MGCosmic Era

ZGMF-1000/A1 Gunner ZAKU Warrior (Lunamaria Hawke Custom)

A one-eyed red Zaku that finally gets the MG treatment its silhouette always deserved.

MechaGrade Score

3.9/5

Gunner ZAKU Warrior (Lunamaria Hawke Custom) · 1/100 · 2019

GradeMG

Scale1/100

Released2019

Runnersn/a

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The verdict

This is a genuinely satisfying MG that trades inner-frame spectacle for pure build comfort, and I think that trade pays off.

It went up in 2019 to mark SEED Destiny's 15th anniversary, and it plays like a kit built for people who just want a fun weekend project. The articulation is the real star here, not the frame detail. If you love the mono-eye Zaku silhouette or you're a Lunamaria fan, this one earns its shelf spot.

Best for: Zaku and SEED Destiny fans who want an easy, satisfying MG build without inner-frame fuss

The full review

What it is

This kit takes the mono-eyed ZAFT Zaku Warrior line and dresses it in Lunamaria Hawke's red artillery loadout, complete with the bulky Gunner Wizard backpack and its big shoulder-mounted beam cannon. Building it felt refreshingly uncomplicated for an MG. The part breakdown is simple, the color separation on the armor is clean straight off the runners, and there is a chest hatch that flips open to show off a seated Lunamaria figure in the cockpit, which is a nice touch I did not expect on a kit at this price point. Nothing about the assembly fights you. It just goes together and looks right the moment you close up the last limb.

The catch

The inner frame is where Bandai clearly cut corners. It is simple and mostly hidden once the armor goes on, so if you were hoping for MG-level frame detail to show through joints or vents, you will not find much here. There is also a Tetoron sticker sheet for some of the finer markings rather than full color molding in every spot. The bigger practical issue is the Gunner Wizard cannon itself, it is large and back-heavy, and getting the right arm and shoulder into a good pose while it is mounted takes some patience and occasionally a little balance help from the stand.

Who it's for

I would point this at Zaku loyalists, SEED Destiny fans, and anyone who wants a relaxed MG build after wrestling with a fussier kit. The straightforward assembly and sturdy joints make it a reasonable pick even for someone stepping up from HG who wants a taste of MG scale without a steep learning curve. Detail hunters chasing a fully realized inner frame or diorama-grade panel work should look elsewhere in the line. For everyone else who just wants a red Zaku that poses well and looks the part, this delivers.

The build story

What the build is actually like, and the engineering worth knowing about.

Assembly is genuinely low-friction for an MG. Part counts stay manageable, gate placement is considerate, and nothing about the fit fights back, this is closer to a relaxed evening build than a multi-session project. Cleanup is light and the armor shells snap onto the frame with confident, satisfying clicks rather than the loose fit some budget MGs suffer from.

The articulation is the standout engineering win. Despite the simplified inner frame, the joint range is wide enough to land dynamic poses, and the frame holds its shape under the weight of the shield and beam rifle. The loadout includes a beam assault rifle, beam tomahawk, the Orthros high-energy cannon with its energy cable, and a shield, so there is real variety for posing beyond just standing at attention. The opening cockpit hatch with the seated Lunamaria figure adds a display option that pushes the part-count value further than the price alone suggests.

Lore & trivia

01This MG was released in September 2019 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, marking the Lunamaria Hawke Custom's first appearance as an MG kit.
02In the anime, Lunamaria Hawke piloted this Gunner ZAKU Warrior aboard the battleship Minerva, using it to pursue the stolen Second Stage Series Gundams before her unit was critically damaged in the Battle of Crete.
03The Gunner ZAKU Warrior is armed with the M1500 Orthros high-energy long-range beam cannon, mounted via the large-capacity Gunner Wizard backpack unit.