Bandai Hobby RG #01 RX-78-2 Gundam 1/144 Real Grade Model Kit (BAN163280) Review (2026)

Who this Real Grade RX-78-2 suits

Released in 2010 to mark Gunpla's 30th anniversary, this was the very first kit in Bandai's Real Grade line, built around the original RX-78-2 Gundam design from the franchise's first television series. It suits builders who want the most iconic mobile suit in Gundam, styled with more mechanical detail and posability than a standard High Grade kit but in a smaller, quicker build than a Master Grade. Experienced Gunpla builders who enjoy panel lining and small parts assembly will get the most out of it, since the tiny inner frame components and dense sticker sheet reward patience. First time builders can still finish it, but should expect a slower, more careful build than a simpler High Grade kit.

Scale, frame and what's included

At 1/144 scale the finished figure stands about 12.5 centimeters tall, built around an Advanced MS Joints inner frame that gives the model an unusually wide range of motion for its size. The head pivots on a ball and socket neck joint, the torso tilts, shoulders swing and raise, elbows and knees are double jointed, and the waist rotates a full 360 degrees. Armor panels layer over the pre molded inner frame using color separated plastic, so much of the suit looks finished without paint. The box includes a Beam Rifle, Hyper Bazooka, Shield and two Beam Sabers, interchangeable hand parts for different poses, a 1/144 scale Amuro Ray pilot figure, and a sheet of Real Sticker decals for surface markings.

Building and posing the kit

Like other Real Grade kits, this is a snap together build that needs no glue, though hobby nippers are required to cleanly remove the many small parts from their runners. The main challenge is patience: the inner frame pieces are tiny and numerous, and the sticker sheet needs careful placement to avoid wrinkling or misalignment on such a compact figure. Once built, the wide articulation range makes it easy to recreate dynamic action poses with the included weapons, and the interchangeable hands let builders match grip poses to specific accessories. Because this is the original 2010 tooling, joints can feel slightly looser over repeated posing than Bandai's newer Real Grade releases, which use refined frame engineering.

How it compares with newer and rival Gundam kits

Bandai has since released an updated RG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. 2.0 and an MG RX-78-2 Ver. 3.0, both of which score higher than the original RG 01 for tighter engineering and more refined detail, reflecting how far Bandai's kit design has advanced since 2010. Against other kits in the same Real Grade lineup, such as the transforming Wing Gundam or the highly articulated God Gundam, this original RX-78-2 remains a strong pick for builders who specifically want the franchise's first mobile suit rather than a later design. Its main drawback next to those rivals is the amount of stickers needed and a frame that is not quite as snug as Bandai's more recent Real Grade tooling.

Verdict and who should consider a different kit

This is a rewarding build for Gundam fans who want the original RX-78-2 in a compact, posable Real Grade format, and its status as the kit that launched the entire Real Grade line adds some appeal for collectors. The tiny parts and heavy sticker sheet make it more fiddly than a High Grade kit, so first time builders should budget extra time and a steady hand. Anyone who wants the tightest possible fit and the newest frame engineering should look at the RG Ver. 2.0 instead, while builders wanting more surface detail at a larger size may prefer a Master Grade RX-78-2 kit.

Frequently asked questions