Gunpla

@Larkmarn: It's kind of like an RE/100. The legs have an endo skeleton to them because they need to transform, but everything else is very much like an HG. There's a decent amount of color separation, but also a lot of yellow stickers.

Some of the transformation bits are held in place by friction and IDK if those will remain. There's a lot of "big" pieces in the set, not just because it's a big kid but sections that probably would be made of different pieces in a smaller kit are instead done by one big piece. As such it has no waist articulation and it can be kind of hollow.

That said, it's very posable, very stable and the jointed fingers are a major plus. It's got amazing shelf presence. It's bigger than most MG's. And though it can be very simplified it really does feel like a lot of care went into designing how this thing can transform and stay together. So that's a plus. Be gentle with it and it shouldn't break. But maybe don't put in the plugs for the holes that connect the shield to the thighs for transformation. Those are a pain to remove.

Here's the pics from my Tumblr. Jegan's the biggest MG I own (I don't own too many) and it's dwarfed easily by the Psyco.

The Death Army is getting a High Grade Future Century model!

I've been thinking about how much love the Death Army's been getting recently, with the Eldora Army in Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE and the Yellow Zombie Virus from SD Gundam World Sangoku Soketsuden being kind of like them, to the point of the latter being led by Zhang Jue Devil Gundam.

Never thought I'd see the day.

Looks a tad more cartoonish than I recall the original design being, though.

More cartoonish? I'd say they "realified" it up a bit.

I mean, it's less "love" and more "a desire to sell model remolds, so yeah, since we're doing Death Army anyway, we'll cross promote it with the new anime." I think they learned their lesson with the Mocks (that no one wanted)... introducing a new grunt for a Build series isn't worth it. Might as well kill two birds and throw a bone to the pathetic wretches that deign themselves to like MP suits (sorry, I'm just bitter because Gundam Battle: Gunpla Warfare is incredibly mean to grunt units).

Edited by Larkmarn on Nov 6th 2019 at 8:56:05 AM

Tamashii Club Members Gets An Exclusive Look At The New Wing Gundam Snow White Prelude Features

So I bit the bullet and picked up a Gundam Universe figure, wave 2's Deathscythe. I was just curious about the line

The base figure looks great. Just standing there, no weapons or anything? Looks good. Definitely bigger than your average 1/144 figure, too. There will be scale issues if you want them posed with literally anything, the figures in the line are wildly out of scale with each other.

But, at the end of the day, the articulation is just not there. Should spread is weak, elbows are about 90 degrees, hip kick isn't great (though really nice out to the side). Joints are strong... but to the point that it's not really fun to fiddle with. Cool poses with the scythe are limited. Can't even do a decent "holding the scythe on the shoulder" pose. Also, the wrists have very little posability and are effectively swivels. Not great.

And then there's the accessories:

• The scythe is alright? The effect part is sort of awkward... it mounts at a somewhat strange angle and is overly dynamic-looking. The emitter can move, but since the effect part is so dynamic, it looks really bad if it's "straight" and instead kinda has to be pointed sliiiiiiightly upward or else the blade will be pointed down. I also expect this will wear out pretty quickly and become floppy.
• The shield is tiny. Like, comically so. It's almost exactly the same size as my 1/144 Deathscythe's shield, and the beam part is smaller than that. But the color separation is nice and I still love the Buster Shield. But it's so small that I genuinely like the figure more without it.
• Overall, I hate the effect parts. The green is weirdly flat, and the plastic color of them is dark gray so that if any of the plastic shows through (which it does by default, as part of the scythe shows even when mounted), it looks really bad. If they used a more vibrant color, maybe a metallic, it would've been a lot better.
• Came with two holding hands, two fists. Would've loved a pair of open hands.
• Also a base adapter I immediately lost.

Overall, really just not worth the money. $25 seems nice compared to a Robot Spirits or something, and it's pretty big, but giving $20 to Hasbro gets you a Marvel Legend, Power Ranger Lightning, or Deluxe Transformer, all of which are way better toys. Or blowing $25 on a Gunpla is a better use of money. Or hell, going on eBay and spend that money to pick up some MSIA!! figures.

It's not bad, but the only way I can recommend one is if you really like a design (say, the Barbatos which is a pretty major redesign). It probably won't look bad just standing on your shelf. But you don't get a lot of bang for your buck if you want to pose them or play with them.

Edited by Larkmarn on Nov 7th 2019 at 11:15:23 AM

Yeah, I've handled some of the wave 1 figures. There's interesting stuff to them, but like you said they feel kind of ho-hum. Basic articulation, lack of hands, proportions that aren't bad but not quite good and colors that are lacking. I like the beam saber effect parts for wave 1, but I'll admit that they aren't all that great.

Also, the Origin Guard Custom is getting a P-Bandai version E-2 pistols. Changed to make it look more like the MSV design it was based on. White hands, new backpack and chest and the new beam spray guns. Ah open hands, locked behind the p-bandai wall again. Though kind of disappointed that for a kit advertised with the dual pistols there's only one trigger hand. Shame.

