[REVIEW] HGUC 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. GFT Revive Edition

       Greetings! Today we have one of the kits that I was very excited about. It's the HGUC 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. GFT Revive Edition! As I said on my previous review, my girlfriend went to Japan and I gave her money to buy me Gunpla. And luckily when she went to Gundam Front Tokyo, she stumbled upon this one and took a photo of it. I already own a RX-78-2 Gundam Revive ver. (My first Grandpa Gundam ever) but I broke it's v-fin and fixed it in a very not so good looking way. And it was just great news that they released a Ver GFT of it (since the normal one seemed bland and boring without decals) and my beloved saw one while she was there.

       So yes it seems that I'm quite lucky. And also this post is to commemorate the 1/1 scale Gundam and Gundam Front Tokyo in Odaiba because yes, even though it's sad we will say goodbye to that Gundam statue and GFT, but don't worry, they'll be back.

Anyway, let's start the review with the box.

       Here's the front almost the same cover with the regular one but this one has the same Ver GFT stuff. The space and earth background, the red and white stuff for the box and the Gundam Front Tokyo logo.

       Here's the front and back of the manual with added Ver GFT stuff.

       

       The kit includes almost the same runners from the original but this one has the the oh so beautiful RG-like decals, and a special stand care of Gundam Front Tokyo (Why the hell does this one need to be on a runner?)

       After hours of runner cuting, nub removing, panel lining, decals and coating, here it is! All in it's HGUC Revive glory. Compare to the standard RX-78-2 Revive this one looks more alive and revived than the normal one. The decals are just perfect. Most of them stick firmly but the others aren't.

       Here's all of the accessories that this Gundam comes with. First is the iconic Beam Rifle, Hyper Bazooka, Shield, a pair of holding and open hands, one right trigger finger, two beam sabers, attachments to the rear to hold up the bazooka, and the extra "Gundam Front Tokyo" stand (that should've been an action base because why not?

       Somehow the lack of extra accessories is one of my problems with the kit. Though the two open hands are a win for me, the lack of a trigger finger left hand (to make this kit hold its two ranged weapons on each hand) is quite sad. But in a way I discovered that the normal holding hand can hold the bazooka anyway so no biggie. Also, since this one was a Ver GFT of the Gundam, I was hoping that this one will have the Gundam Hammer just like what the Gundam Ver G30th had, but too bad we only have a GFT stand.

       Here it is fully equipped.

       Of course everypart here is all the same with the normal Revive ver of the Gundam but of course the decals are sort of the main show. It's head is an easy build which only requires you to attach seven pieces. But you better BE CAREFUL with the v-fin since I broke the first one that I had years ago. Be delicate and take it easy when attaching the v-fin and the red part  under the main camera. And also paint the side head vents with a black Gundam marker to make it fully detailed. Just don't imitate my dirty work (God, those vents look kinda dirty.)

       The Revive version of the Gundam has a clear yellow part for the eyes, so if you want the eyes to be shiny shimmering, don't attach the yellow and black foil sticker and paint the clear part with black. (Don't paint over the eye part of course.)

       As I said earlier the decals are really amazing. the ones for the shoulders stick really well and they seem to be liking their spot. I really like the amazing details on the shoulder decals.

       The waist skirt also has amazing decals both in front and at the back. And also, for skirt mobility, cut the two connecting front skirt armors so that when you lift the right foot, the left skirt won't go up. That view looks really awkward to me.

       The leg and foot parts also has lots of decals. Lots of small ones too. Just turn off your electric fan when attaching the decals (If you live in a tropical country that can't afford to buy an air conditioner). And also the circular parts on the knees and elbows have those long decals that you have to wrap around them. They're quite tricky to attach so be careful.

       Moving on, we have the shield with its decals. Somehow I regret following the instructions for the shield decals, it's kinda awkward looking that the shield's decals are on sideways, but I guess we can work that out with some poses.

       Articulation is I might say outstanding. The new shoulder joints that move upward (for the sake of doing "The Last Shooting" pose I guess) instead of forward and inward towards the chest is more human like. And it gives more options and gives more dynamic pose while standing.

       The knees and elbow articulations are also excellent.

       This kit is well articulated, that you can do various poses.

       As you can see above and below, the normal holding hands can still hold the Hyper Bazooka.

       Here's a closer look at the Gundam Front Tokyo stand. They should've made it like an action base stand instead of a normal plate looking one.

       Here it is standing on the stand.

       Here it is standing together with my SD BB Gundam and MG Gundam Ver 2.0.

    CONS

• Few extras

    PROS

• Excellent articulation
• Simplicity is beauty
• DECALS

"That Federation mobile suit is a monster!"  - Char Aznable

       There you have it, the HGUC RX-78-2 Ver GFT Revive Edition. Excellent articulation, amazing decals that makes this simple kit standout, and well there's the Gundam Front Tokyo Stand. It's sad that we have to say goodbye to the 1/1 Scale Gundam statue (that I wasn't able to see in person T__T) this month but do not worry because he'll be back for 2019 for Gundam's 40th Anniversary.

       With Gundam's 40th Anniversary to come in two years it seems like Gundam and Gunpla will continue to live on. And this Gundam Revive Edition is a good sign for the future of Gunpla. Who knows, maybe two years from now we'll see both the Gundam and Char's Zaku II together in 1/1 scale.

またね