Review HG RX-78-2 Gundam -REVIVE-

Bandai will quite often go back and redesign the granddaddy of all Gundam, the RX-78-2. It’s usually the first kit when a new grade or line is launched. It also is redone after some years have passed and new engineering methods allow for a much different type of model. The Revive group, as it’s come to be called, actually started with the Guncannon which seems symbolic considering that is what started the HGUC line off back in 1999.

It’s classic and I have a fondness for the general look of the RX-78-2 overall however for a new model this seems very much subdued or even a little plain. Best example might be the backpack.

Now with Bandai’s know-how we are seeing small models with plenty of details such as panel lines and raised surfaces which really makes them look modern. The Revive RX-78-2 is a throw-back to the old days of Gundam. Get out your marker and draw one panel line.

G30th version of the RX-78-2 had the Gundam Hammer. C’mon Bandai. Y u no give me Gundam Hammer? Ah yes, those extra weapons were planned for the magazines with bonus parts. That seems to be the way of things these days. You get what the RX-78-2 should have and that’s about it.

Part of the hype regarding a redo of the RX-78-2 was the improved articulation and that is definitely there most noticeably in the arms.

It’s quite simple and not revolutionary, yet it does allow you to do more with the kit. But I now can do this epic pose!

This kit passes the balance test as well.

The kit overall holds together just fine and is well balanced but really there’s not much to say about a small HG kit that sells for 1000 yen. It’s actually a pretty great deal when you think about it that way. The Revive line will serve a good purpose if it gives people the suits they love in an updated newer form but it’s nothing revolutionary. But your favourite MS coming to you again is a good thing, no?

 

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Review RG Justice Gundam

Like all SEED suits I love the lines and the sharper edges combined with the slender look so the Justice doesn’t disappoint in this regard, though with that giant backpack attached it tends to look a little too bulky for my tastes. One thing I can’t get enough of, though, are those details on the legs.

 The backpack, when not on the Justice and instead all expanded, looks fantastic.

 This suit main color it’s not pink but could be called ‘dark pink’ or even Cerise (thanks JPO). Whatever you want to call it the colors work very well on this kit with there being white in all the right areas to break up all that Dark Cerise Pink stuff.

The rifle is identical to those found in the RG Freedom kit and despite a somewhat simple assembly look great. The beam saber handles look better on the suit than in Justice’s hands.

 I’m of two minds about this kit articulation actually. Of course, you can see the articulation is good. The kit is very posable, mostly in the legs though, and is fun to play with but all that articulation is moot once the bacpack is on. You definitely need a stand to get the most out of the Justice & backpack combination.

The build design of this kit is so similar to the Aile and Freedom kits I’ll start this portion of the review talking about the biggest difference – the backpack. In a word, it’s amazing and could possibly be the best part of the build.

Coolest engineering found on the Justice? The shoulders. This assembly easily pops out of the shoulder and opens up. And this is where those small effect parts come in.

This kit is immensely enjoyable to assemble as you get to see Bandai’s great design coming together in your hands. The Suit though is so much like the Aile and Freedom that perhaps a bit of the novelty has worn off. I still had a great time with it, just like any other Real Grade. Some might feel that the RG Justice is more of the same after the Aile and Freedom RG kits but because this line is so stellar that isn’t necessarily a bad thing and that backpack is unlike any other 1/144 scale plamo you’ve ever assembled. If you’re a SEED fan or just like great kits then give it a chance to win you over.

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Review MG Gundam AGE-1 Normal

I hummed and hawed about this score for some time. When I first saw the design for the AGE-1 Normal I thought it looked too unoriginal notably the head, which looks so much like Reborns Gundam, and the basic look of the body which is obviously based on the RX-78-2. I did, however, like the differences, particularly in the backpack, with that car spoiler look,

as well as the torso with the triangular shapes found throughout. And I do like the little openings found on the armor panels.

I could mark this lower and say ‘zero points for originality’ as it looks exactly like the RX-78-2 in terms of color scheme but you know what? They work. The color scheme has been successful for so long so I shouldn’t fault it for being less than original. The black on the knees do break up the white of the legs, which is a good thing.

While there isn’t much if you look at quantity of weapons (though the short beam sabers are nice) the design of the weapons themselves, notably the rifle, earn them extra points.

The beam rifle features a very articulate handle which allows you to easily place it in the hand of the AGE-1 and attach it to the back of the lower arm securing it in place and ensuring that AGE-1 will hold it without worry. The shield attaches the same way and fits so securely that it’s difficult to remove the shield and rifle from the connection to the arm. I appreciate this and it means I can pose the kit in more extreme poses without the weapons falling or being knocked off

You can put the AGE-1 into a wide range of poses and it still holds itself up. The articulation in the lower half of the kit is excellent and the feet almost always seem to hug the floor but I was more impressed with the shoulders.

The unique shoulder design allows the shoulder joints of the AGE-1 to move in way similar to how a human’s shoulder socket joint works, which means great poses!

Passes the balance test!

The engineering seems ahead of the other MG kits even the newest releases and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some of this engineering used in 2.0 or 3.0 versions of suits.

The skirt design is also different from what I expected when I saw pictures of the kit. The yellow and white parts can move together or independently which allows that great range of motion found in the hips. That little hatch on the rear center block flips down to hold the rifle, too. Cool!

The coolest design in this suit is is the cockpit hatch. There is a movable assembly at the top as well as the bottom of the hatch which allows the hatch cover to click into place so you don’t need to worry about it flipping forward if you bend your kit that way. Also you can posing the pilot figure on the hatch.

You'll have a great time with this kit. While building it you'll encountered many design elements you haven’t seen before and when eventually saw what they allowed the kit to do you will be impressed. While the build sometimes can feel like an HG the payoff is that it moves like one. This is one of those kits that is as much fun to play with once assembled as it is to put together. More importantly, this kit deserves more recognition and encourage anyone who is on the fence to jump on the AGE-1 Normal bandwagon.

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