Bandai Hobby - Mobile Suit Gundam - Gundam RX-78-2 (Version 2.0),Bandai MG

If you're a fan of the original Gundam, this kit is definitely a must-have. Compared to other renditions, this kit in particular is made pretty true to the scale and shape of the RX-78-2 that appeared in the 1979 anime series of Mobile Suit Gundam. Having said that, that may very well be what will either lead you to get this item, or to avoid it. Some people prefer to have Gundam renditions that are more realistic. If you are one of those people, I suggest purchasing the version 3.0 instead, or the Real Grade if you don't feel like spending that much. Otherwise, this kit is definitely for you.Just by comparing the images you see with the anime, accuracy is something that can hardly be debated. The eye shape is on point, the proportions of the limbs are spot on, and the colors are pretty much identical to the anime.The kit comes in a pretty compact box, but it is stuffed full of plastic runners. The box art itself has a very retro design to it, but don't be deceived into thinking that the kit itself will have old-school quality too. Actually, it's quite the opposite. This kit, in my opinion (up til the version 3.0 that is) is the standard by which I measure all other Master Grade Gundams by. It's THAT good.How so? I'll tell you.First of all, the kit comes with pretty much every single weapon the RX-78-2 has ever used in the anime (minus the G Fighter, which is a separate kit altogether).You get the usual beam rifle, beam sabers, and hyper bazooka. In addition, you also get the beam javelin, super napalm attachment for the beam rifle, and the Gundam hammer.This is, to this day, still one of the best articulated model kits out there. The head can be rotated a full 360 degrees, with a neck joint that has slight forward and back movements for those poses that involve the Gundam looking up and down at an angle.The arms have a full 360 degrees range of motion (you can swing both arms like a windmill, and you can rotate them to have the elbow facing forward, to the side, and back). Movement is hardly (if at all) encumbered by the shoulder armor. The arms can also reach forward and back. Arm articulation is so good that the possible poses are essentially limited only by your own imagination. As you flex the arms, pistons near the elbow joint are revealed. The elbows can be flex all the way forward as well.The overall torso build is solid, you don't have to worry about any parts coming off as you pose your kit. The torso has forward and back movement, as well as side to side (made possible by a circular hinge joint in the inner frame).Each finger also has individual articulation. You don't normally see that in Master Grade kits, that is something typically reserved for Perfect Grade kits.The fingers also have a solid construction and are not prone to falling apart, unlike most other kits. The kit has a very solid grip on all of its weapons, they remain pretty firmly in place.The hands can also rotate a full 360 degrees, with slight lateral movements. Some people say that the hands are rather big and look cartoony, but that is exactly the point. Watch the anime, and notice that the hands are pretty true to the Gundam in the show.The leg's range of motion is inhibited only by the skirt armor, but you can always adjust the individual skirt armor panels to further increase the range of motion. Be careful not to simply just move the legs without moving the skirt armor first, this is where the skirt armor panels may pop off. Even if they do, they''re very easy to place back no problem. The legs can go all the way forward, back, can flex all the way back, and has lateral rotation. As with the arms, flexing the legs reveals pistons.The feet are very, very impressive. There are three points of articulation (forefoot, mid, and back). The feet (or rather, the kit as a whole) are so well-designed that you can pull off dynamic poses of the kit balancing on its toes no problem at all (an example of this is on some images on the side of the box).More pistons are revealed as you shift each foot about.In my opinion, you're getting near-perfect grade quality in a master grade kit. That's how good this kit is. That's how good all master grades should be.What I find most enjoyable about the kit is its overall durability and sturdiness. The only part where you have to be careful would be the V fin. Apart from that, this model kit may very well be considered as an action figure as well.Now let me warn about some parts during the building process where you should be extra careful. Be careful when removing the wings of the core fighter from the runners (plastic sprues, plates, whatever you want to call them). What may appear as a nub mark, is actually a very important point of attachment. If you accidentally cut it off, the wings won't lock in properly, so be careful. As usual, take extra care when removing small pieces.Overall, you really get more bang for you buck. This kit is fully armed, attention to detail is impressive, build is solid, and articulation sets the bar. The core fighter comes with its own little display stand as well (nice touch by Bandai).If I had to nitpick, the only complaint I have would be that the tip of the beam javelin is not painted. It's simply clear plastic. However, that's easily remedied by just purchasing a $5 can of Tamiya neon pink spray paint.

I have built the 3.0 and while the 3.0 is more detailed and it’s based on the real life Gundam statue that no longer in Japan. The 2.0 is based on the anime design, and let me tell you: it is night and day. While the 3.0 is more detailed as I mentioned, the 2.0 is sturdy and easier to build that I see now why fans prefer this version or MSG The Origins version, much more enjoyable.I provided photos of the 2.0 and my 3.0, with the mark II in the photo, and I love the beam javelin it has and the Gundam Hammer (not in the photo) is pretty cool too. Sounds like it’s a perfect build? Almost; the ankle back plate from time to time pops out. The skirt sometimes pops out when posing with its legs. other than that, the articulation is pretty good.I definitely recommend the 2.0 mg of the granddaddy Gundam!

The model is very sturdy and well-built as it has an inner frame, acting almost as an endoskeleton of sorts. It requires some patience, as well as assembly of what is typically whole/larger pieces on HG level models due to heavy articulation. Though tedious, the reward is greater flexibility, great poses, as well as pleasant aesthetics.Down side is, the Hyper Bazooka takes some effort to wield properly. As well, it is highly recommended to have a small cutting tool to remove the pieces frlm the runners, as well as a blade to remove the nubs. The nubs may interfere with how well pieces fit together, and the model will either appear clunky, or pieces will fail to lock properly.I haven't built a Gundam model in over 10 years, but this was quite satisfying to complete it! Good for anyone who wants a hobby of building things.

V2 has the core fighter and is the reason I brought this gundam again. I also brought the G fighter. V2 is more smooth and better designed. The and hands and fingers in V2 are much better. Worth every $ of this 2nd purchase.

The inner frame of this design has been used and reused over the years, continuing into popular kits such as the GM sniper II. It allows for plenty of poses, it is reliable, and provides nice detail to the build. This has been reused for good reason.Beginners might want to stick with the similarly designed and outfitted standard MG GM. This kit has a gimmick where there is a small ship that can act as an escape pod which folds out wings and the pilot's seat. While I usually like detailed mechanisms, the structure can be a bit unclear at time, leading to confusion. This would have been nice as an added extra, but it is the literal "core" of the kit's torso, so you will usually not table it out very often.The standard GM replaces the escape pod with a much simpler "core block"- it is a block of plastic with tons of details, somewhat similar to an engine block. The pilot's seat is included. The GM also has a simpler hatch to show the pilot's seat. In comparison, the Rx-78-2 seems to have superfluous methods of seeing the pilot- it both has a swinging hatch, and the hatch has a small sliding panel.Despite the complaints, this kit comes with a treasure trove of accessories- a shield, sabers, beam gun, rocket launcher attachment for the gun, a giant spiked ball flail, and a beam spear (that unfortunately requires painting since the effects are clear). You will likely find yourself gifting the spiked ball to your Zakus.

simply the best kit out there. Its fully articulated, detailed from the inside, and sturdy. It comes with alot of weapons such as the beam rifle, shield, two beam sabers, ball'n' chain, napalm lancher, hyper bazooka, and the beam javlin. Its a really awesome kit, though i still prefer my O.Y.W. version over the 2.0 for the detail and core unit. In all honesty, its the great kit for anyone who doesn't mind the cartoony appearance.