Then, I came across the Gundam AGE-FX:
Monday, July 09, 2012
AGE-FX: Peak of Lackluster Designs
So I still haven't bothered watching Gundam AGE, mainly because I'm busy with Zeta Gundam (but also because I'm still not interested). BUT, what I have been noticing is pretty much every mobile suit design due to every recent gunpla release being related to AGE. Now, most of these designs didn't bother me. Some of the enemy designs were strange but unique, and the AGE 1 and 2 were alright.
Then, I came across the Gundam AGE-FX:
I'm sorry if anyone likes this, but I've got to be honest: this is one of the most disappointing and unimpressive designs I've ever seen. To the best of my knowledge, the AGE-FX is what you would call the final Gundam. It is the strongest Gundam to come out in the series, and it represents the hero until the end of the series. Usually, the final Gundam ends up being everyone's favorite because of how powerful it is and how appealing its design is compared to everything else. But in this case? It just doesn't work.
Just look how blocky and tacky it looks. And its main colors are baby blue and lime green? Not very intimidating either. If I'm not mistaken, this is the mech designer from Gundam 00. I can tell, because most of the later designs for Gundam 00 were pretty terrible, unimaginative and blocky too. I don't know, I just couldn't get over how disappointing this design was. Am I alone in this?
Then, I came across the Gundam AGE-FX:
IMO, it was far better compared to the AGE-1 and AGE-2. Heck, seeing all the previous leads made me thought that even this level of detail is impossible for the lead unit LOL. And I always respected most lead Gundam designs that dares to use a different color scheme than the usual lead Gundam units, and I think AGE-FX did pretty well on its colors (although it has the same color scheme with 1 Gundam/1.5 Gundam, designed by the same guy).
ReplyDeleteI will admit though, the weapons are unimpressive (the big gun is groan-inducing), the large calf (especially the rear part) makes a weird contrast with its small feets, and the clear green weapons... ugh, again? After Unicorn and Qan[T]? What's with Gundam lately and green?
Yeah, the 00 designs from season 2 onwards. Part of a Gundam fan inside me died thanks to those.
Lol I see, I didn't think anyone could prefer the FX. True about the green weapons and the gun, I think the thing I hate most about this design is the shapes; its so...not sleak. Odd angles and blocky, it looks like a Lego.
DeleteIt is quite blocky (and expect the MG to spice it up with panel lines here and there). Though I am glad it's not as bad as Cherudim, Seravee, AGE-2 Double Bullet's transformed mode, etc. ;^^
DeleteMEEH. it's not my favorite, but overall, i applaud the designers for trying something new. this is really just a variation on the concept of the quanta, of having fangs/funnels/bits be blades, rather than guns.
Deletealso, seravee and cherudim grew on me, but the double bullet HG on my shelf will NEVER EVER EVER transform. ever.
I feel that overall grunt unit designs seem more appealing than the Gundams themselves in AGE. AGE-FX doesn't make me an impression that it's the "ultimate Gundam", though I think what I don't like the most is the placement of those green "bits", and they look as if they come from 2nd season of Gundam 00 and overall a little odd to me because of them. You do have a point that it looks blocky and there are few to no curve lines there!
ReplyDeleteI actually am okay with the white and blue scheme though - it's sort of a change from having to add the almost "obligatary" red for the typical Gundam colours ^^;
My first reaction when I saw the design was that it wasn't appealing. However, when I saw the HG without the funnels and the gun, I really liked it. Each element of the design was though out thoroughly, but still made to catch the eye of AGE's target audience: children.
ReplyDeleteThe story goes that when the AGE-System was building the FX, the best elements from the three previous designs were incorporated. It has AGE-1's Shiguru Blade in the form of the C-Funnels and the DODS Rifle which has 2 modes in the form of the Stangle Rifle which has 3 modes. It has AGE-2's sleek body build and speed. It also has the AGE-3's quick deploy beam blades near the wrists, core-fighter system for escaping, and a big cannon in the form of the Stangle Rifle's 3rd form (bazooka.)
The C-Funnels also function as shields. They can disperse beam attacks.
The baby/neon blue in the center is sort of like a psycho-frame ("Psycho-Flow")in AGE. BTW, FX stands for "Follow X-Rounder" since the suit was specifically designed to keep up with the abilities of X-Rounders. X-Rounders surpassing a suit's ability is a motif.
I just really wish they included head guns!
Actually, when I saw the new 1/144 model and a few screenshots of the FX without those ridiculous green fins, it looked way easier on the eye. I still don't like it at all, but I know now that the green bits are the biggest issue with the overall design.
DeleteI actually like the overall design . compared with vagen's fucked up suits this looks much more easier on the eye. Still they really should streamline the suite like they did with QuanT.
ReplyDeleteI do not like the FX,But i do love the HG when it's unarmed,but i prefer the the Veigan's sleek units like Ghirarga and Zeydra
ReplyDeleteYou know a Gundam serious is seriously flawed when the enemy Gundam seems like a holy work of art compared to the main lead. Gundam Legalis...which genius drew that up?
ReplyDeletei dont know, but it is sexy as fuck.
Deletei prefer gundam legilis over age fx
ReplyDeleteGundam AGE only targeted for Children and new Gundam Fans... However, the most Gundam fans are long Gundam Fans....
ReplyDelete