Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Upper body

Head

Arms and weapons

Back section.

Legs

Compared to Char's unit, the backpack and rear leg verniers have been changed.

Outer armor removed

Inner frame shots.

The frame section also only has the rear legs and backpack changed compared to the RG Char's Zaku.

Cockpit hatch open

Two types of officer's head antenna are included, but...
The mass production type is best bald!

RG Zaku II - Two fixed hand parts not found on the RG Char's Zaku have been added — looks like they took in the complaints ab

Two fixed hand parts not found on the RG Char's Zaku have been added...
Looks like they took in the complaints about the proportions of the fully articulated hands and acted on them.

Leftover parts. Some of Char's parts remain.

The tiny 1/144 figure has also been changed to a regular soldier.

Articulation is, as always, ultra best!!!

RG Zaku II - Fully armed machine gun firing pose (1/6)

RG Zaku II - Fully armed machine gun firing pose (2/6)

RG Zaku II - Fully armed machine gun firing pose (3/6)

RG Zaku II - Fully armed machine gun firing pose (4/6)

Fully armed machine gun firing pose

RG Zaku II - That natural kneeling pose, as expected (1/4)

RG Zaku II - That natural kneeling pose, as expected (2/4)

That natural kneeling pose, as expected

Heat Hawk action

RG Zaku II - Aerial bazooka action using Action Base 2 (1/6)

RG Zaku II - Aerial bazooka action using Action Base 2 (2/6)

RG Zaku II - Aerial bazooka action using Action Base 2 (3/6)

RG Zaku II - Aerial bazooka action using Action Base 2 (4/6)

Aerial bazooka action using Action Base 2

Together with the RG Char's Zaku.

Per the lore, only the backpack and rear leg verniers are different.

Together with the HGUC mass production Zaku II.
The difference in feel is enormous..

RG Zaku II - Together with the MG Zaku II mass production type v2.0. When it comes to density and precision, the RG is still

Together with the MG Zaku II mass production type v2.0.
When it comes to density and precision, the RG is still a cut above!

Following the RG Char's Zaku II, it was only natural that the mass production Zaku would get the RG treatment as well. In terms of lore, it's essentially the same unit with only the backpack and some leg verniers differing, making this practically a variation kit with just the molded colors changed. That said, there's definitely something different about the red Char's custom versus the green mass production type. :-)

For starters, the changes to the backpack and leg verniers are faithfully reproduced per the lore, and while the weapons are all the same, two fixed hand parts not included with the Char's Zaku have been added. The fully articulated fingers are impressive, but from a proportions standpoint they can't quite match fixed hands, so it seems they were added for this mass production version. Along with that, the 1/144 pilot figure has been swapped out for a regular soldier — but since this kit is fundamentally 95% the same base as the RG Char's Zaku, for more detailed photos including frame and articulated joint shots, check out the RG Char's Zaku II review.

Just like the RG Char's Zaku, the mass production RG Zaku II is a masterpiece kit that punches well above its small size — dazzling articulation, solid joint strength, and finely detailed armor and frame. The side skirts still tend to pop off a bit too easily when raising the hip joints, which is a minor gripe, but the kit is so outstanding overall that it almost feels embarrassing to even critique it. ^^;

The battle with tiny parts is real, but that's the price of admission for a lineup that's unmatched in smallness and precision — and the RG mass production Zaku is absolutely worth a strong recommendation. Even if you've already built the Char's Zaku, this one still gives you a fresh new experience. :-)

RG Zaku II | 2011. 7 | ¥2,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.