Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Detail shots (1/4)

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

For weapons, you get a beam rifle, a Vulcan pod, and a beam saber.

Inside view of the beam rifle

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Just like the original Barzam, the beam rifle can be connected to the forearm with a cab

Just like the original Barzam, the beam rifle can be connected to the forearm with a cable.
It makes the grip nice and secure, though it does limit the arm's articulation a bit.

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - The action base peg hole is on the back (inside the rear skirt) rather than on the botto

The action base peg hole is on the back (inside the rear skirt) rather than on the bottom —
so to use it, you'd have to flip the rear skirt wide open.

The cylinders on the abdomen are articulated and move along with the waist joint.

Since there are no skirts, the hip joints have a really wide range of motion.

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - The shoulder parts are double-layered, so when you bend them forward like this, you can

The shoulder parts are double-layered, so when you bend them forward like this, you can see the shoulder split into two sections.

Using the drum frame at the waist as the pivot, it can bend forward quite a bit.

The waist can also tilt slightly to the side.

Leg spread range thanks to the hip joint gimmick

Handles a kneeling pose naturally, too.

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Action poses (1/6)

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Action poses (2/6)

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Action poses (3/6)

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Action poses (4/6)

Action poses

Together with the HGUC Hazel Kai.
The Barzam is just a tad bulkier.

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) - Together with the HGUC Barzam. Similar concept, but look closely and they're completely

Together with the HGUC Barzam.
Similar concept, but look closely and they're completely different designs.

This is the HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.), released as a Club G (Premium Bandai) online exclusive. While it shares a similar visual concept with the previously released HGUC Barzam, it's a completely redesigned 100% new-mold kit.

First off, the colorful color scheme all over the body is well-realized through solid color separation, and the silhouette is very distinctly Barzam. In terms of articulation, the skirt-less lower body design allows for flexible hip movement, and there's also a unique gimmick where the shoulders split in two and bend forward. On the front of the waist joint — built around a drum frame — there are also articulated cylinders.

The articulation isn't exceptional, but the joint strength is solid so you don't need to worry about poses holding. Since polycaps aren't used in the joints, the movement does feel a bit stiff rather than smooth. As for weapons, you get a Barzam-style beam rifle and a beam saber, and the signature Vulcan pod is designed to be detachable from the head.

One thing worth noting — the action base peg hole is on the back rather than underneath the hip joints. You have to flip the rear skirt wide open just to get it up in the air, which is a bit of a hassle. Looking at the parts structure, there doesn't seem to be any particular reason why they couldn't have put a hole underneath the hip joints, so it's a bit of a head-scratcher design choice.

Anyway, aside from the slightly stiff joint feel, it's a clean, well-made HGUC kit — and given that the A.O.Z series tends to get pushed out as Club G exclusives, it's a shame this one never got a general retail release. :-)

HGUC Barzam (A.O.Z Re-boot Ver.) | 2021.7 | ¥2,200

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.