Werewolf Jones
Member
Anyone here got any Kyokai Senki kits? I see them get memed on all the time on /m/.
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Gunpla
- Thread starter EviLore
- Start date
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
I love gunpla, it's such a satisfying hobby, and the kits just get better and better every year. i have a little workshop in my game room with an airbrush and workbench and I love taking my time and working on a really big kit over weeks.
I'm an old head, I started building Gunpla in the late 80s/early 90s when no one outside of the plastic modeling community even knew what Gundam was. None of the cartoons had been released in America at that point so to me, they were just the coolest plastic models available. I had been making model cars and planes prior to discovering them, but Gundams were on another level.
I stopped when I hit adulthood, like a lot of people do, and also like a lot of people I came back to many years later. I've been building models again for about 10 years now and probably about 75% of them are Gundams. Never watched the anime still.
Here's the last one I finished. I've been taking a break for the last few months and making resin statues instead (easier to sell), but I'm getting the itch for another Gundam soon.
I'm an old head, I started building Gunpla in the late 80s/early 90s when no one outside of the plastic modeling community even knew what Gundam was. None of the cartoons had been released in America at that point so to me, they were just the coolest plastic models available. I had been making model cars and planes prior to discovering them, but Gundams were on another level.
I stopped when I hit adulthood, like a lot of people do, and also like a lot of people I came back to many years later. I've been building models again for about 10 years now and probably about 75% of them are Gundams. Never watched the anime still.
Here's the last one I finished. I've been taking a break for the last few months and making resin statues instead (easier to sell), but I'm getting the itch for another Gundam soon.
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
Barely any techniques in common, though. Don't be afraid to put some failures under your belt, it's the only way to git gud.
It's funny how the plastic model community is made up of all these little sub-spheres that overlap a little but each have their own techniques, tools, and materials. These days they tend to even have totally separate hobby shops. Military models, trains, Warhammer/RP minis, gunpla, comic statues... They all SEEM similar but they're not really.
I'd consider myself very experienced at Gunpla, like I don't really make heavy heavy modifications or scratch build custom parts, but I can paint like a pro in any type of finish. It's like 95% airbrushing lacquers, decaling, and tape masking, and probably only touch a brush for small metallic frame details or whatever. But if you're painting Warhammer you might not do any of those things, it's like 95% brush painting.
But if you're good at one you can learn another faster than true beginners. When I started figure painting I took a couple months of experimenting, watching tutorials and painting dumb shit over and over. I wasn't good right away, I had to learn a lot more color theory and brush techniques. My early models were all too dark because acrylics dry darker and washes darken them further, things I never had to do with gunpla. But I got the hang of it pretty quick and I was able to jump right in to doing commissions. I got a 3D printer a couple months ago and it's becoming a side hustle.
So yeah, learn, fail, push yourself. Start on cheap High Grade kits. Not only are they a lower cost investment, they'll teach you a lot more about painting because they require a lot more work to look like the box. If you get good at making those cheap kits look nice, the bigger fancier kits are a breeze.
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MGEX Strike Freedom? Nice work.I love gunpla, it's such a satisfying hobby, and the kits just get better and better every year. i have a little workshop in my game room with an airbrush and workbench and I love taking my time and working on a really big kit over weeks.
I'm an old head, I started building Gunpla in the late 80s/early 90s when no one outside of the plastic modeling community even knew what Gundam was. None of the cartoons had been released in America at that point so to me, they were just the coolest plastic models available. I had been making model cars and planes prior to discovering them, but Gundams were on another level.
I stopped when I hit adulthood, like a lot of people do, and also like a lot of people I came back to many years later. I've been building models again for about 10 years now and probably about 75% of them are Gundams. Never watched the anime still.
Here's the last one I finished. I've been taking a break for the last few months and making resin statues instead (easier to sell), but I'm getting the itch for another Gundam soon.
D
Deleted member 1159
Unconfirmed Member
I got a model kit of DS9 when I was like ten and when I opened it and realized I needed an knife and glue and paint, I just closed the box and put it back in the closet…
I also had toys of the Enterprise D and E which I put on the BBQ grill so they looked like they had battle scars. Despite what this post may imply, I didn’t eat any glue
I also had toys of the Enterprise D and E which I put on the BBQ grill so they looked like they had battle scars. Despite what this post may imply, I didn’t eat any glue
near
Gold Member
This looks so cool, and when I see finished models like this, it inspires me to get into the craft. The only thing holding me back is the idea of wanting to continually build new models and storing them once I've built them.
