HGUC 1/144 Z Gundam (041) Review - Hobby Clubhouse | Zeta Gundam High Grade Model and Gunpla

While there are plenty of Zeta Gundam kits, let's not forget about the classic HGUC #41 release -- the very first modern Zeta and the only one of this age that is styled more towards the animation look!
The later Zeta kits have raised the bar both with styling and articulation, does this kit from way back in 2003 still hold its own?
*Typo at 0:45 with the release year, which should be "2003"
Don't forget to come look us up on social media:
Instagram: / hobbyclubhousehk
Twitter: / clubhousehobby

[@redd573]

This kit was gifted to my little cousin, but he didn't have any interest in building gunpla. My grandma found it, and gave it to my baby cousin thinking it was a toy. My uncle soon gave it to me, and said there were no missing peices.. or so i thought. I was almost done with the last leg and... no foot piece. I was really happy of how it was turning out, but it came to an abrupt end. R.I.P Zeta Gundam

[@HobbyClubhouse]

Man, that's such a bummer. It's not something you can ignore or easily replace either... but considering how much yours has been through, only missing a foot is sort of a miracle. RIP Zeta.

[@hasefharris357]

F

[@HobbyClubhouse]

F

[@hhoop3876]

Sounds like an excuse to do a diorama!

[@Agonysis]

I know I'm late to reply, but it might not be all over for your HG Zeta. If you don't mind using feet from another kit you could get Gundam IBO Option Set 9 and use the Graze Ground Type feet inside. You could also get one of the 30 Minutes Missions kits that includes foot variations (like Alto Flight or Alto Ground) and use one of the extra feet options. That way, you still have a complete mecha leftover after you use one set of feet. Lastly, if you use Buyee, you can sometimes find people selling individual HG parts (e.g. arms, legs, heads, etc). It'd be expensive just for the one part but, if you found something else you wanted, you could combine shipping to make it more worthwhile.

[@orion9026]

I am in active SHOCK over how much better the head articulation is on this compared to the Revive.

[@Steven-ln3qx]

Yeah just got the revive and i have never felt so limited in posing a kit because of its head

[@tedhodge4830]

@@Steven-ln3qx I literally took an exacto knife to my revive Zeta and shaved down the inside of the collar and the back of the helmet where it contacts so I can get the head to turn about 30 degrees to either side now. The modification is mostly invisible, because the material was so thick.

[@Steven-ln3qx]

@@tedhodge4830 i ended up just cutting the collar part lol but yeah i guess works too

[@EggkFarm]

Love to see this older kit, that box art is wonderful. I keep saying it but man, you do such a great job showing these kits off. I can really see everything good and bad about this kit. If this was painted it would look better than the Revive for me. The Zeta is my favorite Gundam and I love the kits since they are always interesting. I would love to get that 80's one.

[@HobbyClubhouse]

Thank you so much! I love a lot of these old kits myself so it's always fun to show them off in videos like this. There's always room in a collection for a classic-styled Zeta when we already have so many nice-looking modernized ones

[@valentetellezperez6538]

Even when it's kinda big, i still like the 2017 Zeta, but I like to not extend the little wings of the flying armor all the way back, that way I get somewhat of a classic look where the wings are aligned with each other and not too over extended. In a way the old HG is pretty anime-accurate and a treasure of a previous age.

[@stefilordofsmugness4108]

Feels and looks way better than the 2017 revive version. Just need to be cool with painting.

[@altosforteaquax5083]

That release date tho. 0:50

[@changzooka]

Honestly, i picked this over the rg back then since the evolution project version wasn't out by then but I liked it so much that up to now I never considered replacing it with the newer version.

[@HobbyClubhouse]

Other than not having the crazy color separation we get with modern kits, this one one really is charming when you have it in your hand and so uncluttered (which is really rare for Zeta kits)

[@michaelbean3775]

I have this. I love its silhouette and how simple & snappy but solid it is, especially in waverider form. Love the review 👍

[@HobbyClubhouse]

The new ones are nice, but this old one really is unique and uncluttered

[@dappergrizzly888]

Just built the Revive version today. This old kit has a more color accuracte shield than the new one lol. I may have to pay extra to get the 0088 PBandai version to get rid of the stickers.

[@RoyalCrustle]

I've finally gotten my hands on the Revive. Can't wait for it to arrive soon.

[@BioGoji-zm5ph]

I recently got the Extra Finish version of this kit. The articulation isn't as great as the Revive, but it does feel A LOT more stable as a kit overall, and it has a few neat gimmicks that the Revive version lacks, such as the movable cockpit and chest pieces. It's still a very nice kit for its age. Although, I do wish that Bandai had used undergating for the runners of the Extra Finish version.

[@sauzypants7798]

Mine is the old version. The left shoulder was loose, holding the rifles are loose due to the handle and the thing in the center of the back couldnt be attached

[@michaeljohnsingun1616]

Finally a more modern review. I will not be surprise if Bandai makes a re-issue in the future

[@HobbyClubhouse]

Bandai does re-released this kit quite a lot. If you see HG Zeta kits back in stock, then you'll know this kit has been reprinted too

[@Raysonable]

0:44 October 20903?

[@tedhodge4830]

I bought the GEP version and I am seriously annoyed that this thing can turn its head while the GEP can't. It looks like the neck collar is wider and the head sculpt is different on the original HGUC. The GEP head is literally seated touching the collar, it can't even move 1 degree side to side without tilting the chin downwards. What on earth were they thinking?