Strike Gundam Complete Guide — The Striker Pack System Fully Explained [Gundam SEED]

What Is the Strike Gundam? — The Protagonist Machine That Revolutionized “Equipment Swapping”

In 2002, the Gundam franchise took a bold gamble. It would tell a brand-new story set in the “Cosmic Era” — a world completely separate from the original Universal Century timeline. That series was Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, and the protagonist machine born for this new age was the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam.

The Strike Gundam is not simply a powerful Gundam. By swapping the “Striker Pack” mounted on its back hardpoint, it can transform from an aerial combat type to a melee type to an artillery type — and this “equipment-swapping system” is the single most important concept behind the Strike Gundam.

If the original Gundam established the classic weapon loadout of “beam rifle, shield, and beam saber,” the Strike Gundam redefined the very concept of how a mobile suit fights — by making one machine capable of filling multiple roles. This philosophy would go on to influence the Impulse Gundam in SEED DESTINY and even the entire Build Fighters franchise.

But what fans remember most is the story of the boy who stumbled into the cockpit by chance — Kira Yamato. He fought to protect his friends, faced his best friend as an enemy, and ultimately entrusted this machine to another pilot as he took flight with new wings. The Strike Gundam was a mirror reflecting Kira’s growth as a person.

“I’m… I’m telling you to stop!!”
— Kira Yamato, upon first activating the Strike (Episode 1, “False Peace”)

GAT-X105 Strike Gundam — Base Specifications

Overview

The Strike Gundam is one of five prototype mobile suits in the “GAT-X Series,” secretly developed by the Earth Alliance at the resource satellite Heliopolis with technical support from the neutral nation Orb’s engineering firm, Morgenroete Inc. It was the last of the five to be completed. In its model number “X105,” the “1” denotes the adoption of the X100-series frame, while the final “5” indicates the development number.

Each of the five GAT-X machines was designed around a specific combat concept, but the Strike alone was built around “versatility.” On its own, it falls short of the Duel (balanced melee/ranged), Buster (artillery specialist), Blitz (electronic warfare/stealth), and Aegis (transformable command unit) in their respective specialties. However, by swapping its Striker Packs, the Strike can adapt to any situation — and that is its true strength.

Base Specifications

Field	Detail
Model Number	GAT-X105
Classification	General-purpose prototype mobile suit
Head Height	17.72m
Weight	64.80t
Power Source	Battery (Ultra-Compact Energy Battery)
Armor Material	Phase Shift Armor
OS	G.U.N.D.A.M. M.O.S.
Developer	Morgenroete Inc. (under Atlantic Federation direction)
Affiliation	Earth Alliance -> Archangel (independent operations)
Pilot	Kira Yamato -> Mu La Flaga

Phase Shift Armor — Miraculous Defense That Nullifies Solid Rounds

The Strike Gundam uses “Phase Shift (PS) Armor.” By applying voltage, the armor’s molecular alignment undergoes a phase transition, completely nullifying physical impacts — a revolutionary defensive technology.

When PS Armor activates, the Strike’s exterior shifts from metallic gray to a white, blue, and red tricolor scheme. Conversely, when the battery runs dry, the PS Armor deactivates and the machine reverts to a gray “Deactive Mode.” In this state, its defense is no better than conventional metal armor, and even solid ammunition can pierce it easily.

Throughout the series, the Strike repeatedly faces battery depletion crises, with the armor fading to gray serving as a visual shorthand for imminent danger. The constant battle against battery life is an inseparable theme when discussing the Strike Gundam.

However, PS Armor is powerless against beam weapons. This setting reinforces the superiority of beam weaponry in the Cosmic Era and lends the narrative a tangible sense of realism.

OS — The Moment the Name “G.U.N.D.A.M.” Was Born

The Strike’s OS bears the formal designation General Unilateral Neuro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver Synthesis System — whose initials spell out “G.U.N.D.A.M.”

When Kira saw the letters “G.U.N.D.A.M.” flash on the startup screen, he began calling the machine “Gundam.” In the SEED universe, “Gundam” is not an official designation but a nickname coined by Kira — a piece of lore that remains one of the most memorable details among fans.

Onboard Weapons — Standard Armament in the Phase Shift Era

The Strike Gundam carries four fixed weapons independent of any Striker Pack.

