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The ver. A.N.I.M.E. line has finally reached "The 08th MS Team," and leading the charge is the squad's workhorse, the RX-79(G) Gundam Ground Type. As everyone knows, the 08th Team has three of these Gundams, which of course means... you have to buy three. Seeing this team finally assembled is a dream come true.
But as a toy, how does it perform? This Gundam Ground Type has its high points and a few areas that fall short. Let's start with the good stuff.
One Backpack, Two Weapons, Incredible Engineering.
One of the most iconic features of the Gundam Ground Type is its large, utilitarian backpack. The design here is excellent; it mounts onto the back securely and feels incredibly stable. You never have to worry about it falling off, and that sense of security is crucial.
Furthermore, you can store both the 180mm Cannon and the 100mm Machine Gun inside the weapon container backpack. But how?
Everyone knows "The 08th MS Team" is celebrated for its military realism, and the design of these weapons perfectly reflects that ethos. The massive 180mm Cannon can be disassembled into five separate pieces, which then slot perfectly inside the container for complete storage! My god, five pieces! Yet when you're holding the assembled cannon, you'd never guess it breaks down like that. This thoughtful engineering is a massive plus.
Even the 100mm Machine Gun splits into two parts (barrel and body). Both weapons also come with removable magazines. The level of detail here is just fantastic.
Honestly, it's rare to see Bandai put this much effort into weapon gimmicks, and they deserve major props this time. There's a unique satisfaction that comes from being able to stow all the weapons and magazines in the backpack, and the feeling of drawing them out and assembling them for battle is just awesome.
A Solid Lower Body Makes One-Legged Poses and Running Shots a Breeze!
While there are some aspects of the base figure that I'll critique later, the overall leg design is excellent. Everything from the calf down is well-executed. The feet are articulated in three segments, allowing for a much wider range of dynamic poses. Because the lower body is so stable, standing on one leg is no problem at all, and pulling off a running pose is surprisingly easy. A definite win.
Now, for the areas that could use improvement.
Limited Head Articulation.
Because the head is designed to be easily removed for swapping with the GM Head, the engineering seems to have compromised its range of motion. Turning left and right is fine, but the upward tilt is severely lacking.
Arm Articulation is Just Average.
The arm design is similar to that of the GP03 figure. While the shoulders can be raised upward, the forward butterfly motion in the chest is really insufficient. This makes some two-handed weapon-holding poses quite difficult to achieve.
Poor Waist Articulation.
Given the large backpack, I wasn't expecting much from the waist, but the actual range of motion is even lower than anticipated. The degree of rotation is only slightly better than zero.
The 180mm Cannon Lacks Intimidation.
The Ground Type's cannon should be longer, thicker, and more imposing. This version feels more like a sniper rifle and doesn't quite have that signature intimidating presence. Of course, as mentioned earlier, the fact that it breaks down into five parts for storage is a huge achievement, so this minor issue is forgivable.
Overall, the design of this Gundam Ground Type feels very similar to the MG kit from over a decade ago. It doesn't incorporate many "modern custom" details, which allows it to fit in seamlessly with other figures in the ver. A.N.I.M.E. line. However, after getting used to so many figures with modern redesigns, I personally feel a few extra details would have enriched the final product.
Additionally, pairing the figure with various effect parts can create completely different results. This really comes down to how deeply a collector has invested in the Robot Spirits world, as effect parts are quite important and can truly be the finishing touch that brings a display to life.
In terms of posing, I didn't run into too many major problems, though it took some time to get the hands adjusted just right to hold the guns. Also, be aware that the front skirt armor tends to pop off rather easily.
As for the feeling of having all three units together for a photo shoot, it can be summed up in one word: "Awesome." Although each box includes marking stickers, I prefer the clean, "as-is" look. Seeing them together, I can almost hear the anime's soundtrack kicking in, and it's non-stop.
Watching the series today, the romance plot might seem a bit dated, but within the Gundam universe, it's absolutely praiseworthy. Every character is fleshed out, and the show explores so much: the stories of grunts on the ground, the deceptions of war between nations, and the suspicion between individuals. It's rare to find a series where every battle serves a purpose and conveys a different message. For example, in the second episode, the protagonist destroys a Zaku on Earth without hesitation. By the middle of the series, his love for the female lead forces him to deeply question the very concept of "friend and foe." In the final battle, he understands he's fighting for his teammates, not just blindly attacking Zeon because he's a Federation soldier. That's a powerful message.
If they release a Gundam Ez8 down the line, we'll be sure to discuss it then.
Finally, here are the rest of the photos, all in one go:
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