Kit Review

Straight build
+ decals

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version - Size comparison with a cigarette pack. I don't usually do size comparisons for Extra ed

Size comparison with a cigarette pack.
I don't usually do size comparisons for Extra editions, but this guy's got such a big frame I figured I'd give it a shot. ^^

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (1/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (2/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (3/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (4/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (5/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (6/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (7/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (8/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (9/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (10/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (11/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (12/12)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version - Upper body close-up. The glossy shine doesn't really come through in photos compared to

Upper body close-up. The glossy shine doesn't really come through in photos compared to seeing it in person. T_T

Shining from above too..

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version - The green mono-eye on the head is a waterslide decal — the color looks great, but the

The green mono-eye on the head is a waterslide decal — the color looks great, but the curved surface makes it really hard to get it to stick.
(By the time I was taking the action pose photos, it had fallen off and disappeared T_T)

Shoulders and waist

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version - Lower body. The waterslide decals do give it a cleaner look.. The inside of the skirt

Lower body. The waterslide decals do give it a cleaner look..
The inside of the skirt armor is pretty flashy too..

Funnels and backpack

Arms and rear

Those chunky legs..

Decals on the shield. The shield's gloss is pretty intense too.

Head cockpit hatch open

Funnel deployment.

Beam tomahawk stored inside the shield

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version - The frame parts aren't plated, but they're molded in a metallic color with a pearlescen

The frame parts aren't plated, but they're molded in a metallic color with a pearlescent sheen mixed in.

Action poses. The MG Sazabi's articulation is pretty terrible, honestly.. ;;

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (1/2)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version (2/2)

The best pose you can really pull off is about that much.. OTL

Beam saber from the wrist

Beam saber action

Beam tomahawk action. Great weapons, but you just can't get decent poses out of it..

Tomahawk beam saber action

Comparison with the standard MG Sazabi.

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version - The difference in gloss doesn't look that dramatic in photos, but in person it's a mass

The difference in gloss doesn't look that dramatic in photos,
but in person it's a massive difference.

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version - Together with the red plated limited edition Zaku/Rick Dom. The quality of the Sazabi's

Together with the red plated limited edition Zaku/Rick Dom.
The quality of the Sazabi's coating color is absolutely incredible.

For whatever reason, a metallic coating version of the old MG Sazabi suddenly showed up as an Extra edition. Probably because there are so many custom builds out there with metallic coating on the Sazabi — looks like Bandai saw the demand and decided to run with it.

The MG Sazabi is a kit that's had its share of debate when it comes to value for money. Aside from its impressive size and bulk, the frame is a bit flimsy and the articulation is downright awful — yet it carries an ¥8,000 price tag. You could argue that just having it released at all is something to be grateful for, but either way, the quality-to-price ratio was never that great. Even the molded colors were pretty plain..

But this Metallic Coating Sazabi has been released with better quality than any other coated/Extra Finish/chrome version Bandai has put out so far. Maybe they gave it some extra love because of its sheer size, or because it's Char's final mobile suit — whatever the reason, the quality of the red metallic coating is jaw-dropping when you see it in person.

It's a shame my mediocre digital camera photos can't even convey 50% of what it looks like in real life, but either way, the whole kit is wrapped in a genuinely luxurious shine. The color is rich and deep, and while there are a few minor spots that could be better, the coating is applied evenly all over. Truly the highest-of-the-high-end quality for a plated kit.

Since this is a plated version, the decals have been switched to water-slides, which makes them a bit trickier to apply.. but they do go on cleaner than dry transfers. Waterslide decals just seem to suit plated kits better.

Goes without saying, but the MG Sazabi came out in July 2000, so there's absolutely no consideration for things like undergates or anything like that. So yes, gate marks are visible — but it seems like they chose the plastic material wisely, because they're not as noticeable as you'd expect. On top of that, most of the gate marks that show up on the exterior are conveniently covered by decals, so they get hidden away pretty well. All in all, the gate marks don't really stand out too much, which is a relief.

As with the original kit, the MG Sazabi definitely has its shortcomings as a kit. There's barely any range for action poses, and the arms and legs still pop off constantly when you try to move them. That said, as with most plated kits, the tolerances tighten up a bit, so the joints are stiffer than the original — which actually makes it safer to leave on display.

Bottom line — the MG Sazabi has always been a kit that wins on sheer presence, and just having it standing there is enough to make an impression. Add to that a top-tier metallic coating that completely covers up what used to be pretty underwhelming molded colors, and the result is something you can genuinely call the best. Even someone who knows nothing about Gunpla will stop and stare — it's got that kind of intense, commanding charisma.

The satisfaction you get from it as a plated kit is definitely guaranteed.. but the ¥14,000 price tag — PG territory — is the biggest hurdle. If you can get past the price, a straight build alone gives you this level of shine and presence, so I'd say it's well worth the investment. :-)

MG Sazabi ~ Metalic Coating Version | 2007. 12 | ¥14,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.