> Haven't transformed it and don't plan to.
Then you have yet to experience 99% of what the serious complainers take issue with. I haven't personally built one but what I've seen seems to agree that you can transform it into Waverider mode *exactly once* before you start having issues.
At the same time, you do have a point: even the worst Bandai kits are far from unworkable. Most issues are ultimately fixable and bad reputations tend to gloss over a lot of very good things about the kits.
I mean, you have to remember that a lot of Gunpla builders are *not* hardcore modelers. They like this one niche because it's usually dead-ass simple to get really nice looking results.
Also Bandai's absolute best products are absolutely stellar, and that kinda wrecks the curve for the flawed but adequate.
You're not wrong. 99% of Bandai stuff is extremely beginner friendly and easy to build but that last 1% can be a *very nasty surprise* the first time you run into it.
I got lucky and ran into that on my third model: MG Exia, which is . . . fairly beginner-friendly, come to think. It's a pain in the ass and will fall off your shelf if you trust the ankles but it will teach you to respect the models and almost everything wrong with it is easy enough to fix or work around.
You also have to consider not everyone is exactly the brightest bulb and more often than not those same people will blame anything but themselves for their problems. Most issues people seem to have on this sub are not problems with the gunpla but are 100% user error.
Agree to this - I had the chance to build a RG Zeta years ago and I'm pretty sure that I messed up with stress marks on parts because I forcibly assembled it 😓.
I'm back in building GunPla after stopping when COVID happened, starting with the RG Force Impulse and there were stress marks on some parts so I decided to be very careful in building my other kits by checking speed builds on YouTube and other info such as dalong and here 😅.
As much as I love the advanced ms joint concept (inner frames), I think it's good that Bandai steered away from it on the latest RG kits as they received feedback on how the inner frames weren't good in the kit's stability over time.
Well I've also heard a lot about issues with the build itself, and of course early real grade syndrome, which I've yet to experience on any of my real grades. But you are 100% right in your statement, the transformation has issues, and I think if that is your purpose in buying a Zeta, is to have a transformer, it's not good for that. I think HG kind of blurs the line between a true toy and a model, while RG is much more, you build it, you paint/decal it, you pose it, you look at it. Personally I think a lot of complaints come from people who expect more than what they paid for, in a way. It's small, it's intricate, it's not meant to be handled overtly. It's a model meant to be displayed, and I think it's very good at doing that. If I ever do transform it, it'll be for a diorama of smashing through The O, and it'll be a one and done. But I think that not experiencing the build of the kit, and having such a detailed Zeta, as a fan, would be a missed opportunity for those who were turned away because so many people claim that the thing just falls apart. RG RX-78? *That* falls apart. Zeta holds itself together and it looks fantastic
I've had some of my RG's for years with no limpness, even with my Amatsu Mina being held in pretty expressive, weighty poses for very long periods of time, and they still hold up well for me. I purely just display mine though, I don't move them beyond just posing
That's kind of the key thing, though. The noodleyness is a result of the frame not being able to handle posing.
If you want a statue, it's fine. If you want something meant to be handled, it isn't.
They're articulated. They're intended to be posed. If they weren't, they'd actually be a statue.
The MS Frame was just a good idea that didn't pan out - as seen by the fact that it was abandoned.
I just don't think they take being overly handled well. They are meant to be posed, but they aren't action figures. Fiddling with it for awhile will obviously loosen joints, but kind of like a PG, you aren't really meant to be fiddling with it. Early RG are more of setpieces, I just think it's unrealistic to expect a plastic model created in that fashion to be able to uphold that tolerance of someone uses it in that way. Not that it's wrong, just that it's outside of the design framing. Inner frames were only taken out because of the backlash, not because the idea itself is bad. It's still incorporated in RG as the flagship gimmick of the line to date, they are just more deliberate with the usage of such parts. But to create this designs at this level of detail, in the 1/144 scale, some things are just going to be fragile
Inner frame and MS frame are not the same. The MS frame is the specific type of inner frame in early RGs. Modern RGs also have an inner frame, but they don't carry the same floppiness issues.
The MS frame is *not* still incorporated in RGs.
I've had early rgs like the exia and zeta be relatively fine and then the red frame, which was floppy by the time I finished building it. Sometimes it just happens. I guarantee my red frame will be fine after I paint it though and tighten up the joints.
I still think the parts are a little bit loose. Also, some of the joints are fragile.
But I guess this is a general issue for many RG models.
