After months of avoiding the hobby shops just below my office, I finally caved and went in. Big mistake as I ended up seeing Origin kits that's much cheaper than normal :( So I ended up buying a Zaku I [Kycilia's] as a gift to a friend, and this kit. A kit that I wanted but decided not to since I already have an Origin Zaku II. Here's a review on the retail Act Zaku (Origin version/Kycilia's Forces).
There's a proper version of this kit actually. The actual Act Zaku is suppose to be an updated Zaku II capable of using beam weapons. The issue is it's P-Bandai... Bandai just decided that those older canon designs are not worth a regular release. Same goes with the Zaku Cannon. We instead get these half-assed versions of the originals. It's also the main reason I try not to buy anything Bandai these days...
Despite my complaints, this Origin Act Zaku is actually very close to the Original Act Zaku. The only difference is the shoulder armor. Here we get recycled Zaku shoulder bits rather than the proper coconut halves. Also as it's from Kycilia's Forces, it gets the head crest instead of a plain dome head. And obviously the colors. It's an edgy version of the black tri-star's color scheme.
Despite the reused bits, the new molded parts are actually nicely separated. The "nipples" are actually separated from the chest armor.
Parts separation is excellent for the design. The only sticker you get are for the detailing (lines, warning markings) and the mono-eye. Everything else is molded in color... not that there's much of said color to go around. Also I like how the black plastic is molded in slightly softer plastic so slicing and cutting it is easier and doesn't leave a huge ugly nubmark.
Overall, it's an excellent execution of a kit that nobody really wants... What we want is the proper Act Zaku and we unfortunately got a variation of it. At this point, more of the interesting kits will move to P-Bandai. I don't even know why the assault buster add-on for the MG V2 is P-bandai... SMH.
Articulation is what these Origin actually excels. In fact, since it reuses the joints of the Zaku II, most of the articulation is exactly the same. You can read it on this Zaku II review I made a few years ago. I will only be discussing the newer bits.
The old head features a manually moveable mono eye, but this steals it's eye action from the MG. There are gears here so that when you turn the head, the monoeye goes along with it. I honestly would prefer the manual eye as it allows for more posing option.
The new head is mounted on the same multi-jointed neck. But since this one sits lower to the body, it doesn't have as much range. On the plus side, it doesn't look as gappy.
The new chest design means you loose the chest butterfly joints. Also the new belly design tends to get caught on the front crotch armor so do be careful on that.
One of the design quirks of this is that the cables for the waist doesn't come to the front. It gives it more range, but since it's plastic, it tends to pull the side skirts backwards when you turn the waist.
One last difference is the feet. The older Origin can bend mid-sole. It was tight but it can. This new feet is one solid chunk. More stable but a little less flexible. I'm fine either way.
Overall articulation is still excellent. The design is not as gappy as the older Zaku II but achieves the same range. You really can never go wrong with any Zeon Origin kits so far.
The original Act Zaku was suppose to be the test bed for beam weaponry for Zeon. It has a beam rifle (the same one used in the Marasai), and 2 beam sabers. Since this version is apparently just a mildy updated Zaku, it doesn't have those.
You get the Act Zaku's signature 4 barrelled Machine Gun. It's actually very nicely detailed. Despite being a separate piece, the ammo pack is not designed to be removed. You get a trigger finger hand for holding the rifle properly, unlike the RE 1/100 Jagd Doga. You also get an open palm for the left hand.
The smaller handle can swivel out. Like all guns with long stocks, this does make holding it with 2 hands tricky.
The other signature weapon is large heat hawks. You get 2 of these and you need to paint the blade yellow if you want that glowy activated look.
You also get these clips which you can use to store the axes.
When painting, do note that these clips are very snug. These clip very very solidly to the axe.
The kit has several ports for you to plug the axes in. Ideally these large axe are mounted to the side but you can also mount on on the butt plate. Normally the but plate is where the beam sabers are but you need to shell out more money for that experience.
It does get in the way quite a bit though, especially with said sideskirt.
I honestly prefer 1 hand with a rifle and one axe at the back.
Oh and as a left over piece, it has the old heat hawk too. You get a smaller storage version and the regular version.
One last item is the display stand mount.
It clips into a slot in the crotch. This requires you to have an action base though, so your tamashii stands won't worth with this adapter.
Well, the accessories are complete based on the updated origin version of it. Again if you want it's proper weaponry, you need to shell out more money for the P-Bandai one.
It's a HG Zaku so it's standard HG Gunpla height. Really you should either have a Zaku or the Grand daddy Gundam somewhere.
Here are comparison shots with the Zaku II.
Here is it with their squad leader.
I said this in the earlier review and I'll say this again: Zaku Origin kits are one of the best kits out there for not much money. You can buy pretty much whatever version or Iteration of these Origin Zakus and you won't be let down. The only letdown is how this variation is the regular release and the proper Act Zaku is P-Bandai. If you really want this by all means get it. It's a good kit, but if you have the money and are willing to part with it, get the P-Bandai one. Or just avoid it altogether and get the more iconic Zakus. Unless you really want a squad for Johnny Ridden.
