HG 1/144 Zaku II 2021 | MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM

And there it is. Now I've reviewed every full realese Gundam kit of 2021! This is the green mass production version of the Zaku II from Mobile Suit Gundam.
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0:00 Intro
0:34 Inside the box
1:08 Aesthetics
5:23 Accessories
10:25 Articulation
14:40 Verdict
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#gundam #gunpla #mobilesuitgundam

[@grip3939]

Rx-78-2 loved by bandai Zaku II loved by the designers.

[@hasefharris357]

Agreed

[@666styxxx666]

Bandai = federation , designers = sieg zeon hail zaku ( I've lost count of exactly how many variations of zaku's there are )😎

[@xavier7401]

Always trust that zaku cannon

[@jamogable]

even with so many variations of the Zaku, I still enjoy putting them together and seeing them slowly becoming the army Zeon would be proud of..

[@nerdy1]

SIEG ZEON

[@wingshad0w00982]

Excuse me while as a gm fan I cry a little bit

[@Battleship-geek]

Sieg zeon for commander char

[@janrossboy4125]

Sieg Zeon

[@Puwapupu]

i have atleast 60 zaku 144 from origin to hguc to hg heheheh and fg too

[@findthereal12]

I've always loved the simple designs of the grunt suits like the Zaku and Leo.

[@scottsanders4589]

You are confusing utilitarian with simple. The t3485 was utilitarian but it was not simple. That's what the zaku reminds me of. A t-34

[@saxdude01]

I actually like the Zaku over the RX-78

[@croisantman312]

​@@scottsanders4589🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

[@cynicalmedic252]

A minor difference between the grunt and Char kit is the lack of verniers on the upper part of the thruster pack. I noticed this initially on my real type version of the kit.

[@gotom8885]

If anyone saw in 7:17 the blade actually turned yellow due to the lighting and seconds earlier Mecha was literally speaking about how the blade isn't yellow

[@Smilomaniac]

Joking aside, Bandai’s HG’s are really improving quite a bit, their designs are much more elegantly simple, such as this, the dagger/windam and last 3 Wing models (who’s hyped for Shenlong?). The EG’s as well!

[@First-Name_Last-Name]

24 December 2021: 20 years has passed since the HGUC RGM-79 was released. Still no revive/renewal. Still waiting. Still hoping.

[@Arrowdodger]

A new GM would be great, especially since the rubber front skirt option would be good for the GM's weird front skirt in the anime that looks like one solid piece.

[@GojiraFan-in9oo]

At least the GM has a gunpla Where's my HGAW Virsago and Ashtaron Gundam??

[@DragoonMS]

You forgot the Guntank & Guncannon, I don't think that they got Revive versions, either.

[@sph9564]

@@DragoonMS Guncannon got a revive i think

[@bitetheasp]

@@DragoonMS Guncannon did and it's great. Guntank doesn't really need one, but yeah it'd be nice.

[@Malysitos]

The iconic mass-produced mobile suit of the Principality of Zeon, finally remastered with modern gunpla-building techniques. This one was a long time coming.

[@DragoonMS]

Except there was Char's Zaku II S beforehand, in either late 2019 or early 2020.

[@sunmakergg]

@@DragoonMS did he stutter?

[@AJGundam]

I just got the char variant. Finished that in about an hour. When I first saw the Zaku, I wasn't a fan. Now whenever I watch the OG Gundam I love each time it's on screen.

[@Chronos146]

Main problem with these zaku kits and it's a small one no molded part telling you where to put the eye which i think is needed but other than that i love this kit

[@ZetsujiYuku]

You can turn the eye so it's a very trivial problem.

[@possumlodge5368]

I always got around this by marking the center once placed and then applying the eye sticker. Then you dont gotta worry about reduced range of movement on either side.

[@GojiraFan-in9oo]

Fair point especially with kits like the Death Army that have molded eyes that rotate

[@hasefharris357]

It's no biggie tho

[@93gamrx]

They do it that way so it doesn't look weird or off if you plan on a fixed pose or are not gonna use the moving eye gimmick.

[@mr.gunzaku437]

It's a good looking kit for being so simple. But visually speaking, the Zaku 2 is one of the most interesting mechs ever made. You can really experiment with these guys to perfect your modeling technique!

[@julien2983]

I've had Char's version of this kit on my desk for months, it's one of my favorites! so elegant

[@bigg_ssky]

The wrist/forearm on my HG Zaku II is only loose if it isn’t oriented the right way. If you rotate if so it follows the curve of the arm, it stays put. However the secondary joint in the wrist, closer to the hand, is still tighter than the joint in the forearm so you have to hold the arm then separately rotate the actual wrist or else you’ll loosen the wrist and have to realign it.