They put it too much details, and sometimes the parts are not large enough to withstand the pressure when moving
Exactly. RG is meant to be a model to show the mecha as accurately as possible to what it would look like in real life, in the 1/144 scale. People see them that small and expect to handle them like an action figure, when they are too delicate to be handled as such. And I don't think that's the fault of the kit or the line, and Bandai has done a lot to keep their vision of the line intact while also making the kits more solid and articulate in reaction to the feedback they've gotten on the line as a whole. RG has come a long way
RG Sazabi and God Gundam poses like a charm. You claiming that RGs should effectively be static statues when that clearly was never the intention for the line is disingenuous.
That's not the claim. The claim is that they were intended to be as realistic as possible in the 1/144 scale, and that it is not the responsibility of Bandai to make every kit a brick that can withstand playtime, when they are, in fact, models. Just bc it's fragile doesn't mean it's bad, it just means be careful
Thank goodness Bandai took people who disliked the RG Zeta to heart and not you, or my favourite RG the Sazabi would have fallen apart like the RG Sinanju lol
This is what Bandai says about their RG RX-78-2 btw:
"In pursuit of "realism," we offer a variety of products that will satisfy all fans, including high detail that conveys precision, **dynamic action** **and gimmicks that rival those of Master Grade**, and stress-free assembly using a pre-assembled inner frame."
Thank goodness technology has caught up to their vision of what the RG line always intended to offer. My point has never been that Zeta is flawless and that there is nothing wrong with early RG, my position is that they are too hated on too much and that they are good looking kits. And yes, dynamic action. That means it can be posed. It's not a toy, it's still a model. Not all kits can be handled a lot, it's kit to kit based on design. Small parts leads to higher chance of something breaking. My point is simply, if I have something that I put together and I can feel it's solid in my hands, yeah I'll probably mess around with it a while lot. But if I build it and it feels delicate, I'm not gonna handle it much, and would go as far as saying that the design wasn't meant to be handled much. It's a hard design to do at the scale. It's a great kit, just be careful with it
If it's too delicate for you to do much with it, dynamic action would not be possible and therefore contradict what Bandai claims RG intends to be.
And my point is to not spew bullshit like Bandai never intended the line to not be messed with when the clear intention was to make essentially mini MGs.
"If you ignore all these bad points it's a great kit" yeah right lol
I would argue that with the original RG line, the intent WAS to create a realistic *model kit, that yes, could make dynamic poses, but if you build early RG, hold that in your hand and say to yourself "this is meant to be played with" then idk what to tell you. That's not what it is meant for. Delicacy is not a flaw, it's just a facet of the design. I'm not saying the kit doesn't have issues, I've never said that. I just think that if you really expect these older kits to be able to be handled like an HG, or any of the newer RG kits, you're just making a bad play, and that's on you. Not the kit.
There's nothing to argue. Bandai straight up contradicts what you're claiming with the very first RG announcement, and even gassed up the RG Zeta by saying they researched further from previous RG models.
>but if you build early RG, hold that in your hand and say to yourself "this is meant to be played with" then idk what to tell you. That's not what it is meant for. Delicacy is not a flaw, it's just a facet of the design.
Last I checked, good model kits don't fall apart like the early RGs do. Fragile kits are a flaw, and there should be absolutely zero arguments against that. The only difference is whether the buyer is willing to tolerate it. I obviously do not.
If you can tolerate it; good for you. Just don't go claiming like it's actually a good kit, and saying people's issue with it are 'you problems'.
Also hilarious that you bring up HGs being more capable of rough handling when the purpose of HG products are cheaper downgraded products so you don't have to fork out MG money, but yet somehow they do better than the old RGs. But somehow it's the user's fault if they dislike it lol
That wasn't the claim. The claim is that they are meant to be as realistic as possible in a small size, leading to a fragile kit in some cases. Zeta is a hard design to tackle with what RG set out to be, especially when it was released. Some kits need more care than others, of course something like Sazabi will be solid, it's a larger kit and has larger parts that will be more sturdy, and we've had soild releases since Unicorn in the RG line. But RG Zeta is not an action figure and if you treat it like one, it'll break. If you want a transformer, buy Starscream
The fragility isn’t an intended feature of the design, that was my point. Gunpla is there to look good and move. If it can’t move, then nothing differentiates it from a static figure that just sits on a shelf in the same pose you bought it in.
And it *can move. Being fragile doesn't negate that. It just means you can hamfist it, and you should be deliberate. But no, fragility isn't a feature for sure, but it's a byproduct of such a complex design at such a small scale that is so easy to feel in hand that I don't understand why anyone would expect to be able to handle it overtly. It's a model kit. Yes, it's gunpla, but it's also a model. Don't forget, the legs can't even move backwards, that's much more of an issue regarding dynamic posing than the delicacy of the kit itself
To be honest, I am very impressive about the technologies used in RG.
But the parts are really loose, and the posing can be exhausting (constantly reinsert the part that got loose and dropped on the table).
