Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type configuration (1/6)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type configuration (2/6)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type configuration (3/6)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type configuration (4/6)

Early type configuration

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Detail shots (early type) (1/4)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Detail shots (early type) (2/4)

Detail shots (early type)

Parts for building the mid type are also included.

Mid type configuration.
As close as possible to the original First Gundam design.

Weapons loadout

The early/mid type rifles have a movable locking pin so they can be mounted on the rear skirt.

The bazooka can be mounted on the rear skirt using a separate joint part.

Early type rifle handle and scope articulation

The shield's inner locking pin can be repositioned via a sliding mechanism.

You can add parts to expose the gatling gun on the right shoulder.

The verniers on the back of the calves open up.

Three types of hands are included in total.

Leftover parts

Excellent limb articulation

There is a hip joint articulation gimmick, but it doesn't feel like it makes a huge difference.

The forward/backward shoulder movement relies solely on the polycap.

The neck has quite a good range of forward/backward movement.

The waist's forward/backward range of motion is almost absurdly large.

The ankle side-to-side tilt angle is practically record-breaking ㄷㄷ..

The foot is split into front and rear sections that articulate independently.

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type - natural poses (1/7)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type - natural poses (2/7)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type - natural poses (3/7)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type - natural poses (4/7)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Early type - natural poses (5/7)

Early type - natural poses

Early type - sword draw pose

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Late type action poses (1/5)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Late type action poses (2/5)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam - Late type action poses (3/5)

Late type action poses

Together with the HG Origin Local Type Gundam.

Together with the HGUC Gundam Revive & Beyond Global version.

Together with the MG Gundam The Origin.

The First Gundam from Gundam The Origin has finally gotten an HG release. It already came out as an MG back in 2015, so I was wondering why it was taking so long to get an HG version. Well, the wait was worth it — the quality is definitely up to scratch. ^^

First off, you can build either the early type or mid type through parts swapping. The early type is the Gundam The Origin look we all know well, while the mid type is closer to the original First Gundam's design concept. Two of the runners are reused from existing kits, but everything else is brand new, so it's essentially a completely new kit. True to the HG Origin series concept, the fine detail work and generous seals make for a great straight build right out of the box. The color separation on the weapons is especially well done — the yellow scope and the various sections of the bazooka are all achieved through separate parts.

The biggest highlight of this kit has to be the articulation. The waist bends forward and backward to an almost ridiculous degree, and the neck also has a surprisingly wide range of forward/backward movement. The feet split into front and rear sections that move independently, and on top of that the ankle side-to-side tilt is at an all-time best level — no matter what pose you put it in, the ground contact is excellent. It can't quite match the G40's almost unrealistic hip articulation, but overall you can pull off a wide variety of dynamic poses with ease. Joint strength is also tuned just right — not too stiff, not too loose.

As bonus gimmicks, you can attach gatling parts to the right shoulder, the verniers on the back of the calves open and close, and the early/mid type rifles have movable locking pins so they can be stored on the rear skirt. The bazooka can also be mounted there using a separate joint part.

All in all, this is a clean, flawless kit that more than lives up to the "First" name with its high quality. Personally, it's the most satisfying HG First Gundam I've ever built. Regardless of how you feel about the Origin designs, this is a top-tier kit I'd recommend to any Gunpla fan. :-)

HG Origin RX-78-02 Gundam | 2020.3 | ¥2,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.