Kit Review

Straight build

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - HGUC First Gundam. Anime-style teal molded color. (1/2)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - HGUC First Gundam. Anime-style teal molded color. (2/2)

HGUC First Gundam.
It comes in an anime-style teal molded color.

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Detail shots by section (1/4)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Detail shots by section (2/4)

Detail shots by section

Core Fighter

HGUC Zaku II.
Also comes in anime-style colors.

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku (1/4)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku (2/4)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku (3/4)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku (4/4)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - In a way, the main attraction of this kit is the beginner's plastic model guidebo

In a way, the main attraction of this kit is the beginner's plastic model guidebook,
and the First and Zaku are really just the subject matter for it.

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Couple shooting pose shots. ^^; (1/5)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Couple shooting pose shots. ^^; (2/5)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Couple shooting pose shots. ^^; (3/5)

Couple shooting pose shots. ^^;

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Bazooka action shots. Surely they don't actually fight like that.. (1/5)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Bazooka action shots. Surely they don't actually fight like that.. (2/5)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Bazooka action shots. Surely they don't actually fight like that.. (3/5)

Bazooka action shots.
Surely they don't actually fight like that..

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Beam saber and heat hawk action (1/5)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Beam saber and heat hawk action (2/5)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Beam saber and heat hawk action (3/5)

Beam saber and heat hawk action

Alongside the standard HGUC First.
The molded colors are quite different.

Alongside the Operation V Set First.

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - The body color is somewhat similar to the Operation V Set, but the Starter Kit's

The body color is somewhat similar to the Operation V Set, but the Starter Kit's molded color is a bit brighter.

The HGUC First trio.
All three have different molded colors..

Alongside the standard HGUC Zaku II.

Alongside the Zaku II that came in the HGUC Ground War Set.

Alongside the Igloo version Zaku II limited edition.

All four have ever so subtly different molded colors.

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku - Group shot with the standard First + Zaku II. Looking at just the kits, it's real

Group shot with the standard First + Zaku II.
Looking at just the kits, it's really nothing more than an anime color molded color variation.

Out of nowhere — not entirely sure what the intent was — a set called the HGUC Gunpla Starter Set has been released, bundling the HGUC First and the mass-production Zaku II together. It's ultimately just simple packaging based on reuse, but they did at least give it a fresh set of molded colors that don't overlap with any existing kit.

The overall molded colors follow a typical anime color scheme — a teal base for the First with bright armor colors, and a Zaku II in a subtly shifted green that's somewhere in between. There are no bonuses to the kit lineup itself beyond the color change, but what sets it apart is the inclusion of an assembly and basic work guidebook in the style of those serialized in hobby magazines.

In the end, there's really nothing to look at beyond the molded colors, so you could honestly say the included Gunpla how-to guidebook is the main event here. For anyone who's already built the HGUC First and Zaku II before, this kit is pretty much meaningless — though if the anime-style molded colors appeal to you, it's not a bad build either. That said, if you take it at face value for its original purpose, it seems most meaningful as a true "Starter" kit — one you can comfortably recommend to anyone just getting into Gunpla. :-)

HGUC Gunpla Starter Set - Gundam vs. Zaku | 2010.7 | ¥2,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.