I like it sheerly as a kit design on its own merits, but vastly prefer the more elegant long legged proportions that we see in line art and animation. A bit too squat and stumpy, with extra long thighs and shortened calves.
The old HG Ez8 is a remarkably good kit for it's age. Probably a little bit ahead of it's time. I would go so far to say that, if we weren't going to be getting the HGUC, I'd still be satisfied with the old HG.
It's articulation was pretty standard for the time, but it had few things most, if not all modern HGUCs lack. It had an opening cockpit hatch (no sitting pilot) a slide-out chest plate that covered up some molded "internal details" and a 1/144 Shiro figure with an outstretched right arm that you could prop on the Ez8's shoulder to make it look like he's leaning on it's head.
The only real problem with the old Ez8 is the hands were on a peg-and-hinge system instead of ball joints. Apparently all the 08th MS Team kits used these hands. The only other nitpick I have on the kit is that, aside from the parachute pack, the only weapons it comes with are the beam rifle and 2 solid beam sabers. No 100mm machinegun, 180mm cannon, or bazooka to be seen on the old HG Ez8.
I'm sorry but the elbow and knee connections for the old Ez-8 was crap, and the head can't move much but rotate. And the seamlines are hideous on that kit nor can you prop it on an Action Base nicely. Sure, it was an old one and looks-wise it was decent, but I'm confident the HGUC version will trump it in the 1/144 section.
I do like my old HG Ez-8 but I sure as heck think the Ez-8 deserves this update.
It probably won't happen. The MG Ez8 is good for it's time. That being said, from the reviews that I've seen MG Strike was good, but it's getting a new MG now with the Seed HD remaster stuff. So it is possible that we'll get a new MG Ground Gundam, Ez8, and Gouf Custom.
If we do get a new MG Ez8, I'd buy it instantly if I have the money
While you may be right about the head, the elbows and knees on my old HG Ez8 are fairly solid, and they have about the same range of movement as a lot of other kits that were made around it's time, so that problem may just be a with yours.
All of the other problems you listed have more to do with the age of the kit than anything else. The HG Ez8 was never meant to be on an action base. Those came out LONG after the HG Ez8 was made. And in the 90's, Bandai didn't seem to care if the seam lines were visible or not. As long as the parts went together, everything was good to go.
I won't deny that the new HGUC Ez8 will most likely outclass the old one in almost every way, but for it's age, the old HG is still a great kit, and I'm more than satisfied with it.
Correction: The new HGUC will likely outclass the old HG in almost every way that involves articulation, but the old HG will likely trump the new HGUC in terms of special features.
It looks a lot like the old kit with modern joints. I wouldn't have a problem with it if the internal chest details and large antenna were seperately molded in gray plastic, and I'd hate it if the chin is going to be another sticker like the old kit, considering how much Gunpla technology has evolved since 98'. It looks like Bandai's been getting lazy lately in regards to plastic color apps, and are trying to make up for it in stickers.
F'real. The HGUC line has been in noticeable decline for some time. This version may certainly have a leg up in the articulation realm but I'm not seeing much of an improvement beyond that. It doesn't even look like the chest plate can slide out on a rail like the old HG.
Unfortunately I think what we're seeing is what we're getting.
I think the colors are alright for the most part except the antenna. Ez8 was always a monochrome looking suit anyway. Some people are just spoiled nowadays. Take another look at the old HGs and tell me what we have now isn't amazing. Sure it might lack some features of the original but I'd gladly trade those gimmicks for the awesome articulation.
@Anon 9:11: Exactly, we HAVE been spoiled with how far along Gunpla technology has advanced over the years. At least, that's how things WERE going until the quality just seemed to drop off somewhere, and seemingly regress back a few years.
