Sunday, September 6, 2015

HCM-Pro Gundam RX-78-2 Roll Out Color Ver. Part 5 [Final]

Color scheme and size for the win?

More action poses from HCM-Pro Gundam RX-78-2 Roll Out Color Ver. after the previous posting. ^^





With support using Soul Stage Act 3 Action Support Clear Type.








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5





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7




Comparison with the HGUC Gunpla version from Operation V Set:







Comparison with a fellow HCM-Pro figure, Gouf Custom:



Since it's a variant of the pilot release from the HCM-Pro series, Gundam RX-78-2 Roll Out Color Ver. inherits many limitations as seen on the earliest releases of the series. Back when this action figure line was introduced, reduced weapon display options, and weak stability weren't really considered serious issues, since the selling point was always the realization of rich details and decent action poses on completed figures at 1/200 scale. With more releases from the series, and the launch of other product lines, those weaknesses became more apparent when comparisons were made, as size was no longer a super-exciting factor to promote the HCM-Pro line.

While Gundam RX-78-2 Roll Out Color Ver. is technically the latest HCM-Pro figure to be reviewed on my blog, it can be said to be older than the very first one that I reviewed - Gundam Exia. ^^ The original first release of Gundam RX-78-2 came out in June 2004 while Gundam Exia was released in October 2007. In comparison, Gundam Exia is slightly more superior overall with the realization of more colors and details as well as having multiple types of materials in its build. However, both of them suffer from issues with structural integrity that persisted throughout the entire series. The point is, Gundam RX-78-2 may be the very first release of the line, but it's not completely poor when compared to newer releases.

In other words, the newer releases never had some of the core weaknesses they are suffering from since the very first release fixed as well. ^^;

In the end, I think this is a fun figure to re-experience the interesting points of the short-lived HCM-Pro series - the pilot release no less. ^^ In the context of its small scale (1/200), the figure's detailing and posability are quite decent. As mentioned in Part 3, I do like the unorthodox white and silver color scheme, and this figure turns out to be the only Gundam RX-78-2 in my collection to feature that color scheme. ^^

Outside the scale, I think it's fair to say that it's at best a rather average action figure of Gundam RX-78-2. ^^;

All reviews on HCM-Pro Gundam RX-78-2 Roll Out Color Ver.
Part 1: Limited item with limited appeal
Part 2: Part-swapping limitations
Part 3: The White-and-Silver Devil
Part 4: Stiff joints, soft hydraulics
Part 5 [Final]: Color scheme and size for the win?

View full gallery:
HCM-Pro Gundam RX-78-2 Roll Out Color Ver.

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