MG Gunner Zaku Warrior [Lunamaria Hawke Custom] (Review)

Here's the Master-Grade 1/100 scale MG Gunner Zaku Warrior [Lunamaria Hawke Custom]. The kit looks and works great but I can't help feeling a lot of similarities to an RE/100 kit while building it. Still, if you're a fan of the design you'll love the kit!
Big thanks to USA Gundam Store for supplying this kit! Check out their online shop and use coupon code "zakuaurelius10" to save 10% on your order! www.usagundamstore.com/
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Thanks for watching!

[@BLAZE084]

I'm hoping to see someone customize this into the hospital zaku.

[@Ketsu626]

That’s would look great!

[@davidnguyen6823]

Someone did some time ago. It's great

[@JoeSmithGOAT]

the part about MGs being undefined nowadays is pretty spot-on it used to be a 1/100 scale with an inner-frame. I do think this is a pretty good kit and, I do get that other people like the overly-complex builds but kits that are a simple build aren't necessarily a negative, there's no need to be extra just for the sake of being extra.

[@darthalucard]

I'd love to see a 1/100 Dom Trooper in either MG or Re100 soon

[@aburge399]

Gouf Ignited

[@harveyalexislingad5990]

I think it's about time we get MGs of the other Seed/Seed Destiny mobile suits. Especially the Gundams. I mean there are alot of them and they are all awesome.

[@BlueAmerican26]

I like the stylized design. Can't wait to custom paint mine. I love the look.

[@joshuahensley9395]

love it when zaku does a zaku

[@user-lynKx]

You know, after the marathon of a build the Nu Ver Ka was (it didn't help that I built the High Mobility Backpack alongside it), I should build this or the mobile ginn next. I need a break from crazy engineering and moving parts.

[@vustvaleo8068]

in-universe the Beam Tomahawk was meant to be stored inside the shield via a slot on the top of the shield but for this kit there is no slot for it plus the Tomahawk is now redesigned to be more bulkier thus will not fit inside the shield and the mechanism might be complicated to make it work even as an MG kit.

[@anthonyervin95]

Pre-ordered today, along with the new MG Barbatos.

[@lordskull372]

A little tip for model builders I know some of you might know this but for loose joints and everything use a cement pen And joints and let them dry then use them it works wonders trust me

[@franco3584]

I see so much Potential for customizing .

[@d9_1056]

Man. I've never seen a kit more in need of a paint job than this one.

[@andrewestrada6531]

I’ll love that Bandai makes Yzak custom Slash Phantom Zaku. And do the original color of the Zaku.

[@travisnichols8011]

Glad to hear the piping was a plus in this kit. The seams I am fine with due to placement, they seem minimal and hidden.

[@ZakuAurelius]

For the most part yeah, except the seams on the cannon

[@travisnichols8011]

@@ZakuAurelius I couldn't see myself using it for the kit

[@stevenmcmasters7212]

You should review the rg tallgeese III. Awesome kit and apparently a vast improvement over the MG.

[@GurtMcDirt]

Great notes on the RE stuff and the comparison to the 2.0. Really nice review, I dig it!

[@exvaran]

Maybe the construction is simple as a concession to army builders for the eventual [regular] Zaku Warrior release?

[@harogenkitnsg2474]

Nah it's all P-Bandai releases here on out, you just know it

[@syntaxlost9239]

@@harogenkitnsg2474 Reckon they'll release a Gouf Ignited as retail. Too much to go through otherwise.

[@jasonhenry7182]

@@harogenkitnsg2474 the new mg ginn is probably gonna use this frame

[@Death_true]

I just bought this kit yesterday and I’m planning to custom the red and white parts although I’m debating which water slide decals I should get for it

[@dantekicksdemonass]

After building my own, I can kind of see what you mean with it being between an RE and a MG, but honestly with some of the RE kits its really hard to tell that they arent MG unless you actually built them and realized they are mostly just large chunks. And honestly some MG's that have been closer to RE quality in terms of their parts or construction. But at the end of the day for me anyways, it's all plastic goodiness to me lol

[@ZakuAurelius]

Exactly

[@BikerTrashWolf]

I had the 144 high grade. Liked it quite a bit.