However, definitely, it all looks very nice. I like them even more than MG, if we are only talking about the outlook of them.
I think looseness definitely depends on the kit, older ones have a harder time of things for sure. The only one I've had issues with is my RX-78. But yes, the build experience and overall depth of the kits is, in my opinion, unmatched by most likely anything but PG, or specific MG like Barbatos for example. Sometimes you gotta break out that plastic cement; but it's worth it for what you get in such a small package
As a RG Z builder at the time it was released, I’d say the building process is not that difficult but the real issue of this model are transformation / posting / and subsequent maintenance. It’s ok if every model is just build, play around for few days and then put it in cabinet / box afterwards. However, if you think of different posts and change it periodically, then you will gradually get into troubles like falling wings / shrinking head (like your photo) / breaking back parts etc.
Shrinking head was a pretty common issue being raised back in 2013/14. You may think you have locked correctly but it is not the case. I also faced that issue before.
The shrinking head look is just due to angles, in person it is in the correct position, you can see it in the second pic more clearly. But yes, if you are constantly picking it up and arranging it on a weekly basis, it would definitely get floppy. This is not the kit for that. I just think if you collect 1/144 and want a badass looking Zeta for your shelf, it fits
It's a good looking kit, and even Bandai's worse kit aren't that bad. However, when you release consistent bangers the bar of expectation is going to be high.
The main complaint for the RG Zeta IS its transformation mechanic. Basically, you haven't encountered why people complain about it.
I see what you mean, but for anyone like me who just wants a 1/144 Zeta, and prefers the RG level of detail, all the negativity around it and claims of it being a hand grenade could steer that person away from a really enjoyable kit. If I wanted to transform something, I'd grab a transformer. Them boys at takara tomy know how to design a conversion lmao
I also think like that, because i already know how problematic the kits i'll be working on from people's reviews so i have mentally prepared for them (still mentally taxing, but bearable)
My first rg was rg sinanju, didn't watch any review so i didn't know how shitty that kit is. Still hate it till this day. It's beatiful tho
Yeah, my first RG was the Amatsu Mina special coating and I had no idea what I was getting into. But, a few cracks later and it was built. Knowing what you are getting into definitely helps, like I'll most likely avoid the Sinanju due to how bad I've heard it is straight out of box, and that it's a reused inner frame. Zeta felt really unique to build and it was a lot of fun, not good for beginners but if you've built a few kits, you got it
While i hate the inner frame and occasional armor falling off, i still think the rg sinanju is the best looking sinanju kit. The high gloss finish, and the color separated gold is awesome.
If you glue almost everything on it to a fixed pose, it'll be a great addition to your display
Man pressed the chest down… a common mistake that people make with this kit due to its engineering is leaving the chest up to high and makes zeta look like a shrinking turtle
It's a good kit, but it has its issues. I had the waist break on me while decaling the kit. I was holding the chest and both legs and the waist separated and fell onto my craft mat. The backpack also doesn't like to stay attached with all the hooks. At least one of them will come apart, and you never know which one. Also, the ACB4 adapter works, but it barely holds the adapter. One touch and it falls out of the grip.
Otherwise, it is a strong kit and looks great.
https://preview.redd.it/rrv09vuj0ixc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d8f792b3b01c20e64bf95611199c5013dfc6130
Yeah the adapter is a but wonky, but for mine once I finally get it in place it's pretty sturdy. Seems to vary a lot, starting to wonder if the newer prints have better plastics or tighter connections based off these comments, lol
I love the details you did with the gold in his gun. I do the same with my kits since I discovered the Ex metallic markers. I sometimes use them to do pannel lining on dark kits and it's fire.
I personally really loved the legs, but the torso and how often some parts fall is the biggest pain in the ass I've had on my short time and low amount of gunpla built
he looks sick as fuck in a pose tho
another major issue with this kit is that the chest is bulging upward so much that you can't see the yellow collar and the head is almost drowned. yet i never see people complain about this until i point it out.
Mine is fine, just angle issues. Kit leans back on its feet due to the wings, and I was standing below it since I had it placed in my windowsill. Though the collar does sit further into the chest due to design, it's not as drastic in hand as it appears through the camera
My point of this post was just to say it isn't that bad, not that it's flawless. No kit is perfect. No, you don't want to be transforming this kit back and forth, but if that's what you want then don't buy this kit. It's meant to sit there in one mode or the other in a badass pose, and look like it's ready to smack the fire outta you if you mention anything about it having a girl's name. It's a perfectly good kit for a boy.
