Gundam Exia Complete Guide — Full Analysis Across All Series [Gundam 00]

What Is Gundam Exia? — The Sword of a Boy Who Declared “I Am Gundam”

“I am Gundam.” — When viewers first heard this line, most of them were baffled. In the second episode of Mobile Suit Gundam 00, which premiered in 2007, a 16-year-old child soldier named Setsuna F. Seiei delivered what has since become one of the most iconic — and initially perplexing — introductions in all of Gundam history.

And the machine this boy piloted was none other than GN-001 Gundam Exia.

Gundam Exia was born from a design philosophy fundamentally different from any protagonist Gundam that came before it. In a franchise where beam rifles and ranged combat had long been the standard, Exia was a heretic — a close-combat specialist carrying seven swords. Its development code was “Seven Sword.” True to that name, it carried a combination of physical blades and beam sabers, seven weapons in all, designed to close the distance and cut down enemies at point-blank range. This concept redefined what a Gundam’s fighting style could look like.

Powered by the semi-perpetual “GN Drive” (also known as the Solar Furnace), Exia swept across battlefields trailing luminous particles. When the forbidden “Trans-Am System” was activated, the entire frame blazed crimson, unleashing triple its normal output to overwhelm any opponent. And in its final battle — battered, broken, barely holding together — Exia delivered one last strike. The story of Gundam Exia is inseparable from the growth of its pilot, Setsuna F. Seiei.

This article provides a complete breakdown of the Gundam Exia — specs, armament, pilot, variants, design history, and Gunpla — leaving nothing uncovered.

Specifications — A Third-Generation Gundam with a GN Drive

GN-001 Gundam Exia Basic Data

Field	Detail
Model Number	GN-001
Name	Gundam Exia
Classification	Third-generation Gundam / Close-combat specialist
Development Code	Seven Sword
Head Height	18.3m
Empty Weight	57.2t
Power Source	GN Drive (Solar Furnace)
Armor Material	E-Carbon
Affiliation	Celestial Being (private armed organization)
Developer	Celestial Being
Pilot	Setsuna F. Seiei
First Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 1, Episode 1 (2007)
Mechanical Designer	Kanetake Ebikawa

Exia is one of four third-generation Gundams operated by Celestial Being. While Dynames handles long-range sniping, Virtue specializes in heavy bombardment, and Kyrios excels at high-speed combat, Exia was designed as the team’s anti-MS close-combat specialist.

The GN Drive (Solar Furnace) — The Secret of a Semi-Perpetual Engine

The heart of Exia is the “GN Drive” — commonly called the Solar Furnace — mounted in its chest. This piece of super-technology underpins the entire worldview of Gundam 00, and it is the source of all of Exia’s capabilities.

Field	Detail
Official Name	GN Drive
Common Name	Solar Furnace
Creator	Aeolia Schenberg
Manufacturing Location	Jupiter (requires high-gravity environment)
Manufacturing Time	Decades per unit
Units in Existence	Only 5 as of A.D. 2312
Core Component	TD Blanket (Topological Defect)

The GN Drive is a semi-perpetual engine that converts mass into energy through baryonic decay without evaporation. Its energy conversion efficiency approaches 100%, producing almost no waste heat, and it can theoretically operate forever. The process generates luminous particles known as “GN Particles,” which are emitted in massive quantities — hence the nickname “Solar Furnace.”

Manufacturing a GN Drive requires a high-gravity environment like Jupiter’s, and the process takes decades, making mass production completely impossible. As of A.D. 2312, only five units exist in the entire world — this was the ultimate basis for Celestial Being’s overwhelming advantage with its four Gundams.

Copies lacking the core “TD Blanket” (Topological Defect) component are designated “GN Drive [T] (Tau)” — commonly called “pseudo-Solar Furnaces” — and function as inferior versions with limited operating time. From the midpoint of the story onward, the world’s military powers deploy masses of mobile suits equipped with these pseudo-Solar Furnaces, gradually eroding Exia’s advantage as a bearer of an original GN Drive. This shifting power balance serves as a key driver of narrative tension throughout the series.

