Synopsis: Before the Zaku II Version 2 figures were released the Zaku I figure was the best articulated Zaku around. When The battle Scarred line started, most people were waiting for the grunt suits to hit this line. After viewing pictures from the latest Toy Fair in New York fans thought we were in for a long wait. Then the Gundam commercial on Toonami gave hope with the fleeting glance of a battle damaged Zaku I and the only question asked by other zans was whether the figure would be done looking like Topp's Zaku I from 08th MS Team. The answer would be revealed shortly as a no when this Zaku hit stores.

The Figure: While the Ground Gundam and RX-78-2 Gundam have severed limbs that can be attached on the Zaku I has just the right amount of damage to the figure without the major butchering in the face shown in GP01fb and GP02A.

The head of the figure is identical to the first Zaku I release except for of course the paintjob. The dull greens used to weather the figure make the figure look a lot more realistic then the cartoony bright colors of the earlier figure. The head rotates nearly 360 degrees with minor interference of the shoulder armor. The head can tilt up due to the ball joint at the head, a big upgrade from the peg joint of the Zaku II version 1.0.

The Arms are a great improvement from the version 1 Zaku II. The slightly exposed mechanisms space the arm further away from the body to allow for better movement. The right shoulder is pretty battle worn though the socket to fit the shoulder armor is intact and can fit the armor snuggly. The left Shoulder has a huge dent on the front and bullet holes on the back of the armor. The elbow joints bend 90 degrees in a typical fashion while the hands that were included consists of 2 closed fists, to "sword" hands, and a right gun hand.

The legs are well-detailed featuring even drawn in panel lines. The upper leg are hampered by the skirt armor however the rest of the leg is better articulated around the ankle.

The torso is well painted and detailed. The damage in the upper torso had a lot of attention placed on it in terms of detailing. The skirt armor has a few bullet holes and one hole on the left and right side to fit the heat hawk. The torso can rotate 360 degrees. The backpack is as bare as the original Zaku I and it still features the movable thrusters.

The Accessories: This Zaku came with the same accessories as the Zaku I release before with the difference laying in the color of the weapons, the beat up shield, and the Dopp fighter included with this figure.

105mm Machinegun: The gun is identical to the machinegun which came with Ramba Ral's Zaku I and the mass produced Zaku I. It is a nice gun fitting the scale of the figure nicely. The clip is removable and the overall color of the gun is a stained gunmetal grey.

120mm Machinegun: The machine gun is identical to the Zaku II version 1.0 Machinegun. The clip is removable and the overall color of the gun is a stained gunmetal grey.

280 Bazooka: The Bazooka is identical to the Zaku II version 1.0 Bazooka and the overall color of the gun is a stained gunmetal grey.

HeatHawk: The Heat hawk is identical to the Zaku II version 1.0 Heathawk. The heathawk is attachable to the waist via a peg connection and the overall color of the heathawk is a dirty dark purple with a yellow blade and a darker grey wire.

G-3 Nerve Gas Grenade Launcher: Identical to the Zaku I gas launcher of the earlier release this weapon can be collapsed into 5 separate pieces.

Punch Shield: Again identical to the Zaku I's Punch shield except for the really scratched up, bullet riddled, and weathered look found throughout the shield. the battle scarred treatment here was very well done.

Dopp Fighter: This fighter is identical to the Zaku II & Megella attack tank set domestic release. The only visible scarring lays in the gray wash on the tail fins and along the fuselage. Hopefully this may mean a battlescarred Zaku II may include a Megella tank.

Play Value: Grunt mobile suits are always a nice addition to use especially when they are the antagonists. The articulation is good and the accessory loadout is still pretty good.

Display Value: The detailing on the figure is well done and if there were some additional damage attachments this figure could pose some really good dramatic scenes.

Dollar Value: This is a tough one. This figure had only one more accessory (not counting the additional hands) then the original Zaku I that was priced as a standard release. For a Zaku fan, the detailing and additional hands make this figure worth it since I have even heard critics against the Damaged scarred line admit to wanting this figure. With that in mind I would say it is worth it though I would have preferred the standard price instead of nearly $8.

Conclusion: Not a bad figure. The detailing is great, articulation is good, and accessory loadout is good. The figure has more pluses then minuses.

Above: Comparison of the Zaku I with the Battle Scarred Zaku I 

Above: Zaku I armed with the 105mm Machinegun

Above: Forward view of the Dopp Fighter 

Above: Rear view of the Dopp Fighter