HGUC Gundam Ez-8 - 08th MS Team UNBOXING and Review

Here's the High-Grade 1/144 scale Gundam Ez-8. The gruntiest looking Gundam out there makes for a pretty nice HG kit with a few flaws but overall very nicely detailed and comes with a good range of accessories!
Thanks as always to USA Gundam Store for their support! Shop online and use the code ZAKUAURELIUS10 to save 10%
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Blog: zakuaurelius.blogspot.com
Thanks for watching!

[@JosephJoboLicayan]

Funfact: In the boxart, the GM Head's hand that is holding a Beam Rifle has a total of 6 fingers (theres the trigger finger and 4 below it, should only be 3 there)

[@DarkROSkull013]

When he pointed to the GM Head, I was thought he was gonna point that out too. Hehe

[@JosephJoboLicayan]

@@DarkROSkull013 Same, sad Zack didnt

[@KZN02]

Makes me wonder the advantages of a 6 finger hand.

[@kratek56]

@@KZN02 harder slaps

[@darkmount5101]

@@kratek56 lol

[@ruashua]

"I've slept on this kit" I like to think his backlog is so huge he had to start stacking kits on his bed.

[@tenkowolf8325]

EZ8 Gundam vs Gouf Custom was the best fight in gundam. Yes they really really need to make a 2.0 of both the Ez8 Gundam and the Gouf Custom.

[@ceasarspartacus]

9:20, yes. The ez8 activated its saber in an almost nonfunctional state. It might have a lower output per saber, but it would definitely be able to activate them both.

[@wilsonteo6516]

It is said lore-wise (from gundam.wikia), EZ-8 was upgraded with better generator output when compared to other Gundam Ground Type, albeit just slightly

[@exturkconner]

@@wilsonteo6516 Early UC beam sabers used Ecaps to power them. So the suits energy output isn't relevant the sabers just have a specific run time and need to recharge the ecaps to power on again when depleted. Technically the suits can recharge them through the hand or through the storage racks. But once charged they require no additional power to run.

[@wilsonteo6516]

@@exturkconner I agree. I remember there's a part when Shiro's Gundam Ground Type stranded on a snowy mountain and need to use a beam saber to create a hot pool. He specifically tuned the output of the beam saber to the lowest setting from the Gundam's forearm, which initially make me think that the beam saber's output might be related to the Gundam's reactor output.

[@kamenriderovant9676]

It's siblings the BD1,2,&3 can do 2 beam sabers.

[@thomastsuihn]

Have there been cases where a mobile suit was unable to use 2 sabers at once in any anime? Cause I really don't remember any

[@uwuuwuskies6707]

A 2.0 of the EZ8 Master grade would be nice ngl

[@RuzzeLJeaN]

I really thought Bandai would release it last year instead of the wing ver ka. but I know that there’s a big chance that they’d release it in the near future. They’re probably on it as of the moment just figuring out some frame/armor builds to release other kits using using the same frame like the rx-78-2 and gm 2.0s

[@hteekay]

I want RG version more

[@uwuuwuskies6707]

@@hteekay as long it ain't having that premolded inner frame then I'm all good for it

[@muhammadariff5767]

Hopefully if they ever relesaed a 2.0 for it, we get to hold the other hand as weapon

[@johnmichael7842]

yeah would like to see a 2.0 version of the MG

[@JosephJoboLicayan]

Answering Zack's Lore question regarding dual wielding beam sabers: Yes... probably. There aren't any real hard specs coz its fiction but it is possible to use both at a power rating that its generator/reactor is able to match or go above that power rating but at the cost of power to other systems and draining the suits power reserves (if it has any) but that will only last for a very short time. In early to mid UC (barring Thunderbolt, mangas, & novels), Mobile Suits dual-wielding ranged weapons are rare because it is cost-prohibitive in terms of what the reactor can power and what the MS itself can handle, and MS that dual wield sabers are almost never seen (only one I can remember animated is ZZ Gundam, but that thing has a beast of a reactor) because it may just be not worth it for many reasons, engineering-wise. Lore-wise, the Gundam Ground Types are constructed using spare parts from the RX-78 project and the more common GM parts, and as for the reactor, we just don't know from which line the ground types use and what it may be capable of... even if they did upgrade the reactor from the base Ground Type, who knows if its increase is 50% or just 5%. So long story short, it probably can and if the story calls for it then it will.