75mm Anti-Air Automatic Vulcan Turret System “Igelstellung”

Field	Detail
Location	Head (2 guns, left and right)
Caliber	75mm
Type	CIWS (Close-In Weapon System)

A pair of close-defense vulcan guns housed in the head. Originally miniaturized from a ship-mounted CIWS, these turrets are capable of auto-aimed intercept fire. They are used for shooting down missiles and suppressing lightly armored targets. While they are largely ineffective against PS Armor-equipped enemy mobile suits, they remain deadly against units in Deactive Mode or those with conventional armor.

The name “Igelstellung” is German for “Hedgehog Position,” evoking the image of a hedgehog’s spines bristling in every direction — a fitting description for a turret that sprays fire all around.

Anti-Armor Combat Knife “Armor Schneider”

Field	Detail
Location	Waist side armor (1 per side, 2 total)
Type	High-frequency vibration knife
Power	Self-contained battery

A pair of folding combat knives stored inside the waist-mounted side armor. An ultra-vibration motor oscillates the blade at high frequency, enabling it to cut through virtually any material except PS Armor — making it a close-combat trump card.

Because the knives have their own internal batteries, they remain operational even when the Strike’s main battery is completely drained and PS Armor has shut down. This makes them the weapon of absolute last resort. In the desert battle against Andrew Waltfeld, a nearly depleted Strike used the Armor Schneider to deliver the killing blow to the LaGOWE — one of the series’ most gripping moments.

“Schneider” is German for “cutter.”

57mm High-Energy Beam Rifle

Field	Detail
Caliber	57mm equivalent
Type	Charged particle projection weapon
Power	Capable of penetrating battleship armor in one shot

The Strike’s primary ranged weapon. Despite its compact size, it packs enough punch to pierce battleship armor in a single hit and provides solid rate of fire for anti-MS combat. However, for a battery-powered machine like the Strike, every beam shot is a trade-off against remaining energy, making ammunition management critical.

Anti-Beam Shield

Field	Detail
Mount	Left arm
Material	Composite metal with anti-beam coating

A physical shield with a beam-dispersing and absorbing coating. It shares its design with the Duel Gundam’s shield and is slightly oversized. The shield converts beam energy through molecular mirror surfaces and vibration phenomena, deflecting incoming fire.

In the series’ climax, Mu La Flaga uses this shield to block the Dominion’s Lohengrin (positron cannon) and protect the Archangel — a scene that transcends the shield’s tactical purpose and symbolizes the power of human will.

The Striker Pack System — A Revolutionary Swapping Mechanism for One Machine, Three Roles

System Overview

The Striker Pack System allows various equipment packs to be mounted on the Strike Gundam’s rear hardpoint, fundamentally altering the machine’s combat role on the fly.

Each pack contains its own internal battery, meaning that simply equipping a new pack also replenishes the Strike’s energy — effectively serving as a “field recharge unit.” By compensating for the machine’s battery-powered weakness and enabling extended sortie times, the Striker Pack was groundbreaking not only in tactical terms but also from a logistics standpoint.

Throughout the series, viewers see packs launched from the mothership Archangel and swapped mid-flight via the support fighter Skygrasper — depicting real-time equipment changes on the battlefield in a way that left a powerful impression on audiences.

Aile Striker (AQM/E-X01) — High-Mobility Combat Configuration

Field	Detail
Model Number	GAT-X105+AQM/E-X01 (Aile Strike)
Total Weight	85.10t
Concept	High-mobility combat / space warfare
Additional Armament	Beam Saber x2

A mobility-focused pack featuring large variable-geometry wings, high-output thrusters, and a high-capacity energy pack. Originally developed to enhance maneuverability in space, the combination of wing-generated lift and thrust also grants formidable aerial combat capability in atmosphere.

Its two additional beam sabers use Mirage Colloid magnetic field theory to maintain a beam blade, capable of slicing through MS armor with ease.

Of the three Striker Packs, the Aile sees the most screen time by far, and when most fans picture the Strike Gundam, they picture the Aile Strike. Its silhouette — a white body with crimson wings spread wide — became the defining icon of the Cosmic Era.

Sword Striker (AQM/E-X02) — Close-Quarters Combat Configuration

Field	Detail
Model Number	GAT-X105+AQM/E-X02 (Sword Strike)
Concept	Close combat / anti-ship assault
Additional Armament	Schwert Gewehr, Midas Messer, Panzer Eisen

A Striker Pack specialized for melee combat — the most offensively oriented of the three configurations.