[@babyyodaco9345]

No better way to end this crazy year then with a good ol zaku Merry Christmas everybody!!!

[@MechaGaikotsu]

Merry Christmas

[@ChrisEvil138]

I have the Char version of this & it's great! I need a bunch of these to add to my Zaku II collection. I originally thought the shield was recycled from the Origin kit because it had the holes you can attach the bazooka magazines but it's actually a little bigger than that shield.

[@demomanchaos]

Honestly left-handed MG use makes more sense with the shield placement. They really should have had the shield on the bit of the unit that faces the enemy rather than facing away from the incoming fire. I also don't get why they can't make the Heat Hawk a two-part piece with the blade and handle being separate.

[@thedesucomplex4365]

something that would have brought this to the next level is bringing in improvements from the SDCS releases- making the monoeye and heat axe blade actual transparent parts. I am holding out for a Fine Build Zaku one day.

[@jasonleong3937]

ooooh last gundam of 2021 congrats mecha gaikotsu u have finally made it for another year

[@jasonwu2758]

Having just build my first Gunpla the RX-78-2 Revive and have both of these on the way. You can say I've been bit by the Gundam bug. Loving it!

[@kerb2998]

I just finished building the char version. it's the first gunpla I've ever built, and it's so much fun. The only thing I struggled with was posing it while it's holding the machinegun, the butstock often gets I the way. But I've definitely discovered a new hobby.

[@Clee-os6pv]

Honestly? Can't wait to get my Zaku 2 kit and my Ginn kit. Thanks for the Gunpla review as always.

[@skullgrindor5421]

Loved the Char’s version so much, I bought two more of these! Really fun build, I would totally recommend

[@plamoverse]

Happy holidays man! I love your review! My guide on what to build next! Thank you!

[@MechaGaikotsu]

Happy holidays to you too!

[@DrolthKar]

Light sanding and a bit of gold sharpie marker on the heathawk blade makes for a striking look.

[@xander7765]

Why is he calling the borjarnon a zaku???

[@warhammertrash1626]

I'm really hoping they use this kit as a base for a new Zaku I, it would be perfect for doing the classic Zaku tackle!

[@frankcosyns2348]

to be honest i love the simple yet fantastic design of the zakuII and i must say that gundam kits are getting more complex in a good way

[@abakedpotato5188]

The army builder zaku is the old zaku 1 from 2006, and if you have a few of this kit then they will not look too out of place.

[@gonk_ch]

Merry Christmas Mechagaikotsu!

[@BoyPares1978]

Happy Holiday my favorite Gunpla reviewer

[@RatedPR]

I have never build the OG Zaku and now I want one, this looks so nice

[@SerenadeURA]

I love the idea behind the slight articulation at the wrist but the right-hand wrist on the Char version I just finished immediately went floppy on me. Some paint might solve that, but they should have probably just made it a hinge for a little forward and backward movement. The real star of the show in posing these arms is the double swivel, anyway. I have no idea how they went so many years not incorporating that into every kit, it's such an elegant way to increase articulation without sacrificing (seemingly) stability.

[@RathalosEmperor]

I just bought my first gundam model kit from target. I believe it's the red one you showed. I've built the tiny ones but this will be first medium size I guess.

[@jagerbombasstic]

I picked this one up to try my hand at painting a gunpla. Leaning purple/grey but might do my uni colors (bright orange) since I’m graduating soon.

[@ricko3316]

In my opinion, this is the best looking hg zaku ii, despite not having a lot of surface details.

[@troylandzerep8045]

i bought this one yesterday.. its like bandai i tempting us that they are possibly planning a rg v2 version of the zaku

[@RoyalCrustle]

I have one of these on it's way in the mail. I'll FINALLY get the original grunt suit.

[@snukastyle]

I do love me a nice Zaku-it looks liek this might just get an addition to my army. And also be a nice change to the 4 or so Origin Zaku-style kits I have.

[@tedhodge4830]

Building this kit a second time really drove home for me the stupidity of having plastic on plastic for ball joints instead of just using a polycap. This kit has some of the hardest polystyrene parts I've yet worked with, yet the wrist joints are a floppy mess, and the ball joint for the axe holster is already flopping and falling out of the sideskirt as of the night of the build. Other greats are the ball joints on the Zeta Gunpla Evolution Project shoulders which stress the plastic everywhere and are a break risk due to how tight they are and the entry grade Nu Gundam's shoulders, which are ball joints in a gigantic cavity that flop back and forth freely if I tilt the kit. Meanwhile the MG 2.0's shoulders are a rock with a ball joint and polycap socket providing a solid range of motion. Go figure? All my revive high grades with polycaps have nice tight, flexible ball joints.

[@hoaminhhuynh9145]

I am a fan of Zaku, especially the simplicity from design to colour

[@RR_1138]

I hope these show up at Target 🇺🇸, definitely getting 4 , a bunch of Char’s tho , a lot. The Origin Zaku is awesome too.