The Trans-Am System — A Forbidden Trump Card That Unleashes Triple Power

Hidden within the black-box region of the GN Drive was the “Trans-Am System,” secretly implanted by its creator, Aeolia Schenberg.

When Trans-Am activates, the highly compressed GN Particles stored within the machine are fully released, granting output equivalent to more than triple its normal specs for a limited time. During activation, the entire frame glows a deep crimson, and afterimages trail behind the machine during high-speed maneuvers. This luminous phenomenon is known as “Aurora Luminescence.”

However, Trans-Am carries a critical weakness. Because it burns through all stored particles at once, the machine’s performance drops drastically once the effect wears off. A true double-edged sword — “use it and you can win, but misjudge the timing and you die.” This constraint generated some of the most tension-filled drama across the entire series.

Armament — The Seven Swords

Exia’s most defining characteristic is its weapon loadout. Uniquely among Gundam protagonists, it is overwhelmingly biased toward melee armament, wielding seven blades adapted for different combat situations — a fighting style that belongs to Exia alone.

GN Sword — Exia’s Signature Weapon

Field	Detail
Classification	Composite weapon (physical blade + beam rifle + shield)
Mount Point	Right forearm
Feature	Switchable between Sword Mode and Rifle Mode

This is Exia’s most iconic weapon. In its default configuration, it functions as a large physical blade extending from the forearm, but the grip at the base of the blade can be deployed for hand-held use. Folding the blade reveals a compact built-in beam rifle for ranged fire, and the side of the unit features a buckler-type small shield — making it a true multi-role weapon.

The physical blade, coated in GN Particles, can slice through GN Fields (particle barriers) that beam weapons cannot penetrate. This means Exia was partly designed as an “anti-Gundam weapon” — capable of taking down even allied Gundams if necessary. This hints at the cold, calculated strategic thinking embedded in Celestial Being’s design philosophy.

GN Long Blade & GN Short Blade — The Dual-Wield Trump Card

Field	GN Long Blade	GN Short Blade
Classification	Physical blade	Physical blade
Mount Point	Waist latch (left)	Waist latch (right)
Feature	Long sword / extended reach	Short sword / fast handling

A pair of long and short physical blades mounted on the waist racks. By coating the edges with GN Particles, they deliver exceptional cutting power. Unlike the GN Sword, these blades sacrifice rifle and shield functions for a lighter, slimmer, pure-sword form — solving the GN Sword’s weakness of slow swing speed.

Throughout the series, Exia is frequently shown drawing both blades simultaneously to dual-wield against enemies, creating some of the most visually striking moments that showcase the machine’s agility.

GN Beam Sabers (x2)

Field	Detail
Classification	Beam weapon (melee)
Mount Point	Rear waist rack
Quantity	2

Beam sabers inherited from Exia’s predecessor, the Gundam Astraea. The blade length is adjustable via pilot control, and when shortened, they can be used as throwable GN Beam Daggers.

GN Beam Daggers (x2)

A deployment mode of the beam sabers. By reducing the blade length, they function as throwing weapons, useful for feints, suppression, and surprise attacks before closing to melee range.

GN Shield

Field	Detail
Classification	Defensive equipment
Mount Point	Left arm
Feature	E-Carbon construction with GN Particle coating

An E-Carbon shield mounted on the left arm. Its surface is coated with GN Particles, providing a degree of defense against both conventional weapons and beam fire. For a close-combat machine like Exia, this shield is a lifeline when closing the distance to engage.

GN Vulcans

Field	Detail
Classification	Small beam weapon (ranged)
Mount Point	Head
Purpose	Suppression / interception

Small beam guns built into the head. While their firepower is modest, they offer rapid-fire capability for suppressive fire and missile interception. For a close-combat specialist like Exia, they represent one of its few ranged options.