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
Yeah don't be one of those guys who crams 100 Gundams into his room, they lose any impact at that point. We've all seen this kind of hoarding/collecting and I think it's antithetic to a hobby that should be about displaying your craftsmanship.
My approach is to dedicate a small vertical display case to them, and to have a one-in, one-out policy. If I want to put a new piece in, I have to take something out to make room. And since I'm always improving and getting better, it's usually pretty easy to find an old one that doesn't represent my current ability and get rid of it.
When I retire then I usually just give them away if they're nice or toss them if they're not. Occasionally they might go in ziplok bags in storage but usually I just try not to be precious about it and move on. Let go of any impulse that these things should be permanent. They're fun to build and it feels good to display your work, but eventually they don't really represent your best anymore so why keep them?
NecrosaroIII
Ultimate DQ Fan
What do you guys think is the most aesthetically pleasing Gundam is? For me, you can't get better than the Nu.
Werewolf Jones
Member
I mean if you're talking favourite Gundam's... G-Self and Turn A.
SirTerry-T
Member
Went through an RG "phase" a few years back.
The engineering in those things is insane.
Nice, relaxing way to spend a few hours.
The engineering in those things is insane.
Nice, relaxing way to spend a few hours.
SirTerry-T
Member
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
The RG line had gotten a lot better in recent years too in terms of engineering. There's a new 2.0 RG version of the RX-78-2 coming out soon and it just looks miles better than the original.
NecrosaroIII
Ultimate DQ Fan
My first Gunpla was an RG Char Zaku II. I think it was like the 2nd one released. It looks great, but god damn is it fragile.
P:axMagellanic
Member
Never made gunpla, I do make 1/35 scale tank kits though.
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
I build a lot of non-Gundam plastic models too, especially sci-fi kits like space ships and the like. Not a lot of tanks, though I want to do a Metal Slug.
I do like watching tank modeling tutorials for tips on weathering though. Ma.K as well.
Porcile
Member
Victory/Victory 2 Gundam is slick. I do like unpainted dark blue Titans Mk II too though.
Zaku III from ZZ is cool if we are talking mobile suits in general. Wasn't given enough screen time.
P:axMagellanic
Member
Tank and Aircraft scale modelers are absolute lunatics, it is where a lot of those crazy weathering and painting techniques come from. Stuff like hairspray for a chipping paint effect, madness... but christ it works well.
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
Yeah, there's a funny thing with Gundams that the kits are so nice that a lot of people building them don't really put in the effort, but if you want to make a tank model, it's just going to be a lump of green plastic unless you really put some effort in.Tank and Aircraft scale modelers are absolute lunatics, it is where a lot of those crazy weathering and painting techniques come from. Stuff like hairspray for a chipping paint effect, madness... but christ it works well.
I don't know if you've heard of Maschinen Krieger (Ma.K), it's a line of Japanese dieselpunk kits at 1/20 or 1/35 scale, and for whatever reason it attracts some amazing modelers, I love learning their techniques.
SJRB
Gold Member
I built this bad boy last year. Had a lot of fun. Incredible amount of detail and engineering in such a small piece. The line work really brings it home, I can highly recommend anyone to do it to give it that final touch.
Also have a Master Grade Barbatos lying on the shelf, but that is a daunting task. Just opening the box and seeing the amount of sprues is overwhelming.
The model itself is cool as hell though.
SirTerry-T
Member
The RG Red Astray is a fantastic kit. Really posable, one of the best RG kits.
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
Two of my absolute favorite kits right here.
I built this bad boy last year. Had a lot of fun. Incredible amount of detail and engineering in such a small piece. The line work really brings it home, I can highly recommend anyone to do it to give it that final touch.
Also have a Master Grade Barbatos lying on the shelf, but that is a daunting task. Just opening the box and seeing the amount of sprues is overwhelming.
The model itself is cool as hell though.
STARSBarry
Gold Member
I mean it's a GM, but since this is a Gunpla topic I just extended this to "mobile suits"
People can do great, great things with this MG kit and some extra parts.