[@bee-beargaming]

This was like of the second Gundpla I ever brought when I really got serious bout the hobby.

[@ariss_00]

I'm thinking about making a zaku as my first custom build because of their simplicity

[@Gundumb_guy]

I LOVE zaku green. I also love char’s colors as well but something about that green really speaks to me, and I’m frickin color blind! I’m actually doing a mg zaku warrior in zaku green that I’m pretty excited about.

[@dasoundman6598]

I wanted to order one when I heard it was coming out, but the second I remembered about it it was backordered

[@stujm84]

Looks great, I just wish we could get a machine-gun holding hand that isn't offset to the side rather than having a straight ahead wrist. But i love me a Zaku II and been waiting to see you review this kit as it's a 2022 sure thing for my wallet to handle.

[@scootermcduder5479]

I love the Char version. I cant wait to get this one.

[@meowskull]

Found mine for $9 today at my hobby shop. Thinking about going back to buy a couple more..

[@michaelm8583]

I would love to see like a Gundam SD roundup style review. Maybe take 2-3 SD kits and review them in a group style review. Given the fact that they have limited articulation the review could focus on the build and details. That would be cool to see.

[@twraia]

This is without a doubt my favourite 1/144 Zaku kit. The proportion is great. The build is interesting. The articulation is out of this world (better than Robot Damashii figure). The kit is solid as a rock. The only two flaws for me: 1) big mould line on the left shoulder armour that you didn’t mention, which is a small problem because it can be removed easily via sanding, and 2) the extra joints on the wrists are too loose on my kit. I glued them because I don’t find them useful. Other than that, it’s perfect! Now please Bandai give us an F2 version with this technology!

[@casvalcat3546]

What. HG F2 released 11 years ago with decent made kit. It dont need an update. We need variants that dont have any kit yet like Zaku Minelayer and Psycommu Zaku.

[@twraia]

@@casvalcat3546 it’s decent but that’s it. The articulation is pretty bad, and I’m not a fan of its proportion. It may look ok by itself, but next to other Zaku kits the head looks strangely tiny. It does have one advantage over the newer kit - no seam line on its fore arms

[@miragebangbravern2024]

You could have use that super glue to tighten the ball joints instead but ain't blaming you

[@twraia]

@@miragebangbravern2024 yup that is one option for sure, but I don’t find the extra joints to do much (unlike the similar joints on the RX78)

[@DanteSolablood]

Based on the RG review, this may join my collection instead. I need more enemy units but don't want a floppy posė a few months down the line. :D

[@ThePengu_96]

I got the Gouf Crimson Custom and I just wish Bandai updated the Gouf build to use this kind of build to make the articulation much much better especially around the waist

[@NeoSlashott]

Merry Zakurismasu~

[@cooperchamberlain196]

You say it's not a good army builder kit, but I got three of them so I could have a whole squad. Also, I can't believe the spare magazine can be stored on the side skirt!

[@derricktsai3157]

That intro gag really got me. We had zeta gundam with zaku head, why not a zaku with gundam head? 🤣

[@ThePegwarmer]

“Over the top knobbage” This is phenomenal

[@hosh1_zora914]

Can't for Mecha to do the a video about“The Best Gunpla Kits Of 2021”

[@kurisu7885]

As someone that plans to have a Zaku II in every grade, I'll probably be picking one of these bad boys up when I can.

[@masterbation99]

I picked up Char's 2.0 Zaku II and tried to attatch on the the shoulder hardpoint from the Black tri Star Zaku II

[@ceecee130x]

I WANT that soft skirt... been waiting for our since the Red Comet version came out last year, since I already have the Origin version of Char's Zaku.

[@Thecrazyscotsman3790]

🎄🎁merry Christmas mecha🎁🎄

[@azuregg7085]

Definitely wanna get this one so I can do a pose of it kicking the GM while dual wielding like a badass

[@hteekay]

I think a little floor polish could help the loose wrist joint

[@gamerfan1135]

This video made me order a zaku. It'll be here in a week or so.

[@jonathangarza1656]

I would love to get two of these and one gouf custom and give the zaku the gouf custom shoulders and shield. Would have to do some modification to have the clear part.

[@pokitcheze2253]

The Zaku he wished for, the OG grunt

[@RamirodeSouza]

I assume you will start working on the Top 10 Gunpla of the year. Will you do a Top 10 for non Gunpla kits like 30MM, 30MS, and Kyoukai Senki?

[@PaladinodoCerradooficial]

Top 30Mm its gonna be good too.

[@RamadaArtist]

1:53 "This is my Zaku. There are many like it, but this one is mine."