Good:
- You can never go wrong with an Origin Zaku
Bad:
- not the design we wanted. Screw the guy who decides whiich are P-Bandai.
 |
| this pic would have looked better if he took his time to actually center the crop... |
There's a proper version of this kit actually. The actual Act Zaku is suppose to be an updated Zaku II capable of using beam weapons. The issue is it's P-Bandai... Bandai just decided that those older canon designs are not worth a regular release. Same goes with the Zaku Cannon. We instead get these half-assed versions of the originals. It's also the main reason I try not to buy anything Bandai these days...
Aesthetics
Despite my complaints, this Origin Act Zaku is actually very close to the Original Act Zaku. The only difference is the shoulder armor. Here we get recycled Zaku shoulder bits rather than the proper coconut halves. Also as it's from Kycilia's Forces, it gets the head crest instead of a plain dome head. And obviously the colors. It's an edgy version of the black tri-star's color scheme.
Another main difference is the backpack. The proper Act Zaku has an impressive backpack. This one again recycles Char's Origin Zaku.
Despite the reused bits, the new molded parts are actually nicely separated. The "nipples" are actually separated from the chest armor.
Parts separation is excellent for the design. The only sticker you get are for the detailing (lines, warning markings) and the mono-eye. Everything else is molded in color... not that there's much of said color to go around. Also I like how the black plastic is molded in slightly softer plastic so slicing and cutting it is easier and doesn't leave a huge ugly nubmark.
Overall, it's an excellent execution of a kit that nobody really wants... What we want is the proper Act Zaku and we unfortunately got a variation of it. At this point, more of the interesting kits will move to P-Bandai. I don't even know why the assault buster add-on for the MG V2 is P-bandai... SMH.
Articulation
Articulation is what these Origin actually excels. In fact, since it reuses the joints of the Zaku II, most of the articulation is exactly the same. You can read it on this Zaku II review I made a few years ago. I will only be discussing the newer bits.
The old head features a manually moveable mono eye, but this steals it's eye action from the MG. There are gears here so that when you turn the head, the monoeye goes along with it. I honestly would prefer the manual eye as it allows for more posing option.
The new head is mounted on the same multi-jointed neck. But since this one sits lower to the body, it doesn't have as much range. On the plus side, it doesn't look as gappy.
The new chest design means you loose the chest butterfly joints. Also the new belly design tends to get caught on the front crotch armor so do be careful on that.
One of the design quirks of this is that the cables for the waist doesn't come to the front. It gives it more range, but since it's plastic, it tends to pull the side skirts backwards when you turn the waist.
One last difference is the feet. The older Origin can bend mid-sole. It was tight but it can. This new feet is one solid chunk. More stable but a little less flexible. I'm fine either way.
Overall articulation is still excellent. The design is not as gappy as the older Zaku II but achieves the same range. You really can never go wrong with any Zeon Origin kits so far.
Weapons and Extras
You get the Act Zaku's signature 4 barrelled Machine Gun. It's actually very nicely detailed. Despite being a separate piece, the ammo pack is not designed to be removed. You get a trigger finger hand for holding the rifle properly, unlike the RE 1/100 Jagd Doga. You also get an open palm for the left hand.
The smaller handle can swivel out. Like all guns with long stocks, this does make holding it with 2 hands tricky.
The other signature weapon is large heat hawks. You get 2 of these and you need to paint the blade yellow if you want that glowy activated look.
You also get these clips which you can use to store the axes.
When painting, do note that these clips are very snug. These clip very very solidly to the axe.
The kit has several ports for you to plug the axes in. Ideally these large axe are mounted to the side but you can also mount on on the butt plate. Normally the but plate is where the beam sabers are but you need to shell out more money for that experience.
It does get in the way quite a bit though, especially with said sideskirt.
I honestly prefer 1 hand with a rifle and one axe at the back.
Oh and as a left over piece, it has the old heat hawk too. You get a smaller storage version and the regular version.
One last item is the display stand mount.
It clips into a slot in the crotch. This requires you to have an action base though, so your tamashii stands won't worth with this adapter.
Well, the accessories are complete based on the updated origin version of it. Again if you want it's proper weaponry, you need to shell out more money for the P-Bandai one.
Size Comparison
It's a HG Zaku so it's standard HG Gunpla height. Really you should either have a Zaku or the Grand daddy Gundam somewhere.
Here are comparison shots with the Zaku II.
Here is it with their squad leader.
Summary
I said this in the earlier review and I'll say this again: Zaku Origin kits are one of the best kits out there for not much money. You can buy pretty much whatever version or Iteration of these Origin Zakus and you won't be let down. The only letdown is how this variation is the regular release and the proper Act Zaku is P-Bandai. If you really want this by all means get it. It's a good kit, but if you have the money and are willing to part with it, get the P-Bandai one. Or just avoid it altogether and get the more iconic Zakus. Unless you really want a squad for Johnny Ridden.
Good:
- You can never go wrong with an Origin Zaku
Bad:
- not the design we wanted. Screw the guy who decides whiich are P-Bandai.
Nice. You're the best active Gunpla Blogger/YouTuber that I've seen so far when it comes to posing. I might get this in the future, seems like a good kit. By the way what's a butterfly joint?
ReplyDeletethanks. If you own any action figures, or say the Kamiki burning gundam kit, there's a joint or articulation point on the bit where the shoulder connects to the chest that allows it to move the arm across the chest.
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