MG 1/100 ZETA GUNDAM Ver.Ka Going on Sale in April 2023
A new challenge for the 20th anniversary of Ver.Ka
A reimagining of the “original Zeta Gundam” that transcends time
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ABOUT
A new challenge for the 20th anniversary of Ver.Ka
A reimagining of the
“original Zeta Gundam”
that transcends time
The "Original Zeta"
About 40 years have passed since the first 1/100 scale Zeta Gundam model’s release,
and the original Zeta Gundam that everyone marveled at while watching the TV series
is back as a Ver.Ka. kit.
Message from Hajime Katoki
When looking at the setting illustrations for the Zeta Gundam drawn for the TV series, I noticed that its original design has a unique kind of coolness that vastly differs from the sleek silhouette that modern fans love. The MS in the setting illustrations has a head and arms larger than what everyone believes what the Zeta Gundam should look like, and the legs have thicker and blockier designs made with sharp lines as though they are made out of paper. However, its overall silhouette has a bulky appearance. Therefore, this Ver.Ka model kit became an opportunity to take on the setting illustrations for the TV series that have been overlooked for so many years. I believe the design of the Zeta Gundam never gets old because it doesn’t have a “correct” way of transforming. It allows for everyone to have their own interpretations and ideal design balance. The Ver.2.0 and RG can be simply assembled to achieve cool results, but putting together this MS never gets old, so please take a look at this Ver.Ka model and use it as an opportunity to pursue your own ideal Zeta Gundam design.
Hajime Katoki
MG Ver.Ka
What is MASTER GRADE Ver.Ka?
This is a Master Grade Brand
managed by designer Hajime Katoki.
This is a Master Grade Brand managed by Hajime Katoki, who handles the concept designs for plastic model kits such as MG and HG kits.
Hajime Katoki and the BANDAI SPIRITS Hobby Division have teamed up to take on new challenges while developing each kit. Hajime Katoki’s supervision spans from elements such as the color of the plastic parts to the designs of the marking decals. The product photos, package illustrations, and instruction manual are also manufactured under the direction of Hajime Katoki.
EVOLUTION
The evolution of the Zeta Gundam GUNPLA lineage
GUNPLA featuring the Zeta Gundam have continued to evolve to recreate the transformation process, the most iconic feature of the MS.
The 1/100 Zeta Gundam released in 1985 recreated a transformation process without replacement parts.
Since then, we have continued to experiment with and study technology to achieve both transformation and ideal proportions at a high level.
1985
1/100
The recreation of the transformation process without replacement parts
The Zeta Gundam from "Mobile Suit Z Gundam" has been released as a 1/100 scale plastic model kit. The transformation into the Wave Rider Form can be recreated without replacement parts. The wings of the Flying Armor parts can be folded/unfolded and stored. The extending/retracting Shield and the Beam Rifle’s sliding barrel have been recreated, as well as the opening/closing Grenade Launchers and attachable/detachable cartridges.
1996
MG Ver.1.0
Evolution of articulation, designs, and transformation gimmicks
The Zeta Gundam, a transformable Mobile Suit used by A.E.U.G. in Mobile Suit Z Gundam, has been recreated in plastic model kit form with sharp proportions. The transformation from Mobile Suit Form to Wave Rider Form, the most iconic feature of the MS, can be recreated without replacement parts. An LED has been embedded for the recognition light on the tail stabilizer to achieve light-up effects. Its Beam Rifle has an extending/retracting gimmick.
2005
MG Ver.2.0
Designs and forms resembling depictions in the series
The Zeta Gundam from Mobile Suit Z Gundam has been released as an updated Ver.2.0 Master Grade plastic model kit. The transformation gimmick from previous kits have evolved to achieve ideal proportions in both Mobile Suit and Wave Rider Form. A catapult-type display stand to exhibit the kit in both forms is included.
The PG 1/60 Zeta Gundam was released in the year 2000. Both the MS and WR (Wave Rider) Forms with intense designs were recreated.
The RG 1/144 Zeta Gundam was released in 2012 from a series that celebrates the 30th anniversary of GUNPLA.
It recreates realistic Mobile Suit transformation mechanisms in 1/144 scale through examinations of actual machines, a unique feature of RG series kits.
2000
The first kit in the PG series to adopt a transformation mechanism
This was the first kit in the PG series to recreate the transformation mechanism. It has beautiful proportions in both MS Form and WR (Wave Rider) Form. The transformation mechanism using the iconic Movable Frame structure was recreated. Various armor parts can be attached/detached, and the maintenance hatches can be opened/closed. It incorporates LED light-up gimmicks in sections such as the head camera eye, Beam Sabers, and wing tip lights in the WR Form. The landing gear for the WR Form are made of replaceable die-cast parts that are stable and durable enough to support the large kit.
2012
A realistic transformation based on an examination of actual machines
The Zeta Gundam was released as the 10th installment in the RG series that was launched to celebrate the 30th anniversary of GUNPLA. The Zeta Gundam’s mechanisms were realistically recreated based on examinations of actual machines, an approach unique to the RG series, and the transformation process was recreated in 1/144 scale. It also adopted new Advanced MS Joints and came with Realistic Decals.