Schwert Gewehr (Anti-Ship Sword)

Its German name combines “Schwert” (sword) and “Gewehr” (rifle), and true to that name, this colossal physical blade houses a laser beam cannon in its hilt — a massive dual-purpose melee/ranged weapon. Its overall length rivals the Strike’s own height, and a single swing can cleave through warship armor.

Midas Messer (Beam Boomerang)

A beam boomerang mounted on the left shoulder armor. An internal high-capacity power condenser maintains the beam blade even in flight, and the weapon returns to the pilot’s hand after being thrown. It provides mid-range surprise attacks and suppressive fire — a valuable ranged option for an otherwise close-combat-focused loadout.

Panzer Eisen (Rocket Anchor)

A rocket-propelled anchor mounted on the left arm. Its tip deploys a claw that grapples and crushes targets — a melee support weapon. Typical tactics involve reeling in an enemy and finishing them with the Schwert Gewehr, or restraining an opponent’s movement for a coordinated strike.

Launcher Striker (AQM/E-X03) — Artillery Combat Configuration

Field	Detail
Model Number	GAT-X105+AQM/E-X03 (Launcher Strike)
Concept	Long-range bombardment / anti-ship attack
Additional Armament	Agni, Combo Weapon Pod

A heavy-firepower pack specialized for long-range bombardment, inheriting the Buster Gundam’s design philosophy and restructured as a Striker Pack.

320mm Ultra-High Impulse Cannon “Agni”

A massive beam cannon held at the right hip. “Agni” takes its name from the Hindu god of fire, and it lives up to that name with overwhelming destructive power. A single shot can pierce a warship or shatter fortress armor. However, its enormous energy consumption demands ample battery reserves for repeated firing.

Combo Weapon Pod

A composite weapons unit mounted on the right shoulder. It houses a 120mm anti-ship vulcan cannon and two 350mm gun launchers, providing mid-to-close-range area suppression to complement Agni’s long-range bombardment. Combined with the head-mounted Igelstellung, it delivers formidable interception capability.

Perfect Strike Gundam (AQM/E-YM1) — Full Striker Integration

Field	Detail
Model Number	GAT-X105+AQM/E-YM1
First Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam SEED HD Remaster
Concept	Full-spectrum response / all Strikers simultaneously equipped

A “what-if” configuration added in the HD Remaster. It integrates all three Striker Pack loadouts — Aile, Sword, and Launcher — onto a single machine, creating an “everything-equipped” ultimate specification capable of handling any combat scenario.

To cope with the enormous energy demand, five battery packs are daisy-chained onto the Aile Striker section. Spent battery packs are sequentially jettisoned after use, preventing them from becoming dead weight — a pragmatic and elegant design solution.

In the series, it debuted during the Battle of Orb, where it overwhelmed Alliance forces with devastating firepower and mobility. The Perfect Strike represents the ultimate realization of the Strike Gundam’s potential — a configuration that embodies pure mechanical ambition.

I.W.S.P. (Integrated Weapons Striker Pack)

Field	Detail
Full Name	Integrated Weapons Striker Pack
Appearance	Mobile Suit Gundam SEED MSV

A next-generation Striker developed with the goal of unifying the strengths of all three Striker Packs into a single unit. It incorporates a 115mm twin railgun, a 9.1m anti-ship sword, a 105mm single-barrel gun, a composite bayonet, and more — an extraordinary array of weapons packed into one pack.

However, cramming so many weapon systems together made the controls prohibitively complex, rendering it unmanageable for Natural (non-Coordinator) pilots. It never reached operational deployment and exists only as an MSV (Mobile Suit Variation) entry.

The Pilots — Those Who Breathed Life into the Strike

Kira Yamato — A Chance Encounter, an Inevitable Transformation

Profile

Field	Detail
Age	16 (during SEED)
Affiliation	Heliopolis Technical College student -> Archangel
Classification	Coordinator (genetically enhanced human)
Voice Actor	Soichiro Hoshi

Kira Yamato was a boy living a peaceful student life on the neutral colony of Heliopolis. That changed when ZAFT’s assault on Heliopolis swept him into the chaos, and to protect his friends, he climbed into the cockpit of a Strike Gundam that happened to be standing right in front of him.