[@echos5823]

You know, I am kinda ok with the whole lack of pistons or too detailed inner frame, as an (maybe) accidental lore-friendliness; how many Destiny mobile suits use piston and hydraulics/pneumatic anyway? Not just seed but some of the new Gundam AU are generally moving away from the mid-20th century industrial aesthetic and toward the 21st century sleek/integrated design.

[@BlueAmerican26]

hardly any. Pistons are for older suits.

[@mradamgunpla6420]

Another point that kind of makes it seem like an RE/100 is all the "hollow" spaces in parts, like on the handles and the arms for the weapons. I don't recall seeing this as much (if at all) in other MG kits.

[@KrisHomemadeBaking]

6:07 why did you gotta mention that, now i will never be able to unsee it or think of possibilities that someone's gonna make a weird custom...

[@Corran109]

The concert version is coming out at the Gundam Base

[@caseyjones8246]

Make a custom connector for the beam tomahawk to store on the shield.

[@Cheekymonkey405]

That’s what I was thinking as well. I just built the 1/100 Blaze Zaku and they look damn near the same. I can only imagine the build is about the same as well.

[@JoeSmithGOAT]

Nope. You built the old Blaze Zaku, there is no such thing as an MG Blaze Zaku yet. so there's no way they're gonna be the same.

[@Cheekymonkey405]

Carl Padua I was well aware of the age of the kit and that is wasn’t a MG. You build one Zaku and you’ve built them all. Like any of the Unicorns, Astray (any seed kits) IBO and or 00 kits. That’s all I meant by that my friend

[@caseyjones8246]

Zak, the inside and outside leg thrusters actually pull out and spin like on the Sinanju.

[@ZakuAurelius]

Yeah I remembered that later. Oopsies

[@Rekiara]

I was watching a speedbuild video of this kit the other night and I actually had to pause it to double check the video upload date and description because the build (frame parts especially) just didn't look like a modern MG to me. Kinda disappointing to find out other people are reaching that same conclusion rather than just me having a brain fog moment. At least the finished product looks great (especially once it gets proper detailing, aftermarket decals, and a good topcoat), so I'll probably end up building one sooner rather than later anyway.

[@percival086]

I can definitely see some places such as the shoulder arms and leg armour where the mould may be recycled from the old 2005 non-grade 1/100 kit. It is overall much better proportioned though, and the cannon looks as if it came from a completely different suit.

[@Sensei-padthai]

I im still waiting for my hyaku shiki to arrive, im planning to enter the diorama category, can i begin building the diorama as im waiting for the kit to arrive? Because time is running out and dioramas take time! Its for your 100k competition

[@karloverg]

A gouf (seed destiny ver) would be interesting to see in the near future.

[@ZakuAurelius]

I’m sure it’s coming! 👍

[@carlosalvador3926]

"tenga like", good thing they did not color it red =)

[@MinotaurSauce]

What's your opinion on the frame plastic? MechaGaikotsu mentioned that he felt it was different than usual, and showed how you can flex the runner.

[@ZakuAurelius]

You can flex pretty much any runner. The feeling didn’t really stand out to me

[@MinotaurSauce]

@@ZakuAurelius Ah ok! Would you say it's the same kind of plastic used for the Dynames' frame then?

[@syntaxlost9239]

It *feels* like it has more flex to it than some other PS runners (like the 2.0 inner-frame). Don't have the Dynames, but can comment that the MG Jegan and Freedom 2.0 feel about the same. Don't know if you can draw any conclusions from that.

[@cdwizzerd]

man, i crave an RG zaku warrior.