Design Philosophy — Why Physical Blades?

In the world of Gundam 00, GN Fields (particle barriers) generated by GN Particles can neutralize beam weapons. However, physical blades coated in GN Particles can easily pierce GN Fields — this setting provides the theoretical justification for Exia’s close-combat specialization.

In other words, Exia’s “seven swords” were weapons designed for fighting enemies that beam weapons cannot harm — namely, other GN Drive-equipped machines, Gundam against Gundam. If we consider that Celestial Being’s founder Aeolia Schenberg anticipated a future where Gundams would fight each other, the depth of Exia’s design philosophy becomes strikingly clear.

Pilot — The Way of Life of Setsuna F. Seiei

Profile

Field	Detail
Code Name	Setsuna F. Seiei
Real Name	Soran Ibrahim
Date of Birth	April 7, A.D. 2291
Age	16 (Season 1) / 21 (Season 2)
Height	162cm (S1) → 175cm (S2)
Weight	49kg (S1)
Birthplace	Republic of Krugis (fictional Middle Eastern nation)
Affiliation	Celestial Being (Gundam Meister)
Machines Piloted	Exia → Exia Repair → 00 Gundam → 00 Qan[T]
Voice Actor	Mamoru Miyano

A Child Soldier’s Past — The Boy Who Killed God

Setsuna’s backstory ranks among the most harrowing of any Gundam protagonist.

During the civil war in the Republic of Krugis, the young Soran Ibrahim was abducted by “KPSA,” a terrorist organization led by the mercenary Ali Al-Saachez, and subjected to brainwashing. Told to “fight for God,” the boy was made to kill his own parents in the name of faith.

But when he lay dying on the battlefield, what appeared before him was not God — it was Celestial Being’s 0 Gundam. Descending in a shower of luminous particles, its radiant form burned itself into the boy’s consciousness. “That is Gundam.” — It became a symbol of salvation, the only light he found in the depths of despair.

This experience would later crystallize into the seemingly bizarre declaration, “I am Gundam.” For Setsuna, “Gundam” was never just a weapon — it was a symbol of the power to end war, and his vow to become that power himself.

Iconic Lines

“I am Gundam.”
— Season 1, Episode 2. One of the most famous — and initially baffling — lines in all of Gundam. A statement that seems nonsensical at first watch but grows profoundly meaningful as the story unfolds.

“Exia, eliminating the target!”
— Setsuna’s standard callout at the start of armed interventions. The cold, efficient phrasing speaks volumes about his past as a child soldier.

“Thank you. That’s the best compliment I’ve ever received.”
— His response when Lockon Stratos calls him a “Gundam freak.” A rare moment that reveals the awkward humanity beneath Setsuna’s stoic exterior.

“Gundam Exia, Setsuna F. Seiei… carving a path to the future!”
— Season 2, final episode “Rebirth.” The line that caps the entire story, encapsulating Setsuna’s growth in a single declaration.

Key Scenes — The Story Exia Carried

Episode 1: “Celestial Being” — A Declaration of War Against the World

Exia’s debut was nothing short of shocking. It burst solo into the AEU (Advanced European Union) unveiling ceremony for their new mobile suit, the Enact, trailing a stream of GN Particles. In one stroke, Celestial Being announced its existence to the entire world. The sight of Exia’s blue-and-white frame blazing across the battlefield with the green glow of its Solar Furnace at its back made an indelible statement: a new era of Gundam had begun.

During this battle, Federation ace pilot Graham Aker caught his first glimpse of Exia and exclaimed, “That machine… what incredible performance!” — marking the beginning of a long rivalry between Exia and Graham.

Episode 2: “Gundam Meister” — “I Am Gundam”

This is the episode where Setsuna, intervening in a Middle Eastern armed conflict with Exia, first utters that now-legendary line. Spoken quietly but with unshakable resolve from within the cockpit, “I am Gundam” was the declaration of a boy who had once seen a Gundam as salvation — and now vowed to become that salvation himself. At the time of broadcast, confused reactions of “What is he even saying?” were the norm, but as the story progressed, the weight of those words grew immeasurably.

