RX-77-2 Guncannon

Review by Optimal III

At over 200 releases and counting, Robot Spirits is as strong as ever, with no end in sight. So maybe it was inevitable the line would go back to MSG. For a long time, there were only a few from U.C. 0079. But 2014 marked Gundam's 35th anniversary, so I guess Bandai felt this was a good way to celebrate. "A.N.I.M.E. (Action New Imagination Memory Emotion) of the 1st Generation" brings a new focus to the design and style of mobile suits as they appeared on screen. Put together with the Robot Spirits approach, we're getting some fantastic new figures, and that includes the original Guncannon.

Despite its significance, I never expected an RS Guncannon. Much as I love the design, it isn't exactly "sexy" and that's what I associate the line with. But here we are, and Bandai delivered. The front of the box is a simple layout with a window, giving a decent peek at the figure.

The side shows off all the accessories and the back demonstrates the enhanced articulation, along with some photos mixed in with screen shots from the TV show.

Additional contents include the manual and some decals for ship & unit designation.

Close to 5-inches, this RX-77-2 Guncannon is impressive. It might seem cliched to brag about its likeness to the source material, but that's how good it looks. Its proportions and elbow junctures are slightly different from the Master Grade. But it has a greater sense of density and solid weight. And it's thick and round like the Guncannon would be. I guess as much as I wasn't expecting this toy in the first place, I also wasn't expecting it to fit the role.

Here's the first comparison pic, with AM Optimus Prime.

From any angle, everything about the figure looks good. There's some flash on the back of the feet and leg armor at the bottom, but it's otherwise spotless. I suppose the antennae are considered delicate because a replacement is included, but I haven't had any issues with them yet. They're actually very sharp, so be careful.

Appearances aside, the RS Guncannon's other great asset is articulation. The MSIA & FIX can't even touch it, so only my Master Grade measures up. While the RS doesn't have finger joints, it does have moving elbow & knee covers. The one limitation is the rear skirt, which is solid by design. Otherwise it's on with everything from tilting ankles with that Michael Jackson-esque forward lean to tilting wrist sockets. Even its head has some motion in every direction. So, this Guncannon can engage in anything from fisticuffs...

...to the catapult launch position...

...to the famous Russian dance. Prime isn't as good at it, but he tries.

For accessories & weapons, the RS Guncannon has a mix of the usual & unusual. I think it came by default out of the box with closed fists.

But you've got options with 10 hands: 2 closed, 2 gripping, 2 gripping w/ extended trigger finger, 2 grasping and 2 open palm. Whichever ones aren't being used can be stored on this tree, which looks like it'll fit in perfectly with the hangar set coming with the Guntank.

There's the twin 60-mm Vulcan cannons set in the forehead.

There's the signature 240-mm shoulder cannons. The barrels can be extended to aid with inserting the effects parts, which the inner holes are for. They do have a couple of rest points, but have the full 90-degree range.

And thanks to the enhanced articulation, it can get down on all fours and still look straight ahead with the cannons.

It has two grenades. All red, they can't be stored inside the legs below the knees.

But the Guncannon's throwing hands grip them well, and they can tab onto the legs, side skirts, and rear skirt.

Of course, there's the beam rifle. Though similar, it's not the same one that comes with any of the RX-78-2 figures.

Besides lots of sculpted detail, it has a moving scope, a hollowed barrel, and a side grip.

This Guncannon is flexible enough to hug itself, so sniper mode is not a problem.

And lastly are the effects parts. I admit when Bandai began adding this kind of stuff to their standard RS releases that I wasn't impressed. But now that I've got them, I'm glad they did. They're easy to use, fun to have, and nice looking, so mission accomplished.

The instructions actually do label these as delicate parts, so handle with care.

There's two pink blast effects, one longer than the other. They can be used anywhere, but they're for the shoulder cannons & beam rifle. The two blue blast effects are angled, so they're for the feet, back, & backpack.

Next to its MSIA, FIX, and MG counterparts, the RS Guncannon fits in with the family. It's not the biggest, it doesn't split or contain a Core Fighter, and it doesn't have spray missile launchers, but those are the only things I think any of these have over it. On the last one, it's probably intentional because the Guncannon never used the missile launchers in the TV series (not sure about the movies though, only watched them once).

It also looks good next to the RS Gundam (I have the 2nd version with the extra hard points).

The RS Guncannon is aces across the board! At $45+, it's THE Guncannon toy in my book. Unless you have to build it, this is a must-have for all Mobile Suit Gundam fans. Even if you aren't, it's still a solid action figure worth looking into. And it doesn't have to be lonely. The RX-78-2 was released twice before it got the A.N.I.M.E. treatment, and the Guntank is due in March 2017, so Project V is happening.