Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Size comparison with a cigarette pack. It's a massive kit, easily exceeding 50cm from f

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.
It's a massive kit, easily exceeding 50cm from front to back.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Views from various angles. It's so big it barely fits in the camera frame. (1/7)

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Views from various angles. It's so big it barely fits in the camera frame. (2/7)

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Views from various angles. It's so big it barely fits in the camera frame. (3/7)

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Views from various angles. It's so big it barely fits in the camera frame. (4/7)

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Views from various angles. It's so big it barely fits in the camera frame. (5/7)

Various angles.
It's so big it barely fits in the camera frame.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The massive rocket boosters and all the weapons mounted on the back. (1/3)

The massive rocket boosters and all the weapons mounted on the back.

The sheer amount of accessories that come off the main body is insane.

1 large and 2 small rocket boosters

Before mounting the weapons.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Weapons include 1 beam bazooka, 3 giant bazookas, 2 Zaku machine guns, 3 Sturm Fausts,

Weapons include 1 beam bazooka, 3 giant bazookas, 2 Zaku machine guns, 3 Sturm Fausts, 2 heat hawks, and
4 machine gun magazines are included.

Main body with the rocket boosters removed.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Close-up shots of the main body. The backpack is so heavy it's hard to get it to stand

Close-up shots of the main body.
The backpack is so heavy it's hard to get it to stand upright.

So a large stand and various support parts are included.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - You can remove the 2 covers on the underside of the backpack and securely attach the la

You can remove the 2 covers on the underside of the backpack and securely attach the large stand joint parts.
That said, those little backpack hole covers are so loose they just fall off on their own ;;
Since it's barely noticeable without them, you might as well just leave them out.

As long as the backpack is on, you really need to use the stand to feel safe.

From here, you can further remove the backpack and the leg armor.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The additional leg armor consists of 4 parts each, and they attach to the legs quite se

The additional leg armor consists of 4 parts each,
and they attach to the legs quite securely.

The base body with all the extra bulk stripped off.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The base body's backpack and legs. (1/3)

The base body's backpack and legs.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The backpack attachment mechanism is pretty unique. As you can see, the inside of the l

The backpack attachment mechanism is pretty unique.
As you can see, the inside of the locking pin has a raised bump, and the hole on the back is recessed slightly in the same direction.
It's like a key-and-lock kind of structure.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Once you plug in the backpack and flip the levers on both sides up, the locking pins ro

Once you plug in the backpack and flip the levers on both sides up, the locking pins rotate and lock the backpack firmly onto the body.
I was worried about how secure it would be given how heavy the back is, but this mechanism makes for a rock-solid connection.

Outer armor removed (before panel lining and decals).

Internal frame

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Close-up shots of the frame. It's basically the Zaku 2.0 frame as a base with some addi

Frame detail shots.
It's basically the Zaku 2.0 frame as a base with some additional frame parts added on.

The frame's articulation is great, as you'd expect.

Kneeling pose with just the frame.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Like the MG Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt version, it uses vinyl bellows-style joint co

Like the MG Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt version, it uses vinyl bellows-style joint covers.

Bellows-style joint covers on the forearms.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The power cables on the sides of the legs use cut vinyl parts with pleats instead of be

The power cables on the sides of the legs use cut vinyl parts with pleats instead of bead-stringing.
There's a spring inside, so they flex smoothly and naturally.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The power cables on the head and body are also bellows-style joints — honestly, it's wa

The power cables on the head and body are also bellows-style joints — honestly, it's way easier than bead-stringing. ^^;

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The bellows joint covers on the head, torso, forearms, knees, and sides of the legs. Ju

The bellows joint covers on the head, torso, forearms, knees, and sides of the legs.
Just crumpling them up a bit gives a pretty decent effect.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Cockpit hatch open. You lift the T-shaped chest armor slightly, then open the left cove

Cockpit hatch open.
You lift the T-shaped chest armor slightly, then open the left cover as a second step —
but the gap is so narrow you can't really see inside.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - After removing the backpack, you can slide the levers left and right to shift the cockp

After removing the backpack, you can slide the levers left and right to shift the cockpit position —
but again, you can't really see it well, so it's not all that useful...

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Like the HG Origin Gouf, it uses a linked mono-eye system. Instead of a separate lever,

Like the HG Origin Gouf, it uses a linked mono-eye system.
Instead of a separate lever, just turning the neck automatically rotates the mono-eye at a slightly wider angle —
no extra fiddling required, which makes it much easier to work with.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - It's interesting that the side skirts split into 3 separately articulated sections, but

It's interesting that the side skirts split into 3 separately articulated sections,
but the armor parts fall off so easily it's really annoying ;; Probably better for your sanity to just glue them in place.

