BANDAI SPIRITS Hobby Division of Japan today officially announced the latest 20th-anniversary product in the Gunpla series 'MASTER GRADE Ver.Ka', the 'MG 1/100 Z Gundam Ver.Ka', slated for release in April 2023.
'MASTER GRADE Ver.Ka' is a 1/100 scale Gundam model series produced by the popular Japanese mechanical designer KATOKI HAJIME, characterized by his designed head-to-body proportions, intricate mechanical style, and meticulous body markings. Since the release of its first product, 'MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.Ka', in 2002, most products in the series have received considerable acclaim. This new challenge for the 20th anniversary aims to reproduce the protagonist mobile suit 'Z Gundam' from the 1985 anime 'Mobile Suit Z Gundam' with the latest technology. Its features include three major points: 'pursuit of anime setting aesthetics', 'Gunpla's highest transformation combining articulation and locking mechanisms', and 'evolution of mechanisms and mechanical expression'.
This time, KATOKI HAJIME has sculpted the 'MG 1/100 Z Gundam Ver.Ka' based on the original TV anime Z Gundam design sketches, recreating the larger head and arms, and thicker legs of that era. However, for articulation and transformation requirements, the proportions have been slightly reduced. Even the transformed Waverider (WR) mode maintains the shorter, thicker appearance from the anime, offering a full dose of retro charm combined with the latest articulation and transformation mechanism technology, further complemented by the Ver.Ka's signature style of intricate body marking water decals.
One of the defining characteristics of the 'Z Gundam' is its non-fixed transformation mechanism, with each generation of Gunpla products offering its unique interpretation. This 'MG 1/100 Z Gundam Ver.Ka' also introduces an even more impressive complete transformation mechanism through ultra-precise part separation technology. The frame is designed with numerous articulated sections to smoothly reproduce the transformation process from MS mode to WR mode. Areas that might have been weaker in previous products, such as the chest, waist, and hip joints, now feature newly designed locking mechanisms for increased strength, along with five ingenious multi-directional rotating axes, allowing the Z Gundam to achieve complex transformation, articulation, and stability. Furthermore, the landing gear for the WR mode is internally stored within the unit and can be deployed without needing to swap parts.
The color separation of the parts is consistent with the previously released ZZ Gundam Ver.Ka, allowing the entire model, including yellow sections, to be thoroughly reproduced through molded colors. Parts like the thruster nozzles undergo 'EXTRA FINISH' processing to achieve a rich metallic sheen, and when combined with gray molded parts, they present even more layers of detail. Weapon accessories include a beam rifle, beam saber, shield, wrist grenade launcher, fixed-pose hands, and a miniature pilot figure of 'Kamille Bidan'.
MG 1/100 Zeta Gundam Ver.Ka
Reference Price: 7,150 JPY (tax included)
Expected Release Date: 2023/04
Product Specifications: 1/100 scale plastic model kit
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