MG XXXG-00W0

Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss

Kit Review

Straight build

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss (1/7) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss (2/7) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss (3/7) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss (4/7) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss (5/7) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss (6/7) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss (7/7)

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Upper body (1/2) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Upper body (2/2)

Upper body

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Head (1/2) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Head (2/2)

Head

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Arms

Arms

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wings. No shimmer, but they have a pearly feel. (1/3) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wings. No shimmer, but they have a pearly feel. (2/3) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wings. No shimmer, but they have a pearly feel. (3/3)

Wings. No shimmer, but they have a pearly feel.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - The feathers are just plain white molded color, which feels a bit out of place.

The feathers are just plain white molded color, which feels a bit out of place.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - The legs have pretty noticeable wave patterns, making them look like they've got s MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - The legs have pretty noticeable wave patterns, making them look like they've got s

The legs have pretty noticeable wave patterns, making them look like they've got some skin trouble..

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Dedicated clear stand

Dedicated clear stand

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Bird mode (1/4) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Bird mode (2/4) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Bird mode (3/4) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Bird mode (4/4)

Bird mode

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing is all about spreading those wings out wide! The pearl molded color is pretty MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing is all about spreading those wings out wide! The pearl molded color is pretty MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing is all about spreading those wings out wide! The pearl molded color is pretty MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing is all about spreading those wings out wide! The pearl molded color is pretty MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing is all about spreading those wings out wide! The pearl molded color is pretty MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing is all about spreading those wings out wide! The pearl molded color is pretty

Wing is all about spreading those wings out wide!
The pearl molded color is pretty gorgeous.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Beam saber action (1/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Beam saber action (2/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Beam saber action (3/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Beam saber action (4/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Beam saber action (5/5)

Beam saber action

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Twin beam rifle action (1/4) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Twin beam rifle action (2/4) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Twin beam rifle action (3/4) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Twin beam rifle action (4/4)

Twin beam rifle action

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing Zero's signature pose. (1/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing Zero's signature pose. (2/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing Zero's signature pose. (3/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing Zero's signature pose. (4/5) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Wing Zero's signature pose. (5/5)

Wing Zero's signature pose.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Comparison with the standard MG. (1/2) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Comparison with the standard MG. (2/2)

Comparison with the standard MG.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - When it comes to the wings, the difference is clear.

When it comes to the wings, the difference is clear.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Comparison with the Wing Zero Pearl Mirror Coating version. (1/2) MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Comparison with the Wing Zero Pearl Mirror Coating version. (2/2)

Comparison with the Wing Zero Pearl Mirror Coating version.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - The Pearl Mirror Coating version shifts like a chameleon color depending on the li

The Pearl Mirror Coating version shifts like a chameleon color depending on the lighting, scattering rainbow reflections,
but the Pearl Gloss version has none of that at all.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Compared to the Pearl Mirror version where even the feathers came out clear, the P

Compared to the Pearl Mirror version where even the feathers came out clear,
the Pearl Gloss version just has plain white feathers, so it kind of.. loses out.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - The difference in finish feel between Pearl Mirror and Pearl Gloss.

The difference in finish feel between Pearl Mirror and Pearl Gloss.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - Arm comparison. The Pearl Gloss has slightly brighter yellow parts, but the red an

Arm comparison.
The Pearl Gloss has slightly brighter yellow parts, but the red and blue are similar on both.
The Pearl Mirror version even has pearl coating on the fingers, so they shine with a rainbow shimmer.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss - The MG Wing Zero Custom trio.

The MG Wing Zero Custom trio.

Separate from the MG Wing Zero Custom Pearl Mirror limited edition that came out as a 2005 Caravan Hobby exclusive, a Pearl Gloss limited edition was released in 2010. The names sound similar at first glance, but the molding methods are completely different.

The Pearl Gloss version is a kit based on gloss injection, with both the exterior and interior parts molded in a very hard material, and pearl pigment is mixed into the molding material to give it that pearly feel. This mainly applies to the white molded parts — the remaining colors like blue, red, and yellow are gloss injection molded with just a slight hint of pearl.

Gloss injection kits tend to have stiffer joints due to the nature of the material, and this kit is no exception — the joints are tighter than the standard version, which actually improves stability. Despite the massive wings on its back, you can get it to stand properly in a solid pose, and compared to the plain white standard version, the pearl molded color gives it a certain something. The one disappointing point, though, is that the feather parts on the wings are just the same soft eraser-like white material as before, which creates a noticeable mismatch with the rest of the wings..

The biggest issue with this kit is that it invites comparison with the previously released Pearl Mirror version.. Sure, the Pearl Mirror was an event exclusive so only a relatively small number were released — which is why it commands a higher price — but the Pearl Gloss version was put out in fairly large quantities (?) as a limited edition, so it's easy to find at around the same price as the standard version.

The problem is the quality in terms of "pearl".. When you put the two side by side, the Pearl Mirror version looks more premium. The Pearl Mirror version has pearl coating applied, giving it the feel of white pearl along with a gorgeous rainbow shimmer that scatters depending on the viewing angle. The Pearl Gloss version, on the other hand, has no reflective shimmer at all, and due to the nature of the pearl molding material, it has quite noticeable wave patterns — which feels pretty intentional.

The wave patterns from the pearl material do give it more of a "pearl" feel in some ways, but depending on how you look at it, it can also seem like the wave patterns came from using low-grade plastic material — so it'll probably be a love-it-or-hate-it thing for different people. The legs in particular have wave patterns that are more pronounced than the shape of the parts really calls for, making them look like varicose veins from lack of exercise.

Also, due to the nature of gloss injection, the material is quite hard — and this kit is even harder than other gloss injection kits, making gate cleanup pretty brutal. In my case I usually clip all the parts off the runners first and then clean up all the gates in one go, but this one made my hands hurt so badly I had to take a break halfway through.. (Is this rock or plastic?..)

In the end, it's definitely a cheap and worthwhile limited edition that offers a distinctly different molded color feel compared to the standard version.. but it's not a kit you should expect to have that calm, premium rainbow shimmer like the Pearl Mirror. You'll just have to be satisfied with the fact that it's clearly differentiated from the standard version as a kit with that wavy pearl material. :-)

MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom ~ Pearl Gloss

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.