If this kit was released say, two years ago, it still wouldn't be perfect, but it probably would have had a few more seperately colored plastic parts for those smaller details, like the chin and antenna, instead of Bandai molding what should be multiple parts together into one single colored piece, and giving us more stickers to compensate, like they do now. True, the Ez8 has never been the most colorful design out there, but that's all the more reason to try and bring out those small details, not to skimp out on them.
Customers love quality, and this Ez8, along with a number of other newer HG kits, definately makes it seem like Bandai's HG Gunpla quality has taken a step back.
You've got that right. Never thought I'd be hesitant to buy a goddamn HGUC Ez8. I was simultaneously exhilarated and terrified when Bandai announced this guy however many months back. Looks like many of my concerns became realized. :/
When do you think the quality started to dip on the HGs? The 00, Age and Unicorn kits seemed pretty nice with a lot of effort put into them. I think maybe Bandai started to get lazy around the Seed remasters.
Damn straight!!! I want to get this kit just so I can recreate the scene in the 08th MS Team episode "The Shuddering Mountain Pt. 1 when Shiro and the team went head-to-head against Norris Packard and his Gouf custom.
i <3 this boxart. also did anyone else notice them using EFGF instead of EFSF for the MS description. interesting...i dont think i've seen any other Federation suit use the EFGF tag
I like it sheerly as a kit design on its own merits, but vastly prefer the more elegant long legged proportions that we see in line art and animation. A bit too squat and stumpy, with extra long thighs and shortened calves.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how this will fare when compared to the original HG version.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the articulation of the HG?
DeleteI don't know. I never got around to buying that so it can complement my RX-79/ZakuII Two-Pack.
Delete^Similar to the HG 1/144 Wing EW series.
DeleteThe old HG Ez8 is a remarkably good kit for it's age. Probably a little bit ahead of it's time. I would go so far to say that, if we weren't going to be getting the HGUC, I'd still be satisfied with the old HG.
ReplyDeleteIt's articulation was pretty standard for the time, but it had few things most, if not all modern HGUCs lack. It had an opening cockpit hatch (no sitting pilot) a slide-out chest plate that covered up some molded "internal details" and a 1/144 Shiro figure with an outstretched right arm that you could prop on the Ez8's shoulder to make it look like he's leaning on it's head.
The only real problem with the old Ez8 is the hands were on a peg-and-hinge system instead of ball joints. Apparently all the 08th MS Team kits used these hands. The only other nitpick I have on the kit is that, aside from the parachute pack, the only weapons it comes with are the beam rifle and 2 solid beam sabers. No 100mm machinegun, 180mm cannon, or bazooka to be seen on the old HG Ez8.
I'm sorry but the elbow and knee connections for the old Ez-8 was crap, and the head can't move much but rotate. And the seamlines are hideous on that kit nor can you prop it on an Action Base nicely. Sure, it was an old one and looks-wise it was decent, but I'm confident the HGUC version will trump it in the 1/144 section.
DeleteI do like my old HG Ez-8 but I sure as heck think the Ez-8 deserves this update.
A MG 2.0 of this guy would be interesting..
ReplyDeleteIt probably won't happen. The MG Ez8 is good for it's time. That being said, from the reviews that I've seen MG Strike was good, but it's getting a new MG now with the Seed HD remaster stuff. So it is possible that we'll get a new MG Ground Gundam, Ez8, and Gouf Custom.
DeleteIf we do get a new MG Ez8, I'd buy it instantly if I have the money
@Anon 2/10 12:54
ReplyDeleteWhile you may be right about the head, the elbows and knees on my old HG Ez8 are fairly solid, and they have about the same range of movement as a lot of other kits that were made around it's time, so that problem may just be a with yours.
All of the other problems you listed have more to do with the age of the kit than anything else. The HG Ez8 was never meant to be on an action base. Those came out LONG after the HG Ez8 was made. And in the 90's, Bandai didn't seem to care if the seam lines were visible or not. As long as the parts went together, everything was good to go.
