I recently went to a local hobby shop to pre-order a bunch of online exclusive HGUC Advance of Zeta kits. Why? Because Bandai Spirits has suddenly gone full bananas by announcing a couple new kits, some reissues, and most importantly — a bunch of combinations that would require multiple copies of these kits. This all started when they released the HGUC Gundam TR-6 [Woundwort] last year and now, the flood gates are wide open. So here’s my attempt to make sense of these combinations and what kits are needed to form them. Good job Bandai Spirits, good job.
HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Hazel-Rah]
Let’s start with the simplest combination. To build the HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Hazel-Rah], you must have the online exclusive HGUC G-Parts [Hrududu] and a copy of the original HGUC Hazel Custom. However, they are recommending to get an online exclusive reissue of the HGUC Hazel Custom for the latter which that has some differences. The new version uses KPS instead of ABS plastic for the joints for easier painting, it also comes with a waterslide decal sheet, and most importantly, additional parts for another combination are included — but more on that later.
HGUC G-Parts [Hrududu]
May 2019 / ¥1,100
HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Custom]
May 2019 / ¥1,500
HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Hazel-Rah] Second Form
Now things will get a little more complex, and I’ll shift to a bulleted list for this combination. To build the HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Rah] Second Form, you’ll need to have (1) HGUC Advanced Hazel, (1) HGUC Hazel Custom, and (2) HGUC G-Parts [Hrududu] (Actual Deployment Colors). Similar to the HGUC Hazel Custom, there’s also an online exclusive version of the HGUC Advanced Hazel having the same updates and additional parts.
Here’s the parts breakdown:
- Build the core mobile suit with the HGUC Advanced Hazel kit and combine the two HGUC G-Parts units.
- For the shield boosters, take one from the HGUC Advanced Hazel and another from the HGUC Hazel Custom.
- Use the backpack connector from the HGUC Hazel Custom and use with the HGUC G-Parts.
Bandai Spirits, via The Gundam Base Tokyo’s weekly “Pre-Ban” Gunpla Channel YouTube show, also provided a diagram to make things easier to understand, hopefully.
HGUC G-Parts [Hrududu] (Actual Deployment Colors)
May 2019 / ¥1,100
HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Advanced Hazel]
May 2019 / ¥1,700
HGUC Gundam TR-6 [Gaplant II]
This is the current culmination of the HGUC Advance of Zeta kits that started back in 2005 with the HGUC Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Custom] and took us 15 years before reaching this point. Needless to say, building the HGUC Gaplant II would require multiple kits and possibly multiple copies of each. Before delving deeper, let’s take note of yet another online exclusive kit needed for this combination.
This is the HGUC Gundam TR-6 [Hazel II], a variation of the HGUC Woundwort from 2018. Aside from the obvious differences with adapting the Titans color scheme, the Hazel II is equipped with a Composite Shield Booster which doubles the height of the mobile suit.
HGUC Gundam TR-6 [Hazel II]
May 2019 / ¥2,400
Remember the additional connectors included with the new versions of the HGUC Hazel Custom and HGUC Advanced Hazel? This is where you’ll be using them, so getting either one of those is very important for this combination. And with that out of the way, here’s what you’ll be needing to build the HGUC Gundam TR-6 [Gaplant II]:
- The head, torso, and upper leg units will be coming from the HGUC Woundwort.
- The lower leg units will be from the HGUC Hazel Custom with both feet having the extensions from the HGUC Advanced Hazel. These will use the new connector parts for combining with the HGUC Woundwort.
- Both arms units will be coming from the HGUC Hrairoo and will also use the new connector parts for combining with the HGUC Woundwort.
- Finally, the shield booster units will be utilizing the connectors from the HGUC Hazel II while the shield boosters themselves can come from either HGUC Hazel Custom or Advanced Hazel kits.
Thankfully, Bandai Spirits also has a diagram to illustrate this combination.
With everything out of the way, what’s my take on all these brouhaha? Well, this post is already long so I’ll have to put my thoughts in another blog entry, including the kits I need to get and how many copies of each. I can already imagine this is going to be messy.
