Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Detail close-up shots. The face looks incredibly handsome.. (1/4)

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Detail close-up shots. The face looks incredibly handsome.. (2/4)

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Detail close-up shots. The face looks incredibly handsome.. (3/4)

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Detail close-up shots. The face looks incredibly handsome.. (4/4)

Detail shots.
The face looks incredibly handsome..

The head, shoulders, chest and other areas feature meticulous color separation using plated parts.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Nearly all the small gray sections across the body are color-separated. Thanks to that, there's barely

Nearly all the small gray sections across the body are color-separated.
Thanks to that, there's barely anywhere to do panel lining..

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Every single vernier is color-separated in 2–3 layers too. This is truly an unprecedented, insane leve

Every single vernier is color-separated in 2–3 layers too.
This is truly an unprecedented, insane level of parts separation..

Outer armor removed

Despite being a transforming kit, a full-body inner frame has been implemented.

Internal frame

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Frame detail shots (1/4)

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Frame detail shots (2/4)

Frame detail shots

The back frame inside the backpack

There's even an inner frame running inside the wings.

Articulation on the frame is excellent.

A gimmick is included where the entire hip joint folds downward.

The frame can even pull off a kneeling pose.

Cockpit hatch open

The backpack missile pod open gimmick.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - There are open and lock gimmicks on both the front and back of the shoulders — probably built in ahead

There are open and lock gimmicks on both the front and back of the shoulders —
probably built in ahead of time for use with the FAZZ.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - The grip strength between the interchangeable fingers and the weapons is incredibly solid. Whether it'

The grip strength between the interchangeable fingers and the weapons is incredibly solid.
Whether it's the beam rifle or beam saber, once you put it in the hand it's not letting go.

Two types of joint parts for a display stand are included.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - The joint parts that plug in under the hip joint connect via a horizontal slide, so it locks on firmly

The joint parts that plug in under the hip joint connect via a horizontal slide,
so it locks on firmly to the stand.

1/100 Judau Ashta figure

Some leftover parts remain due to duplicate runners.

The arms and legs fold up almost completely.

There's an internal gimmick where the neck bends sharply forward.

The shoulder armor interferes with the backpack, making it hard to extend the arms forward. T_T

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - A ZZ that can kneel down!!! (1/3)

A ZZ that can kneel down!!!

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Dynamic poses you've never seen from a ZZ before. The fact that the joints hold up even through such e

Dynamic poses you've never seen from a ZZ before.
The fact that the joints hold up even through such extreme movements is also impressive.

Beam saber pose

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - The beam saber is oversized compared to the body. But then again, ZZ and oversized beam sabers just go

The beam saber is oversized compared to the body.
But then again, ZZ and oversized beam sabers just go together.

Transformation

When you pull the shoulder out and raise it, the shoulder armor moves up in sync.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - For transformation, you have to swap in the smaller transformation hands. If that's the case, it would

For transformation, you have to swap in the smaller transformation hands.
If that's the case, it would've been better to just remove the hands entirely for the transform — it's a bit of an eyesore..

Open the covers on both sides of the forearm and rotate 180 degrees to expose the verniers.

Positioning complete, as shown above.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Before flipping up the chest armor, you first slide the entire chest armor forward and pull it out. Th

Before flipping up the chest armor, you first slide the entire chest armor forward and pull it out.
This is a gimmick I've never seen in a Ver.Ka before.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - For the horn, you pull it forward to create some clearance, then fold it down. This is also a

For the horn, you pull it forward to create some clearance, then fold it down.
This is also a gimmick new to Ver.Ka — it seems like a clever way to balance looks and transformation functionality.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Rotate the chest armor 180 degrees upward, then retract the slid-out section back in. By pulling the e

Rotate the chest armor 180 degrees upward, then retract the slid-out section back in.
By pulling the entire chest armor forward, rotating it, and then compressing it back,
this elegantly solves the old problem of the armor and head interfering with each other.

The Double Beam Rifle transformation isn't much different from before, but..

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - There's a cover where the head gets stored, and the handle folds in together with it. There's also an

There's a cover where the head gets stored, and the handle folds in together with it.
There's also an additional gimmick at the back that opens up once more to make it easier to tuck the head in.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Attach the Double Beam Rifle under the neck and beneath the red cover section. However, this connectio

Attach the Double Beam Rifle under the neck and beneath the red cover section.
However, this connection isn't very secure and tends to come apart easily.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - To transform the legs, first pull the blue vernier section at the knee forward to open it. In MS mode,

To transform the legs, first pull the blue vernier section at the knee forward to open it.
In MS mode, this part acts as a locking pin that holds the leg section in place — it does a solid job of keeping the legs secure.
This is one of the newly introduced transformation gimmicks in Ver.Ka.

Pull the leg down slightly..

