Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - Detail shots (1/4)

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Even though it's a 1/144 HG, the arms and legs still have their own internal frame structure.

A unique weapon loadout that sets it apart from other Zakus.

A new-style rifle.

The bazooka has been redesigned as well.

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - Unlike before where it was stored horizontally on the rear, the bazooka now mounts vertically

Unlike before where it was stored horizontally on the rear,
the bazooka now mounts vertically alongside the backpack.

The heat hawk comes in two separate lengths — one for storage and one for use in combat.

There are 4 hands included in total.

You can rotate the mono-eye using the pin underneath the head.

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - A joint part is included for connecting to the separately sold Action Base 2, and it's nearly

A joint part is included for connecting to the separately sold Action Base 2,
and it's nearly identical in shape to the one used for RG kits.

It boasts articulation on par with an RG.

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - It features a hip slide mechanism that you'd normally only see on MG or RG kits. In terms of

It features a hip slide mechanism that you'd normally only see on MG or RG kits.
In terms of actual usability and stability, it feels like a step above the RG.

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - A new gimmick has also been added where both sides of the chest armor separate and fold forwa

A new gimmick has also been added where both sides of the chest armor separate and fold forward.
A new gimmick has been added.
This allows for a more natural pose when extending the arms straight out front.

Whoa~ Even at HG grade, it can pull off a natural kneeling pose!

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - Bazooka firing pose. The legs and ankles are flexible too, so ground contact when posing has

Bazooka firing pose.
The legs and ankles are flexible too, so ground contact when posing has improved dramatically.

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - Airborne bazooka firing pose (1/3)

Airborne bazooka firing pose

HG Origin Char's Zaku II - Rifle firing pose (1/3)

Rifle firing pose

Heat hawk action

HG Origin Char's Zaku II. With a 13-year gap between them, the difference in quality

Alongside the HGUC Char's Zaku II.
With a 13-year gap between them, the difference in quality is just staggering...

HG Origin Char's Zaku II. The build is much simpler, but the articulation and overall

Alongside the RG Char's Zaku II.
The build is much simpler, but the articulation and overall feel of the HG Origin version is more comfortable and fun. ^^

Together with the Thunderbolt Zaku, a conceptually similar lineup.

With source material running dry, all sorts of Gundam side-story units have been pouring out across various grades — and now the mechs from Gundam: The Origin have finally started rolling out as an official lineup. Since the finished product came out ages ago, the injection kit feels a bit later than expected, but either way, the first one out of the gate is Char's Zaku II.

First off, given that The Origin puts a strong emphasis on originality, the overall proportions lean more toward a certain ruggedness rather than a sleek, refined look. It's a similar side-story series, but it has a very different feel from Thunderbolt, which went all-in on flashiness — the overall silhouette is completely different from the standard HGUC and feels closer to the RG. And while it pursues that Origin-style simplicity and old-school charm, the panel lines and stickers do add a touch of modern polish.

The biggest highlight of the Origin version HG Zaku has to be the frame structure and articulation. Even at HG grade, the arms and legs have an internal frame, and it delivers RG-level articulation that folds up beautifully. On top of that, there's a hip slide mechanism normally reserved for MG/RG kits, and the shoulder armor on both sides of the upper body separates from the center of the torso and folds forward — in terms of articulation, it's safe to say this is the best among all 1/144 Zakus. Especially compared to the RG, which was tricky to handle due to its complex, parts-heavy structure, you can move this one around freely with a much more relaxed mindset, making posing a whole lot more fun. ^^

The weapon loadout is different from other Zakus — instead of a Zaku machine gun, you get a long Sniper-style rifle and a newly redesigned bazooka. Both have a sleek, modern design that stands apart from the main kit, making them a real highlight. On top of that, the heat hawk is provided in both sizes — a small one for storage and a longer one for combat — which is a nice bonus.

The overall build experience feels somewhere between a standard HGUC and the HG Thunderbolt version. There are a lot of structurally new elements, so it's genuinely fun to put together. In some ways you could call it HGUC Zaku v2.0 — it's essentially an upgraded kit that irons out every shortcoming of the HGUC Zaku II from 13 years ago.

Anyway, it's a small kit but it comes packed with modern gimmicks and delivers excellent articulation and joint strength — a solid A-tier kit. It pulls off the Origin-style proportions well enough that they don't look cheap, and personally, this was a very satisfying "new Zaku" for me. Whether or not it counts as part of the mainline HGUC lineup doesn't really matter — if you're a Gunpla fan, this is a definitive HG Zaku that's absolutely worth building at least once. :-)

HG Origin Char's Zaku II | 2015.4 | ¥1,700

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.