MS-06C-6/R6 Zaku II
Principality of Zeon Mass-Produced Mobile Suit
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1/144 High Grade the Origin
Mobile Suit Gundam the Origin
Getting back into the physical gunpla with the HG the Origin Zaku II Type C-6/R6. This is actually a variant of the original HG the Origin Zaku II Type C-5. Both are early type Zaku II models designed primarily for space-use and most notably used by the Principality of Zeon in the Clash at Loum, decisively changing the face of warfare in the Universal Century. R6 designates an optional additional weapons package, including a dual 20mm vulcan gun pod mount for the forearm, and 30mm vulcan gun pods that could be mounted on both sides of the chest. While the Type C models would eventually be phased out and or upgraded to the Type F we all know well, the R6 parts option package could still be installed.
This is my second time building a HG the Origin Zaku II kit, the first being the MS-06CK Zaku Half-Cannon. In terms of build, The Zaku II Type C-6/R6 is basically the same as the Half-Cannon and the Type C-5 both are based off. Appearences and detail are top tier for high grade, making HG The Origin Zaku IIs the most detailed HG Zaku II kits to date. The green colors are a bit of a departure from previous Zaku II kits being very nice, darker shades of green which makes sense since this would blend in better against the backdrop of space. My one issue is the monoeye, which is placed on a slanted vertical surface as opposed to a straight vertical surface, resulting in a somewhat derpy look from certain angles. This most likely takes notes from the original derpy look of the Zaku II, esepcially in early MSV artwork. The major difference that sets the Type C-6/R6 apart though, is again new parts for the aforementiomed R6 Package, and new pieces for the spiked shoulder that has two spikes removed. There’s also a new set of decals to replicate certain pilot units, but stickers don’t look good on dark colors so I’m going to get some water transfer decals instead. Finally there are some quite obvious seamlines that I plan to remove.
Articulation performance is also equally superb, being almost essentially on par with the RG Zaku II but without finnicky skirt armor. This equates to a 1/144 Zaku II that can achieve a wide range of dynamic and extreme poses while also being easy and enjoyable to pose. These are qualities that sum up the Origin line of kits in general. One of of the most exciting factors of this kits, and any Zaku type kit from the Origin line, is the amount of equipment, accessories, and extra parts that are included. The weapons included are a belt-fed 120mm machinegun, the monstrous ASR-78 Anti-Ship Rifle, the Type A2 Bazooka with 3 magazines, and the typical heat hawk. I really like what they did with the “Zaku Bazooka” making it both somewhat larger and giving it an actual magazine so that it actually made sense when it fired multiple rounds in succession (unlike how it was depicted earlier firing continuously from a single-barrel bazooka with no magazine). The ASR-78 Rifle is perhaps my favorite weapon, if a bit unyieldy to get poses out of.
Additonally, this kits comes with alternate parts to basically make both the C type and F type, and again parts for the R6 package. I decided that I’d customize mine a little. Used the Type C chest with the 60mm vulcan mounted the right side of the chest, as well as the left chest piece from the R6 package which mounts the 30mm vulcan. Also added the dual 20mm vulcan gun pod to the left arm. I customized mine to have a variaty of different caliber weapons to work with: the primary held weapons like the bazooka, rifle or machine gun to deal with larger more well-armored targets, complimented by an array of smaller caliber vulcans for point-defense, light anti-vehicle, and anti-space/aircraft especially in urban environments where it can be harder to aim the primary weapon.
If I had to rank this against the Real Grade Zaku II as an overall kit, I’d say that the HG the Origin Zaku II is the better kit but only by a margin. It’s an enjoyable, simple build being a high grade, but the result in a rewarding and fine looking kit that’s fun to pose. It also provides enough to make something of a customized unit too as a nice bonus, and then some for other customs.