[@BLAZE084]

I agree. If you've watched the "battle in three dimensions" animation short, once Shiro purged his shield and with no other handheld weapons drawing power, the saber's power output was increased (possibly to the standard of the RX-78). This can be considered an indicator that the EZ-8/Ground type has lower power yields compared to the RX-78. But that's just me nerding out...

[@seanswader7425]

I know lore wise that the reactor rating determines the power of the weapons used and also if the suit could even Cary a beam weapon at all. But I never understood why that should even matter for an external weapon system at all. Especially when so many beam weapons have a battery system that is also separate from the suit. I’ve always read that most Zakus were too weak to use any beam weapons, but I don’t get why it can’t use an external beam rifle or saber

[@JosephJoboLicayan]

@@seanswader7425 You have to understand that E-caps arent the only requirement to firing post-OYW ranged beam weapons, it still needs to draw power or something (maybe Minovsky Particles?) from an MSs reactor/generator. But, an MS reactor is able to power beam weapons by itself directly, given that theyre compatible. E-caps are used to extend the amount of shots (or in the Unicorn's case with the Beam Magnum, stupidly overpower a single shot) and to reduce the strain from directly drawing from the Reactor, so every clip acts as a sort of "battery". This was an inevitable improvement for beam weapons as the ranged beam weaponry of OYW typically had limited shots, and the RX-78-02's beam rifle canonically has 20 shots before it becomes useless until recharged. In an E-cap system, the MS can just simply put another clip and keep shooting, no need to wait for a recharge. There are exceptions, like the Beam Bazooka of the Rick Dom but that weapon has its own onboard generator which made it hard to produce (hence why its rarely seen) and was likely expensive too.

[@nuclearrylaw7616]

Has held up well despite its years, it was also one of my first few models to build so it hold a special place in my heart

[@RacerM53]

The EZ-SR from bulid fighters is based off the EZ8 and is a great model kit considering the extra parts included

[@nuclearrylaw7616]

@@RacerM53 never got that kit but it looks so awesome if you had three of them with the different parts on. Will probably be my next purchase next month 😅

[@benadrylthundercrotch7144]

I would sell body parts for an RG Ez-8. I just think the added detail and especially a two-tone treatment for the white would make this thing pop off.

[@zsu-23-4kirov6]

It may have a few flaws and such, but it still shines in the storm!

[@MultiSnowberry]

i see what you did there

[@littlelw319]

i see what you did there(1)

[@Bobert2020]

I see what you did there (2)

[@quatrobajeena2660]

hmmmm, I think I saw that before😏

[@jasonarigoni372]

nice one ☝️

[@rue-mell5856]

The EZ8 Gundam vs Gouf Custom is “THE BEST FIGHT” in any of Gundam series

[@uwuuwuskies6707]

The animation quality reminds me of that of Akira, but I might be wrong jsjdjdjfif

[@ceasarspartacus]

....I feel like i disagree, but I cant think of a reason why... Dendrobium vs neue ziel was pretty awesome (stardust memory)

[@LZvv96310]

The animation was good but def not the best but it’s a good fight

[@nameputhpong9041]

I dunno, Thunderbolt vs Psycho is pretty dam good.

[@--AISAKA]

@@ceasarspartacus that is a good fight scene but its too flashy

[@Aerouz_AR]

**HERE'S IT BACK, WITH INTEREST!**

[@retrogamer41_sepiamta]

BAIIIIGAAAIIIIISSHIIIIDAAAAAAAA!!!!

