Gunpla

Oooh that was me! I'm eager!

Man. I really cannot for the life of me figure out Bandai's thought process on its release of Wing M Gs.

Instead of releasing either the EW versions or the TV versions, other than Wing and its variants, the only regular MG Wing releases are... the completely unseen Ver. EW versions of the original five. But every single Wing suit audiences have actually seen and are attached to... limited P-Bandai release.

... I'm mostly bitter because the Shenlong Ver. EW is stupid. What's the point of a Dragon Fang with no extend-o arm?!?

I'd like to see more of the prototype titans designs. The Advanced Hazel is dope.

So the RX-78-2 Gundam HG has dropped. Man this looks really good. Like wow. The detail, the weapons (the joint stickers booooo), the colors. It's so phenomenal. Love the little leg thrusters, and the fact that you can change out so many parts like the shoulders and arm Vulcans. The fact that the hands are not that reused over complicated mess that the MG RX-78s keep cranking out make me want this HG more than the MG.

I'm also excited for the HG Char Zaku II Revive. Like I'm mixed on the Revive RX-78. It's a revive of a revive and it's released alongside the HG Origin and the G40. I'll wait to see more on it, but man I did not expect a revived Zaku II with all the Origin stuff. And I'm glad for it. I love the twist to the elbow like the Mudrock. Really hope that becomes standard for HG's going forward. The Alex and Gouf could really use it well. It just looks so nice, from the smooth surfaces to the weapons to all the classicness about it. I might pick up the new Revive RX-78 just to pose that Zaku with something. I know it'll lead to a mess or premiums but with the Zaku revived I'd love to see Garma or Dozle's Zaku II or even Johnny or the Tri-Stars's (their standard Zaku II's, not the high-mobility ones).

Anybody here collect Gundam Converge figures? How are they?

I'm assuming you mean the Origin version of the RX-78. Yeah, that looks nice. Probably enough to ensure I don't get the MG, though I love the effect parts it comes with. I also love Core Fighters so the fact the MG version doesn't have a Core Pod is enough to give me pause.

I own a few Converge. They're... ehhhh. Posability aside, they do seem like they go out of their way to limit playability and customization. Swapping parts between figures is needlessly difficult due to differing size pegs and differing standards (some figures have their weapons molded in their hands, some don't). There's a handful I'm super happy with (the recent Exia is quite good, with a working GN Sword and two beam sabers it can hold plus shield which is an amazing bounty for a Converge. The GM II Semi-Striker can pull off some shockingly dynamic poses with its spear). They're generally painted incredibly well. They also rarely stand super well, so hopefully the ones you're interested in have stands.

My interest in the line basically dried up when MS Ensemble came out. Which are similarly scaled, but posable and geared towards customization. Obviously nowhere near the selection, but I find them much more fun.

I hope they do an MG of the upgraded RX-78 from Origin, with the thrusters and core pod.

Interesting on MS Ensemble. I was looking more into getting the bigger figures or things we probably won't get in 1/144th scale. The Neue Ziel is about to release in a few months, but I'm puzzled as to what's different about it compared to its original release.

I assume you've checked out www.gundaniumgateway.blogspot.com? Phenomenal resource on SD and other smaller toys.

Doesn't look like the Neue Ziel is much of an upgrade of the original (the CORE releases are generally just improved/different paint and markings, and according to the sites' guess, this doesn't even come with the extra accessories from the option set.

For around the same price, if not less, you can probably snag the HGM Neue Ziel, which is the route I'd go, personally.

Edited by Larkmarn on Apr 2nd 2020 at 5:00:11 AM

No I had not heard of that site. Damn this is exactly what I've been looking for, thanks dude. This'll be really useful.

I've seen the HGM set in a store here. It's interesting but I'm really into the FW super deform style, especially on the irregular MS's.

Okay, happy to help.

... but don't get it from BBTS. They usually have lousy Gundam prices. Side Seven Exports is great for P-Bandai, or hell, just eBay.

I am, sadly, aware of BBTS. They offer flat $4 shipping to the US! Great. Not for Hawaii. Boooooooo. I've ordered stuff from them before, but if it's a premium figure/gunpla, then Ebay's always good.

When my tax return comes back I'm going to try for a Robot Spirits Xamel.

Speaking of P-Bandai, P-Bandai USA just opened pre-orders for a ton of kits. RX-78-4 HG, RG Tallgeese II, the HG Varguil, etc. Open until August 5th.

Edited by DrPsyche on Apr 4th 2020 at 10:52:26 PM

Rick Dias HGUC Revive, Quattro colors has just been announced. Premium, unfortunately.

Honestly, despite its age, the Rick Dias still kinda holds up, I think. At least enough that I'd sooner buy that for under half the price (and that's before P-Bandai markup).

The bulkiness of the suit and Zeta's limited animation works in its favor; the Rick Dias really doesn't need much flexibility or dynamism and the OG Rick Dias has all the accessories it needs IIRC.

I have the HGUC Rick Dias and while I do think it's quite good for its time, it could definitely do with a new make over. The engines in its legs are extremely fragile, it can't hold its beam pistols particularly well (worryingly this new model doesn't seem to correct that), the articulation and color separation could definitely use an update (the shoulders on the new one look particularly nice).

Though it's still got a lot of good to it. Not too many stickers, the head vulcan assembly is quite nice, and it's got a clear beam saber effect where most of its time had those shit solid color sabers. It having a movable trigger finger is pretty cool.

It being P-Bandai is such a crime though. That's a major suit, I figured the blue/black one would be premium and this one would be standard, now it seems likely that both will be premium.

