The Gyan was the second model released in the iconic High Grade Universal Century line, setting the tone for the series.
Released in July 1999, the YMS-15 Gyan holds the distinction of being the second model in the landmark High Grade Universal Century (HGUC) line. Bandai created this series to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise by reimagining classic designs with then-modern engineering. By releasing a niche Principality of Zeon suit immediately after the Earth Federation's Guncannon, Bandai showcased the line's commitment to the conflict's full scope, setting the stage for the expansive catalog that followed.
Product Information
- Price: 800 JPY
- Release Date: July 1999
- Scale: 1/144
- Size: Approx. 13.82 cm
- Series: Mobile Suit Gundam
- Line: High Grade Universal Century (HGUC)
- Product Type: Regular Sale
Features
This model is a product of its time, reflecting early High Grade engineering. While color separation is achieved through molded plastic, achieving full screen accuracy requires some painting. The articulation, though limited by modern standards, captures the suit's classic feel: the torso is static, the elbows bend to 90 degrees, and the fixed skirt armor, while true to the original design, restricts leg movement. The kit excels at recreating the anime aesthetic, including a specially angled right hand to perfectly capture the iconic fencing thrust pose. Its large circular shield mounts to the forearm, and four separate Hide Bomb parts are included for dynamic posing.
The kit relies on molded plastic for basic color separation, though painting is needed for finer details.
The vintage design features a static torso and fixed side skirts, reflecting early HG engineering.
Kit Contents
To bring this classic Zeon suit to life, the box includes:
- Parts to build the YMS-15 Gyan
- Beam Saber with effect part
- Shield
- Interchangeable hand parts
- Hide Bombs (x4)
- Sticker sheet
A key feature is the special angled hand, designed to faithfully recreate the suit's iconic lunge.
The YMS-15 Gyan
A prototype mobile suit developed by the Zimmad company, the YMS-15 Gyan emerged during the final stages of the One Year War. It was created to compete directly against Zeonic's MS-14 Gelgoog for the next-generation mass-production contract. The Gyan was engineered as an elite unit specializing exclusively in close-quarters combat, wielding a powerful beam saber and a shield armed with missiles and hide bombs. Its European knight-inspired design reflected the personal tastes of Colonel M'Quve, who famously piloted one of the three prototypes in his final duel against the RX-78-2 Gundam. Ultimately, the Zeon high command favored the Gelgoog for its superior versatility, as it could handle both ranged and close-combat roles, deeming the Gyan's focused specialization a tactical liability.
The HGUC Gyan is a true classic, representing the origins of the High Grade line. What are your thoughts on this vintage kit? Does its old-school charm still hold up today? Let us know in the comments below!
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Sources
- HGUC 1/144 YMS-15 ギャン | BANDAI HOBBY SITE | BANDAI SPIRITS CO., LTD. (Accessed June 14, 2025)
- HGUC YMS-15 Gyan | Dalong.net. (Accessed June 14, 2025)
- YMS-15 Gyan | Gundam Wiki | Fandom. (Accessed June 14, 2025)
