Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Seals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Detail shots (1/4)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Detail shots (2/4)

Detail shots

Outer armor removed

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Inner frame shots (1/2)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Inner frame shots (2/2)

Internal frame

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Frame detail shots (1/4)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Frame detail shots (2/4)

Frame detail shots

Frame articulation

Cockpit hatch open

Even with such a tiny head, they managed to include an opening heat fin gimmick on the chin.

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - You can also swap in an eye patch-style eye, but the part is so tiny that swapping it is a pain, and

You can also swap in an eye patch-style eye,
but the part is so tiny that swapping it is a pain, and you can barely see it once the kit is finished anyway.

Core Fighter separation

Core Fighter

The Core Fighter's canopy opens too. (It's incredibly tiny in person)

When docking with the main body, the nose section can be folded in.

Weapon accessories are included as a full set.

The Zanbuster separates into the Zanber and Buster Gun, just as per the design specs.

Beam Shield gimmick on the forearm

The Scissor Anchor gimmick on the front skirt is also included.

Heat Dagger gimmick

Four types of hands are included, and the sculpting is excellent.

The large palm peg slots into the weapon handle, so the grip is rock solid.

1/144 pilot figure

Stand joint parts.
Plug it into the center of the rear skirt and it holds on pretty firmly.

There's also a clear joint part included for displaying the Core Fighter.

The cloak is made of plastic.
It has way more dimension to it than a cloth one would.

With the cloak on

Leftover parts

Excellent limb articulation

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - There's a drop-down hip joint gimmick, though it drops in the opposite direction compared to most ki

There's a drop-down hip joint gimmick,
though it drops in the opposite direction compared to most kits.

Torso forward/backward articulation

Forward/backward shoulder articulation

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (1/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (2/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (3/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (4/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (5/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (6/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (7/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (8/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (9/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (10/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (11/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (12/15)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 - Action poses (13/15)

Action pose

Together with the HGUC Crossbone Gundam X1.

Together with the RG First Gundam.

Together with the MG Crossbone Gundam X1.

Straight build

The Crossbone Gundam X1 has arrived as the 31st entry in the RG lineup. The Crossbone Gundam, along with the F91, is one of the smaller MS in the Gundam universe — and since it's already a compact and detailed RG kit, the parts have gotten even tinier. ^^;

The basic build stays true to the RG concept, delivering MG-level color separation, gimmicks, and weapon loadout. All the equipment from the design specs is included, making it a proper full-option kit. What's especially impressive is that despite the incredibly small size, not only does the cockpit hatch open, but even the tiny Core Fighter canopy opens up. On top of that, the minuscule head features an opening chin duct and a swappable eye patch-style eye — the level of gimmick reproduction here is absolutely insane. Honestly, the parts are so small they're hard to hold, and half of it you can barely see once it's built, but the precision is genuinely on another level.

Unlike previous kits, the area covered by the articulated one-piece frame has been significantly reduced — it's only used for the torso and the center of the backpack. The arms and legs use a part-assembly style frame instead, and honestly, it feels smoother to pose and looks more detailed than a bare-bones one-piece frame. The RG's articulated fingers, which had been getting mixed reviews, have been boldly dropped, and while the hands are assembly-type, the proportions are great and they look more three-dimensional. On top of that, the palm pegs that connect to the weapons are noticeably large, so there are zero grip issues.

Along with various beam effect parts, a plastic cloak is included. It has no flexibility since it's plastic, but four ball joints let you position it fairly freely. The MG came with a thin, flowing fabric cloak, but honestly the RG's fixed plastic version looks much better — it has great volume and dimension, and it connects to the body much more securely.

Articulation is solid, as you'd expect from an RG, though the waist and shoulder range of motion is below average compared to the arms and legs, which fold up beautifully. The hip joints also have a drop-down gimmick, but unlike previous kits where they drop forward, these drop backward instead. Joint strength is on the stiffer side for the kit's size overall, which actually helps keep poses locked in nicely. Parts popping off during posing is relatively rare — the main culprits are the knees and head antennae, which tend to catch and come loose, but the rest of the body holds together pretty well.

Overall, it feels a step more refined than previous RG kits, and in terms of articulation and stability, this is an RG that's reached a near-mature level. Assembly isn't particularly difficult either — just be careful with a few tiny parts that are easy to lose — and if anything, dropping much of the one-piece frame actually makes it easier to build.

Bottom line: if you're a Crossbone fan, this is an obvious must-buy, and for RG lineup fans as well, this is a highly polished RG kit that should leave you more than satisfied. :-)

RG Crossbone Gundam X1 | 2019. 5 | ¥2,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.