Gunpla: The MS-06FZ Zaku II Kai

While it would be fair to describe the Principality of Zeon as "Nazis in sppppaaaaace!", it's not the whole story. I do not mean to suggest that Zeon wasn't a genocidal expansionist state, just that they should be considered in the context of Japanese history, specifically that period circa the 1930s and 40s where Japan was those terrible things. The whole Zeon = Nazis comparison was made the original series mind, but it wasn't really explicit until the side story Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, a highly regarded series. This revamped many mecha designs, costumes, and gave Zeon a robot with a German name. Hence today's subject the Zaku II FZ Kai, which is very much ground zero for that approach. Its also piloted by one of the most tragically sympathetic characters in Gundam lore.

There's a relatively obscure book called MS Era, which purports to be a photographic history of the One Year War. While fascinating as a concept, its noteworthy as it casts the 0800 designs as their First Gundam equivalents. This implies that, regardless of official canon, the machines in the anime aren't new creations, so much as the classics done by a different artist. Today's review subject certainly would support such an assertion. The Kai doesn't bring any radically new elements to the table, but it's not merely adding techno gubbins around the edges either. Every little thing has a subtle difference, in proportions and design motifs, but still retaining the fundamental asymmetrical Zaku essence. Its worth remembering that this was designed by Yutaka Izubuchi, more famous for the near-future-kinda series Patlabor, and that particular style of realism is very much present here. There's more going on visually than the old Zaku II, but its fairly understated, and the closest thing it gets to over-complication are the red thrusters. Which I skipped. Probably the only real thing to suggest this is tangibly different from the original is the big assault rifle with the built-in grenade launcher. This is possibly too big, but damn if it doesn't look like something you'd joyously pick over the 120mm competitor. You can get a good firing pose out of it, despite limited elbows.

 

A few observations regarding the build. The Kai lacks a moving monoeye gimmick, understandably given the shape of the head, resulting in a very modest sticker sheet. Less justifiable is the absence of a neutral right holding-hand which strikes me as a needless cost-cutting measure when they included an open hand for the rifle, and alternate head. While generally a good kit, I did find some of the rounded areas a nuisance to cut and finish. Mind you, this was still the most pleasant Zaku variant I've built, having no serious weaknesses.

In general: Not quite as agile as the Zaku I, but still good, and a better build.

Yep. There is no way this chap isn't a good guy. Yes, there are absolutely no design elements that suggest evil. Or horribly vindictive acts of warfare. Nope, this guy must be nice.