Akatsuki is going together very smoothly. One thing though: don’t attempt to assemble it in bright sunlight of you’ll find it hard to see what you’re doing!Still with the backpacks to complete, I’ve taken some intermediate photos showing the mech, and when it comes to finished model photos I’m going to have to really work on the lighting and polish up the model to remove fingerprints. After recently completing MG 1/100 Sinanju, 1/00 Akatsuki is tiny. It’s such a shame that with all the effort that has obviously gone into the gold armour design that the kit was not produced as a Master Grade. I’m very happy with the red details I’ve added to the gold armour, especially on the back of the shield and on the front skirt sections and various vents. Even the small added detail of the red on the shoulder sections really helps. I’m ever-so-happy with the shield. It’s an interesting design to begin with, but again, the red additions really help bring out the details and break up the vast expanses of gold. The gunmetal and pearl white compliment the golden armour well. The feet and their shading integrate well into the overall colour scheme. I didn’t paint the hydraulic pistons at the front, but it should be easy enough to go back and add in that detail later.