btw
HG 1/144 Gundam AGE-1


Mega Size 1/48 Gundam AGE-1

Pros:
1. For such a small kit, Bandai actually managed to incorporate the full transforming mechanism. Well done.
2. Due to the transformation, the hip joints actually have a fairly wide range of articulation. And most of the joints are tight despite the lack of ABS parts. With the exception as described below under "cons".
3. The Aegis's transformation may not be as complicated as the Z-variants, yet it's very unconventional and refreshing unlike the ones seen in W/X. Great job Akutsu.
4. The pink isn't too bad, honestly. And it contrasts well with the grey and dark indigo parts.
5. It's quite back-heavy but it still can stand upright. Unlike the 1/144 Arios that's hopeless on its feet...really, the Arios is an appalling design.

Cons:
1. Poor articulation - static neck joint, 90-degree-only elbows, no forward swivelling shoulders. To be fair, this is a pretty old kit.
2. Mine has a shockingly loose left hip joint and tends to do splits when the hips are moved slightly wide apart. Right side fares better.
3. Seam lines are still prominent; particularly at the tail fins, dorsum of the feet, the thrusters on the rear of the side binders, and the top of the shoulder armours.
4. No beam sabres !! Not even slots to put them in !! As seen in the 2nd picture, I had to shove the Sinanju's yellow beams into the folded forearm claws and they are still hanging loosely. Suck.
5. The palms are quite hopeless in grasping anything. It can't even hold its rifle properly.
6. Colour separation issues. I can compromise with little things such as vents and thrusters, but the backpack is moulded entirely in pink where it should have a grey frame. It's a pretty decent sized area that needs painting. 
7. This is still a pretty fragile kit given its multiple articulation points. The entire kit is focused around a central vertical column which houses the Scylla cannon that has short little male connectors inserting into PVC female sockets. Most of these joints support large and heavy armour pieces that rotate freely and therefore they are at very high risks of snapping. I snapped the skirt armour's joint and had to repair it by glueing a rod into it. The presence of the steel rod now prevents the skirt armour from transforming properly as seen in the 3rd pic.

Conclusion? It's a kit where the flaws outnumber the pros, yet it's unconventional design makes it an absolute fun build. The 1/100 with its larger parts might not be as fragile during the assembling process, but I am sceptical about its durability since the joints will have to support even more weight.

Claw vs Claw:


Still to come... Zaku I.