Synopsis: Ever since I knew about and later owned the RX-78-2 Gundam Version 2.0 I always thought the Zaku II was next in line to deserve the version 2.0 treatment. So it was only natural that when Japan released the Massed produced ZakuII and Char's ZakuII version 2.0 I was already waiting to place in an order to pick them up.

As an MSiA Char's ZakuII has had a history of having one major flaw. The Version 1.0 always seemed to look pink, hardly a color worthy for a guy nicknamed "The Red Comet". The Version 2.0 however breaks this curse with an actual red look to it.

The Figure: This figure is just blows me away in terms of all the improvements performed over the Zaku II Version 1.0! This figure stands a good head taller then the version 1.0 as well.

The Head is well painted and well detailed. The sculpt job of the head is great with the area of the mono-eye being made of a separate plastic almost leading one to believe that the area of the mono-eye could swivel around but it can not really move. The command antenna like others is a little flimsy and can risk warping but that is a problem that can never be solved. The Head stands on a rather odd joint that allows for 360 degrees of rotation and good head elevation. I say the joint is odd because the head has to be lined up with part of the joint in a particular way, to prevent anymore confusion a picture below should better clear up the confusion.

The arms are equal only to other Version 2.0 Figures. The shoulder joints can swivel forwards and backwards freely as well as rotate without being hindered. Only thing the arms can not do is spread the arms out to show its arm-span. The elbows feature the trademark double joint debuted in the RX-78-2 Gundam Version 2.0 which allows for almost complete natural bending at the elbow. Twisting of the elbow is achieved not at the elbow but in between where the deltoid and triceps would be. That swiveling point can be sticky after getting it out of the package, I found it that way on both ZakuIIs and nearly paniced thinking it could not be angled. The Hands rest on a ball joint providing natural pivoting. Hands included are 2 closed fists, 2 gun hands, and 2 "sword" hands. One thing to note is that the hands do not have painted on panel lines whereas the rest of the Zaku has panel lines drawn in.

The Legs are well articulated and in a lot of ways superior other units. The leg is connected to the hip via a ball joint and the skirt armor is flexible and separate enough to allow for practically unhindered movement except at the side hip armor. The knee joint like the elbow joint features the Version 2.0 double joint allowing for natural bending. The ankle still has the hindered movement by surrounding ankle armor. Bandai must have decided to compensate for this restriction with an additional joint in the lower foot allowing for articulation similar posing like the Gundam Ver2.0 shown HERE. Be careful that when manipulation this joint because it is the easiest joint to pop off.

The Torso is well sculpted and well painted. The thruster pack is removable revealing internal mechanics also allowing for the Zaku to wear the minelaying backpack and The backpack cannon that is included in the ZakuII version 1.0 with megella attack tank U.S. set.

The Accessories: This Zaku II is not the accessory monster that the mass produced one is. Like the mass produced Zaku II ver 2.0 reveiw for the sake of space attachments used to mount the weapon on the hip will be mentioned in weapon description.

Zaku 120mm machine gun: Like the old version 1.0 this gun looks a little oversized however that is where the similarities end. The forward handle can swivel to allow for more accuracy to the animated counterpart. The ammo drum is interchangeable with a different style clip mentioned below. The figure holds the weapon well.

MMP-80 90 mm machinegun: This is an awesome weapon shown in 0080 and 0083 that features a removable ammo clip though I must admit it seems a little big for the figure but still looks well on the Zaku II version 2, Gelgoog, or even the Dom.

Grenade Launcher attachment for MMP80: This attachment fits at the bottom of the MMP80 while fitting snug it makes the weapon look a little more bulky then without it.

Zaku 280mm Bazooka: This was a pleasant surprise from the old Zaku Bazooka that although the Zaku could hold well could not swivel like the animated design. This Version 2.0 is essentially made up of 3 parts the back end with main grip, the scope, and the barrel with forward handlegrip. Each part rotates independent of each other allowing for better posing. The bazooka can be stored in the back of the Zaku with the aid of an attachment that attaches to the main handle of the Bazooka while the attachment is placed at the back skirt armor via a peg.

Heat Hawk: Whats a Zaku without its Heat Hawk? This melee weapon features the same peg fashion of attaching to the side skirt armor as the version 1.0 had. The main difference between the two is the menacing look of the Version 2.0. This thing actually looks like a scary ax.

Minelayer Backpack: At first I mistook this for the high mobility Backpack but I found out upon receiving the figure that this was a MSV (mobile suit variation) backpack used on theyou guessed it Minelayer Zaku II! All four thrusters are movable and the backpack is well detailed despite the lack of removable mines.

Play Value: a good amount of Accessories, tons of articulation this figure has a great deal of Play value and can be fiddled around with for a good amount of time. Please note that with all these accessories the choking hazards are numerous so please do not leave with the kids that are too young.

Display Value: This guy is much better representative of Char's Zaku II that can stand tall before your Zaku army. The colors are right and the articulation is definitely better so a better stance can be posed.

Dollar Value: This guy I had ordered from Hobby Link Japan for about $12.51 and approximately $5.84 Shipping & handling. For an import this was the cheapest price I could get the figure for since I don't have any import store nearby and given the quality of the figure I feel that it was worth the price.

Conclusion: This Figure lives up to what we are to expect from Version 2.0 MSiAs. A well-articulated figure with an ok amount of accessories.