If you’ve spent any time looking at the RGM-89S line, you know the "Stark Jegan" is basically the peak of grunt suit glory. But there’s a specific version that keeps showing up in backroom hobby shop conversations and P-Bandai resale listings that confuses the hell out of people. I’m talking about the HGUC 1/144 RGM-89S Prototype Stark Jegan.
It’s not just a Stark Jegan with a different paint job.
Honestly, the "Prototype" tag in the name is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. While the standard Stark Jegan we see in the opening of Gundam Unicorn is a beast in its own right, the Prototype is a weird, transitional middle child between the Char's Counterattack era and the specialized anti-ship roles of the UC 0090s. It’s clunky. It’s over-engineered. And for a plastic model kit, it’s a surprisingly deep rabbit hole of "Wait, why is this part different?"
The Confusion Between "Stark" and "Prototype Stark"
Most fans see the triple-tube missile pods on the shoulders of the standard Stark Jegan and think, "Yeah, that’s the one." But the Prototype Stark Jegan throws a wrench in that. Instead of those three small tubes, the Prototype carries these massive, four-round anti-ship missile launchers on its shoulders.
They are huge.
In the lore, this thing was a testbed. The Federation realized they needed something that could punch a hole in a Neo Zeon cruiser without needing a full-blown Gundam to do it. So they took a Jegan and just... bolted everything onto it.
The HGUC kit reflects this "bolted on" aesthetic perfectly. You’ve got a different head sculpt featuring a longer rod antenna and a beefier "chin" or face-guard area. The chest is wider too because it’s meant to be a two-seater cockpit. Why two seats? Because back then, they figured one pilot would fly and the other would manage the absolute chaos of those massive anti-ship missiles.
What’s Actually in the Box?
If you manage to snag this as a P-Bandai re-release (like the ones hitting shelves in early 2026), you’re looking at a mix of old and new plastic.
💡 You might also like: Why the Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Pokemon List is More Frustrating Than You Remember
It’s a High Grade, so don't expect a Master Grade level of internal frame. But Bandai didn't just toss in a new runner and call it a day. The "Prototype" specific parts include:
- The Shoulder Launchers: These are the stars of the show. They use a movable base so you can angle them for "standby" or "firing" positions.
- New Head and Chest: The molding here is sharp. The long antenna is a notorious "thin plastic" break risk, so be careful when you're nipping it off the sprue.
- Forearm Armor: It’s subtly different from the standard Jegan. It has a more angular, armored-up look that matches the "Prototype" aesthetic.
- The Arsenal: You get the Hyper Bazooka, a Beam Rifle (usually two types), and the standard Beam Sabers.
One thing that kinda sucks? The articulation.
Because it’s based on the older Jegan molds, it uses those classic ball-joint hips. They aren't terrible, but compared to the modern "swivel and peg" joints we see in the Witch from Mercury or newer Real Grade kits, the Prototype Stark Jegan feels a bit stiff. It’s a brick. A very pretty, very detailed brick, but don't expect it to do a superhero landing without some serious modification.
The Painting Nightmare (And Why It's Worth It)
Let’s be real: if you hate stickers, this kit is going to test your patience.
Bandai is pretty good with color separation these days, but the Prototype Stark Jegan is a product of its era. There are yellow bits on the thrusters and missiles that really need paint to look "right." If you just use the included foil stickers, it’s going to look okay from five feet away, but up close? You’ll see the peel.
I highly recommend picking up a "Mustard Yellow" or "Orange Yellow" Gundam Marker at the very least. Doing the small thruster details by hand makes the bulky silhouette of the RGM-89S pop.
The color scheme itself is a muted, military teal-green. It looks fantastic next to a standard Jegan because it’s just different enough to catch the eye without looking like a custom "OC" unit. It looks like it belongs on the deck of the Nahel Argama.
Why This Kit Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why people are still chasing a P-Bandai High Grade from years ago.
It’s about the "grunt" factor.
🔗 Read more: Call of Duty Heroes: What Most People Get Wrong About Activision’s Forgotten Mobile Experiment
In the Gundam community, there’s a massive cult following for the Jegan. It’s the workhorse of the Universal Century. Owning the Prototype Stark Jegan is like owning a rare trim of a classic muscle car. It’s the "RGM-89S" that didn't quite make it to mass production, making it feel more special than the dozens of Jegan D-Types you might have on your shelf.
Also, the sheer size of the anti-ship missiles gives it a presence that most 1/144 kits lack. It’s wide. It’s heavy. It looks like it could actually take down a Musai-class cruiser just by bumping into it.
Actionable Steps for Builders
If you’re planning to build the HGUC Prototype Stark Jegan, don't just snap it together and put it on a shelf.
- Reinforce the Antenna: That rod antenna on the head is thin. Like, "breathe on it and it snaps" thin. Apply a tiny bit of extra thin cement to the base if it feels wiggly, or just be incredibly mindful of it during assembly.
- Matte Topcoat is Mandatory: The plastic has a bit of a "toy" sheen. A quick spray of matte topcoat (like Mr. Super Clear) transforms the teal plastic into something that looks like actual cold-rolled lunar titanium.
- Invest in an Action Base: Because of the ball-joint hips and the heavy backpack/shoulder missiles, this thing is a nightmare to balance on its feet. It wants to tip over. Get a clear Action Base 2 or 5 and pose it in a mid-launch sequence.
- Panel Line with Grey, Not Black: Black ink on that teal-green plastic looks too harsh. Use a grey panel liner to keep the scale looking realistic.
The RGM-89S Prototype Stark Jegan is a weird, bulky, beautiful piece of UC history. It’s not the most poseable kit in the world, and it certainly isn't the easiest to find, but it’s a definitive "expert's choice" for anyone who values lore and shelf presence over double-jointed elbows.
Keep an eye on the Premium Bandai hobby shop schedules for 2026. These usually drop in "waves," and they sell out in minutes. If you miss the retail window, you’re looking at the mercy of the second-hand market, which is never a fun place for your wallet.
Build it for the silhouette. Build it because the standard Stark Jegan needs its older brother on the shelf. Just don't expect it to do a split.