[@lemeres2478]

my problem with this kit is that the double jointed arm does not move equally. the mid forearm joint is far weaker than the wrist joint, and pretty much any attempt to bend it will bend the forearm instead. Which is nice when it works. But I'm sure some of you were giving the Char model the side eye when you saw that hyper extended forearm joint. And this might be more of a problem with this kit, since its contemporary, the Beyond Global RX-78 has a similar set up, but it has a lip around the balljoint that helps hold it in place until you are good and ready.

[@Hourai]

I hope they redo the HG GM with this level of articulation.

[@saxdude01]

For such a nice kit, I feel a bit bad that I plan to mess it up for a battle scene diorama

[@vali69]

Man I really want to see an entry grade zaku and char's zaku.

[@eldricksoberano2302]

My first Zaku Kit is Zaku II (Shuichi Akai) Soon, Riko's Zaku II will be added this coming Christmas. Merry Christmas 🎄 2023 🎁 everyone! And a happy New Year! 🎊

[@numnutsforever4115]

I hope they’ll make a Dom version of these revive kits

[@kupalhobby]

Ngl with this kit I kinda want to see the oldsmobile Zaku now hahahah

[@Smilomaniac]

Salaryman 1: “People love the RG’s, they sell out everywhere! It is a huge income for us and maybe we should consider upping the release schedule again?” Salaryman 2 “We have another HG Zaku ready to print.” Bandai Oyabun: “RELEASE THE ZAKU’S!”

[@kevindeluna2040]

I wanna build a army of zaku ii right now

[@Sazabi4prez]

Farthest I got is 5 MG Zaku's, all different models. For now ......

[@ignisofficialgaming]

Still waiting for the Dantallion MechaGaikotsu custom to be showcased. Also waiting for the Berserk-inspired build you showcased after the mangaka passed

[@valerievo5619]

I so desperately want a HG Revive of the Hi-zack!

[@jinnkitsune2248]

Yes the waiting is over

[@kennethcarreon7303]

You might be able to fit the 2018 hgcc twin heat saber on it shield? If they're still giving those.

[@nizalmuhammad9689]

Love green one, feel like military mecha

[@fillerbunnyninjashark271]

👀 uhhhh...

[@shinigamikira9469]

I would love an EG Zaku.

[@chasinthroughthedecade]

How is the waist part on this mold? Are the peg connections to the legs a bit too tight? It's just that I broke said connection on my Char version; and the waist part is currently out-of-stock with Mecha Parts Guy. 😭😭😭 Another problem I encountered with the Char version is the spike pauldron being loose; rectified that with some paint on the joint.

[@samcui5680]

The revive Zaku is selling around $21 in US , while the GTO C-5/C-6 only $2~3 more than this with lot accessories, put this revive zaku at disadvantage. Can't agree to the EG zaku army builder anymore, hope they can make it soon.

[@anshumananandgond6332]

I think this Zaku-II might make an awesome DOOMGUY mecha Custom

[@hasefharris357]

But GM is much better suited or maybe the Gustav Karl or Messer

[@dethmasheen8683]

Personally I like the Gundam the Origin version better. It comes with way more stuff and has a lot more detail. This is partially because I am an absolute fiend for panel lining. That being said, I like the bigger shield on this version, and the way it comes with trigger-hands for both sides is really cool, until now I've only seen that on old No-Grade kits and a couple MG's I built.

[@latinletters1700]

As an army builder the entry grade i know thats coming will be amazing

[@shinigamikira9469]

Man still waiting on this. Unfortunately they seem to only do main suits and not grunts.

[@fake_butters]

7:17 - 7:21 the heathawk looks active 😂

[@Fate263]

Funny... I could never find this in local stores, even though I got my hands on Char's custom Zaku II.

[@BiasTeacher]

Early af but now I have the new char zaku 2 ima buy normal zaku 2s to form a new army

[@quotastrider801]

They NEED to make a cucuruz Doan version of this

[@okami5062]

Lol i did the duel wielding zaku bazooka and mechanic gun with char zaku earlier this year

[@shinji4269]

Another zaku II!!! 😱😱😱😱😱

[@sincereeastman6972]

For some reason my left arm for my zaku refuses to move in place, I already took it apart and risk of breaking is high

[@stormcloakgundam8264]

Ohh yesss i agree that we need EG Zaku

[@roblesgabe104]

Ah yes my favorite mono-eyed i-fin gundam tha zaku ii

[@anggasatria8813]

i really want they revive gelgoog,especially johnny ridden one man

[@EdwinPohan]

Somehow I keep forgetting to buy this grunt. Thinking of getting this or the Origin version…

[@bebebutterbub1344]

Is that new rubber parts really durable? Abs or all pvc? I like the sound of Bandai improving on the durability of their models. I had a lot of problems in the past breaking things.