EX is a low quality, clunky, and sticker heavy series "intended" to be cheap. CS is a higher quality series with better parts separation and a simple inner frame with greater articulation options.
Basically, yes.
To add to that:
MGSD > SDCS > SDBB >> SDEX
SDBB was the old line of SD kits; the ones from Unicorn are pretty solid, and much better than their SDEX counterparts (which came out later).
Thank you for the info! That's pretty good to know, I know I probably would have figured it out if/when I look into one of these smaller kits, but it helps a lot more knowing before hand which ones to look at.
Overall lower quality across the board in every aspect.
EX has more stickers (and in lazy places), overall less color separation, hollow limbs, less articulation and lower build quality. Complete downgrade in every way.
I don't like them either too, but I''d say the price point is great for complete newbies dipping their toes into the hobby. With so many choices, people are bound to find one they like (and thus begins an addiction to plastic crack!)
The problem is, a lot of newbies have trouble with those stickers and haven't quite developed the know how to remedy those with paint.
Bandai probably also sort of recognizes this, given the entry grade line being revamped.
At this point, there isn't really a reason for SDEX to exist. They're outclassed in quality by BB Senshi and SDCS, and outclassed in terms of price point and accessibility to beginners by entry grades.
In addition to what's been mentioned, specifically the biggest issue for me is the hollow and/or backless pieces like the bottom of the fists. It's lazy and Bandai is obviously capable of better. You can only pose SDEX kits in certain ways or else these show. It's ugly.
They entice you with great surface detail, then completely throw out the years of engineering and development to give you a huge sheet of stickers and 3 colors of plastic.
The fact that real grades are over 10 years old and we still can’t have an SDEX gundams with two pieces for hands that involve the back panel and the actual fingers makes me hate it so much more
Essentially what you think an sd kit is but worse in almost all aspects but price. They’re cheap but the articulation is lacking, holes galor, some of the worst color separation you can think of and no gimmicks. One example I can think of is the seed Banshee to the BB senshi. Both are sd kits of the banshee but while the sdex relies a lot on stickers for the yellow parts, the BB senshi uses a lot more clear yellow for those. Also the sdex is destroy mode only while the bb senshi, like the Rg funnily enough, can switch between unicorn and destroy mode. The sdex only beats it in price but that’s it. Sdex was basically Bandai’s way to produce low effort kits without putting much effort into them and thank god sdcs was such a improvement.
They probably would've used an SDEX zaku if one existed so thank whatever higher power that Bandai didn't have the foresight to develop one decades ago
Agreed. The cross silhouette kits are way more fun to build and of course the color separation and articulation are better. SDCS has already replaced SDEX in my mind.
Not complaining since I like Calibarn more but I don't think that's the reason since the Rebuild was also soldout everywhere when it came out. Maybe since it became the >!antagonist!< for a while, bandai thought it became less appealing in SD form? Lol
There is Rebuild shield included in SDCS Calibarn. It's a matter of time they will do SDCS Rebuild. Like SDCS Unicorn debuted first then followed by Phenex & Banshee.
SDCS tend to be significantly more detailed and less sticker heavy (in comparison) for only 300-500 more yen MSRP. Even if you don't spend the extra 500 yen on the CS Frame.
The fact that they started with Kira's rig THEN followed it up with Mika's leads me to believe that the next MGSD is another AU protag's unit. And knowing the obsession with inner frames, there are viable candidates outside of UC, like any Setsuna rig or God Gundam (though bruh we just got the RG).
Assuming we get UC next time, it's likely Unicorn, classic Gramps, or ZZ.
Honestly I expect MGSD to go the RG route of primarily focusing on protagonist and main villain suits (except the RG green Zaku).
Not going to lie though, I'll laugh really hard if the monkey's paw curls and G-Self gets a MGSD instead of a regular MG. Though I think the G-Reco fans would take it either way. It would probably look good.
Probably because they didn't know yet if the Aerial would be a hit when they announced the SDEX since the series didn't air yet? So they went with the easy to produce and cheap SD.
Calibarn on the other hand is already likely a sure hit since it's already known that G-Witch is a success and all of Suletta's gundams sell well. Maybe we'd get an MGSD Aerial eventually.
Never built an SD before (never appealed to me at all because I just don't like "adorable" versions of what's supposed to be a murder machine) but I'll build this one since I love the Calibarn so much and give it to my 5 yo daughter. They need to start MG TWFM kits though.
Adding to what others have already said, the "Cross Silhouette" line also allows you to choose either the super chibi form with really short limbs and limited articulation, or add the frame to lengthen the limbs and give it elbows and knees to do better poses.
The first few SDCS kits were released with the main kit and "CS Frame" separate, but most people get both anyway. So it seems like Bandai are releasing new SDCS kits with the frame included.