ITEM DETAILS
POINT.01:
Pursuing the original depiction in the anime series
The first transformable Gundam: The Zeta Gundam. Achieving both ideal proportions and transformation process. The MS has been released in various renditions while taking on this permanent challenge, and its design has undergone many changes. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first 1/100 scale Zeta Gundam. We have returned to the original design to pursue the recreation of the MS depicted in the TV series. The proportions in both Mobile Suit and Wave Rider (WR) Form have been meticulously recreated in the latest GUNPLA format.
Recreating proportions by thoroughly examining
the setting illustrations for the anime
The design model for this kit was established by comparing the front and side views of the setting illustrations for the MS. The size of the head, distance between the eyes, the shape of the air intake parts, and the design of the face mask have been revised. This kit aims to create a rendition closest to the MS depicted in the anime that has a beautiful appearance when seen from every angle.
The chest is based on the setting illustrations with thin yellow ducts that face down and a thin chest slope that resembles the iconic features of the Zeta Gundam seen in the anime series. This design has not been adopted since the 1/100 Scale Zeta Gundam kit in order to incorporate transformation gimmicks, but has finally been realized in this MG Ver.Ka after about 40 years thanks to improvements in technology such as the sliding mechanism in the chest.
The hand parts have large and tough designs based on the setting illustrations. They were enlarged to their limits while maintaining sizes that enable transformation.
The kit was designed from head to toe to pursue the proportions from the anime series.
POINT.02:
Moving and Fixed Parts: Achieving one of the Best Transformation Sequence in GUNPLA History
The transformation mechanisms of previous Zeta Gundam kits and other GUNPLA of transformable Mobile Suits have been re-examined. Complicated structures and other factors that may cause stress during the transformation have been revised.
A focus was placed on recreating depictions in the anime series and intricate gimmicks unique to the MG series while enabling a smooth transformation sequence.
Various locking mechanisms are used during the transformation process. The articulation of the MS Form is used while the mechanisms of the WR Form are able to firmly fix the parts in place, which is a crucial feature required in aircraft models.
The ideal transformation of Zeta Gundam was achieved through a balance between moving and fixed parts.
TRANSFORMATION
01. Head/Chest Transformation
The chest has sliding extending/retracting gimmicks.
02. Head/Arm Storage
A new mechanism where the movement of the torso parts are locked in place when the head is stored (patent pending) has been incorporated. The waist can be moved in MS Form and can be fixed in place in WR Form to create a sturdy appearance.
03. Groin Joint Transformation/Folding Waist Armor
Release the locking parts in the front and rear skirts to unfold the waist joint. The waist joint is composed of multiple axles to achieve stable leg transformation.
04. Wing Deployment/Arm Storage
The Flying Armor parts are designed with simple connector joints. Comprehensible movements and rotating transformation sequences based on scenes from the series will make you want to transform this Zeta Gundam again and again.
05. Leg Transformation
Multiple parts in the internal frame move in conjunction, and the legs can bend in two stages. A beautiful silhouette has been achieved by adopting a compact design resembling the appearance in the series while being able to store the feet. The verniers and armor parts are revealed when sliding gimmicks are used.
06. Shield Attachment/WR Completion
A stable WR Form is achieved using the locking mechanisms implemented in areas throughout the MS such as the side skirts. The Shield is equipped with a new mechanism that folds at the bottom, and is designed with a wedge-shaped silhouette. The WR Form’s sharp appearance shown in the anime series can be recreated.
TRANSFORMATION SIMULATOR
*You can view the transformation process frame by frame by dragging or swiping the image.
POINT.03:
Evolution of gimmicks and mechanical expressions for the 20th anniversary of Ver.Ka
Previous kits struggled to achieve both movements and transformation, but the shoulder armor parts for this kit move in conjunction with the arms to greatly expand the range of articulation around the shoulders.
Grenade Pack parts are included. A gimmick has been adopted where the covers can be opened to reveal the grenade rounds within when the Grenade Packs are attached to the forearms and are slid back.
Moving mechanisms that were difficult to implement alongside transformation structures from the past, such as the swinging chest and waist section that sticks outward, have been incorporated. A total of five movable axles help not only to create powerful action poses, but also enable expressions with optimal angles.
Pursuing a recreation of a Wave Rider Form
with the proportions seen in the anime series
The proportions of the WR Form were also designed as a result to pursue its depiction in the anime.
Its thickness has been reduced as much as possible while maintaining a transformation gimmick and recreating its iconic sleek wedge-shaped form.
A focus has also been placed on the angles and linear designs of the Flying Armor parts.
The inverted V-shaped wings depicted in the setting illustrations have been recreated.
Landing Gear
Landing gear can be deployed from the Shield, Flying Armor (both sides), and waist armor without using replacement parts. Ground displays can even be enjoyed in WR Form.
Details expressed through markings and parts colors
Water decals designed by Hajime Katoki are included. Certain parts have had a metallic extra finish applied. They are combined with gray parts to create a mechanical multi-layered/hefty feel. All of the yellow sections of the MS are recreated with parts colors.
A variety of armaments, hand parts, and two types of figures of Kamille in a pilot suit are included.
GALLERY
MG 1/100 ZETA GUNDAM Ver.Ka
2023.04 ROLL OUT
Price: JPY 6,500 (tax excluded)
Scheduled to be released in April 2023
- *The target age of this product is over 15 years old.
- *The images and specifications may differ from the actual products.