[@highhunter1st]

Well in the series shiro was able to adjust the beam sabers output so it seems possible that he could wield 2 beam sabers but with either medium or short length like the beam daggers

[@michaelmole5435]

Your work ethic is unmatched in the game

[@ZakuAurelius]

I love what i do! 😊

[@manat31790]

I actually like the big head. It makes the suit look tougher and more human-like.

[@fujitafunk]

Bandai: We don’t need to release a 2.0 of the Ez-8 in any scale. What we need to do is re-release 4.0 of Unicorn Gundam with even more non-canon accessories in all scales!

[@aero981]

For the grey stickers that keep the ribbons on the shoulders, I just took some spare polycap 10s, shaved off the round pegs and essentially threaded n wedged the ribbon into it and it looks so much better like that

[@jasonarigoni372]

fantastic idea thank you! 🙏

[@blacksheeprising9710]

I loved this kit! I used brown panel liner to better mesh with the off white of the armor and it looks great all snapped up.

[@Facemelter4000]

I just bought this last week and got it Saturday. My first Gunpla - I can't wait to put it together!

[@teenyweenymonkey]

just finished watching 08th ms team and totally agree with that gouf vs ez8 being the best gundam battle by far. im dying to recreate that fight someday!

[@tobymak4990]

I bought a lot of Gundam kits since last year. So far now of them were built. 🤠😎

[@RobotJeeg]

I wish the Mg had that parachute! I like the big white box of the MG but the parachute is so cool!

[@JangoTheBlueFox]

I'm surprised you didn't notice the mistake on the box art, Karen's Ground Gundam with the GM head has an extra finger. so the reason the Ez-8 looks so different from the other Ground Gundams is because around episode 7 Shiro's Ground Gundam gets severely damaged in a battle with Apsalus II and the Ground Gundam has to be rebuilt with spare parts. but so much gets replaced that it basically became a new unit which is why they gave it a new designation.

[@jasonarigoni372]

Ahhh so all the color guides are for Mr. Color products. I shoulda known!

[@Supergrunt8]

My first kit, had to go with the ez-8. I just built it this christmas and had a great time

[@MsGhost06]

15:40 yes there is a better alternative to improve de parachute belts just swap them from the old hg Ez8 kit from 1998 that has proper belt conectors instead of the sticker strap conection they used for this modern one, thats what I did. hope this helps.

[@bearguysanmightyquinn2081]

the opening of uc0080 ep 1 is one of the best too

[@GamermanEXE]

The old HG 1/144 Ez8 kit has some sort of lock in the strap of the parachute pack

[@miragebangbravern2024]

Not to mention an actual opening cockpit

[@KaoshimaCheshire]

The trigger finger hand on mine has a really loose ball joint, and I never really bothered with the parachute pack, but Ive really enjoyed mine. I also drilled out the "winch points" on the chest armor and painted the details (including the red chin area) rather than using the stickers. I just never got around to top coating it after throwing decals on it.

[@azuregg7085]

Definitely gonna get the kit this year and i appreciate for this review vid man! MOAR DAKKAS! (dakkadakkadakkadakka)

[@gsoto239]

That thumbnail is very cool.

[@leorojas6390]

I have to get the ez8, it would look great alongside my HGUC gouf custom.

[@0Heeroyuy01]

i have bought 2 of the ez-8's 1 in 1/144 and 1 in 1/100 iv also got a 1/100 gun cannon along with a few others i like 1/100 scale if you want to put LED's in kits they are easier to work with

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

I ❤ the08th too. The best cinematic fight scene in the history of film. Ooh la la!

[@meffeli]

I'd love an RG EZ-8

[@BLAZE084]

The head is giving me stormtrooper vibes for some odd reason. Still, I will definitely get this kit when I find one.

[@LINEMIND88]

Always love this kit

[@tapsilogic]

I was considering getting this kit along with the Ground War set and an RX-79 from the same line to complete the team, but I'm trying to stick to 1/100 scale. I hope they'd release 2.0 versions of all 08th MS Team kits soon.

