Universal Century Model Kits

Gunpla Build - High Grade Second V (Clear) 2024-12-24

On this festive Christmas Eve, let us spend time with the people that matter most to us in life - plastic models … 🎄😜

Last month I built my first clear High Grade, and at the time I said I needed to build at least one more clear kit - preferably one in traditional Gundam colors - in order to better calibrate my opinion on the whole clear gimmick. Well, here it is:

This is the clear version of the Second V, from novelization of Victory Gundam. This is actually one of the kits I was really hoping to get from the Gundam Base Tour back in the fall, but alas it wasn’t available at my particular tour stop. Thankfully Bandai did a final online sales push at the end of the tour, putting their leftover inventory on Premium Bandai (which is how I was able to get it).

Gunpla Build - High Grade Zaku III Custom (Build) 2024-10-14

Let’s take a look at what’s in the box:

I have two initial observations. First, some of these parts are massive, which … yeah. It’s the Zaku III after all.

My second observation is that this kit is built out of the same extra hard, extra shiny plastic that most old HGUC kits seem to be made out of. I know from past experience that that it still looks perfectly fine after some topcoat, so I’m not really worried about that. What I do find interesting is just how rough this plastic looks under the surface.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Zaku III Custom 2024-10-13

You know, in all my years doing this hobby, I don’t think I’ve ever built a mobile suit from ZZ Gundam. Let’s change that!

I can’t not quote Gundam Youtuber Kakarot197 here - it’s time to build the Always Bulky Zaku III.

Oh, and a disclaimer:

Spoiler Preface!!!

This post contains some mild spoilers for the final episodes of ZZ Gundam. You may want to skip it if you haven’t watched the show.