ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Ra Gundam Review: Detailed Insights

This time, we will be introducing a review of the ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Ra Gundam !

ENTRY GRADE Ra Gundam is a 1/144 scale model kit of the protagonist’s mobile suit, Ra Gundam, which appears in the Gundam Build Series 10th Anniversary Video, Gundam Build Metaverse. It is three-dimensionalized with ENTRY GRADE, which realizes easy assembly and high quality. In addition to the refined parts division, the kit can be reproduced with free posing due to its outstanding mobility. Weapons such as a shield, beam rifle, and beam naginata are included. The price is 1,100 yen (tax included).

The main character, Houjou Rio, who grew up in Hawaii, built a Gunpla model through repeated trial and error, and the carefully crafted Ra Gundam has been customized to evoke the “spirit of Japan” and is now available as a kit from ENTRY GRADE.

Based on the ENTRY GRADE RX-78-2 Gundam released in September 2020 , each part such as the head, waist, shoulders, legs, backpack, and weapons such as the shield, beam rifle, and beam naginata are reproduced using new parts. “Ra” means “sun” in Hawaiian.

The Lar Gundam has undergone two changes to its specifications, the white and blue “Prototype 1”, the “Type 2” with a changed body color and strengthened joints, and the “Type 3” which is the finalized form with further reinforcements and new weapons. This kit is the finalized “Type 3”. By rearranging the parts, it is also possible to recreate the “Type 2”.

The molding color is white with black and yellow on the chest, red on the shoulders, torso, sole, beam rifle, and shield. In addition, the forehead and naginata blade are clear red, and the internal parts, joints, and some of the weapons are molded in gray.

Stickers are not included, and some parts such as the head sensor and knee ducts will need to be painted, but the parts are color-coded in minute detail, so just assembling it will be enough to get the finished product.

No ABS is used. KPS is used for the gray molded parts. The touch gate design allows the parts to be easily removed from the runners by hand. No nippers or glue are required for assembly.

No polycaps are used. The joints are made of PS parts, so they are very strong. There is no equipment that puts a lot of strain on the body, so it stands upright.

Includes Beamler Rifle, Beamler Shield, two types of Beamler Naginata handles, and Beamler Naginata blade.

It comes with a backpack for the Ra Gundam Type 2 and beam rifle sensor parts (the same as those on the RX-78-2 Gundam).

In addition, some extra parts for the EG RX-78-2 Gundam are included. All parts except for the shield are included, so you can assemble it as a color variation of the RX-78-2 Gundam.

We’ll take a look at each part and compare it with the base ENTRY GRADE RX-78-2 Gundam (hereinafter referred to as EG RX-78-2).

The head is compared side by side with the EG RX-78-2. The head has a new helmet and antenna for the Lar Gundam. The four large antennas and the sun-like multi-sensor on the forehead are impressively designed. The sensors on the front and back of the crest need to be painted green. The twin eyes and mask are reused from the RX-78-2, and the bear bird is not color-coded by parts, but is structured to utilize the gaps.

The helmet is a combination of front and back parts, but the seams on the sides are molded in a stepped manner. There are some seams, but they don’t bother me too much. There are small parts such as the forehead and mask, so be careful not to lose them.

 

Head parts composition.

A comparison of the torso with the EG RX-78-2. The chest and abdomen are exactly the same as the RX-78-2, but the chest is molded in black, giving it a slightly more compact look. The center of the waist is reused from the RX-78-2, but the front armor is a new piece with curved molding for the Ra Gundam. Both the curved molded parts and the V-shape in the center are color-coded parts, and are very detailed.

The neck is ball jointed for moderate movement, and the shoulders are hinged for up and down movement.

The abdomen is connected with a ball joint, allowing it to move flexibly and express twisting movements.

Chest and abdominal parts.

There is no molding on the back of the waist armor. The structure itself is the same as RX-78-2. The crotch area is connected with a ball joint.

Due to the design, the front armor is slightly thicker, so upward deployment is a little more limited compared to the RX-78-2.

Waist parts configuration.

Comparing the arms side by side with the EG RX-78-2. The arms below are exactly the same, but the shoulder armor is newly made for the Ra Gundam with a fan-shaped curved mold.

Composition of the arm parts. The elbow is connected by a hinge, but by putting a cover over it, the hinge is not exposed, making for a nice looking structure.

 

The upper arms are cylindrical and have no seams. The forearms are a combination of left and right, but the seams are molded at the edges. The hand parts are made of one piece with holes. There is no need to worry about the hand guard parts coming apart when holding a weapon.

The shoulder armor is made up of three simple parts. The curved molds on the front and back are color-coded.

The internal structure of the shoulder is the same as that of the EG RX-78-2. It is a simple one-part construction, so the ball joint connection is exposed.

Comparing the legs with the EG RX-78-2. The thighs and legs below the knees are reused from the RX-78-2, but the knee armor is new and has slit ducts for the Lar Gundam.

Leg parts configuration.

The thighs are a front and back combination, but the seams on the sides are molded. The lower part from the knees is a left and right combination, so there are seams on the front and back. The lower part from the knees can be separated, so it looks like it will be easy to remove the seams.

The knees are connected with hinges, but these are also hidden with cover parts.

The sole is exactly the same as RX-78-2. The toes are sharply sculpted. The ankle armor is connected with a ball joint for flexible movement. It is made of a single part, so there are no seams.

The ankles are connected with hinges. Be careful as they may become worn down over time and fall forward. The soles of the feet have holes at the toes, but the whole figure is molded, so it will look good if you paint it in different colors.

A comparison of the backpack with the EG RX-78-2. A new one with holders on both sides has been made for the Ra Gundam.

It is a simple one-part component, but the inside of the lower vernier is designed and molded, and there are no holes in the base.

