In Bandai's production line, the evolutionary history of the MG First Gundam can almost be written into the annals of First Gundam model kits. Besides the models themselves, the related merchandise and lineage are too numerous to list.
July 1995: The first MG RX-78-2 GUNDAM was released.
After five years of research and development, the technology was upgraded.
June 2000: The second MG RX-78-2 GUNDAM Ver.1.5 was released.
Two years later, the First Gundam in the style designed by Hajime Katoki was born.
December 2002: The third MG RX-78-2 GUNDAM Ver.Ka was released.
Three years later, the fourth First Gundam was born again.
March 2005: MG RX-78-2 GUNDAM Ver.ONE YEAR WAE 0079
Three years later, the fifth First Gundam arrived, evolving once again. The brand-new internal frame design boasted the reproduction of classic Gundam poses from the series.
July 2008: MG RX-78-2 Ver.2.0
Surprisingly, another one came just a year later.
December 2009: MG RX-78-3 G-3 GUNDAM Ver.2.0
At the time, I thought it must be the last one. After all, Ver.2.0 could already reproduce the actions from the series, and a new internal frame design shouldn't be able to offer much more. However, Bandai often surprises you. Four years later, another First Gundam was released.
August 2013: The MG RX-78-2 Ver.3.0 was born., Constantly evolving, constantly profiting XD
The release of this MG RX-78-2 Ver.3.0 officially marked Bandai's declaration of taking the MG series into a new future. The design concept of this version showcases "new articulation performance", along with a sense of realism beyond players' imagination. In addition to the design concept of "Movable Armor System" (ムーバブルアーマーシステム"), which surpasses the basic articulation of Ver.2.0, the exterior armor of the same system will interlock with the internal frame, demonstrating even more realistic articulation.
■ The 3.0 integrates an armor interlocking system with a movable inner frame, achieving a better range of motion and a detachable armor system than Ver. 2.0. Furthermore, key movable parts, such as the shoulder armor, can achieve uniform movement, resulting in even higher articulation than before.
■ The backpack unit and shoulder armor are independently movable, increasing the flexibility of the arm joints.
■ The rear leg armor allows for a wider range of motion in the ankle joints.
This super-evolved articulation also allows many model builders to playfully pose it in various ergonomic and humorous ways. I think... I mean, I *really* think... this MG RX-78-2 GUNDAM 3.0 might be Bandai's final release of an MG RX-78-2...
For this build, I used a straight build plus touch-ups. After all, even a straight build of an MG series kit without painting can achieve a high level of completion. Adding a clear coat at the end makes it look very finished.
This time, I didn't use a matte finish. For some colors, I employed the more intricate metallic layering spray painting method. The white and gray parts were finished using 'Old Cat' brand pearl powder combined with gloss clear coat. Since I started using pearl powder for model kits, I've always used 'Moji-ken' white pearl powder, but recently I couldn't find it on auction sites. So, this time I switched directly to 'Old Cat' brand. Paired with GAIA EX-03, the resulting pearl luster was unexpectedly beautiful, exceeding my expectations.
As for the red and blue parts, both utilized the more complex metallic layering spray painting method. Layering spray painting is more troublesome because you have to apply transparent colors layer by layer, and you must wait for each underlying layer to dry before applying the next. The spray painting method is as follows:
Primer --> GAIA EX-02 Gloss Black --> GAIA 121 Starlight Silver --> GAIA Clear Red (Blue) --> Gloss Clear Coat
This method primarily relies on the number of clear coat layers; more layers result in deeper colors, while fewer layers result in lighter colors. The advantage of layering is the ability to control the desired depth of the metallic luster. However, the final metallic sheen is also determined by the brightness of the base silver (or gold) coat; a brighter base coat will result in a brighter final luster.
In this day and age, it's probably rare for modelers to use this layering method for spray painting, as readily available metallic red or metallic blue can achieve the same result. I myself have tried purchasing pre-mixed metallic paints, but the sprayed effect and graininess were not what I wanted. Therefore, I still prefer using the layering method for spray painting. Although this method is troublesome and time-consuming, the results are exactly what I desire.
Below, I present a simple introduction and some humorous studio shots for everyone to enjoy.
▼Upgraded and Evolved: RX-78-2 GUNDAM MASTER GRADE 3.0
▼The brand-new inner frame streamlines many previous assembly steps.
