Kit Review

Straight build + Partial paint + Panel lining + Decals

The universal yardstick — size comparison with a cigarette pack.

MG Ramba Ral's Zaku I - This one includes the Heat Hawk Type-L2 for Ramba Ral, which you won't find in any other Zaku ki

This one includes the Heat Hawk Type-L2 for Ramba Ral, which you won't find in any other Zaku kit.

MG Ramba Ral's Zaku I - The Heat Hawk Type-L2. Big and looks great. You'll need to paint it to really bring out the look

The Heat Hawk Type-L2. Big and looks great. You'll need to paint it to really bring out the look, though;;

Same as ever — rock-paper-scissors articulated hands, open hands, and fists. Three sets.

Wait a sec... the molded colors on the fingers are all different, which looks pretty weird. Tsk..

MG Ramba Ral's Zaku I - Head and cockpit hatch open. The cockpit opens using the double-joint mechanism unique to the Za

Head and cockpit hatch open. The cockpit opens using the double-joint mechanism unique to the Zaku I.

Foot top opens

Backpack detail

Same old leg frame as always

Full armament

Same mediocre articulation we've come to expect from the Zaku series...

Heat Hawk action pose.

"Pretty cool axe, huh?"

Zaku I machine gun action pose

Zaku II machine gun action pose

Bazooka action pose

Dual pistols?

There's something about this pose that gives off a dark, brooding charisma...

Leftover parts. A bit fewer compared to other Zakus.

The bonus optional detail-up parts are still included.

A 1/20 figure of the great Ramba Ral is included~♡

MG Ramba Ral's Zaku I has a few differences compared to the other Zak

The MG Zaku I trio assembled. Ramba Ral's Zaku I has a few differences compared to the other Zaku I kits.
The most immediately obvious thing is the round armor on both shoulders.

MG Ramba Ral's Zaku I has a different body design. So it's not just a simple rehash

As you can see, Ramba Ral's Zaku I has a different body design. So it's not just a simple rehash.

Ramba Ral's unit has an extra layer of armor on the forearms.

Most notably, Ramba Ral's unit has the antenna that marks him as an officer.

What a crowd... all 8 early MG Zaku kits gathered together. Truly a rainbow of colors.

The early MG Zaku variation series, which seemed to be winding down, continued about a year later with Ramba Ral's Zaku I. And with this 8th variation, the MG Zaku series finally came to a close. Ramba Ral's Zaku I has a blue color scheme, and the molded colors are decent enough. That said, blue molded colors tend to be pretty subjective, so your mileage may vary...

Being the last Zaku kit released, it does feel like the quality has improved slightly — but since the core frame is 90% identical, the same weaknesses in joint strength and articulation carry over. (A proud tradition, I suppose? ;;) Since Ramba Ral was a character with a fair bit of presence in the anime, there are quite a few design changes on his unit. For starters, the front armor structure on the body is quite different from the standard Zaku I. (See photos) You could say it looks more refined and premium... On top of that, befitting an officer's unit, a head antenna has been added, and it sports round armor on both shoulders. There's also an extra layer of armor on the forearms, giving this Zaku I a noticeably different feel overall.

On the weapons side, the large Heat Hawk Type-L2 has been added. Painting is a must, but the detail and style are really quite good. And despite also including a 1/20 figure of Ramba Ral, the price stays the same at ¥2500. Not a bad deal at all. ^^

Overall, it's a variation that carries on the legacy of the early MG Zaku series, but it's a solid one with plenty of unique touches. It somehow feels a little less "old kit"-ish than the others. If you've been hesitant to build any of the older MG Zaku kits due to their questionable quality, I'd recommend this one — it has no power cables, feels the most refined, and is the definitive final release of the line. It looks especially great displayed alongside Ramba Ral's blue Gouf. ^_^

MG MS-05B Ramba Ral's Zaku I
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★	Almost no consideration for seam lines.
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★☆	Color separation is nearly perfect. But the molded colors are just so-so.
Proportions	★★★★☆	Maybe because the power cables are gone, but it feels smoother and more refined?
Articulation	★☆	The articulation is inherently mediocre like the Zaku II, but slightly better than the Zaku II.
Joint Strength	★★	Elbow. Grip strength is still terrible. But without the power cables, it's much easier to handle.
Internal Frame	★★☆	Top of the head, backpack, part of the legs. Almost identical to the Zaku II.
Detail	★★★★☆	The design is simpler, but the detail is actually good. Best among the Zaku I kits.
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★☆	Includes the new Heat Hawk and figure.
Parts Count / Price	★★★☆	213 parts total (+ 28 detail-up parts). Parts per ¥1000: 85.2
Uniqueness	★★★★☆	Ramba Ral's personal unit! The most refined Zaku of them all.
Dalong's Point : 66 pts.

MG Ramba Ral's Zaku I | 2000.9 | ¥2,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.