Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers + Panel lining

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Detail shots

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

The belt on the back of the beam rifle can be swapped between a long and short version.

HGUC Barzam - The end of the belt attaches to the right shoulder, and since the beam rifle's connection point rotates, you ca

The end of the belt attaches to the right shoulder,
and since the beam rifle's connection point rotates, you can move the forearm while keeping the belt attached.

HGUC Barzam - The beam saber handle stored inside the forearm cover can be exposed by bending the wrist inward. Since a separ

The beam saber handle stored inside the forearm cover can be exposed by bending the wrist inward.
Since a separate beam saber handle is included anyway, there's really no need to pull out the stored one.

Only two hand types are included, but the proportions look pretty good.

HGUC Barzam - Interestingly, the stand peg hole is positioned at an angled orientation in the rear skirt area, so if you moun

Interestingly, the stand peg hole is positioned at an angled orientation in the rear skirt area,
so if you mount it on a standard vertical fixed stand, the body ends up leaning back at a diagonal.
You'll probably want to use an articulated stand like the Action Base 2 if you want to display it on one.

It's more of a lore-based gimmick, but the HGUC Mk-II Revive's backpack can also be attached.

The limb articulation is pretty impressive overall.

The shoulders in particular are really something — they raise up a full 90 degrees with ease.

And it bends forward about this much.

HGUC Barzam - The hip joint structure is quite unique — not only can the legs spread side to side, but they can also rotate o

The hip joint structure is quite unique —
not only can the legs spread side to side, but they can also rotate outward to spread further.
This lets you pull off much more dynamic poses.

The waist, which you'd think wouldn't move at all, can actually rotate side to side.

Thanks to the great articulation, you can even get a stable kneeling pose.

Launch pose

HGUC Barzam - Beam rifle firing pose (1/3)

Beam rifle firing pose

HGUC Barzam - Dynamic shooting pose (1/3)

Dynamic shooting pose

Beam saber action

Dual-wield action

Together with the HGUC Titans Mk-II Revive version.

Together with the HGUC Hi-Zack and Marasai.

Together with the HGUC new-release Mk-II / Z Gundam.

Straight build

The Barzam from Z Gundam has finally made it into the HGUC lineup. Since it's never had a proper injection kit before, this is its first-ever plastic model release — and thanks to coming out so late, it's benefited from all the latest technology and turned out to be a really high-quality kit. ^^

First off, the Barzam's distinctive colorful design is reproduced beautifully through color separation. The yellow stripes on the body and the complex crotch area — the kind of stuff you'd normally expect to be handled with stickers — are all cleanly done through parts separation. As a result, even a straight build looks impressively striking. The joint structure is also put together in a unique way that gives you a fresh building experience. The shoulders in particular flex all the way up, and the hip joints can rotate outward to spread the legs — these new joint designs contribute to excellent overall articulation, making this a really fun kit to pose.

For weapons, you get a uniquely shaped beam rifle, two beam sabers, and a vulcan pod that mounts on the head just like the Mk-II's. It's even designed to be compatible with the HGUC Mk-II Revive version's backpack. The Barzam does have a somewhat peculiar lore connection to the Mk-II in the setting, though it's a pretty controversial topic among Gundam fans. Since I'm just here to talk about the kit itself, I'll skip the lore debate.

The back of the beam rifle connects to the shoulder via a belt, but the belt attachment point is articulated, so you can tilt the beam rifle in various directions while keeping it fixed to the shoulder. The beam saber handles are stored inside the forearm armor and can be exposed by bending the wrist inward — but since separate beam saber handles for attaching the beam effect parts are included anyway, you probably won't ever need to pull out the stored ones.

Overall, this is a highly satisfying kit with nothing to complain about — color separation, proportions, articulation, joint strength, you name it, it's all A-grade. It's especially something I'd strongly recommend to anyone who's been feeling a bit bored with how formulaic HG kits have become lately. It's a refreshingly original kit, and honestly one of those rare gems that reminds you why you love building in the first place. :-)

HGUC Barzam | 2017.5 | ¥1,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.