It might be silly to write a detailed review of an Entry Grade model kit for very little cost, but I think some would appreciate an opinion from someone who's built over a hundred gunpla.
I originally didn't want any RX-78-2 models because I thought they looked a little too old school. Ironically, it's now the mobile suit I have the most models of, starting with the Real Grade #01, and has become a collection since then.
That's because they are all very different in their construction and all have something interesting to offer on a mechanical level.
This model is based on the same ideas of the 30 Minute Mission kits, maximizing detail and simplicity, and an even simpler design with some clever thinking behind it.
For example, the color separation of the eyes and the V logo on the crotch, are unusually detailed, while the eyes have a negative space around them that gives off the illusion of more color separation, using shadow to do it, meaning there is not a single sticker in this kit.
The articulation is fairly good considering the simplicity (and has a very impressive ab-crunch), but it does have some very odd limitations.
1. A single point arm bend - This is common for 30MM and even a lot of HG kits, giving a 110 degree single point arm bend, but instead it has a much higher arm lift due to its shoulder hinge and ball joint design. No forwards or backwards shoulder movement however, unlike other 30MM kits.
2. The skirts are mobile (apart from the back skirt) but they get in way of each other and the torso. The front skirts are also not ball joints, but swivel points, which means they only rotate on one point.
They are separable, like most normal front skirts.
3. Ball-in-socket hips.
This is a design that was phased out over 20 years ago and even other 30MM kits do not do this, instead using the two halves of a ball with two begs to give a superior range of motion. This is a very odd and pointless limitation that smacks of pointless cost mitigation to save a fraction for a significantly worse solution.
4. The beam rifle is unnaturally long, making it so it bumps against the upper arm and limits the bend.
5. No beam sabers. While this is entirely fine for collectors who already have hundreds of these, a beginner might be a bit perplexed at the lack of beams. That being said, there is a 'Full Weapon Set' version of this kit.
I'm not pointing these out to make the kit seem bad, it's not, it's just a list of small oddities. Overall it's a very solid model kit and an impressive example of great engineering.
A fun experience even for veteran model builders who will appreciate the elegantly simply design.
It's also a good model for scribing practice.
