ENTRY GRADE RX-78-2 Gundam Ukiyo-e Package Ver. Brings Japan’s Classic Art Style to Gunpla
The Gundam that started it all is getting a little more Japanese flavor.
Bandai Hobby is releasing the ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam [Ukiyo-e Package Ver.] on August 29, 2026, giving the classic Gunpla a special limited-edition package inspired by ukiyo-e, Japan's famous traditional woodblock print art.
For anyone somehow unfamiliar with this white, blue, red, and yellow icon, the RX-78-2 Gundam is the original Gundam mobile suit from the 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam anime. Piloted primarily by Amuro Ray, the RX-78-2 became the face of the entire franchise and remains one of the most recognizable anime robots ever created. Nearly five decades later, Bandai is still finding fun new ways to celebrate the mobile suit that kicked off Gunpla history.
This time, the special treatment is focused on the presentation. The standard ENTRY GRADE RX-78-2 comes packaged in a newly designed ukiyo-e-style box, accompanied by new Japanese-style stickers.
Ukiyo-e, which translates roughly to "pictures of the floating world," is a traditional Japanese art form most closely associated with woodblock prints produced during Japan's Edo period. The style is famous for its bold outlines, flat areas of color, dramatic compositions, and instantly recognizable imagery. Artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige helped turn ukiyo-e into one of Japan's most celebrated artistic traditions, with works including The Great Wave off Kanagawa becoming known around the globe.
And honestly, putting the RX-78-2 and ukiyo-e together feels like a pretty natural combination. One represents a major piece of modern Japanese pop culture, while the other is one of Japan's most recognizable traditional art styles. The result gives this familiar Gunpla a distinctly Japanese collector's twist before you even open the box.
The kit itself retains the easy-to-build features of the ENTRY GRADE series. Its touch-gate design allows parts to be removed by hand without requiring nippers, while the kit's color separation means builders can achieve the RX-78-2's iconic appearance simply through assembly.
Despite its beginner-friendly construction, the 1/144-scale Gundam also offers a solid range of movement for posing. A Beam Rifle, Shield, and the newly designed sticker sheet are included.
At just 1,430 yen, this special package version looks like an easy pickup for builders who want something a little different from the usual RX-78-2 release, especially collectors who enjoy Gundam merchandise with a distinctly Japanese artistic theme.
After nearly 50 years, the original Gundam is still getting dressed up for new occasions. This time, it is doing so with a little help from the art of the Edo period.
ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam [Ukiyo-e Package Ver.]
Release Date: August 29, 2026
Price: 1,430 yen, including tax
Scale: 1/144
Accessories: Beam Rifle, Shield, Japanese-style sticker sheet
Recommended Age: 8 and up