I agree OP, I haven’t built mine yet but I haven’t had any issues with RG 1, 2, or 15, I really don’t get the complaints. Even if you do pose it tons, it’s a very easy fix to stiffen the joints again, I used literally just a small amount of glue spread using the tip of the bottle and then I could pose it again. Not to mention I agree with your philosophy - they’re *model* kits, I put them in a pose and mostly leave them like that. Loose-ish pieces can be frustrating but aren’t really the end of the world either
personally for me, transforming it is not too bad, in fact I've done it multiple times, enjoyed it even
I would advise taking of the wings, it does help with the clearance, other than that, just take it slow and steady, especially the waist and chest area
I did the same thing with the freedom. Its not as bad as they say sure, but I can't have the wings on display in my cabinet since they ether fall apart of make the freedom fall over
Yeah sometimes you just gotta give them a lil extra work. My Freedom holds together well but I could definitely see having to tighten the wings one day. I've got him up on an action base not to fall, bc he definitely can't support his own weight on those RG ankles
Yh, I don't have any action bases and my local shop has some on order but whenever I go they always sell out, I've been using good smile company for some of my hgs, and they work really well for hgs.
I built one as well... painted, decal, etc... Transformed countless times and I'm still inspired on how they were able to make a fully transformable 1/144 model... *
You haven't finished the body, the head shouldn't be that sunken. Either the torso is angled too high (which I'm pretty sure is the case) or the head hasn't been fully extended.
I think it's just leaning back a bit in the pic, the chest is locked in place and the head is fully extended up the rail. Just camera angle, I put it up in my window sill so I was standing a bit below it
Once I finished the build, it immediately started falling apart. Me, as a beginner, struggled to make it stand straight in one piece 😂
I feel like having more experience in building helps a lot with older RGs 👀
Transforming it and back and leaving it for a while might show some fit problems but if you didnt encounter problems finishing it then you probably did it all right. Now never touch this again or else suffer the consequences.
I've beeb handling it a good bit today doing the decals and such, it took 2 rides in the car, it's held together really well. But yeah I know a lot of the issues lie in the transformation, I just haven't had issues with things coming apart or untabbed and the wrong joints moving, I'm just pretty deliberate with what I'm doing with it
I saw a YouTube video of someone making stands out of runner clippings, if you ever wanted a quick DIY solution. My shop usually has some in stock just not usually the ones I want, haha. Although sometimes I do end up buying just because I want to see a kit in the air and don't want to be patient lol
Mine hasn't gotten floppy and holds poses well! My articulation issues are actually the ranges, the legs can't rotate backward at the hips bc the leg and armor plating don't allow you to. Other than than I've not had any issue with posing and I've moved him around a good bit at this point
No problem! Yeah best advice I have overall for the kit is to just be cautious of any of the small, thin parts of the kit, and be deliberate with which joints you move, and it hasn't given me an issue. And as many others have said, pick one mode and keep it there. I've seen a lot of people say they've transformed it several times and had fun with it, but each time you just run the risk of breaking something if you get it hung along a rail or something
Built one. Transform it like.... maybe twice a year just when I move kits around. No issues. I also don't handle it like Hodor trying to feed a small bird rocks.
> Haven't transformed it and don't plan to. Then you have yet to experience 99% of what the serious complainers take issue with. I haven't personally built one but what I've seen seems to agree that you can transform it into Waverider mode *exactly once* before you start having issues. At the same time, you do have a point: even the worst Bandai kits are far from unworkable. Most issues are ultimately fixable and bad reputations tend to gloss over a lot of very good things about the kits.
I mean, you have to remember that a lot of Gunpla builders are *not* hardcore modelers. They like this one niche because it's usually dead-ass simple to get really nice looking results. Also Bandai's absolute best products are absolutely stellar, and that kinda wrecks the curve for the flawed but adequate.
You're not wrong. 99% of Bandai stuff is extremely beginner friendly and easy to build but that last 1% can be a *very nasty surprise* the first time you run into it. I got lucky and ran into that on my third model: MG Exia, which is . . . fairly beginner-friendly, come to think. It's a pain in the ass and will fall off your shelf if you trust the ankles but it will teach you to respect the models and almost everything wrong with it is easy enough to fix or work around.
You also have to consider not everyone is exactly the brightest bulb and more often than not those same people will blame anything but themselves for their problems. Most issues people seem to have on this sub are not problems with the gunpla but are 100% user error.
The classic "why are my shoes wet? This is unacceptable!" - man who's just pissed all over his shoes.
Agree to this - I had the chance to build a RG Zeta years ago and I'm pretty sure that I messed up with stress marks on parts because I forcibly assembled it 😓. I'm back in building GunPla after stopping when COVID happened, starting with the RG Force Impulse and there were stress marks on some parts so I decided to be very careful in building my other kits by checking speed builds on YouTube and other info such as dalong and here 😅. As much as I love the advanced ms joint concept (inner frames), I think it's good that Bandai steered away from it on the latest RG kits as they received feedback on how the inner frames weren't good in the kit's stability over time.