Episode 19: “Bond” — Exia vs. Throne Zwei

A turning point: Exia draws its sword against a fellow Gundam, the Throne Zwei, to stop the Trinity’s rampage. The shock of “Gundams fighting Gundams” brought Exia’s design philosophy as an anti-Gundam weapon to narrative fruition for the first time. When the Throne began slaughtering civilians, Setsuna swung his GN Sword without hesitation.

Episode 24: “Endless Poem” — Destroying the Alvatore

Against the massive mobile armor Alvatore piloted by the mastermind Alejandro Corner, Exia activated Trans-Am and charged head-on. The sight of the entire frame blazing crimson, trailing afterimages as it carved into the colossal enemy, stands as one of Gundam 00’s finest moments of animation. Battered and broken, Exia pierced the enemy’s armor and brought down the final boss in a climactic battle that served as the Season 1 finale.

This Trans-Am sequence was the first time the “Aurora Luminescence” — the crimson glow of a Trans-Am-activated machine — was fully depicted, leaving an unforgettable impression on the audience.

Episode 25: “Setsuna” — The Deathmatch Against the GN Flag

Immediately after felling the Alvatore, the battered Exia was confronted by Graham Aker in his GN Flag.

“Your overwhelming performance has captured my heart… This feeling… it is surely love!”

Graham’s confession has gone down as one of Gundam 00’s most legendary scenes. The two machines hacked off each other’s limbs, destroyed each other’s heads, and both ended up adrift in space as wrecks. It was not the final boss, but this one-on-one duel with a rival that brought Season 1 to its close.

The structural choice to follow the final boss battle with a “true finale” against a rival demonstrates that Exia was never merely the strongest weapon — it was a vessel carrying the bonds and grudges between human beings.

This battle left Exia in ruins. It would later be restored as “Exia Repair.”

Season 2, Episode 1: “The Angel’s Return” — The Shock of Exia Repair

Four years later. With its right arm missing, barely held together by field repairs, Exia Repair carries Setsuna back into combat. The once-gleaming blue-and-white machine, now battered and scarred, fighting on — this opening scene wordlessly communicated just how brutal those four years had been.

Season 2, Episode 25: “Rebirth” — Exia Repair II vs. Reborns Gundam

The final battle. With the 00 Raiser’s particles depleted, Setsuna climbs back into Exia (Repair II) to face the final boss, Ribbons Almark. Both machines activate Trans-Am for a one-on-one duel that serves as the grand summation of the entire 00 series. Blades clash, and as the decisive blow lands, Setsuna’s cry of “Carving a path to the future!” brings Exia’s story to its close.

Variants — Exia’s Lineage and Evolution

Gundam Exia continued to appear throughout the story in various repaired and modified forms even after Season 1’s conclusion. Its lineage mirrors the growth of pilot Setsuna F. Seiei.

Predecessor: GN-001/hs-A01 Gundam Avalanche Exia

Field	Detail
Model Number	GN-001/hs-A01
Classification	High-mobility equipment variant
Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam 00V (side story)

A variant of Exia equipped with the “Avalanche” high-mobility unit. Large additional thrusters enable supersonic atmospheric flight, granting mobility that exceeds standard Exia. True to its name — “Avalanche” — it was designed to surge into enemy lines at overwhelming speed.

Gundam Exia Repair — A Scarred Revival

Field	Detail
Model Number	GN-001RE
Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 2, Episode 1
Condition	Right arm missing; extensive damage with only emergency repairs

The result of Setsuna spending four years single-handedly restoring the Exia after its devastating battle with the GN Flag in the Season 1 finale. The right arm was completely lost, the GN Sword gone. Only the GN Long Blade and GN Short Blade remained — a pitiful shadow of its former self.

