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ZMS-006 Zeta Gundam HG
Today’s model kit is the High Grade Zeta Gundam, not to be confused with the HGUC Zeta Gundam. HG kits from the universal century are cheaper than HGUC kits, however, you’re gonna lose quite a bit of quality.
Head:
The Zeta’s head is pretty standard, a clear green piece for shiny eyes, inside a mint colored head. The V fin is a single yellow piece with a red decal on in the center. Then the neck is on a swivel joint in a yellow collar. You have to take the head clear off for your wave rider mode so be gentle with it.
Torso:
This is difficult to put in words because the torso is compromised for the wave rider form. You can flip most of the torso upwards and pop the abdomen out. The detail is nice as you have blue and yellow plastic for the panels. Also, there are several decals that go on the torso like the 006 on the left side of the chest. I’ll leave the wave rider pieces for when I talk about the transformed mode.
Arms:
Here is where the model starts becoming odd. The shoulders are attached by a small joint, allowing them to roll 90 degrees backwards and all the way inside the torso for transforming (rather than the magic clipping of the arms like in the anime). The forearms have some multicolored plastic that gives it a nice look. The hands are 2 piece and one holds a beam saber, the other a rifle. The forearms have holes that you can clip your shield into. Last, the shoulder pieces take 2 white decals each.
Legs:
These legs are pretty weird as they don’t have the standard socket joint but rather hang from a joint inside the torso. The knees are double jointed and allow for a macross like chicken walk. Also, the side and skirt armor fit onto the leg rather than the hips. The back skirt hangs from the back. The shins and feet have multicolored plastic which is swell for detail. Also, there are a lot of decals that go on the legs. The feet and shins are fatter than the look in the anime, probably for balance.
Transformation:
Here is what really killed the model for me. Your wave rider backpack is 2 wings and the part of the wave rider backpack I always called ‘Zeta’s Mullet’. Your wings fold down and your torso folds up. Then you take the shield and mount it on the bottom to make the nose. It looks really ugly and even worse when you drop the beam rifle in its designated spot. I don’t even put mine in this transformed mode anymore. It just plain sucks.
Accessories:
Another part where the HG’s low cost is long forgotten is here. You get 2 beam sabers, the same mint color as the base of the Gundam. Then a shield which really looks weird as the black part is wide (unlike the anime). Your beam rifle is nice but they include 2 barrels for it, one about an inch longer, probably for the transforming.
Final Thoughts:
I say just get the HGUC. You’ll get the mega launcher and a decent transformation. If you really want this one or got it as a gift, I say add some paint, make a custom and forget the wings altogether. The model is too floppy for posing anyway so either save your money or fork it over for the HGUC.