This will be my final toy review for 2021.
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The release of a METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Wing Gundam Zero is genuinely exciting news. Naturally, I pre-ordered mine early and picked it up right on schedule. I also owned the original ROBOT SPIRITS version, which, looking back, was a product from nine years ago, way back in 2012. Today, with the "METAL" designation and nearly a decade of engineering advancements, the improvements are substantial, as detailed below:
An Impressive Physique with Powerful Posing Capabilities
First, let's look at the figure's overall presence. In both Mobile Suit and Neo-Bird modes, the sculpt is fantastic. The slender proportions and the sharp, aggressive angles of the head give it a fierce look. Overall, it's just a great-looking figure. When a design isn't "angle-sensitive"—meaning it looks good no matter how you pose it—that's already a huge win. Furthermore, the fine details are faithfully recreated. For instance, opening the wing binders reveals intricate mechanical detailing inside, which adds a lot of points to its score.
Simple, Fluid Transformation with a Thoughtful Design
The Wing Gundam's transformation is often criticized by some for being a simple "lie-down" affair, but the execution is what truly matters. Whether it's fun to transform is another story. Today, collectors generally prefer transformations that don't require parts-swapping, and this Wing Gundam Zero delivers exactly that. The most ingenious part is undoubtedly the design of the lower legs, which is incredibly well-thought-out. The thrusters hidden inside the feet are also executed perfectly. Ideally, the best transforming figures are the ones where you can't immediately tell they transform. When you're handling it in Mobile Suit mode, it feels like a solid robot; in Neo-Bird mode, it feels like a convincing aircraft. This figure achieves that balance beautifully. To be honest, this year's METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Zeta Gundam had an impressive transformation, but its articulation in Mobile Suit mode was merely average. This Wing Gundam strikes a much better balance, making it fun to handle in both forms, and that's more than enough.
Articulation is Decent, But There's Room for Improvement
The articulation on this Wing Gundam is pretty good. As mentioned, it can hit all the necessary poses, but some areas could be better. For example, the knee bend is somewhat limited, hitting its maximum angle rather quickly.
The Twin Buster Rifle Pose is Perfectly Recreated
For anyone who has handled other Wing Gundam figures, you'll know that achieving the iconic dual-wielding cannon pose usually requires swapping in a special set of hands. With this METAL ROBOT SPIRITS release, that's no longer necessary, which is a fantastic improvement. Thanks to the wide range of motion in the shoulders and chest, getting both arms into the firing position is not difficult at all—in fact, it's quite easy. Of course, being able to achieve the pose and making it look dynamic are two different things.
The Clever and Fun Shoulder Cannon Gimmick
The shoulder-mounted machine cannons feature a neat rotating gimmick. They are stored inside the chest, and you simply flip them out when you want to use them. This design choice is exactly what you want in a fun, interactive toy.
Of course, alongside the pros, there are a few points worth criticizing:
The Display Stand Connection is Too Shallow and Unstable.
I don't understand why the two connection ports for the display stand were made so shallow. This weak connection means the figure doesn't sit securely and can easily fall off. The port for Mobile Suit mode is particularly bad, though the one for Neo-Bird mode is slightly better. It feels like Bandai is still unwilling to put in the effort to properly engineer its display stands and connection points. Perhaps fixing it would create a cascade of other issues they'd have to address down the line.
That Beam Saber is Too Pale and Too Short
While the ANIME line offers beam sabers of all shapes and sizes, the one included here is lackluster. The blade effect isn't very bright; in fact, the color is far too pale. In hand, its presence is just average.
A More Uniform Finish Would Have Been Better
Color and finish are, of course, a matter of personal taste. However, in my opinion, consistency is better. This figure mixes matte finishes in some areas with glossy plastic in others, creating a slightly disjointed look.
If Only There Were METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Effect Parts!
It would be absolutely amazing if Bandai offered dedicated effect parts for the METAL ROBOT SPIRITS line.
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