Yet this “scarred Exia” left a powerful impression in the Season 2 opener, fighting a Tieren despite its wrecked state, its battered form mirroring Setsuna’s own refusal to stop. “The machine may be broken, but the will is not.” — Exia Repair embodies that message.

Gundam Exia Repair II — The Optimized Swordsman

Field	Detail
Model Number	GN-001REII
Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 2, Episode 25
Changes	Revised propulsion system, armament streamlined to three blades

Appearing in the Season 2 finale, this is the form Setsuna piloted when he returned to Exia for the final battle after the 00 Raiser’s particles ran dry. The seven swords were reduced to three and the propulsion system was revised — optimizations born from real combat experience.

The final duel against Ribbons Almark’s Reborns Gundam, culminating in a Trans-Am-fueled mutual strike, remains etched in many fans’ memories as Exia’s last great moment.

Gundam Exia Repair III — Graham’s Machine

Field	Detail
Model Number	GN-001REIII
Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 side story
Pilot	Graham Aker

Appearing in a side story set before the theatrical film. In a twist of fate, Graham Aker — the very man who once dueled Exia to mutual destruction — becomes Exia’s pilot.

Gundam Exia Repair IV — The Return of Seven Sword

Field	Detail
Model Number	GN-001REIV
Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer (prequel)
Pilot	Graham Aker

A new variant revealed at “Gundam 00 Festival 10 ‘Re:vision'” (the 10th anniversary event). Returning to the close-combat specialization of the original, it once again carries all seven swords. Piloted by Graham Aker, its distinctive left-arm design earned it the fan nickname “Graham Gundam.”

The Successor Lineage

Exia’s design philosophy was passed down to successive machines.

Model Number	Name	Appearance	Inherited from Exia
GN-0000	00 Gundam	00 Season 2	Twin Drive System. Uses Exia’s GN Drive as one of two
GN-0000+GNR-010	00 Raiser	00 Season 2	Achieves full potential through combination with support unit Raiser
GNT-0000	00 Qan[T]	Theatrical film	Final protagonist machine, uniting Exia and 00’s design DNA

The 00 Gundam directly inherited Exia’s GN Drive and paired it with a second GN Drive to realize the “Twin Drive System.” The theatrical film’s final protagonist machine, 00 Qan[T], inherits both Exia’s close-combat lineage and the 00’s Twin Drive — making it the culmination of the entire series.

The deliberate retention of Exia’s visual motifs in Qan[T]’s design was an intentional choice by designer Kanetake Ebikawa — a message that “Setsuna’s origin will always be Exia.”

The progression from Exia → Exia Repair → Exia Repair II → 00 Gundam → 00 Qan[T] is not merely a series of mechanical upgrades. It is a direct reflection of how Setsuna F. Seiei’s way of fighting — and way of living — evolved.

Design Story — The “Heretical Gundam” Born from Kanetake Ebikawa

The Selection of Designer Kanetake Ebikawa

Gundam Exia was designed by mechanical designer Kanetake Ebikawa. At the time, Ebikawa was a rising talent who had not yet been a lead Gundam designer.

When director Seiji Mizushima held an audition (design competition) for the series’ mechanical designs, the Exia prototype submitted by Ebikawa was so highly regarded that he won the commission. Ebikawa himself was reportedly the most surprised person in the room. The anecdote speaks to how unexpected his selection was.

“I felt real pressure wondering how this would be judged once it was out in the world.”
— Kanetake Ebikawa

Winning that competition reshaped the trajectory of Ebikawa’s career. From that point on, mechanical design became the core of his work, leading to iconic machines like the Barbatos from Iron-Blooded Orphans and numerous other Gundam designs.

Evolution from the Initial Design

According to Ebikawa, Exia’s early designs looked significantly different from the final product.