It's interesting that 3 of the 4 original Origin GM's got updated P-Bandai releases. Sniper got the missile sniper, Interceptor got the Fellow Booster, and now the Guard gets the E-2. I wonder if this means we'll get a standard GM Cannon from the Space GM Cannon. That said, 5 of the 7 Origin GM's are now P-Bandai. Boo.

I love the GM Guard Custom, except the back of the shield is so painful and the weapons are... ridiculous. You have that giant shield. And the tiniest of weapons.

It needs a Gundam Hammer or a Beam Javelin. Not some namby pamby beam daggers that won't do it any good.

Yeah, the beam sabers in wave 1 (except for Wing inexplicably not having its most frequently used weapon) looked better, as both my issues with the effect parts for the Deathscythe (the not painting everything and shape of the scythe, the puniness of the shield, and the color choice) are unique to this figure.

... despite everything, I am genuinely considering that Barbatos. It does seem like it would just have a decent shelf presence and the redesign really is unique. If I see it on deep discount I'll pick it up.

Edited by Larkmarn on Nov 8th 2019 at 8:56:36 AM

Funny coincidence, a P-Bandai version of the GM Guard Custom was announced. Most of the new stuff are cool, but I'm disappointed the extra hands were not standard release.

So I'm thinking of getting into Gunpla building as a hobby. Does anyone have any advice on what to start with, or what I'll need?

A hobby knife and a pair of nippers are a must. I use an X-acto knife and a pair of cheap wire cutters, personally. I'd say everything else is optional. You can get the markers for detailing. Beyond that, you can paint if you really want to go over the top.

As for what kits to start with- I'd recommend starting with something in the HG 1/144th scale, or a no grade 1/100th scale. Pick a suit you like the look of. Personally I'd recommend any of the 1/100 Iron-Blooded Orphans kits. They all have rather unique designs and plenty of detail and aren't any more difficult than a normal HG. Than again I'm a sucker for IBO so I'm kind of biased.

For the love of sanity do not try to start with a RG 1/144th. Those bastards are really difficult because they are both very small and loaded with details and use So. Many. Stickers. Seriously, try to get a couple HG kits finished before you try anything that hard.

Edited by Unlikelyauthor2 on Nov 15th 2019 at 4:06:21 AM

What's the best place to buy them from?

Ehh... Amazon is usually good price-wise, but you'll have to wait a while if it gets imported from Japan. USA Gundam Store has been fair to me so far. They restock regularly and shipping is quick if you're in the USA.

Oh! You'll probably need a pair of tweezers for sticker application.

On selection, HG are nice and easy. I stick with 1/144 scale for size economy so I don't have any experience with 1/100 or up.

Edited by Zeromaeus on Nov 15th 2019 at 6:08:46 AM

I'd say start with the HGUC Revive Gundam RX-78-2. Not only is it a comparatively simple build compared to most but its the first and most iconic Gundam so there's no going wrong there.

For reference, my first was HG Guncannon. It was very satisfying and very easy to build.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll think I start with an HG from the 00 series, like the Exia or something.

GunPla Catalog 2020 PG and RG Edition - Release Info

Gundam Flauros Wins Poll for the "NEXT MG" Kit!

Mobile Suit Gundam G-Frame Vol. 9 - Release Info

Oooh Hazel. Nice. Shame it's probably the Hazel Custom and all the fun stuff/colors will be P-Bandai.

I just want Bluefin to release wave 2 here. I want that Mudrock.

Here's hoping Devil Gundam gets some love this coming year. Might actually happen if the eventual P-Bandai expansions for the Death Army sell well. Maybe. Please?

Well, built the Maganac HG. Gotta say this is a pretty sweet kit. Very basic in all the best ways. Color separation in the shoulders is sad, but other than that he's a very fancy boi. Love the colors, love the feel of him, very posable too. His ankle guards stay on better than the Leo's. It's also really cool that I can store all the weapons on his back.

Really happy. Definitely recommend. The Maganac Customs allow you to only build one unit. But I have to ask, can I buy one Custom set and a basic Maganac and cannibalize enough parts to build both of the Customs included? Like do the two included in the box share unique parts or do they only share the basic Maganac frame? The Rashid and Abdul Custom both look like they share unique backs of the legs, I wonder if the Auda and Ahmmad ones do as well.

So I found something odd recently; There's apparently this artist named Surprise Man who drew an SD Gundam for "Young Jump" magazine, which got a fullscale model. I need to see the full image of that model.

Kingdom, Terraformers, Snack Basue Manga Artists Design Their Own Gundams

The reason why I'm sharing it here is because Yasuhisa Hara's design, the "Kingdom Gundam YJ Tokusei Model Ver.", will be getting its own Gunpla via BANDAI SPIRITS.

So a four armed gundam model, then? Neat.

Ooops, meant this for the Gundam Games General thread.

Edited by Larkmarn on Nov 25th 2019 at 9:39:34 AM