Kit Review

Straight build

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Front, rear, and upper body close-ups (1/3)

Front, rear, and upper body close-ups

The backpack gleaming in red

Legs. Those gate marks are really something;

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - You can also see some gate marks on the back, the back of the hands, and the forea

You can also see some gate marks on the back, the back of the hands, and the forearms.

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - The reflectivity is pretty high, so wide flat surfaces like the shoulder shield ar

The reflectivity is pretty high, so wide flat surfaces like the shoulder shield are mirror-like.
You can literally see the camera reflected in them.

Head and cockpit hatch open

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Just like the clear version, only the thumb and index finger are made of soft mate

Just like the clear version, only the thumb and index finger are made of soft material,
so on the plated version too, each finger ends up looking a different color;

Plenty of weapons, as expected.

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Action pose (1/7)

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Action pose (2/7)

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Action pose (3/7)

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Action pose (4/7)

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Action pose (5/7)

Action pose

The Zaku speaks through its back too..!

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version - Together with the RX-78 plated version. Unlike the First, the Zaku plated version

Together with the RX-78 plated version. Unlike the First, the Zaku plated version goes all-in on gloss.

Together with the normal version.

Being the main suit, a clear version and plated version are a given!

The 1/20 Char figure included with the plated version.

With the helmet off, he looks surprisingly sharp.

Comparison with the Char figure included in the MG Rick Dom Char's Custom (left).

The man who moves three times faster!

As one of the main suits of the One Year War and Char's personal machine, Char's Zaku II has been released as the official 3rd MG plated version. The previous First and Zeta plated versions were released under the title of Gundam 20th Anniversary editions, but starting with this one, they're no longer special commemorative releases — just straight-up plated versions.

Unlike the more subdued Gundam-series plated versions, the Zaku plated version goes all-in on a smooth, glossy finish. It aims for a coating that reflects like a mirror all over, and the result is something that shines like crazy. Especially on wide flat surfaces like the shoulder shield — it's almost like a slightly frosted mirror? (Char's Zaku II isn't perfectly smooth, mind you.)

Also, the "stiffer joints" that are basically a given with clear/plated versions apply here too, so the joints are nice and solid. That said, since this is an early MG with pretty limited articulation, action poses are just so-so... but this kit is all about that red color and glossy finish.

That said... the reflectivity is high, but the color feels a bit too light, doesn't it? A deeper, more intense red would've been nice. Looking at the photos above, the color probably looks bright and washed-out to you — and that's pretty much exactly what it looks like in person. It was always closer to pink than red to begin with, so maybe it's fitting in its own way, but personally it feels a little weak somehow? That's the vibe I get. A deep, vivid red Zaku just seems like it'd look way more intense...;

Anyway, the included 1/20 Char figure looks great, the gloss is great too... if the price is right, this is a plated version well worth building. :-)

MG Char's Zaku-II ~ Coating Version | 1999.7 | ¥3,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.