Quick Answer

Choose the MG Gundam Astray Noir 1/100 (product 521553) if you want a black-and-red showpiece with a large Noir Striker backpack and you value color separation over articulation. Choose the MG Gundam Barbatos Lupus 1/100 (product 521552) if you prioritize dynamic posing, thanks to its updated Gundam Frame with improved waist tilt and shoulder joints. Neither kit is strictly better; the right pick depends on whether you display or play with your build.

Poseability and Frame Design

The MG Barbatos Lupus is built around the latest Gundam Frame, which Bandai specifically updated for this kit. The shoulder joints have been revised, and the waist now has an improved forward and backward tilt range, so you can push the torso into deeper crouches and lunges than most Master Grades allow. The backpack also uses a swing gimmick that keeps the rear armor from blocking the arms during wide poses. If you like to re-pose your kits often, this frame is the main reason to pick the Lupus.

The MG Astray Noir uses the standard Astray frame, which is solid but not designed around the same extreme articulation. Its appeal is the Noir Striker backpack and the black-and-red color scheme, which Bandai reproduced faithfully in the molding. The kit is not fragile, but if you plan to put it in a dramatic action stance, expect less range in the waist and shoulders than the Lupus offers.

Color Separation and Out-of-Box Look

The Astray Noir is molded in black and red, and the catalog notes that the aircraft color tones are faithfully reproduced. That means you get a striking, high-contrast look straight from the box, with less need for painting than many MG kits. The dark plastic also hides panel line wash mistakes better than white or light-colored armor.

The Barbatos Lupus is a more traditional white-and-blue Gundam design. Its color separation is good, but the lighter plastic shows nub marks and scratches more easily. If you want a kit that looks display-ready with minimal finishing work, the Astray Noir has the edge. If you enjoy painting and weathering, the Lupus gives you a cleaner canvas to customize.

Weapons and Accessories

The Astray Noir comes with its large Noir Striker backpack, which is the centerpiece of the design. The kit includes the striker unit and the Astray's standard armaments, but the catalog does not list every weapon individually. The Lupus, by contrast, includes a backpack with a swing gimmick but the catalog does not specify its armament loadout beyond the frame improvements. If a specific weapon is essential to your decision, check the official product page for a full accessory list before buying.

For builders who want to expand the Lupus later, the P-Bandai MG 1/100 Gundam Barbatos Lupus Expansion Set (product 521579) adds the Valkyrja Buster Sword, blueflame shoulder vent effect parts, and Alaya-Vijnana limiter release effect parts. That set is designed for the Lupus, not the Astray Noir, so it is a point in favor of the Lupus if you plan to add effect parts over time.

Build Fit and Difficulty

Both kits are Master Grade 1/100 scale, so they share similar part counts and build times. The Barbatos Lupus has the newer frame, which generally means tighter tolerances and fewer loose joints out of the box. The Astray Noir uses a well-established frame, so the build process is predictable, but some builders report that older Astray frames can feel slightly looser in the shoulders after repeated posing.

If you are comfortable with MG builds, either kit is manageable. If this is your first Master Grade, the Lupus is the safer choice because the updated frame is more forgiving of minor assembly errors and holds poses better. The Astray Noir is not difficult, but its darker plastic makes it harder to see mold lines during assembly, so take extra time to clean nubs as you go.

Trade-offs

  • Poseability vs. Out-of-Box Finish: The Barbatos Lupus has a newer frame with better waist tilt and shoulder range, while the Astray Noir offers a more striking black-and-red color scheme straight from the box. Pick the Lupus if you re-pose often; pick the Astray Noir if you want a display piece with minimal painting.
  • Accessory Potential: The Lupus has a dedicated P-Bandai expansion set with a large sword and effect parts, while the Astray Noir's Noir Striker is included but its full weapon list is not detailed in the catalog. If you want to add effect parts later, the Lupus has a clearer upgrade path.
  • Build Tolerance: The Lupus's updated frame generally holds poses tighter, while the Astray Noir's darker plastic makes mold lines harder to see during assembly. First-time MG builders may find the Lupus more forgiving; experienced builders can handle either.

Product Facts

  • MG Gundam Astray Noir 1/100: MG Gundam Astray Noir 1/100 is a Master Grade kit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY ASTRAY-B, molded in black and red with the Noir Striker backpack. The black-and-red molding gives a striking out-of-box look and hides panel line wash mistakes better than lighter plastic.
  • MG Gundam Barbatos Lupus 1/100: MG Gundam Barbatos Lupus 1/100 features the latest Gundam Frame with updated shoulder joints and improved forward and backward waist tilt, plus a backpack swing gimmick. These frame updates allow more dynamic poses and better balance in action stances than the Astray Noir's standard frame.
  • P-Bandai: MG 1/100 Gundam Barbatos Lupus Expansion Set: P-Bandai MG 1/100 Gundam Barbatos Lupus Expansion Set includes the Valkyrja Buster Sword, blueflame shoulder vent effect parts, and Alaya-Vijnana System limiter release effect parts. This expansion set is designed for the Barbatos Lupus, so choosing the Lupus gives you a clear upgrade path for effect parts and a large weapon.

Which Should You Build?

Best for

  • Builders who prioritize dynamic posing and want a kit that holds action stances well
  • Collectors who plan to add effect parts or a large weapon via the P-Bandai expansion set
  • First-time Master Grade builders who want a forgiving frame

Not for

  • Builders who want a black-and-red showpiece with minimal painting
  • Collectors who prefer the Astray design and its Noir Striker backpack
  • Anyone who wants a kit that looks striking without extra finishing work