Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Various angles (1/6)

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Various angles (2/6)

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Various angles (3/6)

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Various angles (4/6)

Various angles

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Detail shots (1/4)

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Newly added beam launcher

Beam launcher articulation points

The beam launcher can be folded in half and mounted on the backpack.

Leftover parts

Limb articulation

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Basic articulation is the same as the HG Hobby Hi-Zack. (1/4)

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Basic articulation is the same as the HG Hobby Hi-Zack. (2/4)

Basic articulation is the same as the HG Hobby Hi-Zack.

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - The mono-eye does rotate, but there's no dedicated pivot pin, so you have to careful

The mono-eye does rotate, but there's no dedicated pivot pin, so you have to carefully turn it with the tip of a cutter.

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - There's a wrist joint, which comes in handy when holding the beam launcher with both

There's a wrist joint, which comes in handy when holding the beam launcher with both hands.

The foot armor moves to increase the forward ankle bend range.

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Kneeling firing pose (1/3)

Kneeling firing pose

Aerial pose

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Two-handed beam launcher firing pose (1/3)

Two-handed beam launcher firing pose

Spike armor charge pose

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) - Together with the HGUC Hobby Hi-Zack (A.O.Z Re-Boot version). The basic frame is the

Together with the HGUC Hobby Hi-Zack (A.O.Z Re-Boot version).
The basic frame is the same, with some exterior parts and weapons changed.

Together with the HGUC Hi-Zack released in 2000.

This kit is the HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot), released as a Club G (Premium Bandai) online exclusive. Based on the HGUC Hobby Hi-Zack (A.O.Z Re-Boot version)released as a Fukuoka Side-F exclusive in 2023, this release features changed molded colors and newly added parts. The shoulder/forearm, side skirts, knees, and backpack have been reshaped, the leg power cables are gone, and a new weapon has been added.

Since the basic frame is the same as the Hobby Hi-Zack, it delivers relatively solid articulation and decent joint strength. Compared to the Hobby Hi-Zack, which felt oddly stiff to assemble, this one goes together more smoothly. It seems like the snap-fit tightness was adjusted through mold revisions — it finally feels like a proper HGUC-grade kit. The articulation and joint strength are still excellent, putting it miles ahead of the 25-year-old HGUC Hi-Zack in every way.

A beam launcher has been added as the new weapon, and it can be folded in half and stored on the backpack. The two-handed beam launcher pose is the signature look for this kit, but it's harder to pull off than you'd expect. The wrist angles don't quite line up, so it took several tries to get it right — though the special wrist joint that bends sideways helped enough to make it workable.

So while this is technically an A.O.Z. version, it finally feels like a proper HGUC Hi-Zack has arrived. It's an easy recommendation not just for A.O.Z. and Universal Century fans, but for all Gunpla fans in general. :-)

HGUC Hi-Zack Custom (A.O.Z. Re-Boot) | 2024.12 | ¥2,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.