Series: Master Grade (MG) 1/100
Title: FA-010A FAZZ
Release Date: 09/2001
Suggested Price: ¥ 6300
No. of Parts: 29 runners + 2 polycap runners
Plastic colors: white, light gray, dark gray, yellow, dark blue, transparent
Gimmicks: double-barrel beam rifle, Hyper Mega Cannon, Full Armor parts, Neo Core Fighter

Introduction

Contributor: Wilson “Oruma Yar” Lam
Date: January 7, 2006

The FAZZ appeared in the novel side story Gundam Sentinel, this is the precursor of the powerful ZZ Gundam. It is a prototype version of ZZ used to test out the Full Armor (FA) option later used by ZZ itself, but other than that FAZZ and ZZ are quite different: FAZZ cannot combine or transform like the ZZ, and it lacks the expensive Bio-Sensor, Head Mega Cannon and beam saber/cannons. As a result, the FAZZ looks powerful but is, as one character called it, a “Paper Tiger” compared to the ZZ. Designated a long-range fire support role, the three FAZZ units are all destroyed by the Gundam Mk-V during the New Desides Conflict. Well, I’ve never liked the design of ZZ Gundam very much, but Gundam Sentinel reshaped my opinion with FAZZ, and so I decided to grab this model. Let’s take a look. 

Head

If you think it’s going to be the same with ZZ, you’re quite wrong. This is one of the few places that the FAZZ differs from ZZ; the head design is different, and the antenna is noticeably larger. As the FAZZ does not transform, only a fixed version of the antenna is included. The sticker for the eye is a slight problem; handle with care or the FAZZ may get crooked eyes. 

Torso

The FAZZ basically has the same design as the ZZ Gundam, which means a transformable body with core block system. As a result, the waist cannot move at all. As for the Core Block, there are 2 options available: the fixed Block form and the transformable Neo Core Fighter (see below). The cockpit door can be opened to view the pilot figure inside.

The backpack is gigantic. It is essentially the same with the Full Armor ZZ, except that the beam cannons are molded from those of the S Gundam. As a result, these cannons cannot be used as hyper beam sabers like the original ZZ (If these were hyper beam sabers, the FAZZs might have survived in Gundam Sentinel, when the Gundam MK-V attacked them at melee range.). There are two missile launchers at the top of the pack; they can be detached. The right one has to be removed when the FAZZ’s main weapon, the Hyper Mega Cannon, is attached. 

Arms

The arms are made with the same old design as the original ZZ. They are bulky but quite the joints are quite weak. Only one pair of hands is included. However, the pair of shields on the arms (dubbed as wings in fighter mode) is not included. 

Legs

In order to accommodate the transformation mechanism, the legs of ZZ has to be limited. The ankles use plug joints instead of ball joints, and the knee joints have a moving range of 90 degrees. Fortunately, the feet are longer than the original ZZ, with a small heel piece which is movable; these two features enormously helped the heavier FAZZ in its posing.

Weapons and Accessories

Full Armor parts- The focus of this model, including armor pieces for the chest, waist, skirt(both front and back), legs, shoulders, and arms. The chest armor can be opened to reveal missiles inside; the Double Beam Rifle and a missile launcher can be attached to the arm armors. Armors are detachable but handle with delicacy - they can break easily. The rear skirt armor has a slot for the plug of the Hyper Mega Cannon’s cable.

Double beam rifle- Identical to that of the original ZZ, this weapon can also be attached to the right arm via the FA armor.

Hyper mega cannon- The same BFG the Full Armor ZZ carries, it is HUGE. Its length is greater than the height of FAZZ. In addition to the cable plugging in the rear skirt armor, it also has a connection to the backpack, replacing the right missile launcher. The cannon is so huge, however, that it limits the range of motion and possible pose. 

Bandai had tried to make the most money using the least capital. Thus, they make the FAZZ using a small number of new/modified runners and many existing parts from the Full Armor ZZ. Thus, a number of extra parts are included:

Neo Core Fighter- Identical to that of the original ZZ, molded in gray, blue and white with landing gear included.

Beam saber hands- Unfortunately, the “beam” of the hyper beam sabers are not included in this release, and the handles cannot be attached onto FAZZ as it is.

Miscellaneous- Various pieces, including a fixed antenna of the original ZZ, head pieces, foot pieces, and so on.

Transformation- The hidden gimmick of FAZZ. YES, the FAZZ can transform, if  you remove the extra armors, the hyper mega cannon and the head (due to the overlarge antenna). The only problem is that you have no landing gears for “G-Fortress” mode, and that the front wings (dubbed as shields in MS mode) are missing. If you’re a seasoned modeler, you can make your own pair of wings to complete the transformation. 

Conclusion

 Some additional notes before closing:

-Coloring: one of the things I liked the FAZZ over the original/Full Armor versions of ZZ. It is done in a plainer, cooler color. However, the white of the FA armor looks very plastic, and one may consider painting it.

-Posing: with the heavy armor and huge cannon, possible poses are quite limited for FAZZ. For balance, one should consider moving the Double Beam Rifle from the right to the left arm.

-Full Armor: I disliked the skirt and chest armor. The skirt armor itself is all right, but attaching the cable of the hyper mega cannon to it is a pain. The chest armor is attached to the waist and front skirt armor for support, but it is quite loose and falls easily. 

To summarize, this is one helluva model kit. It is the largest and most complex MG model for me to date. Although the Full Armor is quite nice and the hyper mega cannon immensely formidable, I myself preferred the unarmored version (which I dubbed ZZ Plus) and placed among my transformable MS collection, and makes the switch from time to time. 

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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