I didn't get one for myself, but I thought this particular MG gunpla is worth a mention - the MG Wing Zero Custom Pearl Gloss version. Together with the "limited" HGUC Unicorn Gundams + Head Display Base bundles (which I did buy), this is probably released around the beginning of April, with no promotion or information known before its release whatsoever. I only noticed them pop up in some local shops one day when I was still in Hong Kong 3 weeks ago.
Runners are as followed:
According to what the people have observed on ToysDaily forum, there are some similarities to the MG Wing Zero Custom Pearl Mirror Coating version, which is a Chara Hobby 2005 event limited item.
First off, there are no plated parts for the newer release. Many parts are in pearl gloss plastic (which kinda reminds me of the HG Trans-Am gunplas), but the smaller feather parts will still be in white, which can look odd with the rest of the pearl colour wings as we will see later. Base is clear instead of dark gray.
For the assembled model, a straight build is spotted in Ruli PlaModel:
Front view
Back view
Wings closed up
Wings open up
Box art pose - here we can see the smaller feathers in white kinda sticking out like a sore thumb in contrast to the rest of the pearl glossy wings
Slightly closer up look at the Wing Zero Custom with Twin Buster Rifles.
Equipped with beam sabres
Posing with the Twin Buster Rifles. The glossy surface is quite shiny against the light, which some people may not like I think.
This Pearl Gloss version seems to be another international-only release (at least in Asia but outside Japan), as there are no mention of it on Japanese sites or blogs about it. Prices I saw seem to be around the retail price of normal MG Wing Zero Custom, i.e. around 3800 Yen.
Another unexpected release, which got a lot of people to wonder whether it's new stuff or not when it suddenly popped up in shops. The gloss look on the wings look nice to me, but the fact that the smaller feathers stickiing out in solid white can be a bit odd as mentioned above. Having the same glossy look on the rest of the frame, especially on the head, looks particularly strange for me - maybe it'd have been better if those were to stay with solid white for me IMHO.
On the other hand, somebody on ToysDaily forum has added lighting effects into one of these Wing Zero Custom. As one can see here the glossy plastics seem to be translucent to some extend as they allow quite a lot of light to go through.
The whole head is glowing green rather than just the eyes themselves ^^; But the lighting on the chest orb does look pretty cool.
Well, are people really missing out much for this particular special version of the Wing Zero Custom? Probably not, unless you really like the pearl gloss surface as seen in the pictures here. Otherwise you can just go with the normal release for the same price. No huge deal, at least nothing compared to the Unicorn bundles which would enrage quite a lot of fans I assume (I would too if I have bought the regular releases and strive for the head display bases from the magazines)... These international limited gunplas sure are odd and they just appear all of a sudden without a notice.
"My feeling exactly about those international limited Gunplas. They just seemingly popped out of nowhere. ^^;"
- Ngee Khiong
Images from ToysDaily forum and Ruli PlaModel
The pearl gloss version looks like cheap plastic to me =X
ReplyDeleteI belong to one of those enraged people who bought the display case and then realize that they got the bundle together. >_< Oh well T_T what can i do...
ReplyDeleteThe pearl effect does looked great at certain angles from the pictures(Picture no.7 "Wing Closed up") that was shown but the texture does give people the impression that it is made from some cheap plastic as AstrayP03 as mentioned. I would have preferred they keep the pearl effect to the wings only and not to the entire white parts of the body instead.
ReplyDeleteYou know, here's the thing, without painting this version, the end result does suffer quite a bit, but...with a simple combination of Future Floor Acrylic (100%) for the wings, which will make them really shine, and FFA + Tamiya Flat Base (80/20) - you'd get a pretty decent looking Wing Zero. The hands being all white is a little off, but still. It looks good!
ReplyDelete@ AstrayP03 (Zhe):
ReplyDeleteI didn't like to admit it out loud, but that was exactly what I felt about the plastic on most parts of the body - Cheap plastic... Kinda reminds me of the HG 1/144 Trans-Am kits as well.
@ robostrike:
Man I feel for you - no one ever saw the bundle coming, not even myself. But at least you did get what you want rather than not getting anything at the end, because I could imagine that one would be more enraged for not getting either items...
@ Jacques:
The pearl gloss does look nice for the wings at some angles due to lighting, which I agree and I would have wished that it is the only part that will have the treatment while leaving the rest in normal plastic. It's because of that some people would prefer the limited Chara Hobby version instead and are still hunting for that instead of this all-glossy version.
@ Apt-1B:
For a straight build without any detailing, the pearl gloss looks odd on the main frame. Take the head for example; it looks kinda unsatisfying for sure. Interesting suggestions for the coating to use on the WZC. I wonder whether anyone will do that so we can see the end result.
i also think the pearl only looks good under some very specific conditions... i wonder if it would turn out better as a customization of a regular kit as opposed to pre-painted with the pearl gloss...
