ZAKU HALF CANNON HG 1/144 DE BANDAI : REVIEW GUNPLA

Hello everyone,

Because TAG is also a site that adapts to everyone's passions (and especially mine ) I chose to talk to you now about Gunpla. But before starting this first review we must still explain the genesis of this passion: little already I loved to mount models (the first were KINDER toys because at the time there were more than 2 pieces ..) then in adolescence I was passionate about planes and other tanks (Panavia Tornado, Alpha Jet and other AMX 30 are there) and then for more than 20 years nothing! During my shows and various wanderings I always had the eye dragging on these "plastic mechas" without taking too much time to stick to it and (there is the drama ...) in May 2017 I buy my first Gunpla, an SD TRY BURNING model. I pass you the details of my multiple orders of material, of visualizations relentless of tutorial on youtube and to finish the complete organization of a part of my office in workshop model-making. So I fell in the hell of pleasures Gunpla. And as I was also able to see that I was not the only one to be embarked on this passion, I made the decision to ensure you reviews, articles and tutorials about this hobby Gunpla.

Once past this introduction, let's get together some generalities and answer together a first question: What is a Gunpla?

A Gunpla is a model of mecha drawn from Sunrise's GUNDAM franchise (Japan TV series release in 1979). Since this period the brand Bandai has released hundreds of Gunpla, you can find different sizes, models, series etc ... We will return soon together on the different series but also on the GUNDAM universe as rich as that of a Star Trek (for the impatient I ask you the page WIKI here you will understand;)).

The Gunpla has the advantage of being an inexpensive hobby (hey it's important) because the kits are worth on average between 15 and 30 euros for the most common 1: 144 models and easy to find. Of course there are more expensive kits but for starters you will see that it is a complete hobby that requires little investment if not your patience! For my part I get myself at our partner Plaza Japan which really hyper competitive prices!

ZAKU? Kezako?

The universe of the Gundam series is divided in a simplified way between two warring factions: the Terran Federation and the Principality of Zeon. Their fight extends from Earth to distant colonies. The ZAKU MS-06 is the most common and globally recognized design model in the Gundam world. The model here is from the OVA "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin" whose first episode was released in 2015 and the next will be released in March 2018 and here is the trailer.

The point gear

Go unpack the Gunpla video with the presentation of the features and its equipment.

The assembly 

After a few other models assembled I can confirm that this ZAKU is a marvel of editing, no need to interlock, parts that fit together very well without a hitch and happiness parts that can be easily removed in case of mistake or want of customization! So for this model we will give a big 10/10 for the assembly part!

Accuracy as important the Gunpla has the enormous advantage of not requiring glue or paint if you want a basic editing (already enough to please!).

The kit also comes with additional parts for a "Type J" variant with a different helmet and breastplate. here is a video of the ZAKU assembled in this version.

 　

 

In the end what does it make?

The editing has gone well I arrived at the finishing phase with the stickers provided by Bandai, as being honest I do not like the stickers because as you can see they are still for me too much "visible" I prefer much better water decals more complex to ask but much more aesthetic in the end. However the model once adorned with its stickers is still very beautiful. It remains extremely articulable and I never had loose parts that could easily be lost. I was really amazed by the quality of the mold of this ZAKU, indeed the level of finish and details is really cool. So I had the pleasure of a photo shoot. I now have the phase of "panel lining" that will allow me to strengthen the shading and lines of the model. But this part we will discuss together during a tutorial!

 

The levels of detail are really super nice to photograph! I'm happy I hope you enjoy.

 

 

 

 

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Original article is available at  techartgeek.com and you can see more of his pictures.

Thank you Laurent for the wonderful work! 

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