-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
The Gundam |OT2| Another 5 years of Gunpla, Origins, and GUNDAMUUUU!
- Thread starter donkey show
- Start date
There are a few in the US. Hobbywave, Gundam Planet and Gundamstoreandmore are a few I can think of. They all tend to be a bit expensive for my taste, with Hobywave only being good if order enough to take full advantage of their flat rate shipping. Inside the US, I find Amazon is the best bet if they have what you want.
If you're willing to use import sites, there are a ton of them. AmiAmi, HLJ and HobbySearch are the main ones. They can be a bit cheaper than buying in the US, especially if you buy a lot and take advantage of sales. They also have the best in stock selection and get things in usually a month or more before the shops in the States.
The Sum of Zero
Member
A warning about ordering markers from import sites though. I ordered Gundam Markers from HLJ then the shipment got held up at customs until I had to provide a signature for it. All over those markers.
In the US, that will happen if you order via FedEx. They say that on HLJ's shop FAQ. I've never been hit with customs forms using any of the postal based shipping methods (EMS/SAL)
The Sum of Zero
Member
That's the only time it occurred for me. Fun days.
I'm lucky I read their shipping FAQ just before I shipped my last order with markers. FedEx was a hair bit cheaper, but the lack of hassle was worth the buck or two for EMS.
The Sum of Zero
Member
Changing subjects, but going through my music I'm reminded of a piece of music from SEED that I could never find. Maybe someone here knows the track name or what cd it's on.
It's the music that plays in two early episodes in SEED (I think 10 and 11). When Kira launches from the Archangel with Lacus, then again in the next episode during his first Seed mode battle.
I have all 4 OSTs and the 5 Suit CDs but I swear that track isn't on any of them, unless I'm deaf. This has been bothering me for years now, and Google search brings up nothing.
It's the music that plays in two early episodes in SEED (I think 10 and 11). When Kira launches from the Archangel with Lacus, then again in the next episode during his first Seed mode battle.
I have all 4 OSTs and the 5 Suit CDs but I swear that track isn't on any of them, unless I'm deaf. This has been bothering me for years now, and Google search brings up nothing.
I love this show.Actual lyrics of Turn A Gundam's opening said:
okay, that one's pretty cute too.
Based on the fact that they're working on a new series...nope. Even Tomino thought it was bad, lol.
But hey, we got some pretty cool designs out of it so it's not that bad. Shame some won't even get HG kits, and MGs are a farfetched dream.
I know that when gunpla builders are trying out panel lining for the first time, they tend to overdo it. Maybe it is an inevitable part of the process, but here is my recommendation: avoid the black gundam markers. Especially with RG models.
Why?
Utterly black gundam markers are pitch black. You might think that this blackness adds to the depth of the model, but it really does not. Instead, I recommend plastic markers with extremely fine tips (like 0.2 mm) that are grey. I have a couple from Copic or .too like that.
On MG models with a lot of bright areas, the original black gundam markers look somewhat nice. But on smaller, brighter RG models, that black looks real bad. It makes the model look like a badly cel shaded cartoon character. And unless that is your intent, I'd say avoid it.
JadedWriter
Member
Soon you'll be introduced to Gym and all of his epic hair bullshit.
What did Tomino say? He should be proud of the animation, but I can see why the story wasn't great for a lot of people. I personally had no problems with it outside of the fact that it didn't climax into much of anything.
Such luxurious blue curly hair!
Also, I love how the nuclear weapons subplot turned out to be foreshadowing for something much bigger.
Loran's been piloting a doomsday device this entire time. No wonder Corin Nander was freaking the fuck out over the Turn A.
Just got the first set of Turn A Gundam. I love that underneath the title it says "Called Turn 'A' Gundam." That is the official subtitle for the series now. Too bad I want to finish rewatching Wing and get through X before I start this.
Speaking of Wing, I forgot how cool Zechs is. I think he is one of the few Char-like characters that actually gets close to being as cool as Char.
Speaking of Wing, I forgot how cool Zechs is. I think he is one of the few Char-like characters that actually gets close to being as cool as Char.
JadedWriter
Member
Zechs is cliff notes Char, but he's awesome. Don't bother with X, finish Wing and watch Turn A, it has a god tier OP.
Is X not very good? My plan was to watch the rest of the series I hadn't seen in order of release, but all this Turn A hype might get me to skip it for now.
X is among my favorites honestly and I think it's worth a watch. It's a bit rushed near the end since they had their episode order cut a bit, but it's still quite solid overall.
JadedWriter
Member
I've honestly read nothing but complaints regarding X on this thread so I'm honestly the last one to ask about it since I've never seen it, it's probably the only series I haven't seen now regarding the older ones. Turn A is a rather unique show. It's not the best on action, but it's great from a character standpoint.
X suffered from being cut down in episodes which led to rushing the plot along. I guess ratings were low or something. I think it was Gundam fatigue. There was a Gundam TV series every year for like 4 years. The show isn't bad though and it has a great ED.
Yep
Paltheos
Member
X might be my favorite Gundam (the original 0079 is close - It's a really fun action show). X has really good character work - I'm not sure any other Gundam TV series comes close tbh. Outside of the Frosts, I can't think of any characters I don't like, and fewer than a handful of the recurring cast don't get some interesting development.
