Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Seals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Various angles (1/6)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Various angles (2/6)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Various angles (3/6)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Various angles (4/6)

Various angles

Detail shots

Sole detail

Outer armor removed

Inner frame.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Frame detail shots. The frame concept is similar to the PG Unleashed. Note that as mentioned in the artic

Frame detail shots. The frame concept is similar to the PG Unleashed.
Note that as mentioned in the articulation section below,
in the frame shots the G32 ankle parts were accidentally inserted upside down, making the figure slightly taller than it should be.
(Not intentional — my mistake T_T)

Back frame with the backpack frame removed

The beam rifle has a detailed inner frame too.

The frame's articulation is absolutely top-notch.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Frame action poses. At a glance it almost looks like the Unleashed.. (1/4)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Frame action poses. At a glance it almost looks like the Unleashed.. (2/4)

Frame action poses.
At a glance it almost looks like the Unleashed..

Standard weapon loadout

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - The shield's inner mold has a really nice three-dimensional look, and with two attachment points it conne

The shield's inner mold has a really nice three-dimensional look, and with two attachment points it connects to the arm nice and securely.
There's also a movable locking pin at the top for holding the beam rifle.

The beam rifle and beam saber can be stored inside the shield.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - The shield handle has a square cross-section, so when you slot it into the weapon-holding hand, it locks

The shield handle has a square cross-section,
so when you slot it into the weapon-holding hand, it locks in place facing forward.

The bazooka's barrel can be extended/retracted, and the handle is movable.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - You can open the rear skirt cover to mount the beam rifle and bazooka. (1/3)

You can open the rear skirt cover to mount the beam rifle and bazooka.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - There's no stand hole in the crotch area, so you'll need to use either the hole exposed by rotating the b

There's no stand hole in the crotch area,
so you'll need to use either the hole exposed by rotating the backpack center section, or the hole within the weapon mount gimmick.

The shield mounts to the backpack not with a fixed pin but by sliding it in from top to bottom.

Four types of hands are included in total, but the beam rifle grip hand is right-hand only.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Since you disassemble the hand and combine it with the weapon, the grip is very secure. Though it is a bi

Since you disassemble the hand and combine it with the weapon, the grip is very secure.
Though it is a bit of a hassle to take apart and reassemble.

The Core Fighter can be separated from the main body and displayed on its own.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - The upper and lower body connect via a locking pin on the back, which greatly reduces the chance of them

The upper and lower body connect via a locking pin on the back, which greatly reduces the chance of them coming apart.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - This is how the spine section connects and articulates. Thanks to that locking point, the main body holds

This is how the spine section connects and articulates.
Thanks to that locking point, the main body holds its shape even when the Core Block is removed.

A transforming Core Fighter that's small but has everything it needs

Underside

You can remove the landing gear and fold it into the Core Block.

Folded into the Core Block configuration for insertion into the main body

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Interestingly, the cockpit opens up and down. It's the first time I've seen this on a First Gundam kit —

Interestingly, the cockpit opens up and down.
It's the first time I've seen this on a First Gundam kit — looks like a design change to allow the upper torso to move independently in both directions.

Front/rear shoulder armor and rear calf armor open gimmick

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - One thing to watch out for when assembling the elbow — unlike the usual assembly method, you need to fit

One thing to watch out for when assembling the elbow —
Unlike the usual assembly method, you need to fit the round elbow guard and then rotate it in the direction of the arrow
to make room for the peg on the small part (bottom) that slots in behind the elbow. (small arrow area)
If you try to force it in without reading the manual carefully, you risk breaking something, so please be careful.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Articulation comparison with the hip joint undeployed (left) vs. deployed (right) — as you can see, deplo

Articulation comparison with the hip joint undeployed (left) vs. deployed (right)
As you can see, deploying the hip joint lets the thigh raise up much higher.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Viewed from the side, the waist bends forward in two stages, and the rear hip joint lifts up to allow an

Viewed from the side, the waist bends forward in two stages, and the rear hip joint lifts up to allow an even deeper forward lean.
Raising the hip joint also increases the angle at which the thigh can be raised.
That said, the process of lifting the pelvis — almost like disassembling it — is a bit fiddly, so you'll need to study the structure carefully..

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - The upper torso can also bend backward — this is made possible by the cockpit section being split into up

The upper torso can also bend backward — this is made possible by the cockpit section being split into upper and lower halves.
The key point is that the waist can still move forward and backward even with the Core Fighter inside.
The secret is...

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - There's a movable section at the top of the core block as well, which allows the upper torso to articulat

There's a movable section at the top of the core block as well, which allows the upper torso to articulate even after everything is assembled.
Another clever new design we're seeing for the first time in the RG 2.0.