Three anchors deploy from each foot sole.

The sub-arms are multi-jointed and extend flexibly, and the hold is decent enough too.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The hands use swappable fingers, and they're bigger and chunkier than on other kits. Th

The hands use swappable fingers, and they're bigger and chunkier than on other kits.
That seems to help with grip strength, but only 2 finger types are included.

Quite a lot of leftover parts remain — they're all Zaku 2.0 parts.

The thick armor does reduce leg articulation compared to the bare frame.

Kneeling pose with the base body.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Action poses with just the main body, no rocket boosters. (1/4)

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Action poses with just the main body, no rocket boosters. (2/4)

Action poses with just the main body, no rocket boosters.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Triple bazooka action pose without the large rocket boosters, like the HG version. (1/4

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Triple bazooka action pose without the large rocket boosters, like the HG version. (2/4

Triple bazooka action pose without the large rocket boosters, like the HG version.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The stand joint parts that plug into the underside of the backpack have two holes, so y

The stand joint parts that plug into the underside of the backpack have two holes, so you can change the mounting angle.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Charging pose leaning forward in full-armed configuration, with the stand angle adjuste

Charging pose leaning forward in full-armed configuration, with the stand angle adjusted.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Action poses in full-armed configuration. The beam bazooka is so heavy it's hard to hol

Action poses in full-armed configuration.
The beam bazooka is so heavy it's hard to hold up..;;

The base body alongside the MG Johnny Ridden's Zaku II.

Together with the HG Origin Psycho Zaku.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - The difference in rear volume is quite significant thanks to the large rocket boosters.

The difference in rear volume is quite significant thanks to the large rocket boosters.
If you look closely, the mounting direction of the bazooka and the placement of the Sturm Fausts are actually different too.

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Together with the MG Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt Version. The difference in sheer vol

Together with the MG Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt Version.
The difference in sheer volume is pretty significant..

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka - Alongside the already massive MG Unicorn Gundam Full Armor. Once again, no MG can match

Alongside the already massive MG Unicorn Gundam Full Armor.
Once again, no MG can match the Psycho Zaku when it comes to sheer volume..

Straight build

Following the Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt Ver.Ka, the Psycho Zaku has now been released as a Ver.Ka as well. The Psycho Zaku was already the most striking of the visually spectacular Thunderbolt suits, and with the MG release adding an extra large rocket booster, it comes out with an absolutely insane amount of volume.

Opening the oversized box — the same size as the MG Sazabi 2.0 — you're immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of 35 runners. Seeing all the duplicate runners for the weapons in particular is enough to make your head spin. When I counted it up, the total part count comes to 796 pieces — with nearly 100 leftover parts, it still holds the title of the highest part volume of any MG. (The Full Armor Unicorn's record of 715 parts has finally been broken!) And as you'd expect, the assembly and panel lining are no joke, and with the brutal wet decals that are a Ver.Ka trademark on top of that, this kit demands a serious amount of work. That said, the volume you get after finishing it exceeds expectations — it boasts an incredible length of over 50cm and a satisfyingly hefty weight.

The frame is based on the MG Zaku 2.0, as is well known, with some additional frames added specifically for the Psycho Zaku. Since the Zaku 2.0 frame was already a masterpiece, it still delivers excellent build feel, outstanding articulation, and solid joint strength. The MS-06R high-mobility armor in Johnny Ridden style has been designed from scratch as a completely new design.

This kit comes as a Premium Decal edition, which includes an extra sheet of wet decals in a shiny, reflective silver. You replace some of the regular wet decals with these, and having applied them myself, they do give a nice premium feel. However, since the premium decals aren't numbered, you have to carefully cross-reference the manual to find the matching decal by shape, which is a bit of a hassle. Also, the Premium Decal event held to commemorate the Psycho Zaku release was extended to other MG Ver.Ka kits as well — apparently a total of 8 Ver.Ka kits, including the Psycho Zaku, were released as Premium Decal editions.

Just like the previous MG Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt Version, this kit uses vinyl bellows joints. They're applied not just to the forearms and knees, but also to the power cables on the head, waist, and legs. It's the first time I've seen bellows joints used on a Zaku's power cables — compared to the old bead-stringing method, it's much easier to work with and looks great, so I'm quite happy with it. Even just roughly scrunching them up gives a natural, convincing wrinkle effect that looks like it belongs there.

