RX-78F00/E Gundam (EX-001 G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit) 1/144

Bring home one of the most unusual interpretations of the original Gundam with the RX-78F00/E Gundam (EX-001 G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit) 1/144 from Bandai Spirits. Created for the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the RX-78F00/E takes the unmistakable RX-78 silhouette and reimagines it as a futuristic demonstration machine built around renewable-energy technology.

The star of the kit is the enormous EX-001 G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit, featuring transparent solar-panel components, articulated support arms and a completely different visual identity from the traditional RX-78-2. Originally introduced as an Expo 2025 Gunpla, Bandai confirmed that the kit is not a limited-edition item and can also be offered through general model-kit retail channels.

The Gundam of Expo 2025

The RX-78F00/E Gundam was created for the Gundam Next Future Pavilion at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Its full-size counterpart reused components from the famous moving RX-78F00 Gundam previously displayed at Gundam Factory Yokohama, but was extensively redesigned for its new role.

The approximately 17-metre Gundam was displayed in a dramatic kneeling pose with one arm raised towards the sky, becoming one of the most recognisable attractions associated with the pavilion.

The 1/144 model allows builders to bring that distinctive Expo-era Gundam design home.

EX-001 G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit

The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the enormous equipment mounted to the Gundam’s back.

G.L.R.S.S. stands for Gundam Leaping Recursive Spangle Swarm, a system designed around renewable energy generation and long-duration independent operation.

The fictional system combines:

• High-performance solar power cells
• High-capacity energy accumulators
• Manipulator systems
• Autonomous flight capability

Rather than simply being another combat backpack, the Feather Unit forms the centre of the RX-78F00/E’s renewable-energy demonstration concept.

Clear Solar Panels

The 1/144 kit recreates the G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit using distinctive clear solar-panel components.

The panels can be folded and repositioned, allowing the backpack to change dramatically depending on how you choose to display it.

Combined with the mechanical support arms, they give the finished Gundam an enormous silhouette that looks completely different from a conventional RX-78.

Articulated Backpack Arms

The backpack isn’t simply one large fixed component.

Its support arms feature multiple movable joints, giving builders control over the positioning of the Feather equipment.

This allows you to experiment with:

• Fully deployed Feather configurations
• Compact configurations
• Asymmetrical mechanical poses
• Solar-panel displays
• Expo-inspired poses
• Standalone equipment arrangements

It’s the mechanical complexity of the backpack that really gives this kit its personality.

Beam Welding Gun

One of the strangest – and coolest – accessories is the newly designed Beam Welding Gun.

Rather than simply giving this version of the Gundam another oversized military weapon, the equipment reinforces the technological and construction-oriented theme of the RX-78F00/E.

The Beam Welding Gun can be represented in both deployed and stored configurations, and can also be attached to the Gundam’s arm.

It’s exactly the sort of unusual accessory that helps make this release feel different from yet another standard RX-78 variant.

Two Backpack Options

Want the Gundam without the enormous Feather system dominating the display?

Bandai has you covered.

The kit includes two different backpack styles, allowing builders to recreate both the statue-style configuration and a more conventional configuration.

That gives the model considerably more flexibility and allows the RX-78F00/E itself to remain the focus of the display when desired.

Classic Gundam Weapons Are Included Too

Despite the futuristic Expo styling, this is still an RX-78 at heart.

Alongside the specialised Beam Welding Gun, the kit includes familiar Gundam equipment including:

• Beam Rifle
• Shield
• Beam weapon equipment
• Multiple interchangeable hand parts

So if you’d rather give your environmentally conscious demonstration Gundam a rifle and send it straight back into battle, the option is there.

Removable & Rearrangeable Armour

Another interesting feature is the ability to remove and rearrange selected armour components.

This provides additional display possibilities and also opens the door to custom builds.

Combine that with the articulated Feather Unit and interchangeable backpack components and there’s considerably more experimentation available here than the straightforward 1/144 scale might initially suggest.

IROPLA Multi-Colour Moulding

Bandai uses IROPLA multi-colour moulding to reproduce the RX-78F00/E’s distinctive appearance.

Different colours are moulded directly into the components, meaning the finished Gundam achieves its colourful appearance without requiring a complete paint job.

Painting remains entirely optional for builders who want to take things further.

Easy Snap-Fit Construction

Despite the elaborate appearance, this remains an accessible Bandai plastic model.

The kit uses snap-fit assembly, so standard construction requires no glue. The multi-colour moulding also means painting isn’t necessary to achieve the intended basic appearance.

A decent pair of nippers and basic nub-cleaning tools are enough to get started.

Experienced builders can then add panel lining, decals, metallic detailing and additional finishing work if desired.

A Brilliant Custom Project

There’s plenty here for experienced builders too.

The combination of white armour, clear solar components and large mechanical structures creates loads of opportunities for extra detailing.

Try adding:

• Panel lining
• Metallic mechanical components
• Solar-panel detailing
• Custom RX-78 markings
• Metallic Beam Welding Gun accents
• Custom decals
• Matte armour finishes
• Gloss clear-component finishes
• Mechanical weathering
• Custom Expo 2025 display base

Using different finishes on the Gundam and Feather Unit could produce a particularly impressive final model.

A Piece of Gundam History

Part of the attraction of this kit is what it represents.

The RX-78F00/E was created for the Gundam Next Future Pavilion at Expo 2025, where the full-size Gundam stood from 13 April through 13 October 2025.

The Gunpla itself originally went on sale in Japan on 11 April 2025 at ¥3,960 including tax.

That makes this more than another RX-78 variation – it’s a model tied directly to a specific moment in the history of Gundam’s life-size displays.

Kit Features

• Manufacturer: Bandai Spirits
• Scale: 1/144
• Mobile Suit: RX-78F00/E Gundam
• Equipment: EX-001 G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit
• Associated with: Gundam Next Future Pavilion
• Event: Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
• Originally released: April 2025
• G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit included
• Clear solar-panel components
• Foldable Feather Unit structure
• Multi-jointed backpack arms
• Beam Welding Gun included
• Beam Welding Gun deployed/stored configurations
• Beam Rifle included
• Shield included
• Two backpack configurations
• Removable/rearrangeable armour components
• Multiple interchangeable hands
• IROPLA multi-colour moulding
• Snap-fit construction
• No glue required
• Painting optional

Why Add the RX-78F00/E Gundam (EX-001 G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit) 1/144 to Your Collection?

There have been a lot of RX-78 model kits over the decades.

This one manages to do something genuinely different.

The G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit completely transforms the familiar Gundam silhouette with its enormous transparent solar panels and articulated mechanical arms, while accessories such as the Beam Welding Gun reinforce the futuristic technology-demonstrator concept behind the machine.

It’s also a fascinating piece of Gundam history, directly connected to the life-size Gundam created for the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Build it as the complete Feather-equipped Gundam, use one of the alternative backpack configurations or take advantage of the removable armour and modular equipment to create something completely original.

The Granddaddy Gundam meets the technology of the future – with its spectacular G.L.R.S.S. Feather Unit, transparent solar panels, articulated backpack and unique Beam Welding Gun, the RX-78F00/E Gundam 1/144 is one of the most distinctive RX-78 variants you can put on your shelf.