Gunpla: The MS-05B Zaku I

When you think about it, the original Zaku has a decidedly inglorious service record. It was five years old before the the war kicked off, and was supplanted by the Zaku II almost completely. This relegated the old version to second line duties, which saw it participating in the atrocity and new form of war-crime that was Operation British. Then the war turned against Zeon, so the Zaku Is were sent to replace losses, which gave the design a chance to do something actually honourable, outdated as it so obviously was by then. Actual characters piloting one tends to signal an impending tragedy. Let's talk about Captain Gadem.

Gadem was a character whom was appeared in episode 3 of the original Gundam TV series, but conspicuously absent from the movie version. A captain of a Papua class supply ship, Gadem is responsible for approximately 90% of the fandom love for the Zaku I, his fighting style resulting in the design choices for this kit. To spoil a 40 year old TV show, Gadem had the misfortune to run into the titular Gundam. His ship destroyed while attempting to resupply The Red Comet, Gadem charged his unarmed Zaku I in rage-fuelled attempt to even the score, ignoring warnings to stay clear. The result was as sad as it was ballsy, as while he was clearly a better pilot than Amuro was at that point in his career, Gadem died almost immediately. Still, nobody could take that shoulder barge from him.

When Bandai does a kit, and there is a definite scene for it to replicate, they sometimes will go that extra mile. The Zaku I has the mobility and hands to replicate that suicidal charge, and thus ends more articulated than the HG Zaku II. It also has a similar number of accessories to that kit, and while your mileage may vary, I like them more. Case in point is the shoulder shield, a hallmark of the Zaku design that would present only circumstantial protection due to its size and mount. Here it goes on the forearm, with added spikes, so it would actually be of use in a scrum. Factor in the ability for model to stow all its weapons, and you have a very complete package.

What criticism I have arise from the relative age of the kit versus its subject matter. Its not that great for seams, and while it has really nothing to apologise for on the colour/sticker front, it does feature the usual "loose Zaku axe in the wrong plastic" issue. As builds go it's not bad either, the only issue for me was the head suffering from my clumsiness, but hopefully, you can't tell. Oh, and I don't like that weird should pad thingy. It's hard for me to fault, TBH, and while it's as definitely not as elegant as say a 30MM kit, or anything like as sturdy, it holds its own against them.

You know, this is better than the Zaku II.