HGBF Ninpulse Gundam Review

The HGBF Ninpulse Gundam is based on the Ninpulse Gundam that appeared in the anime series Gundam Build Fighters: GM’s Counterattack. It is built and piloted by Nils Neilsen and is based on the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam from the series Gundam SEED Destiny.

	High-Grade Build Fighter	1/144 Scale	Amazon Link
	High-Grade Build Custom	1/144 Scale	Amazon Link

Build and Out-of-the-box appearance

It is a quick build but unlike most High-Grade Gundams, this has many parts that need assembling. It also comes with a transparent stand that can be used for the Gundam or his backpack unit. This is also one of the few kits that I built that has English instruction. It would really help beginners if this is their first build.

Some sprues are exposed and need cleaning before finishing the build. These are more apparent behind the forearm armor and legs. It is hard to clean due to the color of the plastic. Using sandpaper would only leave visible marks on the surface. Be incredibly careful.

Out-of-the-box the design looks cool (it’s a ninja Gundam, it’s already a cool idea) but the colors are too dark, and the gold color is dull. This is a kit that might need painting, especially the gold parts. The only sticker I used has the sticker for the eyes of the Gunpla.

Overall Looks and Colors

The HGBF Ninpulse Gundam is just the base Impulse Gundam with only the headpiece, chest piece, front skirt, and arms changed. The only major difference is the backpack. Ninpulse’s backpack can transform into a giant shuriken.

The body has a color scheme that is red, dark red (these parts are supposed to be black to be show-accurate), gold, and green. The backpack uses red, dark red, and green as its main colors.

This kit needs to be painted to make it look better. The gold needs to be painted with metallic gold and the dark reds in the body need to be painted black.

The arm beams are also cool to look at and I really like how the green stands out in front of the base color this kit has. The green accents in the backpack also stand out.

The backpack is the most versatile part of this Gundam. I almost never follow the configuration shown in the box art. You can just arrange the blades of the wings however you like. The backpack can also be used as armor too.

Articulation

By virtue of this model, the kit is based on the HG Impulse Gundam, it already has outstanding articulation.  Both shoulders are on a ball joint, and both swing upwards. The shoulders can’t swing forward. The arms are connected by a double-jointed elbow.

The mounting for the arm blades can move 180 degrees.

The head is on a ball joint and can easily be adjusted. The neck is also articulated and can move forward and backward. The gold mouthpiece is also articulated, it can swing down. The articulation of the mouthpiece is there to accommodate the attachment of the beam handles hidden in its wings.

The torso and hips use ball joints for articulation. The legs are connected by double-jointed knees. The feet and their heels can swing forwards and backward.

You will need a stand to pose this model kit. Ninpulse’s backpack is heavy and the Gundam can’t stand on its own when it is attached. The included stand is good, but the height isn’t adjustable.

The Ninpulse Gundam can do dynamic poses and can be fun to explore what pose it can do thanks to the great articulation of the base Gundam itself and the added poseability that the wing has.

I just like that this kit doesn’t fall apart so easily like any kit based on the Gundam SEED line. The only things always falling apart are the green pieces on the wings and the gold ornament on the Gundam’s head.

Accessories 

This model has a few accessories included.

• Arm Blade or the Gen’ei Kochoken(Phantom Butterfly swords)
• Power axe
• The wing unit
• 2 beam sword handles
• A beam whip
• A clear plastic stand.

The beam sword handle doesn’t come with its own clear plastic parts. You need to buy the add-ons accessories to use it. If you are a cheapskate like me, just use extra beam parts from other Gundams kits.

The tip of the whip that attaches to the power ax needs to be painted black to be accurate to the box art and the show.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The HGBF Ninpulse Gundam is one cool looking Gundam that came out of the build fighter series. The model also looks cool, but it needs touching up to make it look better. This is an HG model kit that sorely needs painting and inking. 

Other accessories are also sold separately.

The out-of-the-box experience is kind of okay considering that this model kit has incredibly good articulation.  It is still a fun build, and I would still display this kit.

This is still a good recommendation for beginners because it is an easy build that will take only an hour up to 2 hours to complete. The manual of this kit comes both in Japanese and English, so beginners won’t be just relying on the visual aids in the instruction.

I also would likely recommend this to someone who would like to try painting his first model kit or someone who likes to paint his Gunpla.

	High-Grade Build Fighter	1/144 Scale	Amazon Link
	High-Grade Build Custom	1/144 Scale	Amazon Link

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