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Then pull the foot forward and fold it down. Compared to the old MG ZZ where you had to rotate the yel

Then pull the foot forward and fold it down.
Compared to the old MG ZZ where you had to rotate the yellow vernier section and pull it back, the foot transformation is simpler here.

Push the foot to expose the verniers, then rotate the leg 180 degrees.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Push the leg in so the knee and foot overlap and lock together, then fold the rear gimmick that was op

Push the leg in so the knee and foot overlap and lock together, then fold the rear gimmick that was open back into place.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Pull out the locking pin on the side armor at the knee and connect the two legs together. Thanks to th

Pull out the locking pin on the side armor at the knee and connect the two legs together.
Thanks to this gimmick, the legs stay nicely aligned even after transformation.

Pull out the pin fixed to the torso and move the backpack down toward the legs.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Pull out the locking pin hidden inside the backpack and secure it to the vernier on the rear leg. It's

Pull out the locking pin hidden inside the backpack and secure it to the vernier on the rear leg.
It's a shame this connection is also a bit weak and tends to pop off.

The beam saber section is bent into a Z-shape as shown above
to reduce interference with the wings.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - The hole in the back where the backpack locking pin was inserted is covered by a slide-type cover. Inc

The hole in the back where the backpack locking pin was inserted is covered by a slide-type cover.
Incredibly thoughtful and detailed design..

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Open the landing gear on the underside of the Double Beam Rifle, then pull out the support strut store

Open the landing gear on the underside of the Double Beam Rifle,
then pull out the support strut stored inside and lock it at a sturdy angle as shown above.

You can also lower the crotch armor and pull out a small landing gear from there.

Pull out the landing gear attached to the knee as well.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - G-Fortress complete (1/6)

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - G-Fortress complete (2/6)

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - G-Fortress complete (3/6)

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - G-Fortress complete (4/6)

G-Fortress complete

Bottom view with all four landing gears deployed

The cockpit on the front of the Double Beam Rifle opens up too.

You can also mount it on an Action Base using the hip joint parts.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - G-Fortress on the Action Base. The joint connection is solid enough to hold up that big, heavy thing j

G-Fortress on the Action Base.
The joint connection is solid enough to hold up that big, heavy thing just fine.

Separate the upper and lower body to form the Core Top and Core Base.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - If you look closely, you can see the lower body's locking pin securing into a hole at the back of the

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - If you look closely here, you can see the lower body's fixing pin locks into the hole at the back of t

If you look closely here, you can see the lower body's fixing pin locks into the hole at the back of the upper body —
it holds the upper and lower body together really solidly in MS mode.

The transformable Core Fighter comes with two identical copies included.

Folded into Core Block configuration

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Deployed as Core Fighter. The small wings slide in and out for storage — and this is the loosest-fitti

Deployed as Core Fighter.
The small wings slide in and out for storage — and this is the loosest-fitting part in the whole kit.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Bottom view. There's even a hole so you can mount it on an action base.

Underside.
There's even a hole so you can mount it on an action base.

You can also attach clear landing gear.

The cockpit opens up too.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - When configuring the Core Top, the waist armor opens to the sides and you can pull out small landing g

When configuring the Core Top, the waist armor opens to the sides and you can pull out small landing gear.
I just can't believe they went so far as to tuck landing gear in there too — it's absolutely mind-blowing..

Configured as Core Top

Underside

Configured as Core Base
The Core Base at least holds its shape absolutely perfectly.

Underside.

Core Top and Core Base.

Using the dedicated joint parts, you can mount the Core Top on an action base.

The Core Base can be mounted on an action base using the hip joint parts.

Together with the MG ZZ Gundam 1.0.

Beyond just the looks, there's been a massive leap forward in the internal gimmicks.

MG ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka - Comparison of each transformation mode with the original MG ZZ (left). The Core Fighter is the most di

Comparison of each transformation mode with the original MG ZZ (left).
The Core Fighter is the most different in terms of size and style.

Straight build

G-Fortress straight build shots

In September 2017, Bandai's ambitious MG ZZ Gundam Ver.Ka was released. This is a kit they'd been hyping up quite loudly well before launch, and longtime fans had been waiting for it with high expectations — and it delivered as a masterpiece kit beyond those expectations. ^^

Honestly, just looking at the prototype photos before release, it felt only slightly more refined than the existing MG, and the visuals alone weren't quite enough to set my wallet on fire. But the real charm of this kit is in the "feel" of building it — there's a huge difference between just looking at it and actually having it in your hands. The visuals are the same way; up close in person, the edges are razor-sharp and alive in a way that photos just don't capture, making it more refined-looking than any other MG out there.