• Initial concept: The entire body was covered in cords (cable-like lines)
• Trans-Am depiction: Originally, only the cord sections were supposed to turn red
• Proportional changes: With each successive redraw, the proportions gradually shifted until the current sharp silhouette was established

The final Exia design broke new ground. The asymmetrical weapon placement, the flowing lines from the shoulders to the chest, and above all, the unprecedented choice of carrying no beam rifle on its back visually communicated Exia’s revolutionary nature.

From “Hermit Crab” to “The Ultimate Gundam”

When Exia’s design was first revealed to the public, the fan reaction was far from positive. The distinctive shape of the left-arm GN Sword earned it the derisive nickname “Hermit Crab” (yadokari), and criticism poured in — “It looks ugly,” “It doesn’t look like a Gundam.”

But once the anime began airing, everything changed. Exia tearing across the battlefield enveloped in GN Particle light, cycling through its seven swords to slice apart enemies — the beauty of movement that still images could never convey won over viewers completely.

As a result, Exia earned tremendous popularity as the signature machine of Gundam 00, and nearly two decades after its debut, it continues to enjoy strong support from a dedicated fanbase. This reversal — from terrible first impression to “incredible once it moves” — stands as one of the legendary episodes in the history of Gundam design.

Cultural Impact — Redefining the “Melee Combat Gundam”

The Machine That Changed How Gundams Fight

Before Exia appeared, protagonist Gundams in the franchise were predominantly ranged fighters. The original Gundam’s beam rifle, Zeta Gundam’s beam rifle, Wing Zero’s Buster Rifle, Freedom’s Full Burst Mode — all of them centered on “shooting” as their primary combat axis.

Melee-focused protagonists like God Gundam existed, of course, but Exia was groundbreaking in that it gave close-quarters combat credible justification within a realistic military setting. GN Fields neutralize beam weapons, which is why physical blades are effective — this elegant piece of worldbuilding elevated Exia’s swordfighting from mere “hot-blooded action” to legitimate “tactical choice.”

Exia’s influence extended to later series as well. Some fans have noted that Iron-Blooded Orphans‘ Barbatos could establish its bludgeoning combat style precisely because Exia had already shattered the “Gundam = ranged combat” convention, creating an audience receptive to melee-focused protagonist machines.

Exia established a new standard for “the sword-fighting Gundam.”

The Spread of “I Am Gundam”

Setsuna’s iconic line “I am Gundam” (Ore ga Gundam da) instantly became an internet meme among anime fans. Stripped of context, the “I am ___” formula was endlessly parodied, and during the original broadcast run, image boards and early social media were flooded with parody images.

However, the true appreciation for this line evolved alongside the story. For fans who watched Setsuna overcome his past as a child soldier and truly become “Gundam = the power to change the world,” the phrase transformed from an object of mockery into a symbol of genuine emotion.

In a GUNDAM.INFO fan poll asking “What is Setsuna’s most iconic line?”, “I am Gundam” claimed a decisive first place.

The Commercial Success of Gundam 00

Mobile Suit Gundam 00, with Exia as its lead machine, achieved exceptional commercial success among 21st-century Gundam series.

• Broadcast slot: Aired on MBS/TBS from October 2007 to March 2009, spanning 50 episodes (Season 1: 25 + Season 2: 25)
• Theatrical film: Mobile Suit Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer released in 2010
• Gunpla sales: Exia-related kits have recorded extremely strong cumulative sales since launch. The PG Exia notably reached #1 on Amazon’s hobby ranking
• 10th anniversary: In 2018, the “Gundam 00 Festival 10 ‘Re:vision'” event was held at Makuhari Event Hall, where the unveiling of the new Exia Repair IV variant drew massive excitement

“Graham’s Love” — How a Villain’s Quote Boosted a Machine’s Popularity

No discussion of Exia’s popularity is complete without mentioning Graham Aker. His declaration — “This feeling… it is surely love!” — became a legendary quote, a kind of “love letter from an enemy” directed at Exia itself.

The phenomenon of a rival character’s quote, rather than the protagonist’s, driving a machine’s popularity is rare even within the Gundam franchise. When Graham’s obsession with Exia eventually led to him becoming the pilot of Exia Repair IV, fans celebrated it as “love finally requited.”

