HG IBO 1/144 Helmwige Reincar Review

Welcome to the review of a Viking whose destiny is to...... hold a sword. That was a joke, but seriously! This guy don't really have much screen time in the anime!

This is the upgraded version of Grimgerde, the Helmwige Reincar. Originally meant for McGillis Fareed, he passed it to his subordinate Isurugi Camice, because Gillis can't pilot the Helmwige in his current position.

While the Grimgerde is meant for mobility, Helmwige is meant for escort/defense roles, thus the armor has been buffed up. Being a really heavy unit whose weight is close to the limit for mobility, this Valkyrja Frame can stop a mobile armor with its body alone.


Front View

If there is a color issue, it would be the cream yellow. The blue colors are fine, but the cream yellow parts sucks. Then again it's just me.

Rear View

One of the reasons I likes this kit so much is the very little amount of stickers used. There's only four of them-one on the torso, and two on each wrist cuffs. Last sticker is of course, the monoeye.

The eye was supposed to be a visor, but Bandai made it a monoeye instead. Just like its predecessor the Grimgerde.

Given that Helmwige is a Valkyrja Frame, whose frame was the base for all of the Graze frames, here's a quick comparison with a custom painted Graze.

Articulation

Head can look up really far and look down that far.

The shoulder armors despite their size, does not hinder the arm movements. Shoulders can swing up, so does the side pieces of the shoulder armors. Arms can swing out that far. Head can also turn 360 degress without any issues.

The only hindrance the armor gives was for the elbow movement. Valkyrja Frames are supposed to have a real double joint on their elbows, unlike the Gundam Frames' round elbow joints. The arms can rotate a full 360 with no problem.

No hindrance at the waist. It can do a full 360 and the torso can swing up and down. Forgot to take the picture for it...

No hindrances at all.

Legs can do a full split, something the Grimgerde cannot do unless you turn its side skirts behind.

Leg also goes up that far.

Double-joint at the knees.

And a nice foot swivel. The blue piece also moves slightly but has no use at all.

Accessories

This kit doesn't come with a lot of accessories. But what it gives is already great and useful.

First up is a set of open feet to add more footing for the mobile suit while handling the massive buster sword. Above is a quick comparison between the two replaceable feet parts.

These parts are a must if you wish to have your Helmwige stay stable when posing it with the sword.

Second, here it is, probably the selling point of Helmwige... the massive Valkyrja Buster Sword!! So far, the largest melee weapon in all of the Gundam franchise.. now that this weapon exists, Gundam Throne Zwei and 00 Seven Sword's Buster Swords are puny weapons compared to this big fella here! And the above picture wasn't even the full size!

The handles can be pulled out, thus increasing the height of the already large sword even further. This weapon's full height is twice the height of a normal mobile suit height. For size, it's close to a 1/100.

Quick comparison with Lupus Rex's "ultra-large mace". This mace's nothing compared to the buster sword itself!

Bandai really have did a smart move. Each hands have this slot that holds the sword in place securely...

... while the sword handle itself has a railing system that connects to the slot. It allows for a free sliding on the hands, but still secure and won't slide down easily. But, having a railing like this also hinders some poses with the sword as well.

There is also a hole in the hilt, allowing the kit to hold the sword like so.

The main feature of the Valkyrja Buster Sword isn't the height or massive size, but it was the gimmick to split it into two weapons. The bottom handle is actually a small club... that is so Viking.

It can hold both weapons securely with one hand only.

Not to mention it can also hold the buster sword single-handedly without having any issues at all.

Now this has to be the most absurd placement for a weapon... when other mobile suits store their weapons on the backpack, waist, or lower legs... this guy stores his sword in the crotch. Now this isn't appropriate... I mean look at it!

But hey, it really works. The buster sword was secure in the holster and the kit doesn't fall off.

Action

Say your prayers!

Oh damn I forgot. The last weapon Helmwige has will be its electric shock horns. The chest piece can also be placed on its face, making a cool battle mask.

The horn also moves down in this configuration.

Pros:

-Cool gimmicks

-The buster sword's size is really satisfying (and it makes Throne Zwei look like a wimp)

-Viking themed (that I really love)

-Simple build for beginners

-Comes with four stickers only


Cons:

-Sucks to be a guy whose destiny is to hold a sword throughout the series until his death

-This kit's weapon storage has to be the most absurdly planned one throughout the Gundam history

-Sword handle's railings means the kit will hold it securely but it will also limit some poses while holding the sword unless you cut the pegs inside each hands



Verdict

Helmwige Reincar is a very cool Viking-themed kit to have. Some people won't feel comfortable with the sword placement, I know. Because I feel that way.

It surprisingly has good articulations despite being bulky, and it also comes with cool gimmicks. I highly recommend this for IBO fans, beginners, and those who like knight-themed mobile suits. Or for those who likes big weapons. Despite being big and chunky, this kit's build is as simple as the Grimgerde.

I think that is all for the review of Helmwige Reincar. Being the Skyrim fan that I am, I've planned to repaint this kit and relocate the sword holster to the back skirt instead.


As usual, see you next time.


-Fin