OLD Gundam ZZ 1/144 Gaza-D

Release 1986.5

Price ¥600

BANDAI BANDAI Japan product info

Box side view

Runners

Parts diagram

Manual

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

OLD 1/144 Gaza-D - Only the right hand comes with two options — a fist and an open hand — and the oddly porous palm on that o

Only the right hand comes with two options — a fist and an open hand — and the oddly porous palm on that open hand is pretty interesting.

Two beam sabers are included as well.

The knuckle buster can also be rotated around to the back like this.

Articulation is just so-so..

Knuckle buster firing pose

Beam saber action pose

To transform into Mobile Armor mode, start by folding the shoulders back 90 degrees.

Raise the knuckle buster up, then lower the legs and bring the claws together.

Set the pose and raise the vertical fin-shaped structure into place, and the transformation is complete.

OLD 1/144 Gaza-D - Mobile Armor mode (1/4)

OLD 1/144 Gaza-D - Mobile Armor mode (2/4)

Mobile Armor mode

Together with the HGUC Gaza-C mass production type released in 2006.

The first old-kit ZZ Gundam model is the 1/144 Gaza-D. The HGUC Gaza-C came out back in 2006, but the Gaza-D released as an original old kit is actually an improved version of the Gaza-C — and honestly, the two look pretty similar to each other.

First off, polycaps are applied all over the body just like the old-kit Z Gundam series, though it feels like a step up from those Z Gundam kits — the joint strength and smooth articulation are on par with what you'd expect from an HGUC.

The proportions also hold up surprisingly well next to the HGUC in the comparison shots — it doesn't look dated at all. The Mobile Armor transformation gimmick is also pulled off more faithfully than I expected.

Aside from the typical old-kit drawbacks — needing glue to assemble and the molded colors being a bit on the cheap side — this is a really well-designed kit that can stand shoulder to shoulder with an HGUC. The build quality is top-tier among 1/144 ZZ kits, so if you've been wanting to build a Gaza-D, I'd say don't hesitate and grab one while you still can. :-)
[ Updated at 2017.7.3 ]

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.