Do you need tools for your first Gunpla kit?
No tools are required for Bandai’s standard Entry Grade 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam. Its touch-gate parts detach by hand and snap together, and the plastic is molded in color. Check the instructions for any other kit before buying tools.
The first little click is when a pile of plastic starts to feel like a Gundam. A few steps later, there’s a tiny arm on the table. Keep going and the RX-78-2 from Mobile Suit Gundam is standing in front of you, ready for its first pose.
If that sounds like a good evening, Bandai’s Entry Grade 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam is a good place to start. The standard kit is designed so you can remove the parts by hand and snap them together. The red, white, blue, and yellow are already molded into the plastic. You can build it straight from the box without nippers, glue, or paint.
Open the box and build one piece at a time
Clear a patch of table, open the instructions, and find the first part on its runner, the plastic frame that holds the pieces. Free the parts for the step you’re working on and set them on a shallow tray. Leaving the rest on their runners makes it easier to match the part numbers as you go.
When the model is standing, try one pose with the shield forward and another with the rifle held across the body. A small change in the angle of the head can give the whole pose a different feel. That’s a good moment to grab your phone and take the first photo of something you built yourself.
Pick the box for the pose you want
Beam rifle and shield
Adds a Hyper Bazooka, Gundam Hammer, and beam saber effects
The standard kit gives you the beam rifle and shield for the classic silhouette. The Full Weapon Set adds a Hyper Bazooka, Gundam Hammer, and beam saber effects. If you can already picture that hammer on your shelf, look for “Full Weapon Set” in the listing.
Before ordering, match three things in the title: Entry Grade, 1/144, and RX-78-2. The same mobile suit appears in other model grades and finished figures, so the name by itself can lead you to a different box.
Where to shop in the U.S.
For the standard kit, check Newtype and Gundam Planet. If you want the extra accessories, see Newtype’s Full Weapon Set listing. Compare the delivered price for your ZIP code and check whether the item is in stock or on preorder.
Save the toolbox for your second build. If you decide to try a kit whose parts need clipping, start with a pair of plastic model nippers. For this first one, the box and a clear table are enough.
Guide sources: Bandai’s standard kit instructions and Bandai’s Full Weapon Set product page. Retailer links are standard links.