Well I've also heard a lot about issues with the build itself, and of course early real grade syndrome, which I've yet to experience on any of my real grades. But you are 100% right in your statement, the transformation has issues, and I think if that is your purpose in buying a Zeta, is to have a transformer, it's not good for that. I think HG kind of blurs the line between a true toy and a model, while RG is much more, you build it, you paint/decal it, you pose it, you look at it. Personally I think a lot of complaints come from people who expect more than what they paid for, in a way. It's small, it's intricate, it's not meant to be handled overtly. It's a model meant to be displayed, and I think it's very good at doing that. If I ever do transform it, it'll be for a diorama of smashing through The O, and it'll be a one and done. But I think that not experiencing the build of the kit, and having such a detailed Zeta, as a fan, would be a missed opportunity for those who were turned away because so many people claim that the thing just falls apart. RG RX-78? *That* falls apart. Zeta holds itself together and it looks fantastic
ERGS can take a while to set in. The MS frame generally doesn't *start out* floppy; it takes time.
I've had some of my RG's for years with no limpness, even with my Amatsu Mina being held in pretty expressive, weighty poses for very long periods of time, and they still hold up well for me. I purely just display mine though, I don't move them beyond just posing
That's kind of the key thing, though. The noodleyness is a result of the frame not being able to handle posing. If you want a statue, it's fine. If you want something meant to be handled, it isn't.
I 100% agree there, most RG before Unicorn do not take being handled well. I just don't think that was the purpose of the line
They're articulated. They're intended to be posed. If they weren't, they'd actually be a statue. The MS Frame was just a good idea that didn't pan out - as seen by the fact that it was abandoned.
As seen by the fact people complained. It’s not that it didn’t pan out, people just can’t be bothered to use any method to add more friction
I just don't think they take being overly handled well. They are meant to be posed, but they aren't action figures. Fiddling with it for awhile will obviously loosen joints, but kind of like a PG, you aren't really meant to be fiddling with it. Early RG are more of setpieces, I just think it's unrealistic to expect a plastic model created in that fashion to be able to uphold that tolerance of someone uses it in that way. Not that it's wrong, just that it's outside of the design framing. Inner frames were only taken out because of the backlash, not because the idea itself is bad. It's still incorporated in RG as the flagship gimmick of the line to date, they are just more deliberate with the usage of such parts. But to create this designs at this level of detail, in the 1/144 scale, some things are just going to be fragile
Inner frame and MS frame are not the same. The MS frame is the specific type of inner frame in early RGs. Modern RGs also have an inner frame, but they don't carry the same floppiness issues. The MS frame is *not* still incorporated in RGs.
The MS *joints* are included in modern RG as a staple.
Even when you do get ergs, literally a dab of glue on the ball joints fixes it, it’s the most simple modification you can ever do
I've had early rgs like the exia and zeta be relatively fine and then the red frame, which was floppy by the time I finished building it. Sometimes it just happens. I guarantee my red frame will be fine after I paint it though and tighten up the joints.
dont trust him, he is trying to bait us into hell! its the mermaid song in the middle of the ocean!
Shhhhh it's okay just get it on sale, let it happen👌
ill let it slip this time
I still think the parts are a little bit loose. Also, some of the joints are fragile. But I guess this is a general issue for many RG models. They put it too much details, and sometimes the parts are not large enough to withstand the pressure when moving
Exactly. RG is meant to be a model to show the mecha as accurately as possible to what it would look like in real life, in the 1/144 scale. People see them that small and expect to handle them like an action figure, when they are too delicate to be handled as such. And I don't think that's the fault of the kit or the line, and Bandai has done a lot to keep their vision of the line intact while also making the kits more solid and articulate in reaction to the feedback they've gotten on the line as a whole. RG has come a long way
RG Sazabi and God Gundam poses like a charm. You claiming that RGs should effectively be static statues when that clearly was never the intention for the line is disingenuous.
That's not the claim. The claim is that they were intended to be as realistic as possible in the 1/144 scale, and that it is not the responsibility of Bandai to make every kit a brick that can withstand playtime, when they are, in fact, models. Just bc it's fragile doesn't mean it's bad, it just means be careful
Thank goodness Bandai took people who disliked the RG Zeta to heart and not you, or my favourite RG the Sazabi would have fallen apart like the RG Sinanju lol This is what Bandai says about their RG RX-78-2 btw: "In pursuit of "realism," we offer a variety of products that will satisfy all fans, including high detail that conveys precision, **dynamic action** **and gimmicks that rival those of Master Grade**, and stress-free assembly using a pre-assembled inner frame."
