Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining

The universal standard for size comparison — the cigarette box.

HGUC Gundam TR-1 [ HAZEL II ] - Even though the backpack is huge, it actually acts as a stand, so it never tips over. ^^; The

Even though the backpack is huge, it actually acts as a stand, so it never tips over. ^^;
The photo on the right is a front shot of the upper body. A design that looks familiar somehow...

HGUC Gundam TR-1 [ HAZEL II ] - Two head variants are included — the one on the left is the same shape as Hazel Unit 1, which

Two head variants are included —
The one on the left is the same shape as Hazel Unit 1, which is classified as a spare unit on Unit 2.
The legs definitely give off strong GM Quel vibes.

The unique backpack structure of Unit 2. The elongated backpack can move to about that extent.

HGUC Gundam TR-1 [ HAZEL II ] - The ear-like backpack units on both sides can move in all directions — up, down, and side to

The ear-like backpack units on both sides can move in all directions — up, down, and side to side.
The articulation is similar to the previous Hazel kits. The arms fold completely, and the legs are decent enough...

On the plus side, the ankles are pretty flexible, so you can get some nice poses out of it.

HGUC Gundam TR-1 [ HAZEL II ] - The thighs are a bit short, so getting a kneeling pose is a bit of a struggle. That's about t

The thighs are a bit short, so getting a kneeling pose is a bit of a struggle. That's about the best you can do.

Leftover parts. These are the parts meant for the existing Hazel Custom.

Together with the HGUC Hazel Custom. They look similar yet quite different.

HGUC Gundam TR-1 [ HAZEL II ] - Together with the Hazel High Mobility Type. The color scheme is similar but the looks are tot

Together with the Hazel High Mobility Type. The color scheme is similar but the looks are totally different. :-)
Both do a great job of capturing the charisma of the Titans colors.

HGUC Gundam TR-1 [ HAZEL II ] - The Hazel trio assembled. What a set full of personality. The photo on the right shows the ba

The Hazel trio assembled. What a set full of personality.
The photo on the right shows the back view. Quite a variety of backpacks...

Straight build photos

Hazel Unit 2, which felt like it would come out but never quite did, has finally arrived. It's the third AOZ kit released following the Unit 1 Custom and the High Mobility Type, and naturally it makes heavy use of existing Hazel parts.

Unit 2 differs from Unit 1 in the head, chest, and leg designs, and it's the one with that elongated backpack. The design concept itself is inherited from the Titans' GM Quel, so if you look closely, you can see the whole body bears a strong resemblance to the GM Quel. Given how well the runners could be reused, it's probably only a matter of time before we get an HGUC GM Quel release...

The Hazel series has always been known as a high-quality line with great design and excellent detail, but there was one thing that always bugged me — the joint strength felt just a little lacking compared to the flashy, loaded-up design. The Hazel Custom and High Mobility Type weren't exactly loose, but the joints weren't all that tight either. With Hazel Unit 2, though, it seems like there may have been some mold adjustments, because the joint strength has improved noticeably. No matter what pose you put it in, it holds just right. ^^

That said... the hand parts still don't connect very securely, which is a bit annoying. On Hazel Unit 2 too, the hand parts keep coming apart and dropping the rifle... You can glue them in place and it's mostly fine, but since there are two rifles to swap between, gluing them down isn't really an option either, so it's a bit of a pain.

Style-wise, the elongated backpack does feel quite unique, but it's not quite as flashy a design as the Hazel Custom or High Mobility Type, so overall it comes across as a bit more understated. Probably because the torso and legs have a more plain silhouette. The overall color separation is pretty good, but just like the previous Hazel kits, the verniers on the backpack and legs aren't color-separated.

Since Unit 2 also has a high mobility configuration in the lore, I half-expected it to get a separate kit release, but the manual actually instructs you to borrow parts from the existing Hazel kits to build Unit 2's high mobility form. Going by that, it probably won't be released separately. Or maybe it's just their way of saying "buy all three for parts compatibility"? ^^;

It's a kit that was always going to come out eventually, so the excitement is a little tempered, but it still carries on the tradition of the AOZ series as a high-quality line. The noticeably improved joint strength in particular is a big thumbs up. ^^
Get all three Hazels together and they look absolutely amazing~ ^_^

HGUC Gundam TR-1 [ HAZEL II ] | 2006.9 | ¥1,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.