[@Perfect_Cell___]

I legit just got this kit in the mail from you guys lol

[@rohans7891]

Hey Zak! Great Review!

[@vustvaleo8068]

there's also the three variants of the Ez-8 from Build Fighters Try but the kit of them is sold as a three-in-one 'convertible' kit meaning you have to buy three of them if you want to display all three variants at the same time.

[@ZakuAurelius]

Yes that’s in my review queue as well!

[@exturkconner]

Early UC beam sabers use energy caps they are not powered by the suit itself. So it should be able to use both beam sabers just fine.

[@ZakuAurelius]

Gotcha. But in the show shiro adjusted the beam saber output in the gundam’s arm? So maybe that’s just a regulator, rather than a power supply?

[@exturkconner]

@@ZakuAurelius Yeah I believe there's a control unit in the arm that allows the gundam to manipulate the ifield that controls the shape and strength of the blade.

[@RicQuintanilla]

Kakarot197 would be the best to get a power output answer. love the EZ8!!

[@Jonathan_Chong]

rewatching this and realize the older hg kit (silver box ez-8) has a better strap as it has actual belt loop (annoying to adjust in that scale but great detail over stickers) and the belt isnt shiny one side its mat both sides looking stronger material too. Also it opened up in the chest and moved forward for cockpit hatch, to have room to open. Now that i think about it that section is a big deal more detailed. but the plastic for most part wasnt white lots of painting required and legs not as good as this one in terms of mobility as its an older kit.. I feel like the kit you reviewed has some of the same molds as the other one i speak of

[@EDWARD6661989]

The Ez8 can't use both sabres but, it can make one hell of a jacuzzi with 1 beam Saber in a frozen body of water.

[@ZakuAurelius]

Perfect for the ladies 😎

[@lifesbetteronaboard]

This kit holds up at its price IMO, love mine

[@jaypeedelapaz6486]

The old ground Gundam also had a kickstand on the shield.

[@angelescarlata9737]

I wish I could get this and the ground gundam just to display both at the same time and to get those machine guns

[@jereholl7602]

The backpack container and parachute pack from the recent pbandai HGUC Ground Gundam don’t fit with the HGUC EZ8. You have to make some adjustments to get them to fit.

[@Geekeric]

I know where the EZ8 name comes from but do you think the creators were referencing the craps term "easy 8", since it's like 8th MS team, modified MS, better odds, etc...

[@mad3237]

I still can't understand how a ball survived a volley of zaku rifle bullet

[@TildAbuse]

Concerning the beam saber question, my guess would be no. From what I understand the Ez8's reactor didn't get an upgrade, just it's armor and external systems. Plus I think they mention in the anime that beam weapons are more difficult to use in Earth's atmosphere, which is why the 08th Team relies more on their solid ammunition weaponry.

[@scumbagbenis8762]

it did get an slight upgrade to the reactor, but it doesn't matter at all since beam sabers were powered by e-caps in the hilt. when shiro made that pool in the snow the ez-8 was basically completely powered off

[@zyri9088]

Got this kit a few months ago, still solid to this day. man, love this kit so much😋

[@turtlegaming4427]

I see the regult in the background my second favorite mecha anime is macros and my first is Gundam

[@DustGundam]

For some reason the lower arm joints to my Ez8 snapped off only a few days after getting it. It was probably just faulty parts or I put them on wrong

[@chrisbennett5980]

The RX-79(G)’s where basically Gm’s with better armour and equipment so I would assume they could not duel wield their beam sabres

[@rafaelcastillo8573]

next to the gouf custom its perfect 😄

[@ilhamwicaksono5802]

the best boxart IMO

[@joshb8976]

I really like these kits. I don’t care how shitty they are to build. I just built the ground version and it was short but it looks nice.