Kira was a Coordinator — a human whose physical abilities and intelligence had been enhanced through genetic engineering. This setting lies at the heart of the story, because the Earth Alliance’s MS operating systems had been designed for Naturals (unmodified humans), making them woefully incomplete. In the heat of his first battle, Kira rewrote the OS in real time, unlocking the Strike’s true performance.

This feat — reprogramming an operating system in the middle of combat — instantly communicated Kira’s genius to the audience and marked the moment when the Strike Gundam became “a machine only Kira could pilot.”

Kira and the Strike’s Story

Kira pilots the Strike during the first half of the series (roughly Episode 1 through Episode 29). Throughout this period, he endures fierce battles and undergoes profound personal growth.

• Escape from Heliopolis: His first fight against ZAFT’s GINN squadron. With zero combat experience, he survives through OS rewrites and sheer reflexes.
• The Desert Tiger — Waltfeld Campaign: Kira encounters enemy commander Andrew Waltfeld as both a person and an adversary. He is forced to confront the cruel reality that war offers no choice beyond “destroy or be destroyed.” In a harrowing climax, a nearly depleted Strike uses the Armor Schneider to bring down the LaGOWE.
• The Death of Nicol Amalfi: The Sword Strike’s Schwert Gewehr cleaves through the Blitz as Nicol throws himself forward to shield a comrade. The unintended kill leaves Kira drowning in guilt.
• The Death of Tolle Koenig: Kira’s close friend Tolle is shot down by Athrun’s Aegis while providing support in a Skygrasper.

“What… what am I even fighting for…?!”
— Kira Yamato, confronted with the deaths of those around him

The Final Duel Against the Aegis — The Strike’s Last Stand

The climactic battle against Athrun Zala’s Aegis Gundam — Kira’s best friend turned bitter enemy — is the defining moment of the Strike Gundam’s story.

Both Kira and Athrun, having awakened their SEED (Superior Evolutionary Element Destined-factor), clash in a death match on an uninhabited island. Rage over fallen friends, hatred for a former companion, despair at the act of fighting itself — every emotion collides. In the end, Athrun locks the Aegis onto the Strike and triggers its self-destruct.

Athrun manages to eject, but Kira and the Strike vanish in the explosion. The cockpit’s safety shutter miraculously saves Kira’s life, and he is later rescued by Reverend Malchio — but the Strike Gundam is destroyed beyond repair. The story of Kira and the Strike comes to its close.

Mu La Flaga — “The Man Who Makes the Impossible Possible”

Profile

Field	Detail
Age	28
Rank	Lieutenant
Affiliation	Earth Alliance 7th Orbital Fleet -> Archangel
Alias	The Hawk of Endymion
Voice Actor	Takehito Koyasu

After Kira transitions to the Freedom Gundam, the Strike — left devastated by the battle against the Aegis — is recovered and repaired by Orb. The new pilot assigned to the restored Strike is the Archangel’s ace, Mu La Flaga.

Mu earned the title “The Hawk of Endymion” as one of the Alliance’s top aces, originally piloting the mobile armor Moebius Zero. In the latter half of the series, he transitions to mobile suit combat and takes the controls of the repaired Strike, now running an OS optimized for Natural pilots.

“I can do it… Making the impossible possible — that’s who I am!”
— Mu La Flaga

The Second Battle of Jachin Due — The Strike’s Final Fight

In the final battle at Jachin Due, Mu sorties in the Aile Strike and engages the Providence Gundam, sustaining heavy damage. As he limps back toward the Archangel, the Dominion (an Archangel-class warship) fires its positron cannon “Lohengrin” directly at the Archangel. In that instant, Mu throws the Strike into the line of fire, shield raised.

Blocking a positron cannon with a single anti-beam shield should be impossible. But Mu never lets go, and the Archangel survives. The Strike Gundam is annihilated along with Mu — “The man who makes the impossible possible” performing his final miracle. It stands as one of the most iconic scenes in all of Gundam SEED.

“I can’t just stand by… when there’s someone right in front of me I can protect!”
— Kira Yamato. Mu’s final act was the embodiment of these words.

Murrue Ramius — The First Person to Move the Strike

Captain Murrue Ramius of the Archangel was the very first person to sit in the Strike’s cockpit during the ZAFT attack on Heliopolis. However, she was unable to operate it properly due to the incomplete Natural-use OS, and ultimately entrusted the machine to Kira. This scene — an adult military officer unable to move a machine that a teenager masters instantly — is a pivotal moment that encapsulates SEED‘s core worldbuilding: the ability gap between Naturals and Coordinators.

