Bandai Hobby - Gundam The Origin - #26 RX-78-02 Gundam (The Origin Ver.), Bandai Spirits HG 1/144 Model Kit

Although it doesn't totally transcend expectations, this is definitely one of the very nicest kits in the High Grade (HG) line. The construction is still relatively simple, and similar to other kits based on The Origin, but the sculpt is closely modeled on its Master Grade big brother, which means there's a lot of nice surface detail and panel lining opportunities. Compared to the older Revive version, it feels a lot more detailed and "realistic."If you're new to gunpla, this is a good kit to cut your teeth on. You can build it in a couple hours, it is maybe around 160 parts I'd guess. Nothing too challenging. There is not a great deal of need to paint -- the only color correcting stickers are the eyes (a yellow piece that is meant to be black and gold), the small yellow chevron on the crotch piece, and the gray circles on the arm and leg joints. These are all pretty passable, although I didn't use them personally. There is also a sheet of transparent decals, like other Origin kits, which are a nice bonus not found in most HGs. I am using waterslides (purchased separately) so I cannot vouch for their quality, but they look similar to those included with RG kits (pretty good as long as they are applied to light-colored, flat surfaces). If you were to build this just straight out of the box and then go over it with a panel marker, I imagine it would look pretty decent. I WOULD put a tiny dab of glue (super glue or plastic cement) on the red jewel on the head, because mine liked to fall off a lot and it's VERY small. Just glue it to be safe, you DON'T want to go on a scavenger hunt for it later.If you're a more experienced builder like myself and you want to paint and detail the kit, this is also one of the best kits of this grade/price point. It packs a ton of excellent surface detail, so there's lots to paint and line. With a good paint job it looks shockingly close to a scaled down version of the Master Grade kit. Obviously the construction is much simpler, but the articulation is still excellent, able to pull of just about any pose. The leg even has that nice separation that the MG has. Other than the afformentioned head piece that I had to glue, it's solid as a rock, and makes for a very sturdy, stable figure.It isn't quite as impressive as the Moon Gundam, but in my opinion, it is the best HG version of the RX-78-2 out right now and one of the best HG kits period. We'll see if that opinion changes when the Beyond Global version releases.Attached pictures are of my build, which has been painted in custom colors and decaled with after-market water decals (not included). They are intended to represent how the kit can look with some additional effort, rather than just building with what is in the box.

This was my first Gundam model kit, and I loved it so much that I built many more this year! It took me about 6 hours to build, and then I added some panel lining. This model poses really well, and comes with a nice variety of accessories, decals, and option parts.

This is a fantastic model kit. It's one of the better high-grade kits I've built. Definitely accurate to the show. Easy to assemble and it looks good when you're done. If you're looking for a high-grade RX-78-2 this is the kit for you.Like most gunpla, it's a press-fit kit, which means you don't technically need glue. And the kit does go together OK without any glue... But I noticed a couple bits that didn't want to hold together on their own. I wound up putting a little glue on the head for the v-fin, and on the hilts of the beam sabers.The kit includes some color-correcting stickers for a few small bits, like the eyes and the sensors in the head - but it's pretty minimal.The kit also comes with some stickers, not waterslide decals, for the markings. These actually look pretty good - the edges aren't super-apparent. But it can be pretty fiddly getting them on right. And they really don't look as good as waterslide decals.Overall, this is a fantastic model kit. Looks good. Nicely posable. Fun to assemble.

This thing is awesome. Before I go any further, know that I recommend it despite any criticisms I have.That said, here are some issues:- The way the leg joints can drop down looks weird and isn't very useful- The ankles are a little limited in range- If you slide the shield rail all the way, it'll fall off- The shoulders look very odd when the arms are far forward (posing like a zombie)- The way the back side of the shield is modeled is not helpful for panel lining- The saber handles and/or shoulder gun don't attach securely to the backpack. I glued mine- Posing with the bazooka is really trickyAnyway, it's a beautiful kit and a really cool build. It's barely more complicated than your typical HG. The stickers (and it's all stickers, no waterslides or dry transfers) all blend in nicely, and the only color-correcting ones are the little yellow V shape on the waist, and the lens of the bazooka. They go on easy and add a lot to the illusion of scale -- this thing looks like an enormous machine shrunk down to a tiny size.I kinda want to build another one with custom paint or something. It's so crisp and classic, I feel like it'd be hard to make it look bad.

I will say as a first time model builder and buyer this is pretty fun i started about maybe 45mins to an hour on the build and i made pretty good progress also got a little tool kit to help snip or file the pieces if needed which glade i did but this model overall is great. Instructions are in English also but with pictures you can get the full setting of what your doing i know theres more to the kit than building the body especially having it turn out like you want it too but first time go at a kit and as a fan of Gundam i love it.

This model kit is amazing!! Some of the parts of the instruction that aren’t specified which led me to be confused on some parts, especially the parts where you have to put the stickers on need to be emphasized a little bit more, but overall I had a great experience! Tools aren’t provided in the kit and you must buy your own nipper tool to cut the parts out, and personally I would recommend everyone to buy gundam markers just to make your gundam a little bit cleaner :)).