Gunpla Spotlight: MG 1/100 Gundam Barbatos Reveals the Incredible Engineering Behind Mikazuki’s Mobile Suit
Mikazuki Augus turned a centuries-old mobile suit into one of the most feared weapons in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, using Gundam Barbatos to overwhelm his enemies with crushing melee attacks and a ruthless fighting style that helped set the anime apart from earlier Gundam series.
The “MG 1/100 GUNDAM BARBATOS” captures the machine’s powerful Fourth Form in Bandai’s Master Grade Gunpla line, combining its iconic armor and heavy weaponry with a highly detailed internal Gundam Frame, exposed mechanical components, and extensive articulation.
First appearing in the 2015 anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, the ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos was an ancient mobile suit originally developed during the Calamity War, a devastating conflict that took place approximately 300 years before the events of the series.
After being rediscovered on Mars, Barbatos was initially used as a power source by the private security organization Chryse Guard Security, before young pilot Mikazuki Augus took control of the machine during an attack by Gjallarhorn forces.
Mikazuki then became the primary mobile suit pilot for Tekkadan, an independent military organization formed by former child soldiers under the leadership of Orga Itsuka, with Barbatos serving as their most powerful weapon throughout the group’s increasingly dangerous missions.
The Gundam was built around one of the rare Gundam Frames developed during the Calamity War, incorporating twin Ahab Reactors and the Alaya-Vijnana System, a direct neural interface that allowed Mikazuki to control the machine with exceptional responsiveness.
Unlike more heavily armored mobile suits, Barbatos exposed much of its underlying mechanical structure, with visible hydraulic pistons, a narrow waist, and large shoulder assemblies giving it an aggressive appearance that matched its close-combat capabilities.
The mobile suit underwent several repairs and equipment changes throughout the first season, with its Fourth Form emerging after technicians working for Teiwaz restored much of its original Calamity War-era appearance.
This configuration became one of Barbatos’ most memorable designs, combining its restored white, blue, and red armor with the enormous Mace, Long Sword, and 300mm Smoothbore Gun used during Mikazuki’s battles against Gjallarhorn.
Bandai’s 1/100 scale Master Grade kit places particular emphasis on the Gundam Frame beneath the armor, with an intricate internal structure that draws directly from the mechanical design of the anime.
The frame incorporates silver-plated hydraulic cylinders across several sections of the body, while the twin Ahab Reactors housed in the chest include a rotating mechanism that allows builders to interact with one of Barbatos’ most important internal systems.
Articulation throughout the upper body allows the armor, frame and cylinders to move together, giving the model an impressive range of motion while preserving the exposed mechanical appearance of the original machine.
The shoulder assemblies incorporate sliding mechanisms that follow the movement of the arms, while additional joints around the torso allow Barbatos to twist, bend and lean forward into the aggressive fighting stances associated with Mikazuki.
Bandai also developed an interconnected knee mechanism that moves the internal frame and hydraulic cylinders together, with extendable components behind the knees providing additional clearance for kneeling poses.
Further movement in the waist and hip joints allows the model to reproduce Barbatos’ characteristic forward-leaning standby posture, with its head lowered as though preparing to launch into battle.
The kit’s weapons offer plenty of opportunities to put these mechanisms to use, particularly the enormous Mace, which includes sliding sections in both its handle and head to adjust its appearance.
Barbatos also comes equipped with its Long Sword and 300mm Smoothbore Gun, the latter incorporating folding and sliding mechanisms that allow the weapon to be displayed in different configurations.
Three types of interchangeable hand parts are included to accommodate its equipment, alongside foil stickers and marking decals for adding further details to the finished model.
Builders interested in exploring more of Barbatos’ appearances throughout the anime should also consider the “MG 1/100 GUNDAM BARBATOS EXPANSION PARTS SET,” a Premium Bandai-exclusive collection of additional armor and weapons designed specifically for the original Master Grade kit.
The set provides the components needed to recreate the mobile suit’s First, Second, Third, Fifth, Fifth Ground Battle, and Sixth Forms, including equipment such as the Wire Claw, additional boosters, Arm Mortars, and the massive Wrench Mace.
It also includes a 1/100 scale Tekkadan Mobile Worker, a standing figure of Orga Itsuka, and water-slide decals, making it an especially appealing upgrade for builders who want to display Barbatos in different configurations from the first season.
Collectors looking for a more premium interpretation of the Fourth Form can also explore the “METAL BUILD GUNDAM BARBATOS (4TH FORM) + BOOMERANG MACE,” a fully assembled figure that combines a die-cast Gundam Frame with extensive articulation and mechanical detailing.
Developed under the supervision of original mechanical designer Naohiro Washio, the figure also includes an enormous Boomerang Mace and a crimson cloak, both specially designed for the METAL BUILD release, giving Barbatos an alternative appearance not seen in the original anime.
Originally released in Japan on December 21, 2019, the “MG 1/100 GUNDAM BARBATOS” is a general retail kit that should be available from most reputable Gunpla stockists, subject to availability.
Although the standard model is not currently available through Premium Bandai US, the compatible “MG 1/100 GUNDAM BARBATOS EXPANSION PARTS SET”
is available for $36, while the “METAL BUILD GUNDAM BARBATOS (4TH FORM) + BOOMERANG MACE”
is also in stock for $330.
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