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SirTerry-T
Member
Get some top coat/dull coat on it once your panel lining and decals are on ..job doneStarted a kit last night in my hotel room to gauge how I get along with the experience. HG Blue Astray, $7.
It’s fun, easy to get into a flow state. The kit is engineered well and the instructions are intuitive. Will try panel lining when it’s done.
I used the Mr Hobby dull coat but Tamiya do one as well. One can should be enough for a few kits. Makes a huge difference.
SJRB
Gold Member
I mean it's a GM, but since this is a Gunpla topic I just extended this to "mobile suits"
People can do great, great things with this MG kit and some extra parts.
Cloaks on mechas look dope as hell.
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
Mr. hobby makes a whole range but if I can recommend Mr. Super Smooth Clear Matt, that stuff is probably the most full proof for beginners (as long as you remember to shake the can lol), but it also preserves color really well. It's not quite as matte as some others but it's also less chalky.Get some top coat/dull coat on it once your panel lining and decals are on ..job done
I used the Mr Hobby dull coat but Tamiya do one as well. One can should be enough for a few kits. Makes a huge difference.
Less than $5 a can in Japan, but looks like it's not legal to put in luggage or jpost, too bad.
SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
There are tons of places that import it. Like I can get it in my local hobby shop in the US (which also sells online).
SirTerry-T
Member
Tamiya TS-80 will do the job too. Just make sure (if spraying outdoors) that's it's a bright, clear and dry day otherwise the finish can get cloudy.
Werewolf Jones
Member
Gundam Converge are fun. I got a few of them. Wish I could the Turn A one.I always wanted to have some.
But in the end I only bought something like this. Because the real big sets were too expensive. And the delivery time was very long. If I remember correctly, the delivery costs were significantly more expensive than the set itself.
SirTerry-T
Member
The RG Destiny kit is a cool one too but an action stand is a necessity. Very top heavy kit.
The Sum of Zero
Member
By the way, this new MGSD line is pretty awesome. MG-level part separation at SD size.
Working on Freedom, have Barbatos in the backlog, and they announced a MGSD Wing Zero EW for later this year.
HLJ shipped my HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom out today, so that'll be my next kit after MGSD Freedom.
Working on Freedom, have Barbatos in the backlog, and they announced a MGSD Wing Zero EW for later this year.
HLJ shipped my HGCE Mighty Strike Freedom out today, so that'll be my next kit after MGSD Freedom.
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Dirt cheap prices in Japan, but not much of interest is in stock. Stacks and stacks of HG Witch from Mercury kits though. Stores unload crates of them continuously to restock the shelves.
I did grab an MG Zaku II 2.0 and MG Epyon EW for $40 total, so that's pretty cool.
I did grab an MG Zaku II 2.0 and MG Epyon EW for $40 total, so that's pretty cool.
The Sum of Zero
Member
Witch from Mercury kits are actually pretty awesome, regardless of feelings about the series.
I've built Lfrith, Beguir-Beu, Aerial, Darilbalde, Pharact, Michealis, Lifrith Thorn, Lfrith Ur, Aerial Rebuild, Schwarzette, and Calibarn. They are some top-tier High Grade kits.
Most recently I did the P-Bandai upgrade set for Darilbalde/Pharact/Michaelis to give them their Season 2 look.
Gundam Schwarzette is probably my favorite kit from the series
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Robot Carnival
Member
EXPO2025 Osaka,Kansai,Japan "GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION" | Bandai Namco Holdings Inc
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. will exhibit a pavilion at the EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN. “GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION” will connect people around the world through Gundam and create a place of inspiration to think about the “future”. This is the link to the “future”
www.bandainamco.co.jp
so looks like they're gonna put the Yokohama Gundam to use at the EXPO 2025 in Osaka (only as a statue thou so it won't be moving). complete with a store and limited edition kites I'm sure. something to consider if you're planning a trip to Japan next year I guess.
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Sweet. I was fortunate enough to see the life size Gundams in Fukuoka and Tokyo. Good excuse to come back next year.EXPO2025 Osaka,Kansai,Japan "GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION" | Bandai Namco Holdings Inc
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. will exhibit a pavilion at the EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN. “GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION” will connect people around the world through Gundam and create a place of inspiration to think about the “future”. This is the link to the “future”
so looks like they're gonna put the Yokohama Gundam to use at the EXPO 2025 in Osaka (only as a statue thou so it won't be moving). complete with a store and limited edition kites I'm sure. something to consider if you're planning a trip to Japan next year I guess.
