Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Decals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - The backpack is huge but the leg joints are weak, so keeping it balanced is no easy task. (1/6)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - The backpack is huge but the leg joints are weak, so keeping it balanced is no easy task. (2/6)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - The backpack is huge but the leg joints are weak, so keeping it balanced is no easy task. (3/6)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - The backpack is huge but the leg joints are weak, so keeping it balanced is no easy task. (4/6)

The backpack is huge but the leg joints are weak, so keeping it balanced is no easy task.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Detail shots (1/5)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Detail shots (2/5)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Detail shots (3/5)

Detail shots

Outer armor removal shot

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Inner frame shots. It's been a while since I last saw the Mk-II 2.0 frame. (1/2)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Inner frame shots. It's been a while since I last saw the Mk-II 2.0 frame. (2/2)

Internal frame.
It's been a while since I last saw the Mk-II 2.0 frame.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Frame detail shots (1/4)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Frame detail shots (2/4)

Frame detail shots

Frame articulation is top-notch — Grade A+.

A very natural kneeling pose.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Frame action pose (1/3)

Frame action pose

The bare figure alone

A cockpit hatch open shot with even more impact than before.

Being 1/100 scale, the Build Booster is nice and large too.

Top and bottom views of the Build Booster.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Shots mounted on Action Base 2. (1/6)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Shots mounted on Action Base 2. (2/6)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Shots mounted on Action Base 2. (3/6)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Shots mounted on Action Base 2. (4/6)

Shots mounted on Action Base 2.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - The underside of the Build Booster also has a mounting section to store the unit that attaches to the

The underside of the Build Booster also has a mounting section to store the unit that attaches to the forearm.

To attach it as a backpack, you first need to split it into four separate pieces.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - After detaching the Beam Rifle Mk-II, rotate the connector as shown above and pull out the pin used t

After detaching the Beam Rifle Mk-II, rotate the connector as shown above.
Then pull out the pin used to secure it to the back.

The front Build Booster cockpit section just needs to be set aside separately.

The small shield and Beam Rifle Mk-II can also be detached.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - The scope on top of the Beam Rifle Mk-II and the shield cover are articulated and can be folded close

The scope on top of the Beam Rifle Mk-II and the shield cover are articulated and can be folded closed.

The Beam Rifle Mk-II is designed to attach by pulling out a peg on the forearm.

1/100 Reiji figure.

Leftover parts from the Mk-II 2.0.

Same articulation as the Mk-II 2.0.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Aerial action pose (1/3)

Aerial action pose

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Beam Rifle Mk-II firing pose. (1/4)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Beam Rifle Mk-II firing pose. (2/4)

Beam Rifle Mk-II firing pose.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Two-handed firing pose (1/3)

Two-handed firing pose

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Double beam saber action pose. (1/4)

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Double beam saber action pose. (2/4)

Double beam saber action pose.

The original Mk-II 2.0 weapons are all included as well.

Fully armed with the original weapons.

Beam rifle firing pose

Bazooka firing pose.

Together with the HG Build Gundam Mk-II.

Together with the MG Gundam Mk-II AEUG version.

Together with the MG Build Strike Gundam.

And now we've already got three Build Fighters MGs~

The joint parts that came with the MG Build Strike are also included.

Combined with the MG Build Strike.

Mounted on the MG Sengoku Astray.

Mounted on the MG Wing Gundam.

Mounted on the MG Gundam X.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II - Mounted on the MG Mk-II 2.0 Titans version without the backpack. Color-wise, this is probably the bes

Mounted on the MG Mk-II 2.0 Titans version without the backpack.
Color-wise, this is probably the best match of the bunch.

Straight build

The third Build Fighters MG release is the Build Gundam Mk-II. As you'd expect, it uses the MG Mk-II 2.0 as its base kit, with changes to the head antenna and chest armor, the newly added Build Booster, and a revised waist joint that fixes the issue from the original Mk-II 2.0 release.

First of all, it was a genuinely fun kit to build — getting to put together the Mk-II 2.0 again after so long brought back that fresh excitement. The molded colors are also slightly brighter than the original version, which somehow makes it look even nicer. ^^ The dark navy of the original always felt a bit dull and heavy, but the blue on the Build Gundam Mk-II has a clean, vibrant feel to it.

The added Build Booster has a decent enough gimmick setup, but the lack of any open gimmicks, inner frame, or fine detail makes it feel a little plain. It's kind of like something sitting halfway between a 1/100 No Grade and an MG, if that makes sense. It gives off the vibe that since this isn't a mainline Gundam series kit, they didn't put quite as much effort into it.

The Mk-II 2.0 base is a genuinely great kit in its own right, but it's still a kit that came out 9 years ago. It feels like just yesterday that the 2.0 was released, and yet here we are — time really does fly... That said, even with nearly a decade between then and now, it's still a clean and solid base kit. The hip and knee/ankle joints were always a bit on the weak side to begin with, and now that the Build Booster backpack has been added, standing it up has become a real challenge. T_T

Basically, you have to push the legs way back just to get it to stand in a leaning-back pose, and even then the slightest shift in the center of gravity sends it toppling over. Even on a stand, it doesn't feel like a perfect fit — probably because the base kit predates the Action Base — so keeping it stable in the air feels a little iffy too. Still, the overall look is pretty sleek, and if you get it properly secured on a stand and strike a good pose, it does look pretty cool. After all, the Mk-II has always been a good-looking suit. ^^

So while the weak leg joints make it hard to come away with a great impression, I think the bigger appeal of this kit is simply getting to build a nicely colored Mk-II again after so long. Since the original parts are left over as leftover parts, you can also configure it as a standard Gundam Mk-II if you feel like it — so if you're a Mk-II fan, it might be worth giving it a shot. Either way, compared to the MG Build Strike Gundam which made great use of an excellent modern base kit, you can definitely feel the quality gap here, which is a bit of a shame. :-)

MG RX-178B Gundam Mk-II v2.0
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★★★★★	It's a 9-year-old base kit, but the color separation is excellent — exactly what you'd expect from the Mk-II 2.0.
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★★★★	Somehow the molded colors feel even better than the original...
Proportions	★★★★★	Proportions that still hold up beautifully even after all these years.
Articulation	★★★★★	A base kit with Grade A articulation.
Joint Strength	★★★★	The weak leg joints struggle a bit under the weight of that backpack...
Internal Frame	★★★★★	Full-body frame shot. Especially impressive is the attention to detail with the cockpit block fully reproduced.
Detail	★★★★☆	The base kit is great, but the newly added Build Booster feels a bit plain.
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★★	The standard accessories are fairly generous.
Parts Count / Price	★★★★☆	399 parts total. Parts per ¥1,000: 79.8. Pretty decent value for money.
Uniqueness	★★★★☆	Worth it for the fun of building the Mk-II 2.0 again after so long..?
Dalong's Point : 95 pts.

MG Build Gundam Mk-II | 2014. 3 | ¥5,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.