[@qilyt7903]

The possible variations I think Bandai will come up with: -Gunner ZAKU warrior (green) -Gunner ZAKU warrior (Dearka) -Gunner ZAKU warrior (Team Heine orange shoulder) -ZAKU warrior (green) -ZAKU warrior (Lacus) -Blaze ZAKU phantom (Rey) -Blaze ZAKU phantom (Heine) -Blaze ZAKU phantom (Dearka) -Blaze ZAKU phantom (green shino’s) -Blaze ZAKU phantom (purple) -slash ZAKU phantom (yzak) -slash ZAKU warrior (green)

[@prd6617]

my best bet are blaze zaku warrior (athrun zala) or the phantom (rey za burrel)

[@thomastsuihn]

Lol they'll all come out sooner or later, just a matter of time

[@antonioescamilla5553]

Probably the next zaku are the green one and probably the Zaku warrior concert version because Meer/Lacus Still sold figures

[@Sunnyboy-ob4xz]

Honestly I wouldn't mind a MG version of the Lacus version lol, the HG is a bit, odd, to say the least

[@thomastsuihn]

@@Sunnyboy-ob4xz Oh the stickers on the HG Lacus Zaku Warrior are horrible, I've seen it on Dalong.net

[@DrMeatbag]

I think we are gonna see more Zaku Warrior variants...probably why they made it so simple...

[@ZakuAurelius]

Oh surely there will be plenty of variants

[@somechinesedude5466]

Simpler moving & solid frame topped with highly detailed exterior is much better then overly detailed frame & overly complicated joints Look at freedom waist joints issues & you'll apreciate simplicities And most kits are meant to be statue after being painted anyway

[@almightyphoy2258]

I felt sad when i saw its inner frame and im a big fan of mono eyed

[@ZeonAndOnly]

First Gundam I ever built, No Grade Gunner, PINK!

[@harogenkitnsg2474]

I have the same thought of it originally being a RE:100 kit

[@ORLY911]

Yeah its a weird choice for a MG i was confused when it was announced. an AU grunt suit ace custom getting a mastergrade? Peculiar!

[@teetee580]

I love the design and hope by seeing the frame named "ZAFT Frame" it will get us a GINN, or other grunt suits. The piping being a "one" piece is nice for a straight built, but painting wise.... I rather have the individual pipes. Overall rather diappointed in this kit. Just like you said, doesn't look like a MG. A shame.....😢

[@teetee580]

I do not get/understand most P-Bandai releases, like the Hazel or the up comming F90. Why? Colour swaps I do understand. Bandai and its mysterious ways... But I would get those!!! Thinking about a frame to convert it into a GINN. Maybe this one is it. Thanks for your input!!!

[@UVAmatsuo]

I like Chunky MS but I think I just prefer the original design over this redesign.

[@tubejorrit]

This design fits perfectly with the Strike RM and Freedom 2.0

[@TekkaSage]

This kit is obviously going to get dozens of P-Bandai releases.

[@msunardi]

Maybe they’re testing whether a RE/100-quality kit could pass as an MG and charge a premium price ...

[@zeigald]

Bandai charges by plastic amount so this doesn't make sense. Most RE/100s already cost the same as cheaper MGs.

[@BlueAmerican26]

If only you weren't so ignorant.

[@BarelyDecentProduction]

What are the chances of bandai pbandai-ing the pink concert zaku warrior

[@TsorovanZero]

100%

[@Skyhusky7000]

Thanks for the review. Seems the kit just a "so so" master grade.

[@padice6963]

great review zak... question... why haven't you done the master grade MG gundam wing proto zero tv version?

[@ZakuAurelius]

I’ve kinda wanted that for a long time but never got around to picking one up. Eventually I’m sure I will

[@padice6963]

looking forward to you having and reviewing it! more power to your channel zak :)

[@CryCLLViolin]

MG Strike Freedom 2.0 when? 🤔

[@adityarachmadi7647]

I prefer kampfer 2.0..

[@somechinesedude5466]

MG legend & akatsuki Maybe saviour while they're at it

[@Aleph_Nul]

The Zaku Warrior HG was my first ever kit and ive always loved the look of it but this is such a disapointment, seems like the best use of it would be to use the Mg Zaku II 2.0 kits frame with this kits armour plating

[@syntaxlost9239]

It has a complete inner-frame that will be re-used in future ZAFT kits. (Not just P-Bandai. Check the label on runner-C). Given that you really can't CAD the outer design without the inner, that would be like building a house without a foundation... As for why they don't do things like you suggest, it always comes down to project budget and timeline.

[@spitfire3975]

The fact that the frame is marked ZAFT rather than Zaku means we could see a Gouf in the future.