I won't deny that the new HGUC Ez8 will most likely outclass the old one in almost every way, but for it's age, the old HG is still a great kit, and I'm more than satisfied with it.
I'll be pretty disappointed if the HGUC doesn't feature an opening cockpit, that's for sure.
DeleteCorrection: The new HGUC will likely outclass the old HG in almost every way that involves articulation, but the old HG will likely trump the new HGUC in terms of special features.
ReplyDeleteIz gonna be back heavy. But still, ez8's looking pretty good!
ReplyDeleteThe beam rifle is molded in the correct colors! And the kneeling pose looks very natural.
ReplyDeleteLoving it
I really hope those aren't the final colors.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a lot like the old kit with modern joints. I wouldn't have a problem with it if the internal chest details and large antenna were seperately molded in gray plastic, and I'd hate it if the chin is going to be another sticker like the old kit, considering how much Gunpla technology has evolved since 98'. It looks like Bandai's been getting lazy lately in regards to plastic color apps, and are trying to make up for it in stickers.
F'real. The HGUC line has been in noticeable decline for some time. This version may certainly have a leg up in the articulation realm but I'm not seeing much of an improvement beyond that. It doesn't even look like the chest plate can slide out on a rail like the old HG.
DeleteUnfortunately I think what we're seeing is what we're getting.
I think the colors are alright for the most part except the antenna. Ez8 was always a monochrome looking suit anyway. Some people are just spoiled nowadays. Take another look at the old HGs and tell me what we have now isn't amazing. Sure it might lack some features of the original but I'd gladly trade those gimmicks for the awesome articulation.
ReplyDeleteWould love a gimmick thrown in to use its arm as a weapon
ReplyDelete@Anon 9:11: Exactly, we HAVE been spoiled with how far along Gunpla technology has advanced over the years. At least, that's how things WERE going until the quality just seemed to drop off somewhere, and seemingly regress back a few years.
ReplyDeleteIf this kit was released say, two years ago, it still wouldn't be perfect, but it probably would have had a few more seperately colored plastic parts for those smaller details, like the chin and antenna, instead of Bandai molding what should be multiple parts together into one single colored piece, and giving us more stickers to compensate, like they do now. True, the Ez8 has never been the most colorful design out there, but that's all the more reason to try and bring out those small details, not to skimp out on them.
Customers love quality, and this Ez8, along with a number of other newer HG kits, definately makes it seem like Bandai's HG Gunpla quality has taken a step back.
You've got that right. Never thought I'd be hesitant to buy a goddamn HGUC Ez8. I was simultaneously exhilarated and terrified when Bandai announced this guy however many months back. Looks like many of my concerns became realized. :/
DeleteWhen do you think the quality started to dip on the HGs? The 00, Age and Unicorn kits seemed pretty nice with a lot of effort put into them. I think maybe Bandai started to get lazy around the Seed remasters.
DeleteDon't forget the Rozen "Brownie" Zulu model. A very good model with a bad color.
DeleteGet those Gundam markers ready!
ReplyDeletethose hg boxarts just keep getting better and better. that alone makes me want to buy this guy. can't wait!
ReplyDeleteDamn straight!!! I want to get this kit just so I can recreate the scene in the 08th MS Team episode "The Shuddering Mountain Pt. 1 when Shiro and the team went head-to-head against Norris Packard and his Gouf custom.
DeleteClean and badass boxart
ReplyDeleteOH THAT KNEELING! *Grabs tissue papers*
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei <3 this boxart. also did anyone else notice them using EFGF instead of EFSF for the MS description. interesting...i dont think i've seen any other Federation suit use the EFGF tag
ReplyDeleteMakes sense since it's the Federation's Ground Forces...
DeleteOh maan, seeing this Kit everyday makes me wish Bandai would make a Ver 2.0 for the [MG] line soon. @_@
ReplyDeletescrew the watermarks. hope gginfnite folds up.
ReplyDeletetoe joints!
ReplyDelete