 

The backpack parts. Both parts are simple but the molding is very detailed.

It is connected to the main body of the Ra Gundam via two dowels, so it can also be equipped with backpacks from HGUC and HG Mercury Witch.

It is lined up with the base ENTRY GRADE RX-78-2 Gundam in an armed state . The chest, arms, and sole parts are reused as they are, so there are traces of the original, but the curved molds on the forehead antenna, shoulders, and waist give it a strong presence and individuality. It has been transformed into an impactful Gundam.

Lined up next to the HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam (REVIVE) . The Ra Gundam is based on the EG RX-78-2 Gundam, so it feels a little more solid. It’s well-balanced and has great proportions.

The range of motion is compared to the EG RX-78-2. The head can move up moderately. It swings smoothly from side to side without any interference. Although a new exterior has been created for the Ra Gundam, the range of motion is almost the same as the EG RX-78-2.

The arms are hinged and can be raised straight up. The elbows are single-jointed and can bend a little more than 90 degrees. The upper body can be moved back and forth over a wide range thanks to the abdominal ball joint. The shoulder armor is a little larger, so it interferes with the head more.

The waist can rotate 360 ​​degrees without interference. The knees can be bent deeply with double joints. Since the movement of the front armor is limited, the Ra Gundam’s kneeling position feels a little shaky.

The crotch area is a ball joint, so the leg spread to the left and right is somewhat limited, but it can still be spread out widely. The ankles are also moderately movable.

In terms of overall range of motion, each part has a wide range of movement despite its simple structure. So, just like the RX-78-2, it looks like it will be flexible in terms of posing.

Beamler rifle. It is a portable firearm exclusively for the Type 3, equipped with a custom scope linked to the multi-sensor on the forehead. It has a wide range of stages with high energy efficiency and excellent correction capabilities when firing. Most of it is the same as the RX-78-2, but a red custom scope has been newly created for the Ra Gundam. The addition of a small detail has transformed it into an impactful weapon.

 

The main body is split into two parts, so there are seams at the top and bottom. The scope can swing left and right. The front needs to be painted blue. The back has holes for cutting out the material.

By combining it with an extra sensor, you can recreate the beam rifle of the Ra Gundam Type 2 (RX-78-2).

Beamler rifle parts composition.

Ra Shield. This is a half-type shield newly created by Rio for the San-gata. It is easy to handle, and the tip can be used for stabbing attacks. It is a simple two-part structure, but the cross on the surface is color-coded by part. There is also a moderate mold on the surface.

Beam Lance Naginata. It is a special close-combat equipment that was newly created based on the armament of Mushakage Gundam, one of the inspiration sources for the Ra Gundam.

The naginata blade is reproduced in the same clear red molding color as the mark on the forehead.

The handle of the Beam Largian Naginata can be separated into two pieces and mounted on the back. The grooves in the handle can be fixed with dowels, so it can be fixed fairly firmly. The Largian Shield can also be mounted in the center of the backpack. There is no interference with the Largian Naginata handle.

Parts composition of Lar Shield and Beam Lar Naginata.

Armed to the max.

The Beamler Rifle can be held simply by inserting the grip into the hand part. There is no need to remove the gauntlets, so it can be equipped quickly.

Since the foregrip is not movable, it seems impossible to portray the Beamler rifle being held with both hands.

To display the figure on an action base or stand, simply insert the 3.0mm shaft into the crotch area as usual. It is firmly fixed in place, so the kit will not flip over.

The joints are very strong, so they maintain the posture when posed. The naginata handle on the back is a little easy to hit when manipulating it, but it doesn’t seem to come off even if the angle changes.

 

The lar shield is fixed to the forearm with one dowel. The angle may change slightly, but it never comes off.

The naginata pattern on the back seems to contribute to the beauty of the aircraft’s shape, and it has a slightly different atmosphere compared to the regular RX-78-2. It also seems to have been inspired by Hawaiian totem poles… When you look at it that way, the overall color scheme also makes it look like it’s wearing an aloha shirt.

The handle of the Beam Lance Naginata fits snugly into the hand parts, so it can be held firmly without moving around.

The shoulders are flexible and moveable, so it was easy to recreate holding the naginata handle with both hands.

When the clear red parts are illuminated with a black light, they appear to absorb the light, but it’s unclear whether they emit light or not.

By rearranging the backpack and the Beamler Rifle sensor, it becomes the Lar Gundam Type 2. The design is a little closer to the RX-78-2 than the Lar Gundam Type 3.

It feels like a prototype, and I like how it has a slightly different feel from the San-gata version.

Combine it with the beam saber blade that comes with the EG RX-78-2 Gundam (full weapon set) .

It’s like a scene from the movie, with a bazooka from the full weapon set.

Please feel free to take a few.

The head armor and antennas, the curved molding on the entire body, and the fuselage design all give the kit a somewhat Hawaiian feel overall. It is unique, and when posed, the design of the back beam runner naga nata fits surprisingly well and looks cool. The touch-gate design makes it easy to assemble with no waste, and it can be assembled quickly and easily in no time.

There is not so much to be concerned about, but when you grab the kit, it hits the beam runner nata handle on the back, so it is easy to change the angle. It didn’t come off too often, but it did bother me a little because I touch it every time I handle it. Structurally, such as the butchering holes and shoulders, I thought it was tolerable for this quality at an inexpensive price.

Thanks to the benefit of the base EG RX-78-2 Gundam, there is a high degree of freedom of movement, allowing for flexible poses to be reproduced. The prototype model that can be reproduced with existing parts also has a good prototype feel, and the specifications of the first episode can be reproduced. The design has its own peculiarities, but this is what makes it unique, and we are looking forward to seeing how the Type 3 will play an active role in the play.