Separate from the hip joint, there's also a hip slide gimmick included.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - The shoulders are nice and flexible in all directions too. There's a two-stage joint where you pull the s

The shoulders are nice and flexible in all directions too.
There's a two-stage joint where you pull the shoulder joint itself outward and then swing it forward.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - You can lift the shoulder armor up slightly to get a bit more range of motion out of the shoulders. Subtl

You can lift the shoulder armor up slightly to get a bit more range of motion out of the shoulders.
Subtle, but it's a thoughtful design touch..

Excellent knee articulation with a 4-stage bend and slide

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - The ankle's forward/backward range of motion is incredible. The forward bend angle in particular is insan

The ankle's forward/backward range of motion is incredible.
The forward bend angle in particular is insane..

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - If you flip the G32 ankle part and reattach it as shown on the right, the ankle gets a bit taller and you

If you flip the G32 ankle part and reattach it as shown on the right, the ankle gets a bit taller and you gain more side-to-side tilt range.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Comparison before (left) and after (right) flipping the G32 part. The side-to-side ankle tilt roughly dou

Comparison before (left) and after (right) flipping the G32 part.
The side-to-side ankle tilt roughly doubles, which is nice.
If you want more dynamic poses, it's worth giving it a try.
Just note that, as you can see in the photos, the ankle rises about 1mm, making the kit slightly taller and exposing the ankle joint a bit more.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - With the ankle extension applied, you can pull off poses like this. Some of the action shots in this revi

With the ankle extension applied, you can pull off poses like this.
Some of the action shots in this review were taken with the ankle extension applied.

The feet articulate in 3 stages.

The neck bends back quite far.

The wrist does have its own articulation, but the range of motion is limited.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - The side skirts also rotate slightly on a horizontal axis. All sorts of gimmicks have been added that wer

The side skirts also rotate slightly on a horizontal axis.
All sorts of gimmicks have been added that weren't on the original First Gundam kit.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - A fun new gimmick has been added where the beam saber unit rotates forward in two stages. You can also lo

A fun new gimmick has been added where the beam saber unit rotates forward in two stages.
You can also lower the beam saber downward, which eliminates interference when resting a bazooka on the shoulder.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - A natural kneeling beam saber draw pose. Thanks to the beam saber articulation, pulling off a draw pose i

A natural kneeling draw pose.
Thanks to the articulated beam saber mount, pulling off a draw pose is a whole lot easier and more comfortable.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Kneeling beam saber draw pose. Check out the flexible leg and ankle articulation.. (1/4)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Kneeling beam saber draw pose. Check out the flexible leg and ankle articulation.. (2/4)

Kneeling beam saber draw pose.
Check out the flexible leg and ankle articulation..

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Two-handed beam saber pose with a body twist. It's honestly amazing that the waist can still move even wi

Two-handed beam saber pose with a body twist.
It's honestly amazing that the waist can still move even with the Core Block inside.
Also, this pose uses the ankle extension trick — the extra ankle flexibility really does improve ground contact.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Beam saber pose with the shield facing forward. It's normally tough to get a First Gundam to hold the shi

Beam saber pose with the shield facing forward.
It's normally tough to get a First Gundam to hold the shield straight out front like that, but the RG 2.0 pulls it off no problem.

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Beam rifle firing pose (1/3)

Beam rifle firing pose

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Beam rifle aerial firing poses (1/5)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Beam rifle aerial firing poses (2/5)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Beam rifle aerial firing poses (3/5)

Beam rifle aerial firing poses

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Bazooka shooting pose (1/4)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Bazooka shooting pose (2/4)

Bazooka shooting pose

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 - Alongside the RG First Gundam 1.0 released back in 2010. The 1.0 was sensational in its day, but sitting

Alongside the RG First Gundam 1.0 released back in 2010.
The 1.0 was sensational in its day, but sitting next to the 2.0, it's looking pretty dated..

Straight build

The First Gundam launched the RG line back in 2010, and now 14 years later in 2024, it's been upgraded and re-released as the Ver.2.0. Thinking back to when the RG First Gundam 1.0 first dropped — it was absolutely earth-shattering. The praise was endless, and rightfully so. For a 1/144 scale kit to pack in gimmicks that rivaled MG level, with the System Insert frame and articulated hands and all that — it was genuinely revolutionary. But over time, people started pointing out its shortcomings, and there were a lot of complaints especially about the questionable durability. So the big question going into the 2.0 was: how would it overcome the 1.0's weaknesses while carrying on the RG tradition?

To cut to the chase — it's been upgraded to near-perfection, and every single weak point from the 1.0 has been addressed. The overall design concept is very close to the PG Unleashed, and as you'd expect from a modern platform, the proportions and details are sleek and refined. The meticulously sculpted inner frame that runs throughout the whole body is lifted straight from the Unleashed design, and it shows a level of ultra-precise detail that you'd be hard-pressed to find even in MG kits, let alone other RGs. There's even a detailed inner frame inside the beam rifle.

