Gundam Model Kits

The head is very similar to the MG Zaku, save that you only have two options for the upper-antennae--either or two antennae, which look very similar to each other--and the cables that wrap around the head are far-less sturdy than the ones with the green Zaku. It has a full-range of movement and can turn up and down about 15 degrees. The top of the head can be lifted up to display the mechanical "innards" which are molded in a single piece of black plastic. Identical the the green Zaku, a small lever at the back of the head can be used to rotate the pink monoeye from side to side.

Torso

The torso is identical to the green Zaku,but the backpack and area where the arms connect are a bit more detailed. The cockpit opens up to reveal the interior, where he have a nice little figure of Char to put inside. The cables that wrap around the torso fit a bit more snugly than in the standard Zaku model, but unfortunately there are not enough plastic rings to put around the cables which makes the spacing of the armor uneven. The torso is connected directly to the skirt armor at the waist so there is zero hip rotation.

Arms

The arms are very simple in design and the bright-red molding really makes you notice it. You get three sets of hands (closed, open and movable, same as the standard Zaku) and each shoulder can mount either a shield or the round-spiked armor so-characteristic of the Zaku. The spiked armor on the shield is composed of three conical pieces that attach to the round armor, unfortunately they do not fit together very snugly and the spikes are prone to fall off of the model completely.

Legs

The legs are dreadful. Aside from a few panel lines, the skirt armor has almost no detail, and though there are removable rectangles of armor plating on the bottom of the leg, they fit together so snugly you can hardly tell that they're there. the legs are very inflexible and make posing the figure quite a chore; what's worse is that the feet themselves can only move up and down making balancing the figure a very difficult process in almost any pose. Because of this, no matter what pose you make, the Zaku always forced to be in a standing position.

Weapons and Accessories

Char's Zaku has the same weapons as the standard Zaku--heat hawk, machine gun and bazooka. Instead of missile pods that attach to the legs, Char gets a nice little grenade launcher... things (reminiscent of the Kampfer) that hook on instead. Personally, I'd prefer the missile launchers. The heat hawk is an exceptional disappointment: it's molded in a single piece of bright red plastic, so it requires some major painting if you want to make it look anything close to what you see in the anime.

Conclusion

Char's Zaku is cool. It just is--there's no debating that. But this MG model is a sore disappointment... it has far less detail and flexibility than some of the newer no grade models! Sure, it's red and it's Char's--and sure, it's constructed almost the same as the 1/100 MG Zaku, but it's simply not worth it. The standard Zaku is more detailed, more flexible, and slightly heavier. If you must have a model of Char's Zaku II I'd suggest buying the standard version and painting it yourself. (Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars)

Contributor: Mwulf

General and Technical Data
Series: Master Grade (MG) 1/100 Release Date: 10/1995
Price: ¥ 2500