[@syntaxlost9239]

@@spitfire3975 Almost certainly. Wouldn't surprise me if the core MS was already on file and they'll just mill the rest of it out 2020 or 2021.

[@ZakuAurelius]

Sure it comes down to budget and time, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t have allotted more if they wanted to. It’s a solid kit either way

[@syntaxlost9239]

@@ZakuAurelius It's not even remotely that simple. Bandai, being a large organisation, has a lot of moving parts going on and changes in one place can have dramatic impacts on other parts of the production line along with other aspects of the business (marketing, etc.). Delays in the production of the molds can result in hundreds of millions of yen worth of injection molding equipment sitting idle. It's a lot more complicated than "just want[ing] to". EDIT: I should add that it doesn't mean the review is wrong for pointing out flaws in the kit. Seams, etc. are definitely undesirable. The point is that they're definitely deliberately corner cutting here with tradeoffs made (AKA real world engineering) to get the product to market in a way that works for the business side.

[@ZakuAurelius]

SyntaxLost dude I’m agreeing with you. I’m saying if they would have made the business decision to invest just as much into this kit as with say the Freedom 2.0 they could have made that decision. But they didn’t. That’s all.

[@Destiny202]

Designers too exhausted from creating RG Nu, just said fk it for the details and inner frame gimmicks

[@jolemaire6629]

zaku warrior is the best design of a zaku. Only don't like that the axe can't eb stored in the shield even with all it's bulk. I do hate the cheapness of bandai in this kit

[@fantastiCkiLler92]

Still not a fan of the edgy redesign, but putting it beside the UC HM zaku, it looks 100 times better IMO. I think I gonna get the Robot Damashii ver, much prefer that look over the MG.

[@somechinesedude5466]

Easier to play & much more solid to Shame bandai can't put out solid finished product of full plastic 1/100 mobile suits without stupid extorbitant price (above 20k yen)

[@ZakuAurelius]

Definitely prefer the look of the RD as well

[@JoeSmithGOAT]

@@somechinesedude5466 MG Dynames with it's under 5k yen price tag says hi

[@somechinesedude5466]

@@JoeSmithGOAT finished product, not model kit you built

[@syntaxlost9239]

@@somechinesedude5466 Niche product which is pretty labour intensive to manufacture (and they need to pay Japanese, not Chinese labour rates). They also need to adhere to more stringent Japanese waste disposal standards (which adds cost).

[@alexdalyin9105]

With that re/100 paring with MG they could've very well did a re/100 for this and give Blast Impluse a full release

[@ZakuAurelius]

That would have been cool

[@syntaxlost9239]

The Blast Impulse is using an 11 year-old old ABS frame.

[@Jirujan]

in my eyes, Zaku 2.0 have better articulation that is my opinion as someone who always thinking about the articulation before buying gunpla

[@JoeSmithGOAT]

You're not alone. I sometimes think it's stretching for complaints that's not really even there.

[@Raitatouilleswf]

Hope they do more detail job on the inner frame :( , it's just like a scaled up HG innerframe (don't get me wrong still a badass looking kit)

[@Unit_With_Legs]

Slash zaku phantom look

[@Myexoticexperience]

MG Zaku ii 2.0 still the best!

[@RicQuintanilla]

i was hoping a MG2.0 Strike freedom... I wonder if there was a problem with that, and they had to re-focus this from RE -> MG.

[@antonylynn7783]

It just has that RE100 look and feel to it.

[@dryceraidfanficksyoutube]

3:09.......

[@abdulrasyiid]

AA wawawawawawawaw

[@DarkROSkull013]

Cost cutting maybe? How much is the listed price for this again? At least the main weapon looks like it's upscaled from an HG. Suckx that they're doing something like this, trying to pass it off as an MG. But they did give it an inner frame, and nice surface details.

[@juanpe51]

Looks like a RG

[@Emcron]

if there's gonna be a renaissance of GSD MG's, can we hope for an MG Legend Gundam? :3

[@nerofiorentino1971]

Wait, is that a... ?

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

I like this kit. But there's already an mg out there. And not much to justify the increased price.

[@tubejorrit]

There is already an mg zaku warrior? uhhmm no this is the first?

