Bandai Spirits normally releases the packaging design of kits days ahead of its scheduled release. But for special or very notable kits, they do so a couple of months ahead. Case in point the recent HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam and now, we have the packaging for the RG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 months in advance.
The overall layout is more or less similar to any previous Real Grade release though there are some differences. Real Grade kit packaging is notable for including great CG renders of the head of the mobile suit up close on the left side, with the whole body shot superimposed on the right. The 2.0 kit follows the same, but instead of just the head shot, we also get the upper section of the torso. This changes the angle we see the head from a top-down perspective for previous kits, to more of a standard three-quarter angle view.
I’m not sure if this minor change would be carried across future RG releases or just specific to the 2.0s. We’ll only know once the next RG is announced after this.
Besides the packaging, they also released new images of the kit, and I believe these are shots of the actual kit instead of CG renders. For starters, the similarities between the RG 2.0 and the PG Unleashed versions are more apparent with these images. I’m also noticing how they toned down on the markings on this kit. The warning and caution markings are still there but the more decorative ones aren’t there anymore. I guess the sheer amount of detail in this kit, especially when panel-lined would defeat the purpose of placing additional decorative markings.
If you’re a 1/144 scale RX-78-2 Gundam collector, then 2024 is definitely your year as not only are we getting a modern version of the old 1980s kit, but we’re also getting the best the scale has to offer with the RG 2.0. If you haven’t pre-ordered yours, then you can immediately jump the gun through the link I’ll provide below.
RG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0
August 2024 / ¥3,500
Order via HobbyLink Japan