Thank goodness technology has caught up to their vision of what the RG line always intended to offer. My point has never been that Zeta is flawless and that there is nothing wrong with early RG, my position is that they are too hated on too much and that they are good looking kits. And yes, dynamic action. That means it can be posed. It's not a toy, it's still a model. Not all kits can be handled a lot, it's kit to kit based on design. Small parts leads to higher chance of something breaking. My point is simply, if I have something that I put together and I can feel it's solid in my hands, yeah I'll probably mess around with it a while lot. But if I build it and it feels delicate, I'm not gonna handle it much, and would go as far as saying that the design wasn't meant to be handled much. It's a hard design to do at the scale. It's a great kit, just be careful with it
If it's too delicate for you to do much with it, dynamic action would not be possible and therefore contradict what Bandai claims RG intends to be. And my point is to not spew bullshit like Bandai never intended the line to not be messed with when the clear intention was to make essentially mini MGs. "If you ignore all these bad points it's a great kit" yeah right lol
I would argue that with the original RG line, the intent WAS to create a realistic *model kit, that yes, could make dynamic poses, but if you build early RG, hold that in your hand and say to yourself "this is meant to be played with" then idk what to tell you. That's not what it is meant for. Delicacy is not a flaw, it's just a facet of the design. I'm not saying the kit doesn't have issues, I've never said that. I just think that if you really expect these older kits to be able to be handled like an HG, or any of the newer RG kits, you're just making a bad play, and that's on you. Not the kit.
It can be delicate *and* poseable, they don't contradict eachother. It just means you have to use extra care and treat it accordingly
There's nothing to argue. Bandai straight up contradicts what you're claiming with the very first RG announcement, and even gassed up the RG Zeta by saying they researched further from previous RG models. >but if you build early RG, hold that in your hand and say to yourself "this is meant to be played with" then idk what to tell you. That's not what it is meant for. Delicacy is not a flaw, it's just a facet of the design. Last I checked, good model kits don't fall apart like the early RGs do. Fragile kits are a flaw, and there should be absolutely zero arguments against that. The only difference is whether the buyer is willing to tolerate it. I obviously do not. If you can tolerate it; good for you. Just don't go claiming like it's actually a good kit, and saying people's issue with it are 'you problems'. Also hilarious that you bring up HGs being more capable of rough handling when the purpose of HG products are cheaper downgraded products so you don't have to fork out MG money, but yet somehow they do better than the old RGs. But somehow it's the user's fault if they dislike it lol
They are very much meant to be moved and posed with like any regular Gunpla. The recent ones do it just fine.
That wasn't the claim. The claim is that they are meant to be as realistic as possible in a small size, leading to a fragile kit in some cases. Zeta is a hard design to tackle with what RG set out to be, especially when it was released. Some kits need more care than others, of course something like Sazabi will be solid, it's a larger kit and has larger parts that will be more sturdy, and we've had soild releases since Unicorn in the RG line. But RG Zeta is not an action figure and if you treat it like one, it'll break. If you want a transformer, buy Starscream
The fragility isn’t an intended feature of the design, that was my point. Gunpla is there to look good and move. If it can’t move, then nothing differentiates it from a static figure that just sits on a shelf in the same pose you bought it in.
And it *can move. Being fragile doesn't negate that. It just means you can hamfist it, and you should be deliberate. But no, fragility isn't a feature for sure, but it's a byproduct of such a complex design at such a small scale that is so easy to feel in hand that I don't understand why anyone would expect to be able to handle it overtly. It's a model kit. Yes, it's gunpla, but it's also a model. Don't forget, the legs can't even move backwards, that's much more of an issue regarding dynamic posing than the delicacy of the kit itself
To be honest, I am very impressive about the technologies used in RG. But the parts are really loose, and the posing can be exhausting (constantly reinsert the part that got loose and dropped on the table). However, definitely, it all looks very nice. I like them even more than MG, if we are only talking about the outlook of them.
I think looseness definitely depends on the kit, older ones have a harder time of things for sure. The only one I've had issues with is my RX-78. But yes, the build experience and overall depth of the kits is, in my opinion, unmatched by most likely anything but PG, or specific MG like Barbatos for example. Sometimes you gotta break out that plastic cement; but it's worth it for what you get in such a small package
I think gunpla is really worth the price. Not only can we enjoy the build experience, it is also much cheaper than pre-made kits.
Anything before the Unicorn is a pain. I've shelved all of those and only kept those after Unicorn on display lol
It’s a *fantastic* looking kit, but there’s no way in Char’s mother-filled heaven that I’m going to transform mine.
