HG Gundam Calibarn 1/144 Kit Review – Build, Articulation & Impressions

If you're a Gunpla enthusiast or a fan of The Witch from Mercury series, the HG 1/144 Calibarn Gundam is a kit you’ll want on your shelf. As one of the newer entries in the HG TWFM line, Calibarn combines sleek aesthetics, interesting gimmicks, and solid articulation. In this review, we’ll walk through the unboxing, building experience (part by part), articulation and final thoughts.

Scale: 1/144
Grade: High Grade
Release Date: July 2023
Price: $23 USD at prexhobby.com

What’s in the Box & First Impressions

Opening the box, you’ll find the typical runners (plastic sprues), polycaps, decal sheets (stickers and some Permet Score stickers), a clear stand base, and instructions. According to Mecha Alliance, the plastic is similar to other HG TWFM kits: somewhat soft, easy to clean up nubs, and good color separation.

Right away, the design stands out: white-dominant tones with “Permet” panel details (rainbow-ish overlays under clear covers) across the head, torso, shoulders, and thighs. The V-fin is pre-painted in a rainbow color. The box art and runner layout feel premium, hinting that Bandai gave this kit special attention.

One quirk: many of the Permet details are delivered as decals, not molded. You’ll need patience to apply them well, especially on the Variable Rod Rifle’s thrusters (there are about 16 tiny green stickers just for those parts).

Building Experience

Building Calibarn is a fun, satisfying experience overall. Below is a walkthrough by section.

Head Unit

The head is sleek and sharp. The V-fin is pre-painted, which is a nice bonus, and the Permet overlay around the eyes adds flair. Because the Permet parts are decals under clear covers, precision is important. Some builders report risk of smudging during panel lining. The head does not pose much (besides turn and tilt), but visually it carries a lot of the kit’s character.

Body

The torso connects firmly with internal framing, and color separation is fairly good (white parts, grey inner frames). The chest Permet details are appealing but rest of the details rely on decals. The waist joint allows for twisting and some forward/backward tilt.

Arms

Shoulder joints can slide or push forward, which helps when holding the large Variable Rod Rifle with two hands without collision. The arms use standard HG-style articulation with elbow bends, wrist pivots, and decent range. The weight of the weapon can stress certain joints, so be mindful while posing.

Waist

The waist joint is decent—the kit allows some twisting plus forward/backward motion. However, the side skirts are somewhat rigid, limiting extreme side-splay unless you modify them. The closed design around the thighs slightly constrains outward spread.

Legs

Leg articulation is among the stronger points. Deep knee bends allow dynamic poses. Feet use swivel joints at front and back to maximize ground contact. The legs are stable and solid, helping the kit hold poses despite wielding a heavy weapon.

Weapons & Accessories

Calibarn comes with a Variable Rod Rifle (a broom-shaped cannon) which attaches to the backpack via a sub-arm system. This allows flexible positioning. The rifle also has auxiliary handles so Calibarn can wield it two-handed. The thruster tail section can open via jointed parts. 

It also includes Gun-Bits / Escutcheon (11, same parts as Aerial Rebuild but recolored) that can attach around the body, be used as funnels, or form into a shield arrangement. Two beam sabers are tucked behind the backpack, though the plugs are fixed and not very mobile.

One gimmick: High Maneuverability Mode, where parts of the feet and rear armor fold down for a flight-like posture. 
Mecha Alliance

Overall, the accessory load is generous for an HG and offers variety for posing.

Articulations

Articulation is one of Calibarn’s strong suits. The joints are sturdy and flexible.

Key highlights:

• Shoulders can push forward to help accommodate the broom-rifle without rubbing into the body.
• Waist and knees offer deep bending so you can achieve dynamic action poses.
• Foot joints (front and rear) help maintain stable contact with surfaces.
• Backpack thrusters have ball joints so they can move independently.
• Gun-bit attachments and the sub-arm for the broom add extra degrees of freedom for interesting layouts.

Some limitations: the closed thigh casing limits outward leg spread; extreme side articulation may require cutting or modification. Also, some reviewers mention that repeated movement may loosen circular peg joints (especially on ankles or arms).

Still, for an HG, Calibarn offers articulation that rivals kits in higher grades.

Thoughts

Overall, the HG 1/144 Calibarn Gundam is an impressive entry in the HG TWFM line. Its design is stylish, the gimmicks are functional, and the articulation is satisfying. It balances visual flair with mechanical soundness. For modelers who enjoy decals and precision work, the Permet details are a fun challenge; for others, the core build is still excellent even without perfect decal application.

Many builders hail Calibarn as one of the strongest HG kits released recently (especially within the Witch From Mercury line). While “best ever” is subjective, Calibarn pushes the bar for what is expected in current HG designs. The only caveats are modest: take care with decals, watch for loose joints over time, and consider customizing leg articulation if you like extreme poses.

A fun tip: combine Calibarn with Aerial Rebuild in your display to highlight the sibling/gun-bit relationship. Mecha Alliance even recommends displaying them together.

Where to Buy the HG 1/144 Calibarn Gundam

Ready to add this small-but-mighty kit to your collection? ✨
You can grab the HG 1/144 Calibarn Gundam right now at P-Rex Hobby — your trusted destination for Gunpla and model kits.

Tools we used for this build:

1. Nipper: Godhand SPN-120
2. Tweezers: Hobby Mio HMT-101
3. Sanding Sponge: DSPIAE Sanding Sponge
4. Runner Organizer: DSPIAE Sprue Rack
5. Cutting Mat: DSPIAE A2 Cutting Mat

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