MG Epyon Review ( MA mode added.)

My first gundam wing kit, i had my eyes on the epyon the second it was announced. Though i was kinda perplexed why it was the EW version, since epyon did not appear in the OVA at all. Guess Bandai wanted to be consistent with all the EW releases so far. Manufactured by Treize Khushrenada, it is practically the most impractical but coolest design in gundam wing, perhaps even in the entire gundam universe. In dragon MA mode, this gundam basically flies with its feet pointing forward acting as its heads. This is despite epyon's feet not having any kind of offensive capabilities other than looking intimidating.

1. Intro:
Model: Epyon EW ver
Size: Mg 1/100
Pilot: Zechs Merquise
Boxart:

Probably one of my favourite boxarts thus far. I like Bandai's new style of landscape boxarts for bigger MGs.

SideShot:

Since this kit is designed by Katoki Hajime, we get clean white background around the box and the manual.

Manual:

Price: 4800 yen

2. Parts 

Head and Torso with waist: I painted the jewel of the head and the chest clear part in clear green. I diluted the clear paint for the torso as i feel that its clear green is in a lighter tone compared to 00 series kits like 00 gundam. I still use the provided sticker underneath and i am very pleased with the result. 

I wonder why Bandai did not simply give us clear green part for the torso instead... Probably to remain consistent with the mg wing zero custom, since that one did not come with clear green part as well.

Arms, showing its articulation. The yellow fangs are connected as one piece, so you cannot move them individually. It also comes with the extra hands for holding weapons like most recent MGs.

Legs, showing the articulation. The clear part does not come in clear green again, so i painted them again, with the sticker underneath.

Wings. On the left shows its compact mode, right shows the wings fully extended. The extending adjustment is extremely well designed, the wings are incredibly sturdy and you just have to pull the wing down and the wing will fully extend automatically.

Epyon's weapons only include Beam sword, the heat rod and the claw on its hands.

The beam sword looks incredible and gives my Mg 00 raiser 's Gn sword III a close competition for giant badass swords.

The Beam sword's green effect part can rotate freely, giving the kit more posing options.

The heat rod is equally, if not, even more amazing, being by far my most complicated gundam weapon.

Each part in the rod can be pulled out slightly and bent. When inserted in fully the parts are secure and do not wiggle about.

3. Details and Articulation:

All assembled, this kit is a force to be reckoned with.

Ermmm, the EW ver seems to have better proportion than its anime counterpart.

Much to my surprise, the epyon can do ground poses well as its wings can touch the ground when fully extended. It is as fully articulated as it can be in 2011. It is also one of the most beautifully detailed gundams in my collection. 

However, detail wise i do not like its given decals. Looks boring and uninspirational. There is one that caught my eye though.

This! I use the the decal with its name on the display part with the action base.

4. Poseability:

Poseability wise, despite some obvious weight issues from the heat rod, epyon can actually pose with its heat rod incredibly well. With some adjustment here and there the heat rod can stay in a good position reasonably well. Only nitpick i have is with the copper wire that attaches the beam sword to the waist armour. The copper wire is too stiff, making posing harder.

5. Transformation:

The transformation process is very easy, essentially just removing the hands and bending the gundam's hips and legs over. Do remove the two side ankle's pointy parts before transforming, as those fall off all the time. 

The MA twin dragon head form looks good from the top and the side.

However, if you look from the bottom you can see the torso and the head clearly. True to the anime, the epyon makes no attempt to hide its head and torso in MA mode. Thus from the bottom the MA mode looks like epyon is in a particularly painful yoga class. The ease of the transformation, and the fun factor do makes the transformation worth it though.

5. Conclusion

I say this kit is brilliant and is an absolute must-buy for any self respecting gundam wing fan.

Details: 8/10 I feel that the the torse and feet's clear parts should come in clear green like Mg 00 exia and 00 raiser. Also, i do not like the decals. Other than that the kit is very detailed.

Articulation: 10/10 The movement of the wings and the heat rod are just mind-blowing.

Sturdiness: 9/10 The copper wire may slip out when changing poses, but no real issue here.

Poseability: 9/10 Poses are dynamic and unique, although kit only has 2 weapons.

The Goods:

1. Heat Rod is awesome looking, beautifully designed and can be adjusted and held reasonably well for such a long and heavy gundam weapon.

2.  Not much extra accessories left over, so less chance of losing small parts.

3. Overall proportion of the kit looks great and gives epyon a menacing look.

4. Transformation is good in its own unique way.

The Bads:

1. The clear parts should come in clear green.

2. Decals do not look cool, but this is a matter of preference.

A pro should make a diorama out of this scene.