International Reception

Gundam 00 was a series that invested heavily in international distribution, and Exia’s popularity extends well beyond Japan. The accessibility of the “Seven Sword” concept, the visual spectacle of GN Particle effects, and the story of a child soldier named Setsuna have earned support across borders. Within the international Gunpla community, Exia remains a perennial favorite, consistently ranking among the most popular kits.

For English-speaking fans, “I am Gundam” became a meme in its own right, mirroring its status in Japan, and stands as the phrase most universally associated with Gundam 00.

Gunpla Guide — Complete Coverage of Every Grade

Gundam Exia is one of the most popular Gundam model kits, with releases spanning every grade from HG to PG. Here is a comprehensive overview of the main kits.

HG (High Grade) 1/144

Kit Name	Price (tax incl.)	Release Year	Highlights
HG 1/144 Gundam Exia	¥1,540	2007	The first kit in the lineup. Affordable and beginner-friendly
HG 1/144 Gundam Exia Trans-Am Mode	¥1,540	2008	Clear red plastic reproduces the Trans-Am state
HG 1/144 Gundam Exia Repair II	¥1,540	2009	Season 2 finale’s final-battle configuration

The HG Exia launched alongside the anime in 2007. With an accessible price point and straightforward assembly, it includes all seven weapons, making it an easy way to enjoy Exia’s full appeal. A price revision in April 2025 brought it to ¥1,540, but it remains one of the best value-for-money kits in the Gunpla lineup.

RG (Real Grade) 1/144

Kit Name	Price (tax incl.)	Release Year	Highlights
RG 1/144 Gundam Exia	¥2,750	2014	RG Series #15. Advanced MS Joint delivers exceptional articulation
RG 1/144 Gundam Exia Trans-Am Clear Ver.	Limited	2014	Gundam Base exclusive clear-color version

The RG Exia was designed as the 15th entry in the Real Grade series, featuring a newly developed “Advanced MS Joint” that provides a range of articulation far beyond the HG. Despite the 1/144 scale, color separation is thorough, and the GN Drive’s internal structure is reproduced in three dimensions. The GN Sword’s Sword Mode/Rifle Mode transformation gimmick is also fully functional.

For the definitive 1/144-scale Exia, the RG is the clear choice. However, the abundance of small parts makes it somewhat challenging for beginners.

MG (Master Grade) 1/100

Kit Name	Price (tax incl.)	Release Year	Highlights
MG 1/100 Gundam Exia	¥4,400	2009	Standard 1/100 scale. Includes GN Drive swap gimmick
MG 1/100 Gundam Exia Ignition Mode	¥6,050	2012	Recommended. LED unit lights up the GN Drive. Chrome-plated parts
MG 1/100 Gundam Exia Trans-Am Mode (Gloss Injection)	Limited	2009	Glossy red plastic reproduces Trans-Am
MG 1/100 Gundam Avalanche Exia Dash	¥6,600	2012	Side-story Avalanche equipment variant

The standout recommendation among MG Exia kits is the Ignition Mode. It houses an LED unit powered by four LR41 button batteries that illuminates the GN Drive area, and in a darkened room, the green-glowing Solar Furnace is nothing short of spectacular. Chrome-plated parts on the blade tips and GN Sword barrel deliver a premium feel far beyond the standard version. The GN Sword’s storage-to-deployment gimmick is faithfully reproduced, allowing smooth transition from the arm-mounted position to Sword Mode.

PG (Perfect Grade) 1/60

Kit Name	Price (tax incl.)	Release Year	Highlights
PG 1/60 Gundam Exia	¥19,800	2017	Stands approximately 30cm tall. The ultimate Exia, supervised by Kanetake Ebikawa
PG 1/60 Gundam Exia (LIGHTING MODEL)	¥38,500	2017	LED unit reproduces GN Particle color changes

The PG Exia represents the ultimate pinnacle of Gundam Exia as a model kit. Produced under the complete supervision of designer Kanetake Ebikawa, it was manufactured using cutting-edge tooling technology.