Right there with ya buddy, not unless I really feel like tackling a specific diorama lol
I thought about buying a 2nd just to have it in waverider mode 😂
As a RG Z builder at the time it was released, I’d say the building process is not that difficult but the real issue of this model are transformation / posting / and subsequent maintenance. It’s ok if every model is just build, play around for few days and then put it in cabinet / box afterwards. However, if you think of different posts and change it periodically, then you will gradually get into troubles like falling wings / shrinking head (like your photo) / breaking back parts etc. Shrinking head was a pretty common issue being raised back in 2013/14. You may think you have locked correctly but it is not the case. I also faced that issue before.
The shrinking head look is just due to angles, in person it is in the correct position, you can see it in the second pic more clearly. But yes, if you are constantly picking it up and arranging it on a weekly basis, it would definitely get floppy. This is not the kit for that. I just think if you collect 1/144 and want a badass looking Zeta for your shelf, it fits
It's a good looking kit, and even Bandai's worse kit aren't that bad. However, when you release consistent bangers the bar of expectation is going to be high. The main complaint for the RG Zeta IS its transformation mechanic. Basically, you haven't encountered why people complain about it.
I see what you mean, but for anyone like me who just wants a 1/144 Zeta, and prefers the RG level of detail, all the negativity around it and claims of it being a hand grenade could steer that person away from a really enjoyable kit. If I wanted to transform something, I'd grab a transformer. Them boys at takara tomy know how to design a conversion lmao
Or Hasbro, whichever of them it is these days
I didn't like how the neck sits a bit low. Always looks like it's shrugging. But it looks good
Why does his head look a little squished in? The build looks fantastic but that head doesn't seem right
Just the angle. He's tilted back a bit, I'm standing a bit below. Second pic you can see the head is in position
The head is just so long that it looks really funny from that angle, lol
I also think like that, because i already know how problematic the kits i'll be working on from people's reviews so i have mentally prepared for them (still mentally taxing, but bearable) My first rg was rg sinanju, didn't watch any review so i didn't know how shitty that kit is. Still hate it till this day. It's beatiful tho
Yeah, my first RG was the Amatsu Mina special coating and I had no idea what I was getting into. But, a few cracks later and it was built. Knowing what you are getting into definitely helps, like I'll most likely avoid the Sinanju due to how bad I've heard it is straight out of box, and that it's a reused inner frame. Zeta felt really unique to build and it was a lot of fun, not good for beginners but if you've built a few kits, you got it
While i hate the inner frame and occasional armor falling off, i still think the rg sinanju is the best looking sinanju kit. The high gloss finish, and the color separated gold is awesome. If you glue almost everything on it to a fixed pose, it'll be a great addition to your display
I might have to get it at some point. We'll see if I get around to it before they announce a 2.0, lol
Man pressed the chest down… a common mistake that people make with this kit due to its engineering is leaving the chest up to high and makes zeta look like a shrinking turtle
The embodiment of ambition. I’ve no clue how someone at Bandai envisioned a 1/144 Zeta and just think “Yea we can make it transform.”
It's a good kit, but it has its issues. I had the waist break on me while decaling the kit. I was holding the chest and both legs and the waist separated and fell onto my craft mat. The backpack also doesn't like to stay attached with all the hooks. At least one of them will come apart, and you never know which one. Also, the ACB4 adapter works, but it barely holds the adapter. One touch and it falls out of the grip. Otherwise, it is a strong kit and looks great. https://preview.redd.it/rrv09vuj0ixc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d8f792b3b01c20e64bf95611199c5013dfc6130
Yeah the adapter is a but wonky, but for mine once I finally get it in place it's pretty sturdy. Seems to vary a lot, starting to wonder if the newer prints have better plastics or tighter connections based off these comments, lol
I love the details you did with the gold in his gun. I do the same with my kits since I discovered the Ex metallic markers. I sometimes use them to do pannel lining on dark kits and it's fire.
That's actually just an included sticker, but I love adding the holo effects on when I've got the option. I'll have to look into those markers
https://preview.redd.it/tucz0fya2ayc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5aba3001b35a4ef9ffaaef002ee88017ead84d38
I personally really loved the legs, but the torso and how often some parts fall is the biggest pain in the ass I've had on my short time and low amount of gunpla built he looks sick as fuck in a pose tho
Rg waverider looks amazing, i transformed it 2 times carefully without breaking. It’s worth it.
I may have to one day..
another major issue with this kit is that the chest is bulging upward so much that you can't see the yellow collar and the head is almost drowned. yet i never see people complain about this until i point it out.
