MG 1/100 Hyaku Shiki Ver.2.0 Review | Gold-Plated Build, Articulation & Difficulty

【Lead｜AI Overview Summary・approx. 260 chars】

The MG 1/100 Hyaku Shiki Ver.2.0, released in May 2015 at 7,480 yen (tax included), is a Master Grade kit that recreates Quattro Bajeena’s golden mobile suit with a gold-plated exterior and a fully revised inner frame. With a build difficulty of three stars out of five and around four to five hours of assembly, this review digs into the kit’s contents, out-of-box looks, articulation, and the points that need care—drawn from our editorial build experience.

1. Introduction ― The Golden Icon of the AEUG

The Hyaku Shiki, from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, is unforgettable thanks to its gleaming gold body. It also appears in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, and has stayed a fan favorite across the series.

This review covers the MG 1/100 Hyaku Shiki Ver.2.0, a renewed Master Grade release. Its inner frame and range of motion are greatly improved, delivering the polish you expect from a current-generation MG. Even straight from the box, the gold-plated exterior carries serious presence, letting you feel where Gunpla stands today.

〔Image: Full body of the completed Hyaku Shiki Ver.2.0〕

2. Product Information

Name: MG 1/100 Hyaku Shiki Ver.2.0
Series source: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (also appears in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ)
Line: Master Grade (MG)
Scale: 1/100
Release: May 30, 2015
Price: 7,480 yen (tax included); 6,800 yen (pre-tax) at launch
Maker: BANDAI at release (current label: BANDAI SPIRITS)
Distribution: General retail (hobby and mass-market stores)
Highlights: Gold-plated exterior, upgraded inner frame, wide range of motion

〔Image: Box front〕

3. Box and Kit Contents

The box puts the gold-plated exterior front and center, so it stands out on the shelf. Inside you’ll find:

Multiple molded runners (gold-plated exterior, blue, red, dark gray, inner frame)
1 polycap runner (PC parts for joints)
Stickers: 1 marking sticker and 1 foil sticker
1 water-slide decal sheet (suit markings)
1 full-color instruction manual with inner-frame structure notes

The gold-plated runners and the gray frame parts are separated, so you can enjoy the contrast of gold against mechanical detail as you build.

〔Image: Runner overview (gold plate / frame)〕

4. Assembly ― Difficulty 3/5, About 4–5 Hours, and Tricky Spots

The build sits at three stars out of five and takes roughly four to five hours. The structure itself is straightforward, but the gold-plated parts demand extra care, which is why it leans toward intermediate builders. Here are the points that stood out during our build.

The antenna and the waist thrusters are thin, so I was nervous about breaking them when cutting them from the runner. Leaving a little extra gate and trimming in two passes felt safer.
The gold-plated surface picks up fingerprints easily, so I wiped the parts as I went. Skin oil dulls the shine, so frequent cleaning pays off.
The plating uses undergate molding, yet some gate marks still catch the light and stand out, so careful processing is recommended (a general note).

〔Image: Inner frame mid-assembly〕

5. Out-of-Box Review ― Looks, Articulation, Color Separation, Gimmicks

Even straight from the box, the Hyaku Shiki Ver.2.0 has commanding presence. Thanks to the wide range of motion of a current MG, the golden silhouette really pops even unpainted.

Design and proportions: A modern Ver.2.0 silhouette that is both sleek and powerful. The backpack binders and leg armor are crisply rendered, so it looks great just standing.
Articulation: The improved inner frame makes kneeling poses and two-handed beam rifle holds feel natural. The binders also move widely, making dynamic posing easy to achieve.
Color separation: Built around the gold-plated exterior with blue, red, and dark gray covering the details. A few small areas rely on stickers, but the out-of-box result is more than satisfying.
The gold plating shifts in tone with the light, and the contrast against the mechanical inner frame is a real highlight.

〔Image: Out-of-box action pose〕

6. Place Within the Series ― Comparison With Other Kits

The Hyaku Shiki has appeared in earlier MG kits, but this Ver.2.0 fully revises the inner frame and lifts both articulation and proportions to current standards, making it the definitive version. As a plated MG it is also iconic, ideal for builders who want the showy shine of a metallic finish as-is. It answers both the crowd chasing modern MG mobility and those who put the golden look first.

〔Image: Comparison lineup with other MGs〕

7. One Tip for a Clean Finish (General Recommendations)

You can enjoy this kit either by keeping the plated finish or by painting to refine the texture. As general advice, keep these in mind for stable results.

For gate processing, avoid over-sanding the plated surfaces and keep cleanup minimal, leaning on the undergate advantage.
Panel lining on the inner frame and dark gray areas tightens up the mechanical feel.
Because fingerprints and scuffs show easily, give the finished model a gentle wipe with a soft cloth.
If you use a topcoat, watch for compatibility with the plated surface and test in a hidden spot before going all over.

〔Image: Frame after panel lining〕

8. What to Check Before Buying

Availability: It is still reprinted and relatively easy to find, but as a popular suit it can sell out or hit premium prices depending on timing.
Secondhand market: Available on Amazon, Rakuten, Suruga-ya, Yahoo Auctions, Mercari, and more. Prices vary with condition, decal presence, and box state.
Given the plated finish, repainting the whole suit takes extra effort. Choosing it on the premise of keeping the gold shine yields the most satisfaction.

〔Image: Points to check at purchase〕

9. Good & More

【Good】

The refined Ver.2.0 proportions give it standout presence even standing still.
The gold-plated exterior shines impressively, looking premium even unpainted.
The upgraded inner frame makes kneeling and two-handed poses natural, with plenty of articulation gimmicks.
Moving parts like the backpack binders and waist thrusters add play value in the details.

【More (points of concern)】

Gate marks on the plated parts catch the light and take effort to clean up.
The glossy finish shows fingerprints and scuffs easily.
It is tricky for painters, and topcoats must be chosen carefully.
Thin parts like the antenna and waist thrusters can break during assembly.

〔Image: Good & More comparison cut〕

10. Score

Overall: ★★★★☆

In a word: “A golden definitive edition that delivers both plated shine and modern MG articulation straight from the box.”

〔Image: Score summary〕

11. Conclusion

That wraps up our review of the MG 1/100 Hyaku Shiki Ver.2.0. This kit combines the impact of its gold-plated exterior, the refined Ver.2.0 proportions, and the wide articulation of an upgraded inner frame. The build leans intermediate, but if you mind the thin parts during cutting and keep fingerprints in check, you can enjoy commanding presence even out of the box. It lets you savor Quattro Bajeena’s Hyaku Shiki at modern MG standards—truly the AEUG’s golden hope. Great to display and great to pose, this one earns a spot in your collection.