Kit Review

Straight build
+ panel lining + decals

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R1 configuration (1/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R1 configuration (2/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R1 configuration (3/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R1 configuration (4/6)

R1 configuration

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Decals on various parts of the body (1/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Decals on various parts of the body (2/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Decals on various parts of the body (3/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Decals on various parts of the body (4/6)

Decals on various parts of the body

Backpack

R1 legs

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Shooting action pose (1/4)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Shooting action pose (2/4)

Shooting action pose

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Bazooka action pose (1/4)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Bazooka action pose (2/4)

Bazooka action pose

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Together with the Zaku II F-type. An R1 in normal colors — feels a bit unusual, doesn't

Together with the Zaku II F-type.
An R1 in normal colors — feels a bit unusual, doesn't it?

Together with Shin Matsunaga's R1.

Zaku II v2.0 R1 series lineup

This kit is actually designed to build both the R1 and R2.

Parts for the R1.
It basically reuses the parts from the Shin Matsunaga unit as-is.

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Parts for the R2. This R2 is technically the R2P, which is set up as the Prototype unit

Parts for the R2.
This R2 is technically the R2P, which corresponds to the Prototype unit.
It differs from the Johnny Ridden R2 in things like the shoulder antenna and elbow armor,
so it ends up being a curious mix of various parts.

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - The inner body shared across R-type units. You can see which parts of the body get swap

The inner body shared across R-type units.
You can see which parts of the body get swapped out.

The R1 and R2 even use different bazookas..

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R2 configuration (1/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R2 configuration (2/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R2 configuration (3/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - R2 configuration (4/6)

R2 configuration

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop (1/4)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop (2/4)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop (3/4)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop (4/4)

The backpack is also a little different from the R1.

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Aerial bazooka action (1/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Aerial bazooka action (2/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Aerial bazooka action (3/6)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Aerial bazooka action (4/6)

Aerial bazooka action

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Ground bazooka action (1/4)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop - Ground bazooka action (2/4)

Ground bazooka action

Together with Johnny Ridden's R2.

This kit is a Pro Shop exclusive, once again produced by Master Kawaguchi. The overall kit contents feel like the ultimate MG Zaku II collection — all the system injection runners that were previously released separately across the F, R1, R2, and other variants are packed in here all at once.

Looking at each part closely, it's essentially got every single part from the Johnny Ridden R2, the Black Tri-Stars R1, and the Shin Matsunaga R1 all in one box. So you can build either the R1 or R2, and in the case of the R2, it goes together as the R2P Prototype unit.

First off, the overall look is a bit unusual — the R1/2 configurations done up in a standard Zaku green gives it a strangely fresh feel. You'd normally expect an R-series to come in some kind of distinctive color scheme, so seeing an R-type in plain olive drab is oddly unique. On top of that, the included waterslide decals add a nice touch of personality.

The R1 shares the same parts configuration as the Shin Matsunaga R1, but the R2P — set as the Prototype unit — is assembled from a curious combination of parts from various Zakus. To properly recreate the R2P, the torso is actually supposed to be a different shape... but the included manual does a good job of explaining how to modify it. Of course, for the rest of us mere mortals, it's just fun to look at. :-)

Another bonus with this kit is that a separate MSV manual covering Zaku variants is included. (Scans available in the info section.) It's packed with content — an interview with Kunio Okawara, Zaku variations, instructions on how to modify for the R2P, and more.

Every Pro Shop exclusive produced by Master Kawaguchi is something special, but this one might just be the most special of them all. It's a great kit that goes above and beyond what you'd expect from a typical event exclusive — loaded with care and generosity. :-)

MG Zaku II R1/2 v2.0 ~ Ver. Proshop

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.