Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body front and back

Head

Legs

The internal detail of the body unit has been faithfully reproduced.

A beam rifle is included, which wasn't in the HGUC Ground Type.

The beam saber storage function inside the leg armor has also been recreated.

A total of 4 hands are included.

HGUC Gundam Ez8 - The backpack gimmick is the same as the Ground Type Gundam, so you can attach the luggage pack that came wi

The backpack gimmick is the same as the Ground Type Gundam,
so you can attach the luggage pack that came with the Ground Type Gundam. (Not included with the Ez8)

Ez8's bonus item — the parachute pack.

First, you need to tie the straps around the shoulders and wrap the sticker around to secure it.

HGUC Gundam Ez8 - Parachute pack attached. The joints are solid enough that it stands up fine even with that big pack on its

Parachute pack attached.
The joints are solid enough that it stands up fine even with that big pack on its back.

Oh wow.. it's been a while since I've seen full-bend articulation like this.

The knee armor can move independently.

The forward/backward shoulder articulation is pretty decent too.

The kneeling pose comes together really easily and naturally.

Beam saber action

HGUC Gundam Ez8 - Aerial firing pose (1/3)

Aerial firing pose

Parachute descent pose

HGUC Gundam Ez8 - Beam rifle firing pose (1/3)

Beam rifle firing pose

HGUC Gundam Ez8 - Together with the HGUC Ground Type Gundam. They're originally similar units at their base, but perhaps due

Together with the HGUC Ground Type Gundam.
They're originally similar units at their base, but perhaps due to the 6-year gap, the Ez8 came out as a completely new design.

Together with the MG Ez8.

Straight build

Most of the 08th MS Team suits have gotten the HGUC treatment, so it was always puzzling why the Ez8 was taking so long — but it's finally made its way into the HGUC lineup. It's a full 6 years behind the HGUC Ground Type Gundam, which itself was already considered a late release back in the day. Talk about fashionably late! ^^;

Well, in exchange for the long wait, it ditched the existing HGUC Ground Type Gundam's basic structure and launched as a brand-new design using the newer polycap system, with subtle refinements all around. The old HGUC Ground Type already had good articulation, but the new Ez8 bends more smoothly while also showing off noticeably stronger joint strength.

On top of that, you get some bonus interior chest detail, plus a beam rifle that wasn't included with the Ground Type. And there's a surprise gift that I never expected from the HGUC Ez8 — a parachute pack that even comes with a special-material fabric strap. Sure, the luggage pack from the HGUC Ground Type Gundam is missing, but this is a way cooler and flashier bonus if you ask me. ^^

Thanks to the excellent articulation and solid joint strength, the kneeling pose in particular comes together more easily and naturally than just about any other HGUC kit, and it can even stand upright with that big parachute pack strapped to its back. It's a bit of a shame that the shield and a few other areas are lacking in color separation, but it's forgivable given the HGUC scale. Other than that, there really isn't much to complain about with this kit.

Anyway, it may have been a long time coming, but it's a kit that fully benefits from modern quality standards, and I think it's more than satisfying enough for any 08th MS Team fan. Being able to get your hands on that unique parachute pack is a treat you can only get with this kit! :-)

HGUC Gundam Ez8 | 2013.4 | ¥1,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.