Surprisingly, the weakest point of the show might be the mech design. There are a ton of duds. Virsago and Ashtaron, like their pilots, are awful (allot of people like Virsago for some reason but I think it's ostentatious). Airmaster never sprung at me as anything more than its name. Leopard is... ok, I guess? I don't remember allot of the grunt suits but they're okay, I guess. Bertigo's grown on me and I have declared it the best Qubeley. Look at it - It's like a boss pigeon. The Gundam X designs are far and away the coolest. The original Gundam X is up there in my favorite Gundam designs: So many elements of its design work well together, purely aesthetically and in-universe.
I like the fights. Those are pretty good, and as most are wont to mention - without main character newtype hax. Also a shoutout to the soundtrack, which I've listened to its entirety before. Very good. I was surprised and a little disappointed to find that the composer, Yasuo Higuchi, has done almost nothing else in anime.
Incidentally, I think Turn A is a snore. I drudged through 30 episodes of it before I could take no more. So much to nothing. I wish Tomino'd just gotten to the point, given us some climax. I don't know what people see in the show.
I love X, personally. I think it has some of the coolest and most interesting side characters and the mech design is amazing. It definitely suffers from being cut down, though and the main plot becomes rushed and confusing. It especially hurts the villains as nothing involving them makes any sense.
I still think it's a really underrated show and worth a watch.
JadedWriter
Member
You guys are making me want to see X now. Oy.
I can see this. It's a very slow-paced show based mostly around character interaction. There are quite a few episodes where not much happens for plot or action. So you have to be invested in the characters to care about what's happening.
I personally love it.
JadedWriter
Member
Yeah it took me a bit to get used to this but Loran, Dianna and Kihel are great characters. Harry Ord and his bombastic ass shades and faulty fashion sense aren't too bad either.
Yeah, I'm convinced to continue with my original plan and watch X next.
I can't tell if Wing is feeling like it is taking forever to watch because my time is more spread out recently or due to the pacing of the show. I'm 20 episodes in and a lot of things have happened and it seems like a lot happens per episode, but at the same time the plot feels like it is dragging. Just reached the point where Heero and Trowa are piloting the red and blue mobile suits. I vaguely remember there being a pretty big slump in the middle. Maybe I'm hitting that.
JadedWriter
Member
I think it's only a small slump. Shit starts picking up again after a certain some one returns. Slump I think is when they return to earth honestly.
The Sum of Zero
Member
You're not alone, I enjoyed it as well.
X sits firmly in the middle of all the Gundam series for me. It's not bad, it's not great.
It doesn't excel at anything compared to other Gundam shows, the majority of the antagonists (along with Tiffa) aren't very interesting, and cutting it short meant we ended up with a really rushed conclusion.
But it has some of the better female characters (Ennil is awesome) in the series, Garrod is a less cool Judau but has some awesome moments of his own, and the designs carry some of that G to Wing crossover and are weird but work. Rewatching it now and I just noticed the snow mobile suits have leg warmers.
Also,
.
I was happy to see the X get the love it got in GBF and Maoh's version basically perfects it.
It doesn't excel at anything compared to other Gundam shows, the majority of the antagonists (along with Tiffa) aren't very interesting, and cutting it short meant we ended up with a really rushed conclusion.
But it has some of the better female characters (Ennil is awesome) in the series, Garrod is a less cool Judau but has some awesome moments of his own, and the designs carry some of that G to Wing crossover and are weird but work. Rewatching it now and I just noticed the snow mobile suits have leg warmers.
Also,
dolphins
I was happy to see the X get the love it got in GBF and Maoh's version basically perfects it.
shadyspace
Banned
Do people actually like this Origin OVA? The retcons are killing it for me.
The retcons don't bother me one bit.
Interested in this. Turn A surprised me with its variety of interesting and important female characters. Kihel and Diana could have easily been damsel-in-distress plot devices, yet instead were consistent active forces with lots of screentime given to their roles. Women ranged from feminine (Lily) to masculine (Cancer) and showed their own strengths and weaknesses across that spectrum. Both in combat and outside of it, women felt nearly as important as men in shaping the plot of Turn A. A marked improvement from Build Fighters, Build Fighters Try, and G Gundam.
Maybe I'll give X a try now that I've finally reached the last couple episodes of Turn A.
The Origin manga retcons quite a bit in terms of some of the background stuff. I've never had any huge attachment to the original show, so it doesn't bother me much.
The flashback arc is kind of a mixed bag overall. I love the Zeon stuff and don't really care about the Casval/Artesia parts.
As for the retcons, I find Origin's retcons to be for the better overall in my taste. Things like making the Guntank and Guncannon older prototype suits make so much more sense than them being part of the same project as the RX-78. I think it makes the UC mechanical history much more varied and interesting.
shadyspace
Banned
I can see the argument re: prototype suits but the character assassination of Deikun is what really gets to me. The man never got to establish and lead the Republic of Zeon for the decade before his death, the Republic being something which, in my mind, is essential to having sympathy towards Zeon. They were a people who were promised a bright, democratic, self-determined future that soon turned into an autocratic nightmare. Deikun is portrayed as wanting war with the Earth Federation. It's a total 180 from the philosopher who wanted humanity to move forward into space to its next stage.