[@HidaAtarasi]

I finally got my hands on this older kit, having previously built the Ez-SR-Foxhound, and the Ez-SR at the same time, using as much of the Foxhound parts as possible for a cohesive squad color scheme.

[@PaszerDye]

Apart from the head being a tad too tall, the worst thing about design-wise IMO is the red panel on the chin piece. I know it's supposed to be a stand in for how chins are normally supposed to look on a gundam, but the fact the chin piece stick out just too far out combined with the red color strangely reminds me of duck face, or japanese clown masks. It would be much better the entire center block was red and the two attachments that flank and hold it to the head assembly were grey instead. Then it wouldn't look like duck face or a clown mask, and the new color would help to break up the stark off white.

[@porkflaps4717]

YES, it could use both beam sabers at once..as long as it had both arms LOL.. The manual said the power output was 1350kw, which is comparable to the RX-78-2. Now, Ground Gundams DID have a limiter placed upon all units because since all 20 were built from spare/discarded/rejected parts in the RX-78-2 V Project, the units varied in their reliability and power output, it was shaky from unit to unit. To curb this problem, the power limiter made all Ground Gundams have a reliable working baseline that made them all more or less equal. But this limiter can be turned off and it is demonstrated in the Anime as MAX MODE. At risk of possible damage to the Gundam this mode allows the pilot to operate the MS at full capacity and utilize it's full potential. As for the EZ 8, its supposed to be an upgraded unit even though it's basically cobbled together. It's completely possible or likely even, that the EZ 8 didn't even have a power limiter. But whether it had one or not, it's power plant was sufficient enough to charge and run two beam sabers simultaneously.

[@ipryan5843]

I mean sheesh this kit is fun to build

[@TheRoughStar]

Ez 8 HG they finally re released it!

[@memoktc]

When you say newer which kits are you referring to? Are they from the same series?

[@First-Name_Last-Name]

Just decided to clean my kits display shelf a few days ago. Realized that my HG Ez-8 white parts (assembled on 2014) turned to sand brown color, although other older kits still retain their colour.Anyone with old ez8 kits experienced the same thing?

[@sethw4569]

Mine has been assembled for 2-3 years now I think and it’s still the original off white. However it hasn’t seen much direct sunlight where it sits.

[@matthewkim605]

I have the mg model...but I just might get this one as well!

[@joshuahart3927]

My favorite Gundam

[@kaandarc1437]

Be careful with elbow tho, mine just snapped after trying to move it.

[@ipryan5843]

I just bought this today

[@AlessandroZarrillo]

Both the box backpacks are compatible with this model

[@lifesbetteronaboard]

Great thumbnail!

[@ZakuAurelius]

Thanks!

[@mikewazowski9412]

Just hoping that Bandai will one day put out a new HG GM Sniper from the 08th MS team finale. The og HG Sniper kit is bit dated now.

[@thomastsuihn]

There is one already, it's PB

[@tansoldierproductions390]

can u pls review the hguc Nemo unicorn ver or the hguc gm iii I recommend the gm iii

[@midengine8576]

The ez8 needs more love! Mg 2.0 bandai! The hg is fine though.

[@estevanproductions2064]

How on earth do I replace the number decals?!? 😭 I don’t want fancy custom ones 😢

[@heyimhy]

they need to make a new 08th MS Team anime

[@tobymak4990]

It takes time to build kits like Gundam. I'm going to get the metal composition version instead. 😥😊

[@fused481]

You should make a 8thMS team diorama or something

[@prestonli4789]

So cool

[@ramsesaguilar3741]

Does this look good beside the Revive Ground Gundam? I want to EZ-8 and Ground Gundam, but I’m not sure if this one would look too dated beside the new one.

[@possibly8180]

There will be a noticeable difference with the proportions but if you don't have a severe case of OCD, it'll be just fine.

