Simple version: This is a more detailed EG RX-78-2, based on the real life moving statue, with lots of panel lines and slightly different tolerances in order to replicate the kneeling pose that this is based on.
If you prefer the anime look, then get the EG RX-78-2, it's just as good.
Full review:
The RX-78F00/E Gundam is the E-for-Expo version of the Yokohama moving statue, that was taken down a while ago and remade into a static statue with solar panels, in a kneeling pose. The "E" only matters in the sense that there's a separately sold EG "Glass Feather" kit that combines with this.
Practically it is literally just the RX-78F00 in EG form. F00 refers to the Yokohama factory where the moving statue stood and was applied because the design is significantly different enough from the original Gundam.
In lore, the "E" version is an experimental long term/deep exploration mobile suit that uses solar panel wings and a huge battery pack instead of a nuclear reactor (which is as stupid as it sounds, but this is literally an environmentalist propaganda product and Japan did have a recent 'oopsie' with a nuclear power plant). It was made decades after the One Year War using a cache of 78-2 parts for research purposes. The actual kind, not the internet kind.
Mechanics:
This is practically the exact same as the other EG. It has nice lifting shoulder blocks and a slight ab crunch, but aside from that it's limited by 90 degree single joint elbows, ~110 degree double knee bends, ball-in-socket hips and a single pivot point for the head.
A notable improvement is the beam rifle, which is short enough to be held at a bent angle, while the old EG rifle was so long it bumped against the bicep.
Interestingly, the included hilts are molded to sit at a specific rotation on the backpack where they sink in just a little bit further. They're quite nicely detailed.
Unlike the more expensive no-grade HG equivalent, the eyes and the yellow V-fin logo on the crotch are color separated.
The mold engineering is fantastic though, with very tiny gates made for pushing the parts out of the runners (use nippers anyway) and very nice individual parts, giving the legs and arms a distinctive L/R mirrored appearance. This is not your grandad's 'monocoque' fuselage design.
Equipment:
Simple Beam Rifle with swiveling sight/lamp
Shield with handle - Plugs into either forearm at the side
Two Beam Saber Hilts - Mounted on the backpack, beams not included
4 Hands - Two single mold Holding Hands, one 'reaching out' Spread Open Right Hand (for the pose) and one detailed Closed Left Fist for the same purpose.
Conclusion:
I only got this because I collect RX-78-2 model kits and it's interesting enough for me to add it to the (now at 20 RX models) collection despite the technically different serial number.
While this is intended to be a souvenir of that eco expo, the EG (ironically) does not come in an eco-pla version, while the HG equivalent does.
From a personal perspective, I find environmentalism to be detrimentally counterproductive. Nuclear power remains the safest and most friendly energy source we have.
The hysteria and corruption around anti-nuclear plants is in part due to anti-nuclear capability subterfuge and political kick-back schemes.
Germany has stripped swathes of land, stripped of all life, in the aftermath of tearing down their nuclear plants, to stripmine for the dirtiest coal we have, evicting entire towns and villages with riot police and destroying ancient buildings that predate entire civilizations. An absolute environmental and moral disaster that together with the slave and child labor extracting toxic resources for solar panels and batteries, is inexcusable for anyone claiming to be morally in favor of a cleaner planet.
It is commendable to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, but fossil fuel is here to stay and the best way to mitigate a lot of it, is through nuclear, not windmills, not solar panels.
So I find this approach to be a little bit hypocritical. But if you like how the model looks, I recommend it.
