Anyone into gunpla - Japanophiles unite to share tips on painting our toys (GUNPLA IS FREEDOM)

[Moguro Fukuzou]

Is Season 2 and the movie necessary to the 00 story?
Gundam Wing definitely needs Endless Waltz to finish it off both for the characters and philosophical themes (and it's great even with the silly angel wings) and IBO doesn't have a conclusion without the second season (which I've heard is not great at all).

For me, Season 2 is necessary for the 00 story because it goes more into the innovator stuff and is where a lot of plot stuff from the first season gets wrapped up. I'm also a big fan of the development each of the meisters went through, especially setsuna, with them really becoming a team by the end rather than just coworkers. It's been a bit since I watched through, but I think some of my favorite parts of the series were in Season 2 (reveal of who was piloting the gundam that Setsuna first saw and the fall out being a big one). The final battle is also pretty great and made even better knowing that the JPN VA for Ribbons being Amuro's VA (using a fake name) probably had some influence on how that battle went. I don't know why I'd see so many people say to skip the second season so much in discussions of the series, it might not be as good to some people, but I think people are missing out on a lot of great stuff by ignoring it.

The movie isn't really necessary in comparison besides it being the canon endings for the characters, like the "Where are they now" stuff they did for the anniversary had them talking about what happened to characters after the movie. It's just a fun film that's good to watch if you wanted more from the series.

 

[Celestial Being]

Currently building the Wing Zero Ver Ka and it feels tiny so far. I only have the head, arms and chest done but compared to my MG 00 kits and especially the Nu ver ka it is tiny.

I looked up the heights on the wiki so I know the Wing Zero is a few meters shorter but it almost feels like a 1/144.

Really fun build so far though, I chose it above an Avalanche Exia I saw at my local store yesterday. I am not the biggest Wing fan but my wife always comments on how "pretty" Wing Zero is whenever I scroll past pictures of it. The color separation is great and I think I am going to skip putting on all the water marks.

Didnt want to double post:


Got around to panel lining and posing it, still debating on the water slides. I like emblems but there arent many that come with this kit.

Also anyone have any opinions on this etsy listing? I like the idea of it a lot.

 

[lolwut]

I would punch a toddler in the face if it would get an MG of the Tryon 3 made. I absolutely love how batshit insane it is, even by build divers standards.

If we're committing felonies for kits, the only correct answer is this:

 

[Android raptor]

Welp, got Mr Super Clear and a micron pen at the hobby store today. Babbies first panel lining with the Gundam Universe EZ8 has begun.

Wish me luck

 

[EyelessMC]

LOOK ALIVE BOIS

Looks like we really are getting all the 00 kits in MG (Slated for November)
EDIT: Also apparently it's going for one hundred dollars
Maybe Bandai got a bit too spoiled over selling two HG kits for 70-80 dollars a piece, or maybe I'm underestimating something, but selling this MG for $100 baseline is just insane to me. That's Kotobukiya pricing.

Didnt want to double post:
View attachment 2162102
View attachment 2162103
Got around to panel lining and posing it, still debating on the water slides. I like emblems but there arent many that come with this kit.

Firstly, you have the same issue I did. You put the upper blue shoulder armor backwards. The circular parts aren't supposed to be covered like that with the spiky blue bits. Those are supposed to be the other way around (you've basically got the Left on the right shoulder and the Right on the left shoulder). It's a pain in the ass to get it right but once it's done you'll see the difference. That said, you could also just leave it like that. It won't be accurate but it does give a cool accent to the aesthetic.

Secondly, great job on the panel lining. This kit is great as-is but that little extra makes it pop. Not on the wings, though. I think it detracts from how pure white they're supposed to be. Either way excellent job so far!

Looking back, I think the absolute best kit I've ever built is this Wing Zero Ver. Ka. I was a little harsher on it than I should've been and it might've been some kind of OCD with me about trying to get it into the iconic pose since overall it really is a masterpiece.
...The head gets loose, though. No idea why. It doesn't pop off but the tightness loosens after a while. Legs are still great, though.

If you do the decals and extra make sure to post more pics. If not, post more anyway. I want to see what you think overall.
Also, do you think you'll be top coating or painting this angelic mecha? I think I'm leaving mine with just some panel lining for manga accuracy.

Also anyone have any opinions on this etsy listing? I like the idea of it a lot.

If it came with the feathers then maybe but just the base plate for $25 is no good to me. It looks gorgeous but you also gotta consider shipping and tax, so you're looking at the price of a higher end HG for just that bottom part alone.

Welp, got Mr Super Clear and a micron pen at the hobby store today. Babbies first panel lining with the Gundam Universe EZ8 has begun.

Post pics once you're done.

 

[Syn_32]

So I decided to get another RG (i think I'm obsessed) this time of the Banshee Norn but I made an oopsie on this kit...

If you know where crossbone is cutting, yea i broke the arm off. (Didn't help it was a soft joint that required delicate movement but still it sucks...)

Surprisingly it can hold the blaster in one hand.

So whats the plan? Kit bashing RG unicorn Gundam to banshee norn to make the "Gemini Gundam" once i can afford to buy the Unicorn kit so until then, hope your builds go smoothly.

