Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Size comparison with a cigarette pack. The Mega Size bulk is truly in a league of

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.
The Mega Size bulk is truly in a league of its own.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II (1/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II (2/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II (3/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II (4/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II (5/6)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II (6/6)

Upper body and head

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Arms and weapons (1/4)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Arms and weapons (2/4)

Arms and weapons

Back section

Backpack

Legs

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Leg detail shot (1/3)

Leg detail shot

Hands included: two pairs — fists and weapon-holding hands.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Even though these aren't articulated hands, the weapons and hands lock together wi

Even though these aren't articulated hands, the weapons and hands lock together with fixed pegs.
The hold is... rock solid..;

Inside the head cover, there's something that sort of resembles an inner frame.

Turning the handle on top rotates the mono-eye.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Since the mono-eye uses a silver foil seal on the back with a pink clear part laye

Since the mono-eye uses a silver foil seal on the back with a pink clear part layered over it,
the effect looks really great even on a straight build.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Just like the Mega Size First, the main joints use a ratchet mechanism inside the

Just like the Mega Size First, the main joints use a ratchet mechanism inside the polycaps,
giving you solid and stable joint strength.

Head and waist power cables.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - The power cables are completely solid pieces, so they're fixed in place and don't

The power cables are completely solid pieces, so they're fixed in place and don't move at all.. ^^;

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - The leg power cables are designed so that only three segments in the middle can mo

The leg power cables are designed so that only three segments in the middle can move,
so they flex along when the knee bends.
Since the knee articulation isn't great to begin with, it's not really a big deal.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Articulation. Mega Size kits are meant to focus on size and proportions rather tha

Articulation.
Mega Size kits are meant to focus on size and proportions rather than articulation, after all. ^^;

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - The right shoulder shield only rotates in place.. so the range of motion is pretty

The right shoulder shield only rotates in place.. so the range of motion is pretty limited.
I wish they'd made it a bit more flexible.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - The foot armor cover isn't split either, so it doesn't look great when you pose th

The foot armor cover isn't split either, so it doesn't look great when you pose the legs.
They really could've divided that up a bit more..

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Shooting pose. Articulation isn't great, but seeing it in person, the sheer size g

Shooting pose.
Articulation isn't great, but seeing it in person, the sheer size gives it an insane presence..;

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - You can also hold the machine gun with both hands. (1/4)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - You can also hold the machine gun with both hands. (2/4)

You can also hold the machine gun with both hands.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Heat Hawk action — the poses you can pull off are very limited. (1/4)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Heat Hawk action — the poses you can pull off are very limited. (2/4)

Heat hawk action
The poses you can pull off are very limited.

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Together with the Mega Size First. Somehow the Zaku feels like it has a slightly h

Together with the Mega Size First.
Somehow the Zaku feels like it has a slightly higher build quality..

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II - Together with the PG, MG, and RG. Next to the Mega Size, even the PG looks kinda c

Together with the PG, MG, and RG.
Next to the Mega Size, even the PG looks kinda cute..;;

Following the 1/48 Mega Size First, it was only natural that a Zaku would come next — and specifically, Char's Zaku II. The overall concept is the same as the previous kit: articulation and internal gimmicks are cleanly sacrificed in favor of external proportions, armor detail, and sheer volume.

First off, that slightly "off sausage"-ish pink color for Char's unit is molded really nicely, and the color alone looks more than good enough even on a straight build. The massive proportions that are the lifeblood of the Mega Size line feel even more solid and grounded than the First, and it looks far more refined than the old PG Zaku too. Sure, as you can see, the articulation is even worse than an HG — but you can still pull off basic poses well enough. And since the Mega Size looks imposing just standing there anyway.. ^^;

The most impressive thing about the Mega Size Zaku is the "stability" factor. The First already had excellent joint stability, but the Zaku — despite being even bulkier — actually feels even more solid. The biggest issue with large-scale kits like these has always been the durability of the ankles and other joints, but the Mega Size series seems to have genuinely solved that problem. Nothing is loose, but nothing is so stiff that it's hard to move either. By using polycaps with internal ratchet gears in double and triple layers, the joint strength earns a perfect score.

Befitting the large scale, the mono-eye — combining a silver foil seal with a pink clear part — actually looks even more effective than the PG's. And just like the First, there's quite a lot of panel lines, though the Zaku's feel cleaner overall. The Mega Size First had panel lines styled after the 30th Anniversary HG, which honestly felt a little cluttered.. ^^;

There are a few things I wish were better though — by going all-in on single-piece construction, the articulation ends up pretty limited. The shoulder shield and foot armor in particular would've looked so much more natural with just a bit more separation. Then again, keeping parts as single pieces is exactly what makes the Mega Size so quick and satisfying to build, so it's a bit of a trade-off..

Anyway, just like with the RG, the overall quality level is similar to the First — but the tactile, hands-on feel of quality is a notch above with the Zaku. Bandai really does have a soft spot for Zakus, huh? Easy and fast to build, a massive frame that makes the PG look small, and yet stable joints and great proportions throughout — I'd say this kit is definitely worth the money. :-)

1/48 Mega Size Model Char's Zaku II | 2010.2 | ¥8,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.