Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Stands up nice and straight even with that big backpack. (Impressive!) (1/7)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Stands up nice and straight even with that big backpack. (Impressive!) (2/7)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Stands up nice and straight even with that big backpack. (Impressive!) (3/7)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Stands up nice and straight even with that big backpack. (Impressive!) (4/7)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Stands up nice and straight even with that big backpack. (Impressive!) (5/7)

Stands up nice and straight even with that big backpack. (Impressive!)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Detail shots (1/4)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

You can rotate the mono-eye using the lever on the underside of the head.

The weapons are similar to the existing HGUC Zaku but with subtle changes.

You can attach joint parts to the propellant tank to store the bazooka.

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Joint parts can also be attached under the backpack, allowing you to combine and store the Za

Joint parts can also be attached under the backpack,
allowing you to combine and store the Zaku machine gun and heat hawk as shown.

A total of 6 hands are included.

For a brand-new mold, the articulation is a little disappointing. A straightforward 90 degrees is about all you get.

The shoulders swing forward roughly this far.

Bazooka action

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Given the hefty backpack structure, it looks much better up on a stand. (1/3)

Given the hefty backpack structure, it looks much better up on a stand.

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Zaku machine gun + bazooka aerial action (1/3)

Zaku machine gun + bazooka aerial action

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Heat hawk action (1/3)

Heat hawk action

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Zaku machine gun aerial firing pose (1/4)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Zaku machine gun aerial firing pose (2/4)

Zaku machine gun aerial firing pose

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. - Alongside the HGUC Zaku II mass production type. With over 10 years between them, the differe

Alongside the HGUC Zaku II mass production type.
With over 10 years between them, the difference in quality and style is pretty striking.

Together with the Full Armor Gundam / GM Thunderbolt Ver.

Following the Full Armor Gundam and GM, the Thunderbolt Ver. Zaku II has now joined the HG lineup. This kit was actually already included in the Zaku II + Big Gun combo kit released two months ago — normally you'd expect the base unit to come out first with an expansion following later, but interestingly enough, the combo pack came out first and the standalone unit came after.

As I mentioned in my review of the Big Gun combo kit, the runners, manual, and stickers were already completely separated within that set from the start, so this is essentially just those base unit parts pulled out on their own. I took a close look to see if anything had changed or been added for the standalone release, and it's 100% identical to what's in the Big Gun combo kit. So if you've already built the combo kit, there's nothing new here at all.

The most refreshing thing about it is that it's an all-new-mold HG Zaku II from head to toe — and you can really feel the gap in years compared to the HGUC Zaku II from over a decade ago. The proportions are beefier, the detail is sharper, and the elaborate seals give it a much more "weapon-like" feel. The articulation is pretty average for a new kit, but the joints are nice and solid thanks to the modern polycaps, making it a pleasant kit to handle. I'm especially happy that it can hold a proper standing pose even with that massive backpack loaded on. ^^

Beyond the updated styling, the Thunderbolt Ver.'s over-the-top armament really stands out — the large backpack and big propellant tanks give it a much more stylish look overall. On top of that, you can use the various joint parts to neatly store the bazooka, Zaku machine gun, and heat hawk on the backpack, which makes it look even cooler.

Either way, this is definitely a Zaku II done up in full MSV fashion, and there's no question it's an attractive kit with all that flashy weaponry. I'd say it's got the strongest style of any MSV-style kit released so far. If you can, I'd recommend going for the combo kit with the awesome Big Gun, but building just the base unit on its own sounds like plenty of fun too. :-)

HGGT Zaku II Thunderbolt Ver. | 2014.2 | ¥1,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.