Athrun's other Gundam, before Justice
Before Athrun Zala flies the Justice, he flies this. The GAT-X303 Aegis is one of the five original prototypes stolen at the start of SEED, and its real trick isn't the beam rifle or the claws, it's the airframe underneath: the Aegis converts into a Mobile Armor with two distinct sub-modes, opening up a whole different way to fight than any of its sister Gundams.
This is the 2011 remastered High Grade, recoloured to match the Blu-ray release for the 10th anniversary of Gundam SEED.
Build difficulty
Snap-fit, moulded in colour, no glue required. The transformation adds a bit more assembly logic to track than a fixed-mode HG, but nothing here is genuinely hard. A solid choice for a builder with one or two kits behind them.
Technical highlights
The transformation is the whole story. In Mobile Suit mode the Aegis fights conventionally with a beam rifle, shield and a beam saber built into each limb. Converting to Mobile Armor gives you two distinct configurations: Cruise Mode for speed and long-range travel, and Attack Mode, where the Scylla energy cannon hidden in the chest becomes usable and the four claws rearrange to grapple a target before the cannon fires. Twin head-mounted CIWS round out the loadout. A stand adapter is included, and the kit is built to be compatible with a Bandai Action Base 2.
What makes this kit special
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Genuine MS-to-MA transformation: converts fully between Mobile Suit and Mobile Armor, not a partial pose change.
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Two distinct Mobile Armor sub-modes: Cruise for speed, Attack for combat, each a different configuration.
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Scylla chest cannon: hidden in Mobile Suit mode, exposed and usable once the Aegis converts to Attack Mode.
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Rearranging claws: the four limb claws reposition between modes rather than staying fixed.
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Beam saber built into each limb: close-combat weapons integrated into the frame itself.
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10th anniversary remastered colours: matched to the Blu-ray release rather than the original 2002 colourway.
What's in the box
- GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam parts, moulded in colour
- Beam rifle
- Shield
- Stand adapter for Bandai Action Base 2
- Marking sticker sheet
- Instruction manual
Compatible accessories
No display base is included with the kit, but a mounting adaptor is, built specifically for the Bandai Action Base 2, the standard 1/144 display stand.
Build your Cosmic Era collection
For more SEED-universe Master Grade weight, the Bandai 1/100 MG Destiny Gundam and the Bandai 1/100 MG Force Impulse Gundam are both in stock.
At 1/144, the Bandai 1/144 HG ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam (Revive) is also available.
Build specifications
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Series: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
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Grade: High Grade (HG), Remaster edition
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Scale: 1/144
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Mobile suit: GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam
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Pilot: Athrun Zala
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Faction: ZAFT
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Timeline: Cosmic Era
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Manufacturer: Bandai, Japan
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Original release: November 2011 (remaster)
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Kit packaged weight: 290 g, retail box 30 x 19 x 6.8 cm
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Barcode (JAN): 4573102603623
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Skill level: 2
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Assembly: snap-fit, no glue required
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Paint required: no, parts are moulded in colour
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Special features: MS-to-MA transformation with Cruise and Attack modes, Scylla chest cannon, rearranging claws
Perfect for
- SEED fans who want Athrun's first Gundam before he moves to the Justice
- Builders who enjoy a real transformation gimmick over a fixed-mode kit
- Collectors after the anniversary remastered colours rather than the original release
- Anyone who wants a Mobile Armor mode without stepping up to a bigger kit
- Second or third-time builders wanting a bit more mechanical complexity
- Cosmic Era collectors filling out the original five prototypes
Fast Australian shipping
Dispatched same day from Brisbane if ordered before 2pm AEST on weekdays. Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $199. Packed securely in a sturdy outer box with water-soluble cornstarch void fill that dissolves cleanly in the sink.
What to watch for
I did not find a repeated, independently confirmed build fault specific to this remaster. What's worth flagging instead is a naming trap: reviews and listings for the original 2002-era Aegis Gundam, the redesigned Aegis Gundam Redux, and this 2011 Blu-ray-colour remaster all circulate under similar names online. If you're comparing prices or reviews, check which release you're actually looking at.
Beyond that, this is a well-regarded HG from a kit generation that generally holds up, with the transformation as the standout feature rather than a source of complaints.
Builder tips: work through the Mobile Suit to Mobile Armor conversion slowly the first time, since it's easy to force a joint before you've found the right sequence. The Scylla cannon panel only opens properly in Attack Mode, so don't force it open while still in Mobile Suit configuration. Panel lining picks out the moulded detail nicely, since the remastered colours are fairly flat on their own.
Build notes
No glue and no paint required. Nippers, a hobby knife and sanding sticks. Expect around an hour to an hour and a half. Recommended age 15 and over.
Last updated: 5 August 2026 (AEST)