The MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam or also known as the “Double Zeta” is piloted by Judau Ashta in “Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ” anime.

I myself have not watched Gundam ZZ and also the anime series before it which features Gundam MK2.

But what is interesting when I was doing some background reading on the ZZ Gundam is that it is obviously a direct development of the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, but the ΖΖ Gundam was actually the 6^th “Anaheim Gundam” after the RMS-099 Rick Dias, which I didn’t know was code named as “γ Gundam”!

The ΖΖ Gundam was aimed to combine the functions of the RX-78-2 Gundam and the G-Armor into a single machine. As a result, the ΖΖ Gundam can transform into mobile armour, which acts as a heavy combat bomber and for cruising in space and on earth.

The ΖΖ Gundam can also separate into two independent fighter units, called the Core Top and Core Base.

Basically it is a “Transformer”!!

Honestly I am not a big fan of “transforming” Mobile Suits, I do like G1 Transformers, Macross and Mospeda they are transforming mecha in their own right and somehow Macross makes it looks so plausible in “real life”.

BUT the Zeta or the ZZ Gundam’s transformation involves pulling off limbs twisting the torso such that it looks like a plane/jet but they called it a “Wave Rider” instead, hence in my books it is not an actual transformation.

Nuff said on the anime, this Bandai 1/144 HGUC ZZ Gundam kit and it was released in early June 2010 for about ¥2,300. Comparing to other HG kits, the ZZ is relatively more expensive compared the Grand-daddy HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam (Revive) which starting price is about ¥1,000.

However, as you can see the ZZ is a much bigger kit of its time, you are paying for a lot more plastic when compared to the smaller UC Mobile Suit.

This kit is once reviewed as the “Master Grade” of its time; which I am happy to say that “yes” when it was 2010. The kit is “huge” when finished, it has 2 big beam sabres, double barrel beam cannon, core fighter, able to “transform”, some good parts separation to allow easy painting.

Some sort of okish articulation, but don’t expect much because once you added the double barrel cannon, the weight of the weapon do not allow the hand to be raise up long enough for a photoshoot. Hence, it is basically permanently pointing downwards.

It also comes with only one left hand which is a closed fist, for the price I would prefer to throw in another left hand which allows you to hold that iconic huge beam sabre.  

I bought this kit from my mate Ching To for £27.99 which includes postage; in terms of buying Bandai model kits from UK I will say it is very competitive especially when you consider shipping from overseas.  I also do not reside in a major city in the UK; hence buying a Bandai model kit from High Street comic shops is relatively difficult unless I am travelling for work.

Ching To operates mainly from a Facebook group where he is able to source gunpla and other overseas model kits, this actually works for me as I only buy kits which I am interested and if they are available. If you are interested please take a look at his website and sign up to his Facebook group for his latest stock.

My colour inspiration was on a “What If….” Paptimus Scirocco has stolen the ZZ Gundam from AEUG and repainted to represent his purple coloured hair. And I am also trying out doing a clean finish and using a very busy colour accent help bring out the parts separation and details.

Saying that, I wasn’t actually too happy with the colour scheme, it makes the ZZ Gundam looked more like G1 Transformer. Hey-oh! Gunpla is freedom and I learnt an important lesson “Less is more…sometimes”!

This is a side by side comparison of ZZ Gundam with RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [HAZEL 2] which was customised to look like a Titans RX-178 Gundam MKII which is roughly within the same UC timeline. Which you can see the RX-178 is rather smaller than ZZ Gundam.

To put size into context, which most fans will be more familiar with is the Granddad RX-78 Gundam from the Original series.

As said before I wasn’t a keen fan of “Transforming” Gundam, hence the only closest Zeta Gundam I have is the MSZ-006LGT Lightning Zeta Gundam from the Building Fighter Try anime.

Did I mention, this kit comes with a core fighter as well! Honestly, I find the ZZ Gundam core fighter a bit too anime-like when compared to the RX-78 and Stardust Memories Core Fighters.

Also trying to put things into context, I have a 1/144 RAF Tornado and Macross Valkyries to show off.