Edited by DrPsyche on Apr 15th 2020 at 9:54:05 AM

Since I'm not working due to the pandemic I finally have time to work on some of the half a dozen odd kits I got deals on a few years ago.

Finally finished the Hashmal HG that's been staring at me half finished since it first came out. Pretty good kit over all. My only real complaints is that I pretty much have to pick between using the secondary stand to support the tail and displaying the included Pluma, and I kind of wish it came with parts for at least one more Pluma, but such is life.

The HG Reginlaze Julia was surprisingly enjoyable putting together. Haven't taken time to properly pose it yet since I'm still experimenting with whats the best way to paint the edge of its whips gold.

And now we come to my Master Grade Burning Gundam. (Yes, I know it should be the God Gundam, but this is one of the only times I think the dub change makes more sense.) Aside from having to run down a small crosshead screwdriver for the joints everything went together pretty easily. The only real problems I had putting it together were a minor bit of trouble assembling the Core Lander cockpit and finding out after I was done assembling that I over tightened the arm joints so I have trouble posing it. Well, there is another thing. 98% sure this is more my mistake than anything with the design but I'd like some advice on what to do: when I was putting on the ankle armor there was some trouble attaching the front portion to the rest of the armor, and the way I was pushing caused one of the pegs that held the whole thing to the leg sheared of inside the hole. I was able to get the peg out and used some crazy glue to reattach it to the ankle armor, waited a day to let it set and tryed again. Exact same problem. Any tips?

Edited by Unlikelyauthor2 on Apr 20th 2020 at 1:01:57 PM

They're releasing the Astray Red Frame with the Flight Unit as a MG. Of course, it's P-Bandai...

From all the variants that were released, it took this kit to finally get some beam effect parts for the Astray.

Edited by LLSmoothJ on Apr 21st 2020 at 9:10:33 AM

Hot damn, they just announced the HGUC Baund Doc. Bout time.

Edited by DrPsyche on Apr 22nd 2020 at 10:23:07 PM

Bunch of new P-Bandai Gunpla dropped.

MG GMII AEUG colors. Kind of annoyed that all 4 Master Grade GM II's are P-Bandai. At the very least the Titan's colors should have been regular release like the High Grade.

Geminass High Mobility and Space version HG.

HG Origin Nightseeker GM. Really cool. Love that it comes with so many hands (including a left trigger hand). Stickers look wack, but whatever. Though the fact that 5 of the 7 HG GM's are p-bandai sucks.

Crossbone Gundam X-1 High grade. Fancy. Lot's of Crossbone HG's are getting reissued too.

HGUC Dictus now this is a fancy as all hell Gunpla. Really unique. Always cool to see Crossbone get more rep.

Edited by DrPsyche on May 15th 2020 at 7:30:18 AM

Huh. Hope this increase in Crossbone representation means that we'll get an animated adaptation in the next few years. I really want to see Tobia's batshit insane shenanigans in glorious motion. Especially when he jacked the X-2.

Good news for Mobile Suit Gundam Wing fans.

MG Sandrock Armadillo from Glory of Losers just got announced. No pictures yet.

MG Wing Gundam Zero Ver. Ka got announced as well.

HG Gundam Heavyarms Kunio Okawara version.

Boy, the fanbase is salty about that Wing Zero.

Bandai teased a new Ver. Ka and we get... a Wing Zero Ver. 1.5. (extra annoying because the price will probably be jacked up by any older parts that are included on runners).

... whoo.

Heavyarms is cool, but it's about the only one where I think the EW version is actually better. The rest are largely a matter of preference, but the EW version's largely unchanged but for some extra detail and a neat-o burrito ammo drum.

Unlike, say, Shenlong which is ruined by the EW version.

My Windam arrives today. I'm very pumped, it looks so good. Wish I had more Striker packs (and/or RG packs could be used with HG kits). All I have is the Noir and I just found out I cannot find its beam blades. Sad face. EDIT: Aw, looks like it got delayed. Sadface. Well. Not like I don't have a huge backlog anyway.

Oh wow, they're making more of the Gundam Universe figures. Tallgeese and God Gundam. Kinda ne- oh my god they didn't include a single beam saber between the two of them. Christ, they are working hard to half ass the line.

Edited by Larkmarn on Jun 3rd 2020 at 12:03:03 PM

Yeah, from what I've seen of the Universe Line so far, nothing has grabbed my interest. Bigger and cheaper Robot Damashiis.

Have fun with the Windam though, I've seen the reviews and that figure looks so good. Might pick it up even though I've never watched Seed.

Though I thought the new Wing Gundam Ver. Ka. was a 2.0?

And I'll admit I have more of a preference for the Okawara designs rather than the Katoki designs. I still like both, save for the Maganacs. I like the blockier Okawara designs and the brown and orange colors compared to the redesigned Katoki ones with the grey and browns.

Hope the Build series rolls out a new grunt suit based on another OZ design so we can finally get them as kits. Would really like the Aries or Taurus as high grades.

I've always vastly preferred the Katoki designs. The proportions and chunkiness of the originals always felt pretty bleh to me.

The thing with the Wing Zero is it's already a Ver. Ka. The EW version of the suits are by default Katoki's designs. And I'm going by the oddly specific words from Gundamkitscollection "the kit will offer variety of new molded parts compare to its previous MG version" which implicitly says "there will be plenty of not new molded parts."

Hm, you're right. Oh boy this will be a ride.

Nu Gundam HWS announced. Both as an independent kit and as an expansion if you already have an RG Nu. Both releases are P-Bandai.