First, when you open the box, you're slightly surprised by the more generous runners compared to the old MG ZZ. And once you start building, this kit keeps surprising you over and over. First you're amazed that a transforming kit has a full inner frame, then you're amazed by the cleverly upgraded transformation gimmicks, then you're amazed that despite packing in such a complete transformation system it still has great articulation, and on top of that the joint strength and stability are handled really well too. And finally, you're blown away by the insane color separation that recreates every last tiny hole meticulously.

I don't think I've exclaimed in amazement this many times while building a kit since the MG Zaku 2.0 ten years ago. Sure, the MG Sazabi Ver.Ka from 2013 was also fantastic, but the ZZ Ver.Ka impresses in terms of the overall polish of its gimmicks and the balance between transformation, articulation, and joint strength. The build feel in particular — smooth yet snapping together with that satisfying LEGO-like click — is just outstanding. You can really tell they went through a lot of mold revisions after the prototype to carefully refine the snap-fit quality. Add to that the incredibly meticulous detail achieved through the best-ever parts breakdown, and this kit is simply the ultimate in building enjoyment.

Looking at the improved transformation gimmicks — slide mechanisms have been added to the head antenna fold and chest raise to create the clearance needed for transformation. Thanks to this, you can transform the upper body much more smoothly and easily compared to the old MG. The legs have also seen an upgrade to ZZ's signature shin-rotation gimmick, and a new mechanism has been added to interlock the two legs together after transformation. Even in MS mode, the connection between the upper and lower body is well-engineered, letting you hold a solid, stable pose.

After transformation, you can even deploy four retractable landing gear, which adds even more to the overall completeness — and this is just one example of how the kit is packed with various gimmicks in every nook and cranny, giving it a really dense, full feeling inside. It's actually quite heavy when you pick it up, which makes you appreciate the joints holding all that weight all over again.

The articulation has also improved dramatically over the previous MG — to the point where you might wonder if this is really the ZZ you knew, since dynamic poses are now very much possible. On top of that, the joints are solid from head to toe, so whatever pose you put it in it stays stable, and the weapon grip with the swappable fingers holds the rifle and beam saber firmly in place. Sure, compared to top-tier articulation kits the transformation structure does limit the range of motion somewhat, but thinking back to the old ZZ, it's clearly a massive step forward.

There are a few downsides though — the small wings on the Core Fighter are a bit loose, and the overall stability in G-Fortress mode is somewhat weaker compared to MS mode. In particular, the connection between the Double Beam Rifle (which forms the nose) and the upper body is weak and tends to come apart easily, and the part where the fixing pin inside the backpack locks into the leg verniers doesn't hold very firmly either. Also, when transforming into G-Fortress you have to swap in small transformation-specific hands, which looks a bit awkward.

The stability in transformed mode isn't terrible by any means, but it does feel relatively lacking compared to the excellent stability in MS mode. The transformation gimmick is impressive, but the process is also a bit fiddly, and all things considered this feels like a kit you're better off enjoying in MS mode with its rock-solid stability. Mecha enthusiasts will understand — even if you never transform it, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing that this level of precision transformation capability is built right in.

Following the recent Ver.Ka trend, a large number of waterslide decals are included. The decal quality is good so they're not hard to apply, but you inevitably have to handle them with care. Since it's a transforming kit you often need to grip it firmly and apply force, and waterslide decals are not a great combination with a transforming kit. Unless you topcoat it, you'll need to be extra careful not to knock them off — I tried to be careful during the review shoot, but one still ended up coming off in the end.. T_T

Anyway, this was personally a much better kit than I expected, and you can really tell that Katoki Hajime and the Bandai development team put a tremendous amount of work into it. It looks great in photos too, but above all this is a kit where you really need to build it yourself to appreciate its true value. It's genuinely been a long time since I've seen a Gunpla overflowing with this kind of craftsmanship — I'm happy to call this a masterpiece that proves Bandai is still very much alive and kicking!! :-)

MG MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★★★★★	Near-perfect color separation with only a handful of exceptions
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★★★★	Premium molded colors, insanely good color separation — the best ever
Proportions	★★★★★★	Weighty yet refined proportions
Articulation	★★★★☆	For a transforming kit, this is excellent.
Joint Strength	★★★★★★	Carefully tuned joint strength. You can feel the developer's hard work.
Internal Frame	★★★★★★	A full inner frame in a transforming kit!!
Detail	★★★★★★	Clean yet sharp detail. Looks way better in person than in photos.
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★★★★	Clever and precise transformation structure. Gimmicks packed in every corner.
Parts Count / Price	★★★★★★	529 parts total. 88.2 parts per ¥1,000. Excellent value for money.
Uniqueness	★★★★★★★★	A masterpiece full of craftsmanship. Beyond expectations!!
Dalong's Point : 123 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 ZZ Gundam Ver. Ka | 2017. 9 | ¥6,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.