Strike Rouge — Orb’s “Red Strike”

Overview

Field	Detail
Model Number	MBF-02
Name	Strike Rouge
Armor Color	Red tones (“Rouge” is French for “red”)
Developer	Orb Union
Pilot	Cagalli Yula Athha

The Strike Rouge is a dead copy built by Orb using the Strike Gundam’s spare parts and design data. Externally near-identical to the original Strike, it features a red-toned color scheme and an installed Power Extender (battery life extension device), granting longer operational time than the original.

Its pilot is Cagalli Yula Athha, daughter of Orb’s Chief Representative. Despite being a rookie, she sorties in this machine during the Second Battle of Jachin Due and gains real combat experience.

Post-SEED DESTINY Developments

In SEED DESTINY, the Strike Rouge returns as Cagalli’s personal machine. She is seen equipping the dedicated aerial combat Striker Pack “Ootori,” showing how the Strike’s design legacy is passed down to the next generation of pilots.

In the 2024 theatrical film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, a machine assembled from the Strike Rouge’s spare parts appears as Cagalli’s ride once again. Equipped simultaneously with a Striker Pack and the Cavalier I-Freed, it deploys in the Battle of Orb — proving that even after more than two decades, this design continues to fight on the front lines of the story.

Iconic Scenes and Lines — The Story Told Through the Strike

Episode 1, “False Peace” — Strike Gundam, Activated

ZAFT’s Le Creuset team invades Heliopolis. While GINN squads successfully steal most of the GAT-X machines, the last one — the Strike — is activated by Kira. The incomplete Natural-use OS can barely move the machine, so Kira reprograms it on the spot, in real time, bringing it up to combat readiness. This entire sequence distills SEED‘s core themes into a single defining scene.

Episode 24, “The Land of Sand” — The Conclusion of the Waltfeld Battle

Andrew Waltfeld, the Desert Tiger, sorties for the final time. After fierce exchanges of artillery and melee combat, the Strike’s battery dies and its PS Armor falls. Kira uses the Armor Schneider to pierce the LaGOWE’s cockpit.

“Why…? Why won’t you get out of there?!”
— Kira Yamato, to Waltfeld as he refuses to surrender

The enemy has reasons to fight too. Things to protect, just like him. And yet, the fighting cannot stop. The Strike’s armor, drained to lifeless gray, mirrored Kira’s despair.

Episode 29, “The Turning Point” — Strike vs. Aegis

Kira versus Athrun. Strike versus Aegis. Friendship and hatred collide, and both machines are destroyed in a mutual takedown. The Strike is consumed in the Aegis’s self-destruct explosion, and Kira is left missing, presumed dead.

This battle is the culmination of SEED‘s first half and simultaneously the “rite of passage” that allows Kira to leave the Strike behind and take up a new power — the Freedom.

Final Episode, “To an Endless Tomorrow” — Mu’s Shield

The series’ climax: Mu La Flaga’s Strike blocks the Dominion’s Lohengrin to protect the Archangel, and is destroyed. Stopping a positron cannon with a single anti-beam shield is “impossible” — and Mu does it anyway.

“Guess I really am… the man who makes the impossible possible.”
— Mu La Flaga, final transmission

In that moment, the Strike Gundam transcended its existence as a weapon. It watched over Kira’s growth, bore the weight of Mu’s resolve, and became a shield for the Archangel in its final breath. The Strike embodied the will of both its pilots to the very end.

Design Origins — Kunio Okawara’s “Gundam for a New Century”

The Designer and Development History

The mechanical design of the Strike Gundam was handled by Kunio Okawara — the legendary designer who gave birth to the original Gundam.

Director Mitsuo Fukuda’s brief was: “A machine that can swap in the functions of the other four Gundams.” In other words, the Striker Pack concept was baked into the design from the very beginning.

Initially, Okawara was only slated to design the ZAFT-side mobile suits. Another designer had been working on the protagonist machines for the Alliance side, but ultimately the directive became “just do everything,” and Okawara ended up drawing the final designs for the Strike and its companions.