Robot Carnival
Member
these things range from a few dollars a box to couple hundred. I would say start with some inexpensive ones and try your hands on those to see how you like it.
Little Mac
Member
I remember watching the Adam Savage video a while back and was very interested. What would be the best starter Gunpla for noobs like me? And where would you find it if living in the US?
Robot Carnival
Member
kinda depends on where you live I guess. I'm pretty sure there would be some stores that sell them if you live in a big city in the US. but if it's more in the country side, then online orders are your best option. the official US Gundam store, Hobby Lobby, Gundam Planet, Amazon. should be able to find plenty of those.
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Amazon has 'em, and some hobby shops and toy stores. You can start without any tools by getting an entry grade kit like the entry grade nu or entry grade strike. Entry Grade kits have parts you can snap off cleanly by hand instead of cutting with nippers. Simple but fun, gives you an idea of what it's like. If you want to go further, get a pair of entry nippers and an exacto knife, then grab a high grade kit of your choice to learn how to cut out the parts and clean them up, e.g. high grade aerial is cheap and well made. After that you can step up to real grade and master grade, or whatever you're interested in, e.g. real grade Sazabi. Hundreds of options. From there you might be interested in getting higher quality results via painting and customizing.
MayauMiao
Member
I remember building a bunch of gunpla when I was probably about 8-9 years old. Unfortunately the kits available that time were Japanese imports, so instructions were in Japanese and I was going in blind assembling it by just looking at the picture of the assembly manual.
By the time I finish, I could not figure out why my complete built robot figures can't stand up properly or do any sort of pose. Every limb was flimsy and I thought I got cheated for buying a faulty robot kit.
Turns out years later I realize I skip the part where I have to insert the rubber O rings between the joints.
By the time I finish, I could not figure out why my complete built robot figures can't stand up properly or do any sort of pose. Every limb was flimsy and I thought I got cheated for buying a faulty robot kit.
Turns out years later I realize I skip the part where I have to insert the rubber O rings between the joints.
thief183
Member
I recently found out that one of my neighbours is a big person in the gunpla scene in Italy, I went to see his laboratory and I've never seen so many unopened boxes of Gundam, rooms full of boxes never opened, he said that those are prizes for contests and he uses some of them to take minor pieces, I'll add a couple of pic but I got mostly videos.... it says I upload failed... nice no-one will believe me without them
Edit: should I resize them to upload directly on gaf?
Edit: should I resize them to upload directly on gaf?
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killatopak
Member
I have quite a few yes but I’ve transitioned to metal builds. Basically pre-made painted gundam with metal frames. I have quite a few others mechas of other franchises such as dunbine, code geass, guren lagann, mazinger and such.
For gunpla’s themselves, I went from MG to PG to downsizing to SD. They’re incredibly satisfying to build. Honestly feels like zen. I think I stopped because I don’t have an area where I can reliably paint my kits so I just went to premade ones. Downside however is you can’t really customize them. I look at custom built or painted ones and they do look amazing.
For gunpla’s themselves, I went from MG to PG to downsizing to SD. They’re incredibly satisfying to build. Honestly feels like zen. I think I stopped because I don’t have an area where I can reliably paint my kits so I just went to premade ones. Downside however is you can’t really customize them. I look at custom built or painted ones and they do look amazing.
anthony2690
Member
I would seriously love to build a gunpla model, maybe one day 
Our built in-upload tool can fail for images over 1MB, in which case just go to imgur.com and get the share links.I recently found out that one of my neighbours is a big person in the gunpla scene in Italy, I went to see his laboratory and I've never seen so many unopened boxes of Gundam, rooms full of boxes never opened, he said that those are prizes for contests and he uses some of them to take minor pieces, I'll add a couple of pic but I got mostly videos.... it says I upload failed... nice no-one will believe me without them
Edit: should I resize them to upload directly on gaf?
The metal frame pre-painted ones do look great in-person, especially the Metal Structure Nu Gundam which is on display in various spots in Tokyo. At around $3k aftermarket though it'd be nice to have a DIY kit alternative.