Unbox the vintage Bandai 1:60 Gundam Rick Dom kit:
When discussing vintage 1/60 scale Gundam model kits, the conversation inevitably leads to Bandai’s extraordinary HY2M Glorious Series, and within that prestigious line, the 1/60 Rick Dom stands as one of the most unique and ambitious kits ever produced. Released in March 2003, this kit represents a fascinating and unconventional chapter in Gunpla history, one that diverged dramatically from the traditional plastic model kit formula to create something that was part model, part engineering project, and part light show, and unlike the Perfect Grade line that would follow with its focus on intricate internal frames and mechanical precision, the HY2M Rick Dom was built around a completely different philosophy: the integration of an extensive lighting system that would bring the mobile suit to life in a way no kit had ever done before.
The Rick Dom itself is a beloved mobile suit from the Universal Century, a space-use variant of the already imposing Dom that served as the heavy-hitting mainstay of the Zeon space forces, and with its bulky, almost medieval-looking armor, its distinctive mono-eye sensor, and its fearsome array of weaponry including a massive beam bazooka, the Rick Dom cut an imposing figure on the battlefield. Bandai chose this iconic design for their most ambitious HY2M release, and they did not hold back, as the kit stands an impressive 31 centimeters tall when fully assembled, a towering presence that commands attention on any display shelf, and its sheer size is matched only by the complexity of its construction.
The unboxing experience of the HY2M 1/60 Rick Dom is something that has become the stuff of legend among Gunpla enthusiasts, as the box itself is enormous, measuring almost 30 inches long by 15 inches wide, slightly larger than the boxes for Perfect Grade models. However, unlike the sleek, graphically rich packaging of PG kits, the HY2M Rick Dom comes in a simple corrugated cardboard box without fancy graphics, a humble exterior that belies the extraordinary contents within, and inside, the kit is divided into three inner boxes, and upon opening them, the builder is greeted by 23 racks of large parts and a staggering amount of hardware. But the true heart of this kit, and what sets it apart from virtually every other Gunpla ever produced, is the lighting system, as the HY2M Rick Dom features twenty-one LEDs that need to be trimmed, plugged in, connected to resistors, and wired up to boxes, switches, and batteries across four separate circuits, each with its own switch, and twenty-two bags of hardware accompany the kit, with almost all of it being electrical.
For many builders, the prospect of tackling such an extensive electrical system was initially intimidating, and one reviewer described feeling a little ill upon first glancing at the instruction manual, which looked almost indecipherable at first glance. However, as they soon discovered, the manual was actually a superb piece of technical writing, with clear, simple, and easy-to-follow instructions even for those who do not read Japanese, and the kit was designed to be approachable despite its complexity, a long sequence of simple steps rather than an insurmountable challenge. This thoughtful engineering extended to the very molding of the parts themselves, as Bandai’s engineers took the time to solve one of the minor frustrations of model building by designing the molding so that no sprue touches the outer surface of the parts, eliminating the unsightly scars left by cutting parts from runners, and builders simply had to trim a small tab away from the mating surfaces, a small but significant attention to detail that exemplified the care put into this kit.
The HY2M 1/60 Rick Dom was released in several variants, each catering to different tastes and levels of collectors, with the standard MS-09R Rick Dom being the base release featuring the standard green and purple color scheme of the mass-produced Zeon space forces. For fans of the Red Comet, Bandai released the MS-09RS Rick Dom Char Aznable’s Customize Type, which featured Char’s signature red color scheme and was priced at ¥18,900, and an even more exclusive version was the MS-09RS Rick Dom Char Aznable’s Customize Type Extra Finish Ver., a limited edition release in 2007 that featured a special extra finish and retailed for ¥31,290, making the Char’s Custom variants particularly sought after by collectors and adding an extra layer of desirability to an already rare kit.
Despite its ambitious design and impressive features, the HY2M 1/60 Rick Dom was not without its challenges, as the extensive wiring and lighting system, while a remarkable innovation, could be daunting for less experienced builders, and some users reported that lights and wiring had been the weakest features of the models they had built previously. The electrics required careful handling and patience to assemble correctly, and the sheer number of components meant that the build process was significantly longer and more involved than a standard Gunpla kit, but for those who persevered, the result was a breathtaking display piece that genuinely brought the Rick Dom to life, with twenty-one points of illumination that made the mobile suit look as though it had stepped straight out of the anime.
Today, the HY2M 1/60 Rick Dom has become a highly sought-after collector’s item, a true piece of Gunpla history that represents a bold and unique experiment in model kit design, and its scarcity on the secondary market, combined with its extraordinary features and connection to one of the most iconic mobile suits in the Gundam universe, has cemented its status as a holy grail for dedicated collectors. While modern Perfect Grade and Master Grade kits have since surpassed it in terms of engineering precision and articulation, the HY2M Rick Dom remains unparalleled in its ambition and its commitment to creating a truly immersive, illuminated model-building experience. It stands as a testament to Bandai’s willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of what a plastic model kit could be, a shining example of the creativity and innovation that has defined the Gunpla hobby for over four decades, and for those fortunate enough to own one, it remains a cherished centerpiece that captures the imagination and celebrates the enduring legacy of the Zeon forces.
