rico soul: This Einta model kit is really quite something. For people don't know, this is a subdivision of YuJiaoLand, a very well know GK manufacturer. Actually they've made the Trident weapon system previously but the romanization of their name was spelled Ainta instead for that one. So similar to Infinite Dimensions with their Genesis, we can expect fairly high quality molds and details. YJL is kind of notorious for having extremely detailed GKs, even in the world of GKs.

This figure certainly shows A LOT of gundam influence. The overall design is obviously Hi-Nu and Strike Freedom, but side skirts are very Strike gundam, and the front skirt even has a bit of Providence in it. The rear skit is also very Freedom gundam, and the wings gives it a bit of a Hi-Nu Vrabe vibe as well. This should fit well with any collection.

Now personally, I do hope there is a Die-Cast frame version of this kit. This thing obviously will have no chance of standing on it own with those small feet and huge backpack.

Also, expect this to be a more advanced kit for builders. this has 1103 parts total which is double or even triple most Bandai MGs. You are afterall getting resin kit aesthetics in a snap build. I will be very very interested in seeing how this turns out.

rico soul: Ok, I see Gundamit has updated the photos but haven't really explained things so I'll add some details that were released about the Apocalypse.

In the latest render, the mobile suit is show to have all the wings deployed. To confirm our observations from before, each funnel further separates to form a front blade part and a rear beam funnel part. The backpack should turn into this glowing halo after all the funnels are deployed and active so a clear effect part will be provided for the backpack to display this. To me it kind of gives it a bit of a Stargazer Gundam vibe.

For the render of the alloy frame, the grey parts are the metal parts, the dark blue are POM plastic, and the light blue are ABS plastic. Typically the approach nowadays is to have metal on POM for durability of the joints rather than have the metal wear directly against the softer plastics used in the model kit. We can see the Apocalypse takes this a step further and use some ABS to POM for the plastic to plastic joints to hopefully offer even more durability and wear resistance.

The color separation details of the model is going to be achieved by the layering of different parts. This is a pretty typical approach nowadays and vientiane fusion provided several pictures showing the frame, the different layers of plastic parts (inner frame parts, clear green parts, gold painted parts, outter armor), and how it all looks layered up. I've combined the images here so you can see how that looks.

Finally, some additional details were provided about the action base, like how there are storage compartments and how the design is kind of reminiscent of the popular IN ERA+ and action base 3 designs with the picture panel. Multiple bases can be connected together. I wonder if this is hinting at future projects.

Vientiane fusion also posted a short clip to show some of the leg hatch openings and thruster linkages. The calf panel opens up and there's some connected articulation on the calf thrusters. No one's reposted it on youtube yet so here's the weibo link directly: weibo.com/tv/show/1034:4907415997448233. I've also seen clips of a physical printed leg prototype floating around that demonstrates this actually works as designed.

All in all, this seems like a pretty ambitious design but progress is looking good. Still no confirmed price yet but the manufacturer had previously said under 238RMB so if that holds true and the quality of the kit turns out to be good, this is looking to be one of the standout deals of the year. It'll really put some pressure on other manufactures, especially YJL/Einta with their Sky Defender which we've still seen no updates yet but would have originally been planed to be priced much much higher.

The current Chinese mecha model kit market is just crazy this year.

rico soul: It's pretty amazing that IN ERA+ already has their next model in grey model prototype before we have even gotten the RULING fully released lol.

The Ruling is pretty sweet by all accounts and this Vanguard looks to be more of the same high quality.
It was displayed next to the Genesis as well so it looks like Infinite Dimensions is pretty much putting all these under the same lineup.

Seems to be another seed inspired design and more awesome GK level detailed model kit goodness.

Attached are some more photos from the Shanghai Miniature Art Expo that this display was at. I haven't seen any further information yet, but I'll add some comments if I find out more

rico soul: We have the final photo dump from IN ERA+ along with the product details. I'm not completely sold on the color but I planned on repainting mine anyways. Kind of looks like a cross between an Eclipse Gundam, a Gundam Aesculapius, and of course still with the Strike Freedom dragoons.

- Release Date in China: End of April 2023
- Price: 159RMB for original blind preorders, 174RMB for preorders,189RMB retail (For comparison Ruling was 389RMB)
- Height 19cm
- Preorder bonus: Trailblazer Poster

Like previous products, it will come with waterslides and a display base.

It also has some typical Supernova bonuses like providing runners in multiple colors to allow you to swap parts like the antenna. There is an alternate face mask to help customize the face. The four wings on the backpack server as both thrusters, cannons, dragoons, and melee daggers are slotted inside them.

As mentioned previously, the UMD product line aims to reduce the inner frame in favor of surface details. We can see that there is still a fair amount of surface articulation on the Trailblazer and a ton of molded details. However, with something like the legs, we do see that the lack of an inner frame means we're likely not going to get more connected movement like the thigh armor splitting from the Ruling

There was also a letter of appreciation from IN ERA+ to the customers along with this release that talked about the behind the scenes activities. They have been working on these designs for past three years which is why they were able to release the Genesis, Ruling, and now Trailblazer one right after the other. Future products will be announced once they are about 80% complete