I feel like the manga pretty much told that story, but also showed a darker side to Deikun. In 0079 we see him revered as a hero, but that's what happens after someone dies unexpectedly. Their darker sides get shoved under the rug. It's more of a humanization than a character assassination.
I think some of that is lost in the OVA, but I still feel like the overall story of the flashback arc is a democratic dream perverted by the Zabi's (mainly Ghiren).
I'm interested in Gunpla. The Amazon prices actually look pretty affordable for the size and quality of the kits, and there isn't much painting beyond panel lining (I was terrible at painting miniatures). Assuming I get supplies (Line markers, clippers, file and exacto knife), could I start with a master grade, or would it be better if I started out with a high grade?
The master grade Turn-A looks really sexy and is cheap so it caught my eye, but for all I know it might be too advanced for me. I would probably enjoy any high grade model too, even for robots from shows I've never seen.
The master grade Turn-A looks really sexy and is cheap so it caught my eye, but for all I know it might be too advanced for me. I would probably enjoy any high grade model too, even for robots from shows I've never seen.
I'm relatively new to it as well. The first one I built was an MG Gundam X and that went just fine and I've built an HG now. I didn't do any panel lining or anything but am looking into it now. You should be fine either way I think. The HGs are typically a lot cheaper so picking one of them might be a good start.
I've been looking at that one a lot as well and the price isn't too bad at all. There is a HG Turn A that I think is only about $14 on Amazon.
Are there any recommended Gundam games? I know it's slim pickings in the US but are any available worth it? I'm not opposed to importing but am a little worried my lack of understanding could be difficult. I've been so tempted to pick up those Super Robot War games on the vita...
I'm interested in Extreme Vs Full Boost, but I'm considering waiting for Maximum (or whatever it is called) to release on consoles. Hopefully it will get a US release, but I doubt it.
I've only really played the old PS2 Gundam games. Federation Vs Zeon was alright. Arcadey action game. I watched my brother play Zeonic Front, which looked really clunky and difficult though I liked the idea of it. It was a squad tactical shooter.
Recently, I found a copy of Gundam Side Story 0079 for the Dreamcast. It is a first person action game where you are playing as a squad of GMs. Has some squad tactics elements. Pretty neat though the controls are pretty clunky.
I'm interested if any of the Dynasty Warriors Gundam games are any good. I played the demo for the first one and hated it, but maybe they got better.
Edit: Also, the Gundam Battle Assault games are pretty fun fighting games. I've mainly played 2 for the PS1, but I also played the Seed Battle Assault for the GBA which was very solid.
Speaking of Gunpla. Anyone build the RG or MG RX-78-2? I'm trying to decide between the two. It will be my first Gunpla in probably 10 years. I've watched some videos and it sounds like the decals for the MG aren't very good. Are there any good size comparisons out there? I keep searching for the height of Master Grades to see how tall they are, but I can't find any good information.
It might be better to start with an HG kit if you've never built kits before to warm up. Pick up something that doesn't exist in MG form so you don't feel like you picked up a less premium version of a kit. The more modern a kit the better. Like I told Jake check this site out.
http://www.dalong.net/review/hg/hg_cata_e.htm
http://www.dalong.net/review/bf.htm
EvilKatarn
Member
EXVS is totally worth importing. There's barely any language barrier and the community has all the necessary documentation translated. Indepth explanations of gameplay mechanics over at UnlimitedBrettWorks and a pretty deep overview of the suits at dustloop wikis.
One of the best games ever made. Now, if only I would play it too instead of just talking big about it.
Yeah, I'd love a US release, but I'll definitely import Maxi if it releases on consoles. If it doesn't release I'll just import Full Burst or something.
I actually have Battle Assault 2 and the Seed Battle Assault games somewhere. Had a lot of fun with them back in the day.
I've been wanting to try out the Dynasty games but am not sure which one to go for. The newest one is Reborn I think.
I think there's also that Gundam Breaker game which is gunpla themed but I don't know too much about that one.
EXVS is totally worth importing. There's barely any language barrier and the community has all the necessary documentation translated. Indepth explanations of gameplay mechanics over at UnlimitedBrettWorks and a pretty deep overview of the suits at dustloop wikis.
One of the best games ever made. Now, if only I would play it too instead of just talking big about it.
Wow really? What sort of game is it exactly? Does it have single player because the Vs makes me think it's more multiplayer focused?
On a side note, I'm going to start Try today I think. Not sure what to expect though I've heard it's not as strong as GBF was and that was a huge surprise with how fun it was.
I was really disappointed in Try. I thought the 3v3 team battle aspect had potential, but the main characters never use it in creative ways, but still manage to win due to punch hard. The characters and plot are far more generic and the Gunpla are less interesting. I almost quit a couple of times, but the series did just barely enough interesting things to keep me engaged long enough to finish it. That being said there is one Gunpla in particular that makes the series worth it.
Similar threads
- Locked