The area where the 2.0 feels most meaningfully improved is articulation and joint strength. Unlike the 1.0, which had so many joints crammed into such a small frame that posing was a real struggle, this one delivers optimal joint stability and balance across the entire body. They must have done an enormous amount of mold tuning during development, because the feel is just perfect — smooth movement that locks exactly where you want it, every time. The balance between large and small joints is great too, so you can move any joint independently without it being a hassle.

Articulation has seen improvements in several areas as well. By building articulation into the Core Block itself, they've pulled off the impressive trick of allowing the upper body to tilt forward and back even with the Core Block installed. The ankle range of motion is also the best I've ever seen on an RG — the way the ankle can bend so far that the knee nearly touches the ground while the foot stays flat is genuinely jaw-dropping. Add to that the flexible shoulder and hip joints that move in all directions, plus the hip slide gimmick, and it really feels like any pose you can imagine is achievable. Even the beam saber mount has a two-stage articulation, which makes draw poses much more natural and eliminates interference between the bazooka and beam saber. The end result is articulation quality that has to be considered the pinnacle of what an action-figure-style plastic model can achieve.

On top of that, the shield interior detail is impressively three-dimensional, and the beam rifle and bazooka use a system where you disassemble and reassemble the dedicated hands around the weapon, so grip issues are a thing of the past. It's a little fiddly to take the hand apart and put it back together, but it's way better than having a weak grip that lets the weapon drop. The 1.0's System Insert articulated fingers were technically impressive, but honestly a pain to actually use. By moving away from the single-piece molded frame and hands, the 2.0 has achieved a much more comfortable build experience along with better articulation and holding strength.

So you've got this rock-solid stability that the 1.0 never had, combined with the sleek Unleashed-style design and inner frame — the overall quality is so high it's genuinely hard to find fault with it. I also get the feeling that compared to older RGs, there are fewer tiny fiddly parts — maybe they had old fans like me with aging eyes (...) in mind. Even if you've found RGs daunting to build because of eyestrain, this should at least be a more comfortable experience than the 1.0.

If I'm going to nitpick the downsides... the build difficulty is slightly higher in places due to some unfamiliar assembly steps. There are sections where you hook a C-shaped joint onto a ring and then unfold it — this is mainly used at the elbows and knees. The part where you have to figure out where to hook the C-shaped joint of elbow part G12 is likely to leave you scratching your head for a while. (It happened to me too.) You'll get it eventually after a few tries, but it does make you wonder if this assembly method was really necessary.

Second, the small round armor pieces that clip onto the Gundam's elbows, knees, and ankles are all left/right specific. The left and right sides aren't immediately obvious, so you'll find yourself staring at the manual for a while. The elbows in particular have a catch — after clipping the joint on, you need to rotate it forward before the small elbow armor piece will fit. (See the review photos above.) It is explained in the manual, but even having built countless First Gundams over the years, this was the first time I've ever gotten stuck at something like this. Anyway, the bottom line is that for certain assembly steps, you really need to read the manual carefully to get it right and avoid breaking anything — keep that in mind.

Also, like most RGs, the ground contact still isn't great. The lack of MG-like weight doesn't help, and it's not the easiest kit to stand up with that planted, stable feel. That's probably just the limitation of a small kit with lots of moving parts — though the feet are on the larger side, so it's not like it topples over easily. And the last thing I'll mention as a minor disappointment... the quality is genuinely excellent, but for some reason it doesn't hit me with the same overwhelming rush of emotion as the 1.0 did. No matter how good a sequel is, it's hard to top the culture shock of the original..

These are all pretty minor gripes though, and I think this kit is going to be celebrated as a god-tier kit for a long time to come. It's hit the peak of what a plastic model can be, and every single weakness of the 1.0 has been fixed. It joins the RG Sazabi, Nu Gundam, and Hi-Nu Gundam in the pantheon of premium RGs — but more than anything, this kit is the most fundamental of fundamentals: the First Gundam. Old fans and new fans are inevitably going to feel differently about it, and for the old guard, this is simply a kit you can't keep your wallet closed for. On the other hand, if you're a newer fan with no nostalgia or memories tied to the RX-78, and you're just going by looks and quality alone, the RG Hi-Nu or Sazabi might actually feel more impressive to you.

Either way, another masterpiece has been born. This is clearly a kit Bandai put their full effort into developing, and you can feel their determination to make it sell in huge numbers. ^^; Sleek looks, a precision inner frame, and rock-solid stability — this is exactly what we always wanted from an RG. As of today, this kit takes the top spot on my personal Gunpla recommendation list. :-)

RG Gundam Ver.2.0 | 2024. 7 | ¥3,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.