Gundam's Iconic RX-78-2 Gets a Traditional Japanese Makeover for New Ukiyo-e Gunpla Kit

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The original RX-78-2 Gundam is officially getting a new Entry Grade release, with Bandai combining the iconic mobile suit with traditional Japanese ukiyo-e artwork for a special-edition Gunpla kit.

The “ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam [Ukiyo-e Package Ver.]” gives the existing model completely new packaging alongside a sheet of Japanese-inspired decals that can be added directly to the completed kit.

The RX-78-2 Gundam is the mobile suit piloted by Amuro Ray in the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam anime, where it becomes the Earth Federation’s most important weapon during the latter stages of the One Year War.

Its red, white, blue, and yellow appearance went on to establish the basic look associated with Gundam itself, with the RX-78-2 remaining one of the franchise’s most recognizable mobile suits more than four decades after its debut.

The new “Ukiyo-e Package Ver.” keeps Bandai’s beginner-friendly Entry Grade kit at its core, retaining the straightforward construction, articulation and color separation of the existing 1/144 release.

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The Beam Rifle, Beam Sabers, and Shield are also included, leaving the new presentation and exclusive Japanese-inspired markings as the main additions to this version.

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Its package artwork draws inspiration from Katsushika Hokusai’s “Rainstorm Beneath the Summit,” placing the RX-78-2 against a dramatic view of Mount Fuji while cherry blossoms surround the mobile suit.

The same theme carries over to the included decal sheet, with Mount Fuji and cherry blossom patterns that can be applied to areas including the Gundam’s shoulder armor and Shield.

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The “ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam [Ukiyo-e Package Ver.]” is priced at ¥1,430 (approx. $9 USD / £7 GBP).

RX-78-2 Gundam is one of four mobile suits receiving the ukiyo-e treatment, with Bandai also releasing special versions of Strike Gundam, Wing Gundam and ν Gundam alongside it.

The “ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Strike Gundam [Ukiyo-e Package Ver.],” also priced at ¥1,430 (approx. $9 USD / £7 GBP), brings the concept to Kira Yamato’s main early mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.

Its package takes inspiration from Hokusai’s famous “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” surrounding Strike Gundam with huge waves and autumn maple leaves, while matching wave patterns and stylized kanji can be applied to the model’s shoulder armor and Shield.

The “ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Wing Gundam [Ukiyo-e Package Ver.],” priced at ¥1,760 (approx. $11 USD / £8 GBP), completes the collection with Heero Yuy’s transforming mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.

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Its artwork places Wing Gundam beneath Mount Fuji alongside an eagle perched on a pine branch, while the included decorations allow eagle imagery to be added to the inner sections of the model’s wings.

The ENTRY GRADE 1/144 ν Gundam [Ukiyo-e Package Ver.], priced at ¥1,760 (approx. $11 USD / £8 GBP), draws on traditional Japanese art to give the iconic mobile suit from Char’s Counterattack a very different identity from standard Gunpla releases.

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The ν Gundam kit takes inspiration from Hokusai’s “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,” featuring a dark winter scene surrounding Mount Fuji on the packaging, which is also replicated on the shield.

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All of the new Ukiyo-e Package Ver. kits were released in Japan on August 29, with the ν Gundam kit on sale exclusively at Gundam Base stores in Japan and the Gundam Side-F store in Fukuoka.

As general release kits, the RX-78-2 Gundam, Strike Gundam, and Wing Gundam Ukiyo-e Package Ver. kits are now available through hobby goods retailers including HobbyLink Japan.