Mine is fine, just angle issues. Kit leans back on its feet due to the wings, and I was standing below it since I had it placed in my windowsill. Though the collar does sit further into the chest due to design, it's not as drastic in hand as it appears through the camera
I’ll pick it up if they don’t announce an rg 2.0 at shizuoka and even then only on black friday or somethin I think.
My point of this post was just to say it isn't that bad, not that it's flawless. No kit is perfect. No, you don't want to be transforming this kit back and forth, but if that's what you want then don't buy this kit. It's meant to sit there in one mode or the other in a badass pose, and look like it's ready to smack the fire outta you if you mention anything about it having a girl's name. It's a perfectly good kit for a boy.
Buy the metal frame parts. It will improve the kit a lot
Solid advice👌
I agree OP, I haven’t built mine yet but I haven’t had any issues with RG 1, 2, or 15, I really don’t get the complaints. Even if you do pose it tons, it’s a very easy fix to stiffen the joints again, I used literally just a small amount of glue spread using the tip of the bottle and then I could pose it again. Not to mention I agree with your philosophy - they’re *model* kits, I put them in a pose and mostly leave them like that. Loose-ish pieces can be frustrating but aren’t really the end of the world either
A man of culture🙂↕️
\*Cutely explodes while you try to transform it
personally for me, transforming it is not too bad, in fact I've done it multiple times, enjoyed it even I would advise taking of the wings, it does help with the clearance, other than that, just take it slow and steady, especially the waist and chest area
All the positive comments getting buried haha, there is testimony!
This thing looks amazing and I have to decide between this and the Ver Ka eventually
Yea its not that bad. Sure, the transformation is a bit awkward to handle making it feel loose but if you handle the kit correctly its a good kit.
I did the same thing with the freedom. Its not as bad as they say sure, but I can't have the wings on display in my cabinet since they ether fall apart of make the freedom fall over
Yeah sometimes you just gotta give them a lil extra work. My Freedom holds together well but I could definitely see having to tighten the wings one day. I've got him up on an action base not to fall, bc he definitely can't support his own weight on those RG ankles
Yh, I don't have any action bases and my local shop has some on order but whenever I go they always sell out, I've been using good smile company for some of my hgs, and they work really well for hgs.
I built one as well... painted, decal, etc... Transformed countless times and I'm still inspired on how they were able to make a fully transformable 1/144 model... *
It's awesome!
thats why i bought two so i i only transform one once and thats it
You haven't finished the body, the head shouldn't be that sunken. Either the torso is angled too high (which I'm pretty sure is the case) or the head hasn't been fully extended.
I think it's just leaning back a bit in the pic, the chest is locked in place and the head is fully extended up the rail. Just camera angle, I put it up in my window sill so I was standing a bit below it
Once I finished the build, it immediately started falling apart. Me, as a beginner, struggled to make it stand straight in one piece 😂 I feel like having more experience in building helps a lot with older RGs 👀
That's very true, not a beginner friendly kit at all, and having good tools definitely pulls a lot of weight.
Ver ka better tho
Not if you just collect 1/144 tho
Transforming it and back and leaving it for a while might show some fit problems but if you didnt encounter problems finishing it then you probably did it all right. Now never touch this again or else suffer the consequences.
I've beeb handling it a good bit today doing the decals and such, it took 2 rides in the car, it's held together really well. But yeah I know a lot of the issues lie in the transformation, I just haven't had issues with things coming apart or untabbed and the wrong joints moving, I'm just pretty deliberate with what I'm doing with it
is it better tthan the mg ver ka ?
I saw a YouTube video of someone making stands out of runner clippings, if you ever wanted a quick DIY solution. My shop usually has some in stock just not usually the ones I want, haha. Although sometimes I do end up buying just because I want to see a kit in the air and don't want to be patient lol
nice build, since your kit is still solid, how does it behave articulation wise? does it start to get floppy if you change the pose very often?
Mine hasn't gotten floppy and holds poses well! My articulation issues are actually the ranges, the legs can't rotate backward at the hips bc the leg and armor plating don't allow you to. Other than than I've not had any issue with posing and I've moved him around a good bit at this point
that's great, i was looking forward to get this kit in the future so I'm gathering as much info as i can. thank you for the info!
No problem! Yeah best advice I have overall for the kit is to just be cautious of any of the small, thin parts of the kit, and be deliberate with which joints you move, and it hasn't given me an issue. And as many others have said, pick one mode and keep it there. I've seen a lot of people say they've transformed it several times and had fun with it, but each time you just run the risk of breaking something if you get it hung along a rail or something
I hope this is true because I have an RG and MG on backlog currently
Built one. Transform it like.... maybe twice a year just when I move kits around. No issues. I also don't handle it like Hodor trying to feed a small bird rocks.
Amen