Bandai Hobby - Mobile Suit Gundam - #2 MS-06S Char's Zaku II, Spirits RG 1/144 Model Kit

This was the first Real Grade I ever built and I had a blast. The model has remarkable detail that is comparable to Master Grades (sometimes even outclassing them). It has superbly intricate mechanics and armor, for example when you bend the leg, the armor covering the thighs shifts dynamically to accommodate for any pose you can imagine. The trees are molded in two different shades of plastic for each color (2 reds, 2 grays, etc.) which works so well that there's almost no reason to paint this kit. It's beautiful straight out of the box.The design of the internal components is really unique and interesting, especially when assembling it. Some parts, like the leg, are molded entirely together as a single piece. Sometimes-confusing instructions explain what you need to clip off, bend, snap on, and rotate in order to get the kit together but after you understand exactly what the instructions are asking you to do, it's generally easy. The only thing that makes construction difficult is the fact that all this complexity is shrunken down to 1/144! The pieces can be exceedingly small. The most difficult part of construction is application of the decals. They're contour-cut stickers that look pretty darn good stuck straight on there... but there are over 100 stickers! Some of them are so tiny that putting them on can make your head spin (like little metallic nobs and such).After it's all put together the result is impressive to say the least. The stickers do an incredible job of making the model look like a real, metal Mobile Suit. I'd recommend using a little bit of superglue to get some of them to stick, however. The metallic stickers on the joints tend to want to unbend themselves and pop off. If you're looking for a really high quality model, try a Real Grade, they're super fun and have the greatest articulation and realism of any model under Perfect Grade.

One of the most fun kits I've built, building a Zaku was way more enjoyable than any Gundam I've built so far. It comes in a beautiful red color, the legs and arms are very sturdy and dont fall apart like when posing certain other kits. The kit does not come with a stand or the explosion behind the rocket launcher. I would also reccomend any beginners to take your time assembling it as it is NOT A GUNDAM, on top of it being an RG kit. You'll notice the legs, torso, and head all have cables around them. I highly reccomend you work over a box when building those pieces as simple mistake can cause those small red beads to go flying everywhere, causing you to spend time looking for them. This kit also comes with a small Char pilot, a Heat hawk, rocket launcher, and Zaku rifle. Like all kits it comes with some decals/stickers, which at some point I'll slap on but once you finish this kit I guaruntee you'll want to build other Principality of Zeon Mobile Suits like the Zaku. I plan or purchasing a Gouf later this month.

Quality wise...excellent! Decals are plentiful, and TINY! It's a model kit you have to assemble, and it's about five inches tall. Looks great even without painting it.Took me about six hours to complete. I'm not an advanced modeler, and it still came out great. Just be careful of the tiny parts if you build it.Once the decals are on it, it's the best Gundam I have seen in person. Nice articulation for one so small as well!I think this is better overall than any other 1/144. Real Grade is a great line of Gundam to get into, and worth the money I feel if you appreciate quality and DETAIL.Not for little kids obviously, as it can't be played with once finished, at least not roughly, it's made for display more than play. Also the small parts are not good for young kids at all! Choking hazard big time! A beginner could build this with a lot of patience, it's not impossible, just a little complicated, and lots of small parts.Price is up there, but worth it I feel if you like high quality models that you won;t have to paint to look good. Nice contrast of colors in this kit!Thanks for reading! Good Luck!