RE/100 1/100 Nightingale — Char's Final Battleship-Scale MS Reviewed

The RE/100 Nightingale is monstrous. At nearly 30cm tall in 1/100 scale, this mobile armor absolutely dominates any display. The RE/100 format — designed for large, complex designs that don't quite warrant a full PG — is perfectly suited to the Nightingale's aggressive bulk.

Scale and Presence

Everything about the Nightingale is oversized: the funnel binders, the massive arm claws, the towering fin structure. The crimson color is rendered in dense, rich plastic. This is unquestionably a centerpiece kit.

RE/100 Nightingale: The Massive UC Closer

The RE/100 Nightingale (2018) is the largest RE/100 kit ever produced and one of the largest Bandai 1/100 kits in any grade. The Nightingale itself is a colossal mobile suit from Beltorchika's Children — Char's intended successor to the Sazabi, scaled up significantly.

For UC collectors, this kit is essential despite its premium price. There's no MG Nightingale — the RE/100 is the only 1/100 representation.

The Sheer Size

Standing approximately 30cm tall (vs ~20cm for a standard MG), the Nightingale dominates any display it shares. The funnel system extends another 15-20cm beyond the shoulders. The total footprint with funnels deployed approaches 40cm × 40cm.

Plan shelf space accordingly. This kit needs a dedicated display area; it cannot share space with smaller kits without dwarfing them.

The Funnel Engineering

The Nightingale's defining visual feature is the array of large funnels mounted on the shoulders and waist. The kit includes 14 funnels total — each mounted on flexible tubing that allows deployment in dramatic 'attack pattern' configurations.

The funnels are individually positionable; you can arrange them in defensive (close to body), offensive (extended outward), or 'fan deployed' (spread in a wide pattern) configurations.

The Color Scheme

Deep crimson red with black inner panels, gold trim, and gunmetal joints. The red is darker than the Sazabi's — closer to wine than crimson. This makes the funnels (also red) blend with the body, creating a unified silhouette.

The gold trim is painted (not plated) but extensive. A Mr Color Super Gold over-coat dramatically enhances the visual impact.

The Beam Trident & Beam Rifle

The signature beam trident (large staff-like weapon) is included plus a beam rifle and two beam saber hilts. The trident has multi-axis articulation at the held grip, allowing for the weapon-extended-forward poses the Nightingale is famous for.

Build Difficulty

This is a 25-35 hour build — closer to MG complexity than typical RE/100. The funnel system alone consumes 8-12 hours due to the 14 individual mounts. Plan multiple weekends of focused work.

Despite the time investment, the kit is forgiving. Few small parts; logical assembly order; clear instructions.

The RE/100 Format Trade-off

RE/100 means simplified inner frame compared to MG. The Nightingale's inner frame is functional but less articulated than an MG would be. For static display this doesn't matter; for extreme action poses it does.

Most Nightingale builders display in stationary 'guardian stance' rather than action poses. The kit's size and weight make dynamic posing impractical anyway.

The Premium Price

At ¥17,600, the Nightingale is one of Bandai's most expensive RE/100 releases. The price reflects the kit's size, complexity, and the funnel array. For dedicated UC fans, the cost is justified. For casual builders, this is a serious commitment.