[@JoeSmithGOAT]

this is the first Gunner Zaku Warrior so....

[@percival086]

There is a 1/100 kit of this mobile suit that is non-grade. It was released back in 2005. This is the first to be labelled a proper Master Grade.

[@razif6916]

Bandai gonna milk this frame

[@Hidden_Street]

I don't know how I feel about the butt plug backpack...

[@BlueAmerican26]

I know how you feel you disgusting pervert.

[@MrKPolka]

I feel like the Blaze and Slash variants will have better construction for the backpacks. No huge guns just missile pods or gatling cannons.

[@ZakuAurelius]

Less seams to be sure

[@MrKPolka]

@@ZakuAurelius Also the beam machine gun will be able to be mounted on the back skirt without hitting a giant tank.

[@ayanami808]

LOL! Tenga....

[@chemccord]

Am I the only person who doesn’t think certain seam line complaints r all that great? They usually in places u won’t see unless u really really look for

[@ZakuAurelius]

Yeah it depends personally on the modeler. But seam lines in competitive modeling are points off

[@goro5479]

I do like how the skirts work though. Its simple but effective. I just wish there are some mechanical details or something under them. Then again they wont be seen all that much. Seamlines aside, i like how bandai is going with simple but effective approach with this kits engineering, (which is probably because its a grunt suit) as compared to having too many gimmicks that the kit is a flimsy mess. If this is how bandai will start doing grunt mgs, i dont particularly mind.

[@MuShinnen]

Torso looks a little too long to me. That throws the proportions off when I look at it. The more I look at this kit, and see the parts that make it up, the more I kind of wonder why Bandai decided to make a semi MG with this instead of leaving it as an RE.

[@SerenadeURA]

I think what really makes this thing look like a low end RE/100 is the fact that the red is gross and toy-like, kind of like on the Vigna Ghina II.

[@zeigald]

After building the kit myself, I hate this review even more for spreading the nonsense that the Zaku Warrior MG is RE/100-like. Show me one RE/100 kit that looks as good and just as solid as this kit.

[@percival086]

The Rebawoo and GP04 are pretty impressive. I think most people are thinking it to be a mostly recycled mould of the old 2005 non-grade kit, admittedly I was one of them until I built mine and put it side-by-side with the old one. The proportions of the MG are much more pleasing to the eyes than the non-grade. Just took 14 long years or so for it to come I suppose.

[@FactorySettings_]

RE/100 Zaku Kai

[@bigbear4120]

Passable as a good 2012 MG. In 2019 not really. He's being nice, this IS a R/E 100 with a MG label on the box to raise the price. I just built the MG dynamus and am building the ALEX 2.0, those feel like MGs.

[@neverfeelhell]

Glad u agree with me, this is RE 100

[@JoeSmithGOAT]

but it's not

[@orionfenerty3874]

Its a shame seed is so cringey, its designs were all fantastic.

[@holden_7597]

Seed is about as cringey as most other Gundam AUs, it’s less cringey than Wing, IBO, and about the same as 00.

[@zeigald]

Instead of just claiming that it's an RE/100 ad infinitum, why didn't you just compare it with an actual recently released RE/100 Zaku II Kai (which you have a review of) so you can actually see that the Gunner Zaku Warrior does not look like an RE/100 at all?

[@aolvs1950]

A grunt suit usually has cool pistons and gimmicks sometimes more than a main gundam. Mechanical details of the frame are supposed to be outstanding with grunts. This seems to be a hurried design.

[@echos5823]

to be fair... did any seed machine use hydraulic or maybe pnuematic pistons?

[@shipmate3577]

Model looks nice, but that's it. Horrible movement/pose-ability.

[@kirayamato6023]

did anyone heard AOOHAOHOAHAOHOAHOAHAOHAOHOAHWWAOWAWOWOWAAOHHWHOAW????

[@humanmold]

2 steps forward 1 step back.

[@GFANATIC98]

Damn, I’m really disappointed with this kit. It really is a RE 1/100.

[@ZakuAurelius]

It’s still a great kit!

[@bkebradley]

Oh god it does look like a Tenga, you ruined it for me you coomer