Quick answer
Choose the Metal Build Hi-v Gundam if you want a sleek, updated classic from the Universal Century, or the Metal Build Barbatos 4th Form if you prefer aggressive post-apocalyptic styling with a massive boomerang mace and cape.
Design lineage and visual impact
The Metal Build Hi-v Gundam is a redesigned take on Yutaka Izubuchi's original novel concept from 1988, updated for dramatic presence. Its refined proportions and fin funnel array give it a regal, sci-fi aesthetic that fits a classic UC collection.
In contrast, the Metal Build Barbatos 4th Form channels the gritty, post-apocalyptic world of Iron-Blooded Orphans. Director Tatsuyuki Nagai and mechanical designer Naohiro Washio contributed new equipment, including a striking crimson cape and a boomerang mace, amplifying its wild, combat-ready look.
Accessories and display options
Both figures come with extensive accessories, but they cater to different tastes. The Hi-v focuses on its iconic fin funnels and beam rifle, while the Barbatos includes a unique boomerang mace and a dramatic cape that changes its silhouette.
If you value screen-accurate weaponry and a more traditional Gundam silhouette, the Hi-v delivers. If you want a figure that looks like it just walked off a battlefield with over-the-top gear, the Barbatos is the pick.
Die-cast construction and articulation
Both are Metal Builds, meaning they feature die-cast components for weight and durability. The Hi-v's frame is built for stability while posing with its fin funnels. The Barbatos's frame emphasizes the Alaya-Vijnana System's structural details, with die-cast parts that highlight the mecha's internal mechanics.
Neither figure compromises on articulation, but the Barbatos's cape and mace may limit some dynamic poses compared to the Hi-v's more balanced loadout.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Aesthetic preference: The Hi-v offers a refined, classic UC look; the Barbatos delivers a rugged, post-apocalyptic style.
- Accessory uniqueness: Barbatos includes a boomerang mace and cape that dramatically change its profile; Hi-v focuses on fin funnels and beam rifle.
- Poseability with extras: Hi-v poses more easily with its balanced loadout; Barbatos's cape and mace may restrict some dynamic stances. Consider how you plan to display the figure when choosing.
Product facts
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Gundam Metal Build - RX-93-v2 Hi-v Gundam: As seen in the 1988 novelization 'Char's Counterattack: Beltorchika's Children,' the Hi-Nu Gundam as envisioned by Yutaka Izubuchi joins the METAL BUILD series, redesigned and updated for even more dramatic impact. This is not a simple reissue; it's a modern reinterpretation with enhanced proportions and detailing that stands out on any shelf.
Gundam Metal Build - RX-93-v2 Hi-v Gundam
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Metal Build Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans - Gundam Barbatos & Boomerang Mace (4th Form): The long-awaited Metal Build Gundam Barbatos comes with new equipment designed by director Tatsuyuki Nagai and mechanical designer Naohiro Washio, featuring a Boomerang Mace and a striking crimson cape. The exclusive cape and mace make this version distinct from other Barbatos releases, offering a display option you can't get elsewhere.
Metal Build Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans - Gundam Barbatos & Boomerang Mace (4th Form)
Which figure fits your collection?
Best for
- Collectors who want a modern take on a classic Universal Century design with dramatic fin funnels
- Fans of Iron-Blooded Orphans who want an aggressive, accessory-packed figure with a unique cape
Not for
- Anyone seeking a strictly anime-accurate Hi-v without redesign elements
- Collectors who prefer a clean, unadorned mecha silhouette without capes or large maces