Okawara has stated that for SEED‘s designs, he was conscious of creating “what the fans would want to see.” The Strike preserves the original Gundam’s iconic tricolor scheme (white, blue, red) while updating it with a sharper, more modern silhouette. This design served as a bridge, appealing to longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Design Features — Comparison with the Original Gundam

The Strike Gundam’s design is loaded with homages to the original RX-78-2 Gundam.

• Tricolor Scheme: White base with blue, red, and yellow accents. The classic Gundam palette, with proportions modernized for the 2000s.
• V-Fin Antenna: The hallmark V-shaped blade antenna carried forward from the Gundam lineage.
• Twin Eyes: The distinctly human “eyes” that differentiate Gundam-types from enemy MS.
• Rear Hardpoint: An innovation absent from the original Gundam. The Striker Pack connection point is the design’s conceptual core.

The most striking difference from the original, however, is the overall slimness of the silhouette. Where the RX-78-2 had a stocky, powerful build, the Strike is sleek and sharp. This reflected 2000s anime design trends while presenting a vision of what Gundam should look like in the 21st century.

The Trust Between Director Fukuda and Okawara

Okawara and Director Fukuda share a professional relationship dating back to 1984’s Chouriki Robo Galatt. Okawara has said, “I understand Fukuda’s tastes, and I trust that he’ll bring out more from a design than I ever put in.” This deep mutual trust between designer and director was the fertile ground from which the Strike Gundam — one of the franchise’s most iconic machines — grew.

Cultural Impact — The Machine That Mainstreamed “Equipment Swapping”

Influence on the Gundam Franchise

The Striker Pack System established by the Strike Gundam left a profound mark on the franchise going forward.

• Impulse Gundam (SEED DESTINY): Adopted the “Silhouette System,” an evolution of the Striker Pack concept. It pushed the idea even further by allowing the machine’s core sections to separate and recombine — a bolder form of modular combat.
• Unicorn Gundam (UC): While its NT-D System’s “Destroy Mode” transformation differs from equipment swapping, it shares the underlying philosophy of “one machine, multiple identities.”
• Build Series: In the world of Gunpla Battle, a culture of mixing and matching parts from different kits blossomed — and the Strike became one of the most popular base kits for customization.

Impact on Toys and Gunpla

The Striker Pack System was equally revolutionary for merchandise. By selling the base kit and Striker Packs separately, Bandai created a business model that generates multiple variations from a single core product. This had a major influence on Bandai’s model kit strategy, and the “expansion pack” approach to kit releases became an industry standard.

Fan Culture and Popularity

The Strike Gundam consistently ranks among the top mobile suits in Gundam franchise popularity polls. For the generation that first encountered Gundam in the 2000s, the Strike is their “first Gundam” — an icon that stands alongside the original RX-78-2 and Wing Gundam.

The 2024 theatrical film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM grossed over 4.8 billion yen at the box office, a massive hit that proves the SEED series — and the story that began with the Strike Gundam — continues to be beloved by fans more than two decades later.

The Formative Experience of the “Gundam SEED Generation”

The Strike Gundam is the formative experience for the so-called “SEED Generation.” Just as the original Gundam is a touchstone for those born around 1979, the Strike Gundam is “their Gundam” for the generation that started watching anime in 2002 — people now in their early thirties. This generational impact is one reason why Strike Gundam Gunpla kits have continued to sell steadily for over twenty years.

Gunpla Guide — Every Grade Covered

ENTRY GRADE (EG) 1/144

Field	Detail
Kit Name	EG 1/144 Strike Gundam
Price	770 yen (tax included)
Features	No glue or tools required; parts snap off runners by hand

The perfect gateway into Gunpla at an ultra-low price point. Touch-gate technology means you don’t even need nippers — just pop the parts off the runner and assemble. No Striker Pack is included, but the Strike body itself features beautiful proportions courtesy of the latest engineering. Separate option parts sets are available to add the Aile, Sword, and Launcher Strikers. The ideal first build.

HGCE (High Grade Cosmic Era) 1/144

Kit Name	Price	Highlights
HGCE Aile Strike Gundam	2,640 yen	The definitive SEED-era HG. New polycap and joint system deliver wide range of motion. Aile Striker is detachable
HGCE Sword Strike Gundam	~2,200 yen	Impressive sculpting of the Schwert Gewehr
HGCE Launcher Strike Gundam	~2,200 yen	The massive Agni barrel steals the show. For heavy-firepower fans
HGCE Strike Rouge	~1,760 yen	Cagalli’s red Strike in molded color

The HGCE (High Grade Cosmic Era) line was engineered under the All Gundam Project’s new standards. Proportions, articulation, and part separation are all vastly improved over the old HG kits, making these the current best-in-class HG Strike options.

