obile Suit Gundam is one of several Japanese TV series that pioneered the genre of anime. Debuting in 1979, this revolutionary show depicted large robotic war suits piloted by humans. Its themes were similar to Robotech and Starblazers, two other early anime classics.
The Earth of 100 years from now is fighting to overcome the problems of pollution and overcrowding by colonizing space, mostly in large stations orbiting the Earth called "Sides." Because the "spacenoid" colonists are governed by the Earth-bound "Earthnoids," dissatisfaction grows. A colonist, Zeon Zum Deikun, theorizes that mankind’s move into space is the first step in an evolutionary leap into what he terms "Newtypes." Politics reigns heavy throughout the series, and at an early point Zeon Deikun declares his colony, Side 3, independent. But his subsequent death leaves his intentions in doubt, with suspicion that he was assassinated by his successor. War with Earth ensues, with the mobile suits as weapons.
The Neo Zeon Mobile Suit MSN-04 Sazabi was developed by Char Anzable using his new "psychoframe," a technology that allows for better perception and movement control from within the cockpit of the mobile suit.
Bandai has made its name creating models and toys from anime classics during this, its defining era. Its decades of experience shows in the creation of its Master Grade Gundam models. This particular model is scaled at 1:100, and consists of over 450 bright color-molded pieces that, incredibly, snap together. No glue or paint required. It looks fine as is, though a bit of paint could add weathering and detail if desired.
The model, when complete, stands just under 12 inches, and includes several weapons, including a blaster rifle and plazma axe-sword, and has a wide range of moveable and operational parts, making this Master Grade model as much toy as display item. Incredibly, each finger is individually articulated!
Master grade is truly masterful
Looking every bit as alien as the Robotech Invid, perhaps more familiar to most people, the MSN-04 Sazabi is just gorgeous. Instead of the angular, robotic lines of the original mobile suits, the Neo Zeon suit is smooth and rounded, with sleek curves and forms. Hardly a straight line is visible.
The manual is written in Japanese, which in this case is no real drawback to people who cannot read that language. The instructions are detailed and precise, and ordered in such a way as to make reading unnecessary. Quite a large block of time, however, should be planned to build the model. The 450 parts do take time to remove from their runners, trim off flash and construct, though the ease and incredible precision of construction and molding will make even engineers gape in awe. The entire model fits perfectly, with no warping, bending or mismatched sides.
While most models require glue and some work to get things fitted properly, with perhaps some filler and sanding, no such extra effort is required with this Master Grade model. It all comes together beautifully, and stands as an homage not only to a detailed and long-lived TV show, but to the engineering abilities of the people at Bandai.
The decals are a mix of water-slide and pressure-sensitive plastic, and go on seamlessly so as not to detract from the model’s look.
About the only drawback this model has, in comparison specifically to the RX-78 Perfect Grade model, also by Bandai, is that the fingers have only two joints each, leaving the top two digits fused, whereas the RX-78 has fully jointed fingers, but this is hardly a point against the Master Grade model, and miles above most models in the industry.
The one thing that should be made clear with this model is that for fans of Gundam or just of mech machines in general, this model is well worth the cost, and is an absolutely guaranteed fun experience both during the building process and after.
