Five years ago, I built and wrote a brief review for the Real Grade Full Armor Unicorn and now I decided to build the nemesis mobile suit, the 2018 RG Banshee Norn, specifically developed for hunting down and killing Newtype pilots (which is why the horn antenna is so big and sprawling).
The distinguishing features are the enlarged shield (Armed Armor Defense-Extention), the modified backpack (Armed Armor Xeno-Connect) and Revolving Launcher, while forgoing the claw and beam cannon of the regular Banshee (Exists as Premium Bandai "Expansion Unit Armed Armor VN/BS").
Note that you can build the 'normal' Banshee with the leftover parts included, to have a normal 'unicorn' backpack and a normal shield/beam rifle.
You should note that the RG Unicorn and Banshee are SUPERIOR to their Master Grade counterparts, both Ver.Ka. and OVA versions!
Aesthetics:
For what you'd think is just a dark model, the kit comes with black and three blues for the main armor (Navy blue, greenish-blue and purplish-blue). Also features metal injection gold, dark grey, lilac grey, sea green, transparent red and a transparent warm orange for the psycho-frame.
Depending on the light it can look a little busy or just dark. Putting it in destroy mode obviously makes the model more busy, but the various blues meant to add that Real Grade depth can look a little motley.
The gold looks cheap as always, but the transparent orange is nice. The use of foils behind clear pieces on the backpack is a nice touch and the massive shield and rifle launcher add nice weight to the model.
Mechanics:
The frame features Bandai's MS-joint pre-molded inner frame in several parts, however due to the complex inner frame, it also features more modern joints, making for a much more solid model than earlier RG kits.
The Banshee and Unicorn are identical except for a few aesthetic differences like the horn and collar, and the different equipment used, meaning that they feature the same Destroy Mode (with the backback and shield adding more flair), the same four beam saber hilts (backpack and forearm "tonfas") and the same opening horn gimmick.
The rest is in the...
Equipment:
1 Magnum Beam Rifle with detachable magazine that falls out fairly easily. Can be stored on forearm or the backpack during Destroy Mode.
2 Revolving Launcher/holder - A grenade launcher for the rifle which blocks the locking mechanism on the rifle for some bizarre reason.
1 "Jutte" bayonet beam saber that can be inserted into the launcher as a bayonet or held in either hand.
1 blue Jutte Beam saber effect
1 "Armed Armor Defense Extension" (shield) which is the old standard Unicorn shield with a huge expansion built on top of it. It transforms into Destroy Mode, spreading out several fins.
1 "Armed Armor Xeno-Connect" which are the gold plates on the backpack that fold out for Destroy Mode.
4 Beam Saber hilts, 2 hidden in the AAXC and one on each forearm.
2 pink Beam Saber effect parts.
6 Hands - 2 holding hands, 2 fists, 2 spread open hands.
1 Base Adapter
1 Shield Adapter for mounting the shield on the back instead of the forearm.
1 Riddhe Marcenas 1/144 mini-figurine.
1 Real Grade Decal sheet - AVOID! The sticker borders look HORRENDOUS on the dark plastics. You can and should use the foils however, especially inside of the backpack 'wings'!
The kit does NOT include any bazookas, the "Vibro-Nail" claw or "Beam-Smartgun". The latter two are Premium Bandai.
The kit IS compatible with the Full Armor equipment, but I believe you have to modify the backpack using the spare parts to make a normal Unicorn backpack.
Conclusion:
While the three different blues can be a little motley under direct light, it looks fine otherwise both in unicorn and destroy mode.
It's a solid kit and a solid building experience.
Like the Unicorn, the thighs are a little loose and while the articulation is MUCH better than the MG versions, it's not exactly a ballerina - The feet especially don't move much, so it'll struggle to stand in most poses. I recommend using an action base with this kit.