 

[Antarctic Hellbeast]

LOOK ALIVE BOIS
View attachment 2174831View attachment 2174832View attachment 2174833
Looks like we really are getting all the 00 kits in MG (Slated for November)
EDIT: Also apparently it's going for one hundred dollars
Maybe Bandai got a bit too spoiled over selling two HG kits for 70-80 dollars a piece, or maybe I'm underestimating something, but selling this MG for $100 baseline is just insane to me. That's Kotobukiya pricing.

Its the chunky gundam.
It was $65 for the bullet knights exorcist kit. Can see what you mean by their exorbitant pricing.

 

[Moguro Fukuzou]

Started building the Kampfer Amazing and I'm already dreading it with the amount of stickers and the dark plastic being a nightmare for nub marks. Would definitely recommend painting the kit if you're able. I almost want to not bother with the stickers after my problems with the Reborns.

LOOK ALIVE BOIS
View attachment 2174831View attachment 2174832View attachment 2174833
Looks like we really are getting all the 00 kits in MG (Slated for November)
EDIT: Also apparently it's going for one hundred dollars
Maybe Bandai got a bit too spoiled over selling two HG kits for 70-80 dollars a piece, or maybe I'm underestimating something, but selling this MG for $100 baseline is just insane to me. That's Kotobukiya pricing.

That price is most likely reflecting the sheer amount of plastic pieces it uses being the chunky boy it is. Really curious to see how poseable it is and if it'll be able to do the iconic pose of the gun connected to the chest without it flopping over. Reminds me I have to get around to buying the other two Gundam 00 MG released.

 

[CheezzyMach]

Since someone brought it up ELS Quanta vs Dark History Turn A who wins?

Also it's funny to me how goofy the Turn A is portrayed when Loran pilots it compared to it's Dark History variant which is a terrifying doomsday weapon.

 

[Forever Sunrise]

Its the chunky gundam.
It was $65 for the bullet knights exorcist kit. Can see what you mean by their exorbitant pricing.

In fairness, the Virtue will have a huge parts count for an MG, as it's much larger and is essentially one full MG kit with another MG kit fitted over the top. Plus, so far as I'm aware it's an all-new mold with no parts commonality with the other kits. Meanwhile MD kits almost always share a very high degree of parts commonality, to the point I'm usually more annoyed by their prices than I am Bandai stuff. I can see the argument for it being that expensive.

 

[Antarctic Hellbeast]

In fairness, the Virtue will have a huge parts count for an MG, as it's much larger and is essentially one full MG kit with another MG kit fitted over the top. Plus, so far as I'm aware it's an all-new mold with no parts commonality with the other kits. Meanwhile MD kits almost always share a very high degree of parts commonality, to the point I'm usually more annoyed by their prices than I am Bandai stuff. I can see the argument for it being that expensive.

did not think the gundam was overpriced as those are typically within reason. The MG barbatos was fairly reasonable.
The MD parts are meant to be kitbashed together as a selling point apparently, according to the official site. Hence the multiple common parts.
https://en.megamidevice.com/world/

Gunpla on the other hand is far more creative.

 

[Android raptor]

Current status of Ez8 panel lining with special guest SD Apsaras 3

 

[EyelessMC]

Welp, got Mr Super Clear and a micron pen at the hobby store today. Babbies first panel lining with the Gundam Universe EZ8 has begun.

Post pics once you're done.

Current status of Ez8 panel lining with special guest SD Apsaras 3
View attachment 2185665

Beautiful! It's not easy to mess up panel lining but when the entire kit is one solid color it can end up looking really mediocre if you're not careful. You're doing great. Post pics once you're done!

Edit:
Imagine paying almost a hundred dollars (after tax and shipping) for an HG

 

[Android raptor]

Finished rewatching Zeta

 

[lolwut]

Figured I'd roll the dice and try out that Jojo lootbox mentioned upthread, and it arrived today. Got another basic gunpla stand and a RG Wing Gundam Zero EW.

For $40? I think I might have to do this again sometime.

 

[Syn_32]

Figured I'd roll the dice and try out that Jojo lootbox mentioned upthread, and it arrived today. Got another basic gunpla stand and a RG Wing Gundam Zero EW.

For $40? I think I might have to do this again sometime.

That sounds pretty awesome. I may take the dive once I get some more money.

As for models, I purchased the Unicorn for my kitbash of Banshee and Unicorn, but I'm currently waiting for birthday money to roll in (for those interested, its June 18th) so I can get a few more kits, but until then money needs conserved for bills.

 

[BroccoliBrain]

Not into Gundams but I've got a backlog of 15+ girlpla kits, I thought I'd only get a few and be satisfied but this is truly plastic crack.

 

[Forever Sunrise]

Not into Gundams but I've got a backlog of 15+ girlpla kits, I thought I'd only get a few and be satisfied but this is truly plastic crack.

siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimp

which ones?

 

[EyelessMC]

this is truly plastic crack.

Spoiler: Lewd...

But yeah, it's a really surprisingly engaging hobby. What kits do you have?

While looking around I just found out about this fun little thing Kotobukiya is releasing soon in the West. Called the JGSDF Type 07-Ⅲ Tank Nacchin, or just "Tank Nacchin" for short.

I don't know what but it reminds me of something.

Also disappointment

 

[Celestial Being]

Seed got a new manga and MG kit announced.

I like the look of the Gunpla, probably more than any of the actual main Seed suits.