HGCE 1/144 Strike Freedom Gundam — The 2021 Remake Perfected

The 2021 HGCE Strike Freedom is everything the original HGUC wasn't. Bandai rebuilt it from scratch with modern engineering standards, resulting in a kit that genuinely impresses at every step of the build.

Rail System Wings

The new slide-rail wing system allows the wings to fan out dramatically without any parts swapping. Coupled with the new inner frame derived from the Destiny Gundam platform, the posing options are vastly expanded versus the 2005 original.

The HGCE Strike Freedom: SEED's Modern Reset

HGCE (HG Cosmic Era) is Bandai's modern HG line for the Cosmic Era timeline (Gundam SEED and successors). It was created to replace the older HG SEED kits with updated engineering, better proportions, and modern color separation. The HGCE Strike Freedom (released 2017) is one of the line's flagship releases.

Compared to the original HG Strike Freedom (2007), the HGCE version is a complete redesign. New joints, new proportions, new color separation, and the wing system that the original couldn't pull off.

The Wing System

The Strike Freedom's signature feature is the multi-wing 'angel-style' backpack. The HGCE captures this with eight wing sections that fold outward in two pairs. The wings deploy via a central spine connection, allowing both 'closed' (sword stance) and 'fully deployed' (flight pose) configurations.

The wings don't have individual articulation per segment (that's the RG's gimmick), but the deployed silhouette is faithful and visually impressive.

Weapons Loadout

Two beam rifles (combinable into a long rifle), two beam saber hilts (also combinable into a dual-blade), two railgun rifles mounted on the hips, and a beam shield projector on the left wrist. Standard Strike Freedom kit list with no surprising omissions.

The hand units include closed-grip alternates plus open palms for beam-shield projection display.

Color Separation

White, blue, gold, red — all properly molded in their final colors. The chest accents are pre-molded; the chest crest is a small applied sticker. Most builders skip the sticker and either paint the crest or leave it unmarked.

The gold plastic is a noticeable improvement over older HG SEED kits — it has a faint metallic finish rather than the flat yellow-gold of older runners.

The Comparison Question

HGCE Strike Freedom vs RG Strike Freedom vs MG Strike Freedom vs PG Strike Freedom. Each tier offers genuinely different value:

HGCE: ¥1,800. Best beginner option, fastest build, smallest shelf footprint.

RG: ¥3,500. Best engineering value. Detailed inner frame, articulated wing binders.

MG: ¥5,500. Best detail at 1/100. Dual-burst gimmick if you get the Full Burst version.

PG: ¥21,000. The full experience. Multi-week build. Imposing display piece.

For your first Strike Freedom, the HGCE is fine. For your favorite Strike Freedom, the RG is the answer.