ReplyDeleteI like the look of the wings. When I look at your pictures and compare it to the one I have it brings mine shame lol. I love the lighting in the center of the body, i wish I could do something like that.
ReplyDeleteouch... this is the same style of the PG wing zero pearl finish... IMHO i would prefer the 2005 pearl finish..
ReplyDelete@ meronpan:
ReplyDeleteI agree that the pearl can look nice on some parts under certain angles and/or lightings. Having the majority of the model in such glossy finish is a bit strange. Maybe just on the wings would be nice, otherwise spraying a normal kit with the pearl finish coating isn't a bad option either.
@ AS:
The custom LED lighting is pretty need indeed! I am sure there are tutorials and instructions on how to do such things on the Internet. I used to know a Gundam blog that has one but it seems to have vanished...
@ Anonymous:
It does have some similarities to the limited 2005 model. I think most people will too prefer that one over the new one after a simple comparison on the colourings.
I nearly cried when i saw the MG wing pearl gloss. Cuz i'm one of those with the 2005 limited pearl mirror coating in my collection. It always pisses me off whenever the so-called 'limited' are mass produced...makes all my effort in locating those 'limited' (not to mention the $$$) down the drain.
ReplyDeleteStill sore from the NG1/100 gold frame release. there goes my limited 1/100 gold frame.
No comment for the unicorn head display package. Glad u got urself a gud haul.
@ Laguna Loire:
ReplyDeleteOh you got the 2005 limited version. To be honest many people would prefer that one over this "new" version for the better colours. Having the gloss injection all over the body gives off some "cheap plastic" feel to it as some people have commented above.
Ouch, getting the limited Gold Frame sure sounds painful (even more than the Wing Zero Custom) - it reminds me how the SD Sangokuden soldier units were originally limited items, which later turned into normal release. That enrages a lot of the fans too.
Sometimes we just can't tell whether something will get re-released as something more accessable. It's kinda like a bet sometimes. Sorry tro hear about your purchases. Hope you won't get anymore misfortunes like this in the future ._.
i just got this kit.. and honestly it aint that bad at all.. i only have a few problems with this kit, cutting the parts from the tree(runners) is a hassle(well bandai just use the old molds of the WZC, just wish they apply the "undergate" style for the runners like those on the MG strike freedom full burst),the face mask loves to come off and the one of the ankle polycaps is a bit loose.. it needs a bit of painting if you want to turn the feathers and some of the white parts on the wing into pearl colors..
ReplyDelete@ Diciannove:
ReplyDeleteHiya, thanks for your feedback on the Pearl Gloss WZC!
I think it comes down to each person's taste on the model kit afterall. WZC is quite an old model (released in 2004 I think). I haven't owned or built the original kit myself, but I guess some of the flaws are carried on from the old model. The pearl gloss injection works well for the wings, but IMHO it doesn't too well with the face mask and the limbs. Some touchups are required to make it look good I think.
But nevertheless I do appreciate your opinion on the kit too!
Would it be an easy fix to just spray paint the runners to match the colours of the 2005 limited edition and give off similar results?
ReplyDeleteThis could be easy with an Air Brush, as you can mix colours before you paint. Reason I'm saying this is because when I look at the original Wing Zero, it appears to not just be pure white, but rather some shade of gray in it as well. This colour may be hard to find in spray paint. Unfortunately I do not have an Air Brush :(
@ Transcend:
ReplyDeleteSince I am a fairly casual modeller for gunpla I afraid I am not the best person to answer your question here, but I know that the G White Pearl spray paint for gunpla does give that pearl glossy finish to the surface, which is what you may want (after spray painting the parts with the desired colours).
The white colour on the plastic can vary in different kits. I've looked up the Wing Zero Custom manual online, and according to its colour guide you can just use the G white spray paint or mix white paint with minimal amount of navy blue. You can choose the latter if you are good with hand painting or air brush, otherwise I'd stick with can spray paints.
My mom has this which I assembled. It looks great and the white feathers doesn't really stick out that much (but still its a matter of taste). The one thing that frustrates me most about this is that the pearl-coloured plastic is fragile, I broke 2 pieces in the wing and 1 in the shoulder and the piece that holds the chin and eyes though thankfully those were the parts that was covered by other parts. So for those who want to buy this, its great but you really really just have to be careful and keep some glue handy.
ReplyDelete@ arcnite75:
ReplyDeleteYour mother got one for you? Sounds nice of her :o
The pearl-coloured plastic is fragile? That does sound like how some see it as 'cheap plastic'... So extra care is required when handling this kit. Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Does anyone know where to get this?? Everywhere I go it's out of stock.. I really want this!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Pearl Gloss version? Given that it's a limited version, it's probably long gone by now. But then it may receive a re-release at any time, but when? Your guess is just as good as mine.
Delete