RG (Real Grade) 1/144

Field	Detail
Kit Name	RG 1/144 Aile Strike Gundam
Price	3,080 yen (tax included)
Release Date	April 2011
Highlights	Advanced MS Joint for precision articulation. Realistic decals included. Multicolor molding replicates Phase Shift Armor

An early entry in the RG line. It packs MG-level detail into a 1/144 scale, with fine panel lines and multicolor molding that catch the eye. A pilot figure (Kira Yamato) is also included.

However, as with most early RG kits, small parts tend to fall off easily (the so-called “popping off” issue). Recommended for intermediate builders and above.

MG (Master Grade) 1/100

Kit Name	Price	Highlights
MG Aile Strike Gundam Ver.RM	4,620 yen	The definitive MG Strike. Newly designed internal structure replicating the GAT-X Frame. Striker Pack detachable. High-detail Ver.RM (Remaster) engineering
MG Launcher/Sword Striker Pack	~3,300 yen	Add-on pack for Ver.RM. One set enables both Sword Strike and Launcher Strike configurations
MG Perfect Strike Gundam Special Coating Ver.	Gundam Base exclusive	The ultimate all-Strikers-equipped configuration with special coating finish

The MG Ver.RM, released in 2013, remains widely regarded as the pinnacle MG Strike to this day. Its internal “GAT-X Frame” faithfully reproduces the machine’s in-universe skeletal structure, letting you experience the Strike’s design philosophy through the act of building alone.

PG (Perfect Grade) 1/60

Field	Detail
Kit Name	PG 1/60 Perfect Strike Gundam
Price	27,500 yen (tax included)
Release Date	February 2020
Includes	All three Striker Packs (Aile, Sword, Launcher), LED unit compatible, waterslide decals

The ultimate Strike, built with PG’s latest engineering. Standing approximately 30cm tall, it comes with all three Striker Packs included. An optional LED unit (sold separately) illuminates the Phase Shift Armor, enabling a dramatic Deactive Mode-to-PS-Armor-activation display.

Compared to the original PG Strike Gundam (released 2004, 13,200 yen), the armor sections have been re-sculpted throughout, and a gun-metal chrome-plated internal frame delivers a richer, more premium finish.

Choosing the Right Kit

Your Profile	Recommended Kit
Beginner / Children	EG Strike Gundam (770 yen)
Best value	HGCE Aile Strike Gundam (2,640 yen)
Detail-oriented	RG Aile Strike Gundam (3,080 yen)
Want the single best build	MG Aile Strike Gundam Ver.RM (4,620 yen)
Want to enjoy all configurations	MG Ver.RM + Launcher/Sword Striker Pack
Going all-out	PG Perfect Strike Gundam (27,500 yen)
Strike Rouge fan	HGCE Strike Rouge or EG Strike Rouge

Related Articles

• Freedom Gundam — Complete Mobile Suit Guide: The “winged symbol of freedom” — Kira’s next machine after the Strike.
• Gundam SEED — Complete Series Guide: The full story in which the Strike plays its central role.
• Original Gundam (RX-78-2) — Complete Guide: The origin point that inspired the Strike.
• Wing Gundam Zero — Complete Guide: A fellow icon of the Alternate Universe Gundam era, standing alongside the Strike.
• Zaku Complete Guide — A Cross-Series Deep Dive: The “original mass-production machine” — the polar opposite of the Strike.

Sources

• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED TV series, Sunrise, 2002-2003
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED HD Remaster, Sunrise, 2011-2012
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY TV series, Sunrise, 2004-2005
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM theatrical film, Sunrise, 2024
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED MSV setting materials
• Official Gundam SEED website (gundam-seed.net)
• Bandai Spirits Hobby website (bandai-hobby.net)
• GUNDAM.INFO (gundam.info)
• Gundam Wiki (gundam.wiki.cre.jp)
• Pixiv Encyclopedia (dic.pixiv.net)
• Kunio Okawara interview, MANTANWEB, 2024
• Cinematoday Kunio Okawara interview, 2024

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