HGUniversal Century

RGM-79 Light-Type Guncannon

A cheap, sturdy Guncannon riff that trades the classic bulk for real mobility.

MechaGrade Score

3.8/5

Light-Type Guncannon · 1/144 · 2025

GradeHG

Scale1/144

Released2025

Runnersn/a

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The verdict

This is a fun, fast build that reworks the Guncannon idea into something leaner and more agile, and it mostly delivers on that promise.

The double-jointed elbows and knees give it a pose range the old-school Guncannon silhouette never had, and it feels sturdy in hand rather than delicate. It is not a detail showcase and the loadout is thin, but as a quick weeknight build with a genuinely different personality than a standard HGUC Guncannon, it earns its price tag.

Best for: budget-conscious builders who want a fast, satisfying build with a fresh spin on a classic Federation design

The full review

What it is

This kit reimagines the Guncannon as a Plan B mobile suit, built off leftover RX-78 and Guncannon prototype data after the Federation lost its main Gundam prototype early in the war. That backstory shows up in the design: it keeps the twin shoulder cannons but drops the heavy, blocky Guncannon frame for something closer to a standard GM silhouette, quick to assemble and quick to move. I went into this expecting another chunky artillery unit and came out surprised by how nimble it actually feels once it is together. The single shoulder cannon (here it is one mounted piece rather than the classic twin-barrel look) and the beam rifle and saber give it a workable if simple loadout for a suit this size and price.

The catch

The accessory count is genuinely barebones: a cannon, a beam rifle, a beam saber, and two pairs of swappable hands, and that is the whole kit. There is no dramatic weapon rack or diorama base, and the cannon itself only articulates on one axis, so the signature Guncannon pose flexibility is limited compared to bigger grades. Like most HG kits at this price, expect small nub marks that need cleanup with a hobby knife or nipper for a clean finish, and color separation leans on Bandai's multi-color runner molding rather than heavy panel lining or paint to look sharp out of the box.

Who it's for

If you want an easy, satisfying evening build with a fresh take on a familiar Federation design, and you do not need a huge weapon loadout or display-piece detail, this is a good pick, especially if you are into the GQuuuuuuX side of the Universal Century timeline. If you are chasing the classic bulky Guncannon look with twin visible cannons and a heavier stance, or you want a kit stacked with accessories and alternate parts, look toward an HGUC Guncannon or a higher grade instead. For the price and the build time, this one is an easy recommend for casual builders and newer hobbyists.

The build story

What the build is actually like, and the engineering worth knowing about.

The build moves quickly, which fits its identity as a straightforward HG rather than a fiddly enthusiast kit. Parts fit snugly on the runners with the usual small HG nub marks to clean up, and nothing about assembly is unusual or frustrating; this is a kit you can finish in an evening without a manual headache.

The standout here is the articulation for the grade: double-jointed elbows and knees let it hold dynamic action poses that the classic Guncannon frame never could, and it holds those poses without drooping. Bandai's multi-color runner tech does a lot of the color separation work without demanding paint, and the two pairs of swappable hands add a little posing variety even though the rest of the loadout (cannon, beam rifle, beam saber) stays minimal.

Lore & trivia

01The Light-Type Guncannon first appears in the film Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- and later in the GQuuuuuuX television series.
02In its backstory, the Federation built this suit as an improvised Plan B after losing the prototype RX-78-02 Gundam, combining data from the RX-78-01 and RX-77-02 prototypes into one hybrid unit.
03A Sayla Mass custom variant exists with a tricolor white, blue, and red scheme as a tribute to the original Gundam, armed with a Gundam Hammer, and was released as a separate P-Bandai exclusive HGGQ kit.