Gundam SEED’s New FREEDOM MSV Project Reveals Its First Official Premium Figure
Bandai has revealed the first official premium figure from the newly revived Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM MSV project, introducing a completely new version of Kira Yamato’s Rising Freedom Gundam.
The “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS
Rising Freedom serves as Kira’s main mobile suit during the earlier stages of SEED FREEDOM, continuing the lineage of machines including the original Freedom Gundam and Strike Freedom Gundam.
The Proud Defender was initially developed as an enhancement unit for Rising Freedom, but delays prevented the two from being deployed together before Kira’s mobile suit was critically damaged during the conflict with the Kingdom of Foundation.
The equipment was subsequently adapted for the Strike Freedom Gundam Type II, creating the Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam used by Kira during the movie’s final battle.
Radiance Grandeur instead explores the configuration that could have existed if Rising Freedom had received the Proud Defender as originally planned, giving the familiar mobile suit an entirely different appearance.
Its armor has been transformed with a predominantly white color scheme accented by blue, red, and gold details, replacing much of the darker blue used across Kira’s standard Rising Freedom.
The huge white and gold Proud Defender extends across the back of the figure, creating the same broad winged profile later associated with Mighty Strike Freedom while retaining Rising Freedom’s own body, shield and weapons.
Bandai has so far kept much of the mobile suit’s story and technical background under wraps, with additional details about Radiance Grandeur set to be revealed through future Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM MSV material.
The figure appears to use the existing METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Rising Freedom Gundam as its foundation alongside the previously released Proud Defender, although Bandai has yet to detail whether any changes have been made to the underlying construction.
Its accessory selection includes a beam rifle, beam saber blades, shield, shield effect parts, and a dedicated display base.
The lightning effects previously supplied with the separate METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Proud Defender & Effect Parts Set are not listed among the included accessories for Radiance Grandeur.
Standing approximately 14 cm tall, the completed figure combines ABS and PVC parts with die-cast metal components used throughout its articulated construction.
Bandai recently revived the long-running SEED MSV project after an absence of more than 20 years, and Radiance Grandeur now provides the first look at what fans can expect from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM MSV in terms of premium figures.
Image by Charlotte DavisThe revived project will expand the Cosmic Era with new variations connected to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM and the upcoming SEED FREEDOM ZERO, with its first installment scheduled to appear in Monthly Hobby Japan later this month.
The Proud Defender is also receiving renewed attention through Bandai’s upcoming “MGEX 1/100 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam,” which recreates its eventual combination with the Strike Freedom Gundam Type II as a high-end Gunpla kit.
The “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS
The figure, which will be priced at ¥26,400 (approximately $167 / £126), will receive its first release at GUNDAM-Con, with post-event sales through Premium Bandai US and other official channels planned for a later date.
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