▼The leg's outer armor features multi-layered color stacking, while the inner frame utilizes the latest 3.0 technology.
▼The left and right sides of the knees are adorned with metallic stickers provided by Bandai. The inner frame design is vastly different from previous iterations of the original Gundam.
▼The calves and thighs feature multiple areas of multi-layered color armor stacking.
▼Unlike previous single-part assemblies, the left and right air vents on the chest are independent parts.
▼In addition to the core fighter that can be housed inside the body, this kit also includes an extra independent part for assembly.
▼The inner frame from the upper body to the crotch, and then the arms and legs, are all newly designed and molded, vastly different from previously released original Gundam kits. In short, it bids farewell to Bandai's consistent use of shared parts, propelling the MG line towards a new milestone.
▼See that part on the neck? Yes, that's the neck, haha! Because this 3.0 model can embed lighting effects to make the eyes glow, the neck was designed as a clear part.
▼Rear view, with extensive use of metallic stickers on the legs.
▼More mechanically accurate kneeling pose
▼The three-segment foot design allows for a more natural angle to conform to the ground.
▼The 3.0 hip joint is no longer the previous design that could swing back and forth; instead, it's a unidirectional swivel. The number of parts for the hip assembly is significantly reduced.
▼The hip joint incorporates PC material, and the number of assembly parts is truly minimal.
▼Lower body
▼Upper body
▼Completed MG RX-78-2 GUNDAM 3.0
▼Previously, to achieve this kneeling pose with the original Gundam, the hip joint had to be moved back and forth. The 3.0 version has completely evolved, eliminating this hassle and allowing players to pose it directly.
▼I don't have a lighting unit on hand, so I can't make the eyes glow; I can only display them with transparent parts.
▼The backpack assembly is more complex than before, with many more steps. Additionally, many separable movable parts have been added. The nozzle parts were painted with GAIA Pearl Silver; this color is excellent and highly recommended.
▼The black parts of the cannon were painted with GAIA's Realistic Primary Colors in "Black Lead."
▼The shield is considered standard equipment for the original Gundam.
▼The stickers on the shield use the peel-off decals included with the kit. The peel-off decals included with the 3.0 version have also evolved, becoming thinner.
▼The cool original Gundam. This 3.0 version of the original Gundam can carry all its equipment on its body, and the hands feature fully articulated five fingers, eliminating the need for interchangeable hands.
▼The head and neck are separate. The cheeks of the head are the only part I re-scribed and panel-lined; otherwise, it was too clean.
▼It can embed Bandai's original lighting unit, but since I don't have one, I didn't install it.
▼The ground contact of the entire leg and knee feels excellent.
▼The arm can also rotate independently.
▼Split armor + sliding armor
▼The range of motion and ground conformity of the legs are greater and wider than before, and the rotation range of the feet has also increased.
▼The foot has evolved from the previous two-segment design to a three-segment design, with both the forefoot and hindfoot independently articulated.
▼The black parts of the cannon use GAIA's Realistic series "Black Lead" color. The stickers on the barrel use the ultra-thin peel-off decals included by Bandai; aside from a slight film visible on metallic parts, they are almost invisible on white parts.
▼I'm truly fortunate to be part of this era of original Gundam evolution and to witness its progression. I can't believe the original Gundam can perform such a natural sword-drawing action, and achieve it without moving the shoulder armor. It's truly a testament to the passage of time.
▼The fully articulated five-finger jointed hands eliminate the need to replace hand parts.
▼The incredibly natural sword-drawing action is thanks to the newly evolved joint and internal structure design.
▼Finally, a cool concluding shot.
Summary:
Of the original Gundam kits I own, only the MG RX-78-3 G-3 GUNDAM Ver.2.0, released in December 2009, is missing; I've collected all the others. The MG RX-78-2 GUNDAM, released in July 1995, was also the first model I attempted to fully paint. Assembling them all the way to the 3.0 evolution truly feels like witnessing the tears of time. Without complex panel lines, the 3.0 design completely redefined my existing perception of the MG original Gundam. As I always say, I don't know if there will be a 3.5 or 4.0, as Bandai's endless evolution and sales seem limitless. However, compared to Bandai's current MG production, which is no longer one kit per month as it once was, perhaps the next evolution of the MG original Gundam will be a very long time from now.
▼Below are some humorous studio shots. I couldn't help but pose it this way with such great articulation.....XD
▼Finally, some normal shots, otherwise things might get weird.
