Earlier this year, a new model kit manufacturer, Kurofune Co., released teaser images of an upcoming 1/144 scale Gundam Ez8 from 08th M.S. Team. And while it looks great and all, the kit is actually based on a design by 3D modeler RQ Mecha from 2023. So, while I won’t tell you whether you should get this kit or not, just know this particular context in case you’re planning to get one.
With that being said, Kurofune Co. went ahead with the production of the kit and they’ve released even more images as some reviewers already received copies.
While an obvious redesign of Gundam Ez8, there are nuances here and there that might sway you to get a copy despite already having the HGUC version. Speaking of which, here are comparisons to better illustrate the differences.
The third-party kit is a little taller than the original, but I can tolerate such discrepancies as Bandai themselves also does this. Besides the more detailed armor panels, the most notable differences are found on the shoulders and legs, especially for the latter with the larger knee armor with additional rear leg thrusters.
Color separation also looks great, with both having very close color matching. Looking at how the elbow joints look; they might be based on those used by newer High Grades, with the HGCE Force Impulse immediately coming to mind. That said, the source design from RQ Mecha also looks the same so they probably took basis from the same set of recent High Grades.
While no one would expect the Ez8 to do SEED-levels of dynamic poses, the kit does appear to be equipped with the articulation to do so. Especially with how it does the kneeling pose as seen below.
Or even that silo-sliding pose during its battle with Norris Packard’s Gouf Custom.
Getting into specific features of the kit, it includes a different face plate in case you might not want to be more subtle in building an unlicensed kit. It does look more Zeonic with the whole breathing apparatus-looking facial details.
Other key features of the Ez8 are also present in this kit, like the opening chest armor to reveal internal details, as well as ways to use the backpack rack meant for the weapons container. As we’ll see later with the accessories included, the kit won’t include a weapons container, but you can still use the backpack for weapon storage as seen above.
Speaking of weapon storage, the side armors still have hardpoints to attach spare machine gun clips. But they can also be used for beam saber storage since I’m not sure if the opening panels on the legs can still accommodate them. In addition, the same hardpoints are also located on the same opening panels for even more storage options.
For the actual weapons, it comes with its variation of the Gundam Ground Type shield, and it can stand on its own, though the kit doesn’t come with the same 180mm cannon that would’ve been propped on the shield. It can be mounted to the arm via a dual-tab connector instead of a simple peg on the original.
On to the offensive weapons and it comes with the expected set of a beam rifle and a machine gun. But in addition, it also comes with a beam gatling gun, which was also seen with the original RQ Mecha design, and what appears to be an add-on part for the machine gun.
Knowing the context of the original design, I’ll leave it to you to get this kit, or support RQ Mecha on their Patreon page. But just speaking of the kit, it looks good and poses good. Kurofune Co. did say it will be available this month and you can just head on to your usual source of third-party kits if you want one.
1/144 “Easy-8” (Gundam Ez8)
Q2 2025 / CN¥49
