a distinct mood the standard version lacks, with the shade shifting under different light.
- The Dragon Hang gimmick is simple in structure, yet the change in impression when the arm extends is large and fun to handle.
- The Beam Glaive on the back has length, so it looks the part just leaned into place, presentable even unpainted.
【More (points of concern)】
- With the Dragon Hang deployed, the elbow becomes nearly unusable, which got in the way of the poses I wanted.
- The Dragon Hang arm is heavy and can droop after a while, so I recommend pairing it with an action base.
- Applying the sensor foil sticker removes the transparency at that spot, a small worry unique to the Clear Color version.
〔Image: close-ups for the Good and More points〕
10. Score
Overall: ★★★★☆
In a word: “A fittingly limited build you can enjoy just by watching the green shift.”
〔Image: full-body beauty shot of the finished kit〕
11. Summary
That wraps up the review of the HG 1/144 Shenlong Gundam (Clear Color). Even owners of the standard version will likely feel “this is a different thing,” the change from the clear coloring is that strong. Set beside other Gundam Wing HGAC kits, the clear green also draws the eye.
The build hurdle is low, making it friendly to anyone meeting the Shenlong for the first time. On the other hand, holding the Dragon Hang’s pose takes some thought, so planning your display ahead of time is reassuring. Including the time spent watching the green shift in the light, this felt like an experience unique to this kit.