There's also a small change to the mono-eye movement — it now uses a linked movement gimmick similar to the HG Origin Gouf. Previously you'd rotate the mono-eye by opening the head or turning a lever under the neck, but on the Psycho Zaku, turning the head causes internal gears to link up and automatically rotate the mono-eye a bit further in the same direction. It's convenient since the mono-eye moves naturally without any extra fiddling, but for those who want to manually set the mono-eye direction, it might actually feel a bit inconvenient.

The highlight of the Psycho Zaku is ultimately the massive Rucksack backpack, the rocket boosters, and all the weapons hanging off it. On top of the already volume-packed HG, the addition of a large rocket booster that wasn't even on the HG makes it look absolutely incredible. The weapon layout is also different from the HG — the mounting direction of the bazooka and the placement of the Sturm Fausts have both been changed.

Looking at such a large and elaborate rear section, you'd naturally worry about how securely everything stays in place — but thankfully the design is well thought out, and the weapon mounting points hold very firmly. No weapons fall off when posing or moving the kit around, and it's at least more secure than the HG in that regard.

With a backpack this massive, you'd also worry about how well it connects to the body — but as shown in the review photos above, locking pins on both sides can be rotated using levers, allowing the body and backpack to connect perfectly. I'm not sure about everything else, but this sturdy backpack locking gimmick definitely deserves some praise. Also, given the large size and weight, a large display stand is included along with a solid, chunky joint part for stand use — it feels plenty stable when displayed in the air, which is another great touch.

In terms of sheer visual presence, the volume is unmatched, and the weapon mounting is solid — it really does show the kind of quality you'd want from a large kit. That said, it is a bit unstable when standing on a flat surface. A small support stand for the lower rocket boosters is provided for floor display, so it holds its angle well enough, but since the back is so heavy, if the body's center of gravity shifts even slightly left or right, it'll come crashing down sideways T_T

So as long as you keep the left-right balance in check it's fine, but it seems the Zaku 2.0 frame's joint strength struggles to hold against gravity when the weight becomes unbalanced. It actually feels more stable sitting on the display stand using the solid joint parts. It's a bit ironic that a kit this heavy is more stable in the air than on the ground.

Also, the swap-out hand parts are chunky and oversized, so the fingers themselves hold well — but the beam bazooka has too much play and is hard to grip properly, so you basically just have to rest it in the hand rather than actually hold it. The three-section articulated side skirts are a neat idea, but the connection points are weak and the skirt parts tend to fall off during posing. It's probably best to just glue those parts in place.

Anyway, the heavy load on the back can occasionally make the body's joints struggle, but on a display stand it doesn't seem to be much of an issue. Still, considering how large and complex this kit is, the overall stability — especially at the back — is at a pretty satisfying level.

If you're a fan of visually impressive kits, this is pretty much a must-have — it demands a serious amount of work, but it feels well worth the effort. The display space it takes up could be considered a downside, but if you love this kind of volume, it's a super-sized MG that delivers satisfaction to match :-)

MG MS-06R Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★★★★★	Perfect except for part of the rocket boosters
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★★	Color separation is thorough right down to the verniers and foot anchors
Proportions	★★★★★★★	Unbeatable visual presence among all MGs
Articulation	★★★★☆	The Zaku 2.0 frame is great, but this isn't really a kit that shines in posing..
Joint Strength	★★★★	The backpack connection is solid, but the body struggles under the weight.
Internal Frame	★★★★★	The best Zaku 2.0 + new frame
Detail	★★★★★	The volume overwhelms the detail
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★★★★	Way too many accessories. Absolutely loaded to the max.
Parts Count / Price	★★★★★★★	796 parts total. 88.4 parts per ¥1,000. The highest part volume ever.
Uniqueness	★★★★★★★	The volume is almost absurdly over-the-top, but the visuals are undeniably overwhelming.
Dalong's Point : 113 pts.

* The scoring system used only for MG has been carried over from First 1.0 twenty years ago,
so applying it uniformly even to the latest kits — whose quality has leveled up across the board — is honestly a bit ambiguous.
Since it's just my personal take and can't clearly capture the differences in kit quality over the years,
please don't read too much into it and just use it as a loose reference.
(For kits scoring above 100, take it to mean the quality is much better than kits of the past.)

MG Psycho Zaku [Thunderbolt] Ver.Ka | 2016. 12 | ¥9,400

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.