The LIGHTING MODEL version deserves special mention. Its LED unit reproduces the color shifts of the GN Particles: green at startup → blue-green during normal operation → red at critical state. In a darkened room, the effect is almost magical — as if the GN Drive were genuinely pulsating with life.

When the PG Exia was unveiled at the 2017 All Japan Model & Hobby Show, the LIGHTING MODEL and standard versions achieved a one-two finish on Amazon’s hobby ranking. Critics and fans alike declared, “The PG Exia is the ultimate Gunpla.”

Choosing the Right Kit for You

Your Type	Recommended Kit
Gunpla beginner	HG 1/144 Gundam Exia
Value-conscious	HG 1/144 Gundam Exia (¥1,540)
Want the single best kit	MG 1/100 Gundam Exia Ignition Mode
Detail-focused, prefer 1/144	RG 1/144 Gundam Exia
Want the absolute ultimate	PG 1/60 Gundam Exia (LIGHTING MODEL)
Love Trans-Am	HG 1/144 Exia Trans-Am Mode or MG Gloss Injection
Curious about side-story variants	MG 1/100 Gundam Avalanche Exia Dash

Exia’s Narrative Significance in Gundam 00

Exia as a Symbol of “Transformation”

Gundam Exia is the physical embodiment of Celestial Being’s paradoxical creed: “the eradication of war through armed force.” To bring peace through violence — even while fully aware of that contradiction, Setsuna continued to pilot Exia.

In Season 1, Exia intervened in conflict zones across the globe, pointing its blade at “everyone who fights” regardless of allegiance. This provoked furious condemnation from the international community within the story, but it simultaneously posed a fundamental question to the viewer: “What does it truly take to end war?”

From Exia to Qan[T] — From “the Sword” to “Dialogue”

Exia’s seven swords were weapons made to “fight and win.” But the ultimate weapon of the 00 Qan[T] — the Quantum Sword — has been transformed into a tool for dialogue with an alien species.

From “ending war with a sword” to “carving a path to dialogue with a sword.” The evolution from Exia to Qan[T] is a direct reflection of Setsuna’s growth from child soldier to true Innovator — a revolutionary in the truest sense.

Just as Exia Repair was restored and sent back into battle again and again, Setsuna too kept moving forward, battered but unbroken. This profound unity between machine and pilot is the single greatest reason why Gundam Exia commands such a special presence within the Gundam franchise.

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• Gelgoog Complete Guide: The Universal Century’s “masterpiece that arrived too late”
• GQuuuuuuX Complete Mobile Suit Guide: The protagonist machine of the latest Gundam series
• Gyan Complete Guide: A lineage of physical blades. The MS that could be called Exia’s spiritual predecessor as a “sword-wielding” machine
• Psycho Gundam Complete Guide: Fighting a massive mobile armor — a parallel to Exia’s battle against the Alvatore

Sources

• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 TV series, Season 1 / Season 2, Sunrise, 2007–2009
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer, Sunrise, 2010
• Official Gundam 00 website (gundam00.net)
• Kanetake Ebikawa, Kanetake Ebikawa Design Works, MdN, 2015
• Tamashii Web “Episode 7: Mechanical Designer Kanetake Ebikawa” interview (tamashiiweb.com)
• GUNDAM.INFO “GN-001 Gundam Exia” Mechanical File (gundam.info)
• GUNDAM.INFO “What Is Setsuna’s Most Iconic Line?” fan poll (gundam.info)
• Bandai Spirits Hobby official website (bandai-hobby.net)
• Gundam Wiki (gundam.wiki.cre.jp)
• Pixiv Encyclopedia entries for “Gundam Exia,” “GN Drive,” and “TRANS-AM” (dic.pixiv.net)

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