MS-05S Char’s Zaku 1 is a mobile suit featured in the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin.

The Principality of Zeon forces had been anticipating a war of independence and thus made their preparations for the outbreak of war by mass-producing the MS-05 Zaku 1. However, since the One Year War, broke out just before the MS-06 Zaku 2  entered full-scale mass production, individual MS-05 Zaku 1 units were fitted with MS-06 Zaku 2 equipment and deployed in battle as a special type for Char Aznable’s own customized MS-05 Zaku 1.

The High Grade MS-05S Char’s Zaku 1 is a Bandai 1/144 scale kit released in early Dec 2016. The origin storyline and kits are still relatively new kit with new moulding. It still uses polycaps, but it has a lot more articulation to allow more dynamic posing when compared to the older HG versions.

Articulation uses double elbows and improved hip joints. The front skirt still scratches the paint on of the front tight slightly but I guess Bandai knew about it and provided a rubber skirt in their latest Zaku 2 kit.

The retail price for this kit is about ¥1,530 which in my humble opinion is relatively cheap  when compared to the Grand-daddy HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam (Revive) is ¥1,000; especially the Origin Zaku 1 kit has a lot more surface details for panel lining, and a unique belt feed machine gun.

The parts separation (in my humble opinion) is also one of the best in HG Zaku class. I am able to paint most of the parts separately and in different colours so if I choose. Masking is also minimal since most to the parts where colour separation are required are already separated; but who need colour separation when you are painting it all in comet red.

The only modification/customisation I have done was to give Char’s Zaku 1 two round shoulder pauldrons. I never liked the spiked version on Zaku 2, and this modification IMHO works well with the rounded head sculpt of Zaku 1.

The Origin kits also have wonderfully detailed compared to other standard HG kits. This is Zaku 1 standing side-by-side to RX-78-2 Origin.

This is my side by side comparison to my Gelgoog and Zaku 2.

This is my side by side comparison to my Bugu and other Ramba’s custom Zaku 1.

And finally another of my Thunderbolt inspired Zaku 1.

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