Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Size comparison with the MG First 3.0. It feels just a tiny bit smaller than a standard M

Size comparison with the MG First 3.0.
It feels just a tiny bit smaller than a standard MG.

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Detail shots (1/4)

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Cockpit hatch open on the head

The chest armor can be opened.

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - The Metal Heart, which serves as the Zoid Core equivalent, is molded into the interior —

The Metal Heart, which serves as the Zoid Core equivalent, is revealed after opening the chest armor —
open the small hatch and you'll find it molded into the interior.

The detail on the inside of the shield is quite intricate.

The pointed pile bunker at the tip of the shield can be slid outward.

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Besides the handle, the shield also has a separate gimmick that lets you plug it directly

Besides the handle, the shield also has a separate gimmick that lets you plug it directly into the forearm.

The beam sword combines both rifle and sword forms in one.

You can pull out the peg on the side of the beam sword and store it inside the shield.

Or you can use that peg to clip it onto the side skirt.

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - You can also combine the beam sword and shield like this to recreate the 40mm pulse laser

You can also combine the beam sword and shield like this
to recreate the 40mm pulse laser firing mode.

Four types of hands are included in total.

The arm articulation is excellent.

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - The ankle side-to-side range and foot ground contact are especially great. That's pretty

The ankle side-to-side range and foot ground contact are especially great.
That's pretty rare for a Kotobukiya kit. ^^;

The toe section articulates separately as well.

The backpack nozzles also move individually.

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - A natural kneeling pose (1/3)

A natural kneeling pose

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Aerial action poses using the Kotobukiya stand (1/3)

Aerial action poses using the Kotobukiya stand

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Beam sword firing pose (1/3)

Beam sword firing pose

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Beam sword sword action (1/3)

Beam sword sword action

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - Pile bunker action (1/3)

Pile bunker action

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - 40mm pulse laser firing pose (1/4)

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight - 40mm pulse laser firing pose (2/4)

40mm pulse laser firing pose

The Z-Knight series, which shares its universe with Zoids, has made its appearance as a Kotobukiya plastic model. The Z-Knight was a unique kit back in the day — a motorized robot toy like Zoids that could actually walk on two legs. Sure, compared to that old motorized Z-Knight, this one is smaller and the proportions have gotten a bit on the slender side, but it's still great to see it reborn as a high-quality injection plastic kit.

First off, the overall kit quality feels like a step up from Kotobukiya's previous offerings. It's like the best of both worlds — the intricacy of their Armored Core kits combined with the solid joints and articulation of their Super Robot Wars kits. On top of that, Zoids-style color separation and parts breakdown are baked right in, so it really feels like Kotobukiya threw everything they had at this one.

Thanks to all that, it comes out as a solid kit with decent snap-fit, impressively fine and detailed parts breakdown and color separation, and limbs that fold up with great articulation. The joint strength has that characteristic Kotobukiya tightness to it, but at least there's no looseness — everything stays nice and snug. The ankle joint flexibility in particular is better than most Bandai kits, making it really easy to hold ground poses, which I really appreciate.

On the gimmick side of things, the head cockpit hatch open feature is recreated by pulling the face cover forward and flipping it up, and you can also open the chest cover to expose the Metal Heart. As for weapon gimmicks, the pile bunker on the front of the shield slides out, the beam sword can be stored inside the shield or on the side skirt, and you can combine the beam sword and shield into the 40mm pulse laser firing mode configuration.

To wrap things up — aside from the assembly feel and joint smoothness being a bit lacking, this is a high-quality kit that holds its own against Bandai Gunpla without any shame. There may be some debate over the proportions compared to the original, but for those who have a soft spot of nostalgia for the old Z-Knight, this kit should hit right in the feels. And even if you've never heard of Z-Knight, the design and quality alone make this an easy recommendation for just about anyone looking for a great injection mecha model. :-)

Zoid Knight Z-A03 Type-K Z Knight | 2014. 8 | ¥6,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.