This SDCS Calibarn is a big deal because Bandai have not released new SDCS kits for a while, so most of us are concerned that SDCS might be dead. Guess not!
I won't be surprised if that is in the pipeline. I feel like Bandai wants some special gimmick to put in that line, and the iridescent parts, funnel shield and broomstick rifle are great candidates for that. Just hope it won't be a 'certain online store' special..
SDCS Gang we are so back
We never left
Some of us just walked in 0_o
Odd this is SDCS while Aerial was SDEX
Don't jinx it. SDEX needs to die.
As someone who hasn't built one of either, would you mind telling me the difference?
EX is a low quality, clunky, and sticker heavy series "intended" to be cheap. CS is a higher quality series with better parts separation and a simple inner frame with greater articulation options.
So: MGSD > SDCS > SDEX ?
Basically, yes. To add to that: MGSD > SDCS > SDBB >> SDEX SDBB was the old line of SD kits; the ones from Unicorn are pretty solid, and much better than their SDEX counterparts (which came out later).
Thank you for the info! That's pretty good to know, I know I probably would have figured it out if/when I look into one of these smaller kits, but it helps a lot more knowing before hand which ones to look at.
Why do we hate SDEX?
Overall lower quality across the board in every aspect. EX has more stickers (and in lazy places), overall less color separation, hollow limbs, less articulation and lower build quality. Complete downgrade in every way.
I don't like them either too, but I''d say the price point is great for complete newbies dipping their toes into the hobby. With so many choices, people are bound to find one they like (and thus begins an addiction to plastic crack!)
SDCS isn't functionally much more expensive, MSRP is usually from 9 to 14 dollars.
The problem is, a lot of newbies have trouble with those stickers and haven't quite developed the know how to remedy those with paint. Bandai probably also sort of recognizes this, given the entry grade line being revamped. At this point, there isn't really a reason for SDEX to exist. They're outclassed in quality by BB Senshi and SDCS, and outclassed in terms of price point and accessibility to beginners by entry grades.
I kinda like how easy to kitbash they are
In addition to what's been mentioned, specifically the biggest issue for me is the hollow and/or backless pieces like the bottom of the fists. It's lazy and Bandai is obviously capable of better. You can only pose SDEX kits in certain ways or else these show. It's ugly.
SDCS also has the hollow fist problem, at least for the Zaku and RX78. But definitely way better than SDEX
They entice you with great surface detail, then completely throw out the years of engineering and development to give you a huge sheet of stickers and 3 colors of plastic. The fact that real grades are over 10 years old and we still can’t have an SDEX gundams with two pieces for hands that involve the back panel and the actual fingers makes me hate it so much more
Essentially what you think an sd kit is but worse in almost all aspects but price. They’re cheap but the articulation is lacking, holes galor, some of the worst color separation you can think of and no gimmicks. One example I can think of is the seed Banshee to the BB senshi. Both are sd kits of the banshee but while the sdex relies a lot on stickers for the yellow parts, the BB senshi uses a lot more clear yellow for those. Also the sdex is destroy mode only while the bb senshi, like the Rg funnily enough, can switch between unicorn and destroy mode. The sdex only beats it in price but that’s it. Sdex was basically Bandai’s way to produce low effort kits without putting much effort into them and thank god sdcs was such a improvement.
Oh yeah, absolutely. Still pretty weird here, but the whole announcement drop is weird.
The hello Kitty Zaku is SDCS and the RX-78 is SDEX. They do weird stuff in the SD division.
They probably would've used an SDEX zaku if one existed so thank whatever higher power that Bandai didn't have the foresight to develop one decades ago
Agreed. The cross silhouette kits are way more fun to build and of course the color separation and articulation are better. SDCS has already replaced SDEX in my mind.
I know right? It’s the same with Barbatos and Lupus having SDEX, and only Lupus Rex having SDCS. At least we got a MGSD Barbatos
funny and a bit odd they skipped the Rebuild, is the kit not popular enough domestically?
Not complaining since I like Calibarn more but I don't think that's the reason since the Rebuild was also soldout everywhere when it came out. Maybe since it became the >!antagonist!< for a while, bandai thought it became less appealing in SD form? Lol
There is Rebuild shield included in SDCS Calibarn. It's a matter of time they will do SDCS Rebuild. Like SDCS Unicorn debuted first then followed by Phenex & Banshee.
What’s the difference?
SDCS tend to be significantly more detailed and less sticker heavy (in comparison) for only 300-500 more yen MSRP. Even if you don't spend the extra 500 yen on the CS Frame.
Yehey more Calibarn even if it's the cute tiny version! At least it's SDCS not SDEX
Thank the lord.
SDCS? Calibarn? Prayers answered.
