Latest Plastic Model] "MODEROID ZABUNGLE" is now available! A thorough review of the particular specifications that enable 100% reproduction of the anime's activities, like a gale! (Part 1)

When you are a working adult, you tend to have a lot of plastic models piled up in your busy life. ...... In this series, Yasuyuki Tai, a voice actor who loves robots and plastic models, takes on the challenge of building plastic models on your behalf!

The concept is "even busy working people can make it this far on their weekends off. There are only two rules: bare bones assembly and one or two days of production time! If you read this series, you will surely find the plastic model you want to build.

So, "Weekend Plastic Model Making by Voice Actor Taiyuki! The 67th issue has begun!

MODEROID ZABUNGLE
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Weekend Plastic Modeling by voice actor Yasuyuki Tai! Part 67: MODEROID ZABUNGLE (Part 1)

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the "Battle Mecha Zabungle," new kits have been released one after another by multiple manufacturers. This time, we would like to introduce the "Zabungle" from Good Smile Company's "MODEROID" series.

The anime "Battle Mecha Zabungle" is one of the most unique masterpieces among director Yoshiyuki Tomino's works, with the bright atmosphere of the work and the mecha called "Walker Machine" (hereafter, WM), which has a martial silhouette like a heavy machine. It also has many impressive points, such as the theme songs "Gale Zabungle" and "Dry Land" sung by Akira Kushida, and the insert song "Hey You" sung by MIO (now MIQ).

On the other hand, there are also plenty of science fiction elements, despite the hard-boiled worldview. On the other hand, there are plenty of science fiction elements in the film, while at the same time the characters make meta comments such as, "It's an anime! It's just an anime!" and other such meta comments. The characters on the enemy side are all somewhat lovable, and words alone are not enough to convey the charm of this work. Please watch the full-length movie and see for yourself.

Back to the main character of the work, "ZABUNGLE," which is the main character of this kit. It is a WM with a transformation mechanism, and although two WMs appear in the movie, I was surprised that the one handled by the main character was damaged and operated in a state where it could not transform.
Let's take a look at the package first.

In the front is the figure of Zabungle standing with the Iron Gear in the background, raising a cloud of dust. At its feet is a hover-guy ridden by one of the heroines, Ragu. This illustration is very interesting because it can be used as a reference for weathering.

This illustration is a large illustration that continues to both sides of the box.

The back of the box briefly introduces the aircraft specs and gimmicks.

The top and bottom surfaces are the familiar MODEROID friendly design that can be displayed in various orientations. Next, let's take a look at the runners and other parts.

The model is packed with multiple colors of runners, and it is easy to imagine that just by assembling the model, you will be able to recreate the image from the movie. There are also clear parts and bagged joint parts.

The instruction manual comes with three parts: assembling the main body, assembling the weapons, and transforming the figure. Thanks to this, you can check each of them in detail as you work. Next, let's pick up the "selectable" parts that appear during assembly.

The trapezoidal part of the forehead and the round part of the chest are selectable between yellow and clear. This time, I chose the yellow molding color for both parts and assembled them.

Up to two passengers can be placed in the cockpit of the head, and they can be selected from three types: Giron, Ragu, and Elch.

The triangular detail on the upper chest is selectable between blue and red. This time, I chose the red color and assembled it.

The forearms can be assembled with or without a deformation mechanism. The arms without deformable mechanisms will be used for the "Giron" model, so the arms with deformable mechanisms will be assembled this time.

Like the arms, the backpack is also available in two versions: the normal one and the one with damaged wings. We will choose the one without broken wing and assemble it.

And the completed one is ......

Here it is!

The 1/100 scale is a size that is both satisfying and easy to handle when held in the hand. The silhouette in the play and the shape of the characteristic part in the setting picture are well preserved.

Back. The silhouette is plain "Zabungle," but when you look at it up close, you will be surprised at how many details have been added. Moreover, these details are interesting to imagine the "inside of the armor", so let's take a closer look.

Upper body. The rivet-like expressions on each part of the body and the elbow joints have a "character" to them. The red part of the head has a door-like detail in the hollow.

Pipe-like details on the flanks give the impression that the abdomen is filled with some kind of generator. Moderate detailing has been added to the abdomen and upper arms.

Lower body. Color separation is perfect. The overall lines are very simple, but a closer look reveals that a lot of detail has been carved into the figure.

The wings folded on the side of the legs also have a pleasing design detail. The folded wings are divided in natural lines, while keeping close to the silhouette of the anime setting.

The knee joints also have details that look like that. The square ducts on the calves may be used to exhaust air from the mechanisms in the legs. There are also actuator-like details around the tires, and the legs alone are full of highlights.

On the back, what appears to be the "H5-IIe V-12 engine" can be seen. There are slits in the armor around it. Is this for heat exhaust? There are many other details that will capture your imagination, so please take a look at them when you get it.

Continuing on, let's take a look at the range of motion.

The head is connected by ball joints, so as you can see, you can move it around.

The shoulder joints can lift the arms straight up in a back-and-forth roll by means of an axial connection, or even horizontally, with the benefit of deformation.

Two-arm roll rotation.

Elbows can be bent deeply with double joints.

Wrist is ball-jointed. You can also move this one with a grizzle.

Can flex slightly forward from the chest.

Roll-rotation can be done with the first line of division in the abdomen.

The front waist armor can be flipped up and does not interfere with leg movement.

The left and right legs can be opened like this.

Roll rotation is possible on the thighs.

Knees are double-jointed and bend quite deeply.

Ankle connection is ball joint. This can also be moved with a grizzle.

The visor on the head can be opened and closed by moving the lever on the clear part at the back of the head up and down. In the anime, the pilot often left the visor open, which often caused the passenger to almost fall off.

Comical poses are also suitable for Zabungle. First of all, Zabungle is in the middle of running or out of gas.

It also handled firearms, but there was also a lot of meatball fighting. This is why it is damaged like the Zyron machine (laughs).

Despite the fact that ZABUNGLE is controlled by steering wheel and gas pedal, there were many scenes like this where it moved like a human being. What in the world is he doing?

The main weapons are all included. This is a 30mm rifle. Even the scope and the plate-like part attached to the forearm have been properly reproduced. Of course, there is a hole in the muzzle.

Four bazookas to be attached to the arms. The design is simple, as if four bazookas were bundled together. The scope and grip can be swung.

9-round rocket pod. It is a simple design, but it is amazing how well it conveys its function. It can also be elevated and swiveled.

Three-round bazooka. This is also a simple design that looks like a bundle of three bazookas. Like the rocket pods, it can be rotated and angled for elevation.

The "Attachment for THE Simple Stand" can be used to recreate action poses such as jumping. The left hand on the rifle has been replaced with a flat hand.