[@somechinesedude5466]

Pretty sure most universal century beam saber are fuelled by its own battery Beam saber on its own is just battery pack & the beam part is the leaked energy Double 00 gundam beam saber use their MS energy Epyon need to supply his beam sword Double X need to fuel it Most seed unit, even then its not sure Burning gundam use its own generator

[@uncletatscreativeshack1702]

The last pose where it’s missing an arm!! 😂

[@dermond]

At some point of the anime the Gundam lost his arm, so it's a nice touch 😆

[@uncletatscreativeshack1702]

@@dermond oh sweet I had no idea actually lol

[@BreakerLove]

The missing arm at the end. If you know then you know =)

[@nizalmuhammad9689]

One of realistic gundam i love it

[@mistertililing5933]

The plot armor kinda ruins it though.

[@coleviloria3800]

I don’t remember a parachute pack in the show, is it towards the ending?

[@80s_ford_fanatic]

It's from the episode where Karen's gundam gets its head knocked off by the acguy

[@dustinbrewington3075]

It's the first Epsiode where the Ez8 is used. Karen get her Gundam's knocked out by the Acguy

[@javier2720]

Nice

[@TheVgrey]

Never saw dual wield it sabers

[@TheVgrey]

The ground type and the ez8 are sexy ms

[@Patmanx1]

before I watch this, is this any different from the HCUC kit from 20yrs ago (has it been that long?)? or a refresh? edit: yep, its the same from years ago. Just updated the color on some parts and gave it modern stickers. The straps are actually a downgrade and the chest doesn't fold down and open anymore. :(

[@ZakuAurelius]

The kit itself is totally different. The original release is just HG, not in the HGUC line. Looking at images online though the backpack strap does look the same though maybe

[@TrueProphecy22]

@@ZakuAurelius The original HG EZ-8 is quite a bit different. It was one of my first kits. On the HG, the chest compartment folds out and locks into place. There are no beam saber compartments on the legs. The seam lines are centered on every limb (there are a lot more of them). There is less articulation overall, the shoulders are on pegs and cannot move forward or back, the elbows are a single joint, and the head is a simple ball joint, so it barely has any movement at all. I seem to remember the kit also coming with the cargo backpack as well as the parachute, but I could be mistaken; I don't know where the accessories ended up after 15 years.

[@NekoNyaa00]

the custom EZ8 in Build fighters try wasnt to bad

[@ZakuAurelius]

I’ve got that in the backlog and will be building it within the next month!

[@highhunter1st]

I built the mg and the gimmick in the legs to deploy the beam sabers is something I appreciate but I still hope one day we can get a 2.0 version for all those ground ms

[@percyb8412]

Cool

[@Bobert2020]

This was a pretty ez build

[@amixedbag5964]

Its very rare fir you to upload twice a day or so because i live in the philippines so the time is whack

[@ZakuAurelius]

Nah most of this week I’ve had videos out every 12 hours or so

[@ninjax24s5]

Here's your payment with interest - Shiro armada

[@SteamHammer7]

idk if it's an unpopular opinion, but I'd personally love a RG gundam leo 😢

[@ZakuAurelius]

Would be cool!

[@boyspider6105]

Does it come with any left over parts ?

[@ZakuAurelius]

I believe there were a few leftover bits

[@boyspider6105]

@@ZakuAurelius ok. Thank you Because i'm going to buy this kit and custom it

[@gene7589]

this must get a revive

[@troloinkto]

it hurts to hear that it shouldn't cost more than 20 dls when here in latin america almost every kit is over 40 dls, the cheapest kit is around 34 dls, damm shipping and taxes

[@B-A-L]

I just built this today and for my first Gunpla it's pretty good but not as good as my Moderoid Shinkalion E3 Tsubasa, which is better made, has much better stickers which are easier to place and has far better instructions. I'm actually pleasantly surprised with the head on this kit. It was the one thing I didn't really like on the boxart but looks pretty good on the actual model. Btw, wouldn't the parachute pack have seam lines because it's designed for a quick opening? Wonder why they didn't add the white backpack as an alternative though.