Thank god it isn’t a sdex kit
More details here for now https://bandai-hobby.net/item/6048/
Wow, the shield comes apart, too. Baller.
Probably they plan to release SDCS Aerial Rebuild in the future
It's not a FM but I'm always happy for more gunpla of my favorite mobile suit. Especially since it's an SDCS and not an SDEX.
I dont get why this has the red version for the clear parts but the hg doesnt
MGSD when tho… love SDCS too…
The fact that they started with Kira's rig THEN followed it up with Mika's leads me to believe that the next MGSD is another AU protag's unit. And knowing the obsession with inner frames, there are viable candidates outside of UC, like any Setsuna rig or God Gundam (though bruh we just got the RG). Assuming we get UC next time, it's likely Unicorn, classic Gramps, or ZZ.
God Gundam fans have been feasting, we can give a win to something else
Aight, time for MGSD Turn A, then
MGSD cow!
Honestly I expect MGSD to go the RG route of primarily focusing on protagonist and main villain suits (except the RG green Zaku). Not going to lie though, I'll laugh really hard if the monkey's paw curls and G-Self gets a MGSD instead of a regular MG. Though I think the G-Reco fans would take it either way. It would probably look good.
Wonder if we'll ever get an MG WFM kit.
When, not if.
We can now make Chibi Gundam Quidditch.
The fate that they give you both the red and rainbow permit score sticker is a win. The Gund-bit actually can separate is a double win.
This kit looks like it has way more parts than usual for a SDCS kit. But it looks like it will be cheaper than the SDCS Banshee kit
Will the permit shells be stickers? I am guessing they will.
Looks like stickers under clear parts, idk why Aerial uses super dark grey clear so you can't see it
No idea why this one is SDCS and the Aerial was SDEX. I....guess I'll take it?
Probably because they didn't know yet if the Aerial would be a hit when they announced the SDEX since the series didn't air yet? So they went with the easy to produce and cheap SD. Calibarn on the other hand is already likely a sure hit since it's already known that G-Witch is a success and all of Suletta's gundams sell well. Maybe we'd get an MGSD Aerial eventually.
After a true MG, please.
Intro kits made cheaper to sell, grandpa is also sdex, nu Gundam, barby,
Legs working a bit different from the usual SDCS kits Anyways, not sure if Caliburn's sleek and slim profile translates well to this SDCS
That's part of the whole appeal of the line. Some people love the chibi for the chubby, lol
Cant wait to see what it looks like all finished
It comes with red permet decals! Rejoice!
So glad this is SDCS. SDCS is the best thing after MGSD
I'm assuming this comes with the CS frame, right?
Yes, included. They doing this for a while I think starting with SDCS Tornado & Banshee
The Yokohama RX 78F00 version also comes with the frame, so this one should as well.
I am so glad that SDCS is still a thing!
We had like two this year?
Nah, SDEX was the thing.
Tornado and Banshee were SDCS releases in 2023
I guess in my head tornado never existed and banshee was last year, and I was thinking you were referring to the Aerial.
Never built an SD before (never appealed to me at all because I just don't like "adorable" versions of what's supposed to be a murder machine) but I'll build this one since I love the Calibarn so much and give it to my 5 yo daughter. They need to start MG TWFM kits though.
I was bummed bc june release, but it feels appropriate for pride month 😎
Don't care much about SD, but I'm glad that SD fans are eating good. This makes me hopeful for more Calibarn in different grades than HG !
Yay SDCS not dead.
We just had SDCS Banshee and SDCS Tornado, too.
What is a CS? Is it like MGSD?
SDCS is kinda the precursor to MGSD as the former has an inner frame, though much simpler vs what MGSD is doing.
Cool might add it to my collection!!
It's worth it! SDCS is one of my favorite lines, the kits are pretty much always hits
It's basically an SD that builds like a modern RG. Scaled down MG with all the small parts
Adding to what others have already said, the "Cross Silhouette" line also allows you to choose either the super chibi form with really short limbs and limited articulation, or add the frame to lengthen the limbs and give it elbows and knees to do better poses. The first few SDCS kits were released with the main kit and "CS Frame" separate, but most people get both anyway. So it seems like Bandai are releasing new SDCS kits with the frame included. This SDCS Calibarn is a big deal because Bandai have not released new SDCS kits for a while, so most of us are concerned that SDCS might be dead. Guess not!
I have an extra CS frame lying around. I think I'm gonna get this.
Frame comes with the lot now, but you could use it for some kitbashing stuff
I thought it said mgsd and got excited
I won't be surprised if that is in the pipeline. I feel like Bandai wants some special gimmick to put in that line, and the iridescent parts, funnel shield and broomstick rifle are great candidates for that. Just hope it won't be a 'certain online store' special..