The State of the Gunpla Union – 073009

This week’s notes, along with a photo dump of various pictures over the last few months.

 First off, the Exia snap-build is done.  This is a kit that would benefit from panel lining, so that’s something to do between Sinanju sessions over the next few weeks. 

 Quick impressions :

• Smaller than I thought, but that’s to be expected of anything other than Sinanju.
• Hologram strip parts are neat, but really don’t stand out from a distance. 
• The led GN drive is cool. 
• Don’t really like the feet, while having toe, sole, heel for articulation, they kind of suck. 
• The bling bling swords really come off nice. 
• The only problem though is again, Bandai puts the sprue cutting points on the blade, so you get a nice chunk of the finish cut off no matter what you do.  
•  Also the regular swords (hell if I can remember if it’s GN 1, 2, or whatever) tend to fall off the hands pretty easy.  
• Lastly, it’s not easy, or even recommended to switch between regular Exia and Repair version, so for those who want both, you’ll have to pick up one standard kit and one ignition kit.  For those who then want both kits to light up, you’ll need two ignition kits.

 Now, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and pose with it just yet though, just finished, so these are just initial impressions.  Still, at the cost for the gimmicks, and weapons alone is well worth it.   Overall, was worth waiting past all the HGUC kits and 1/100 kits for this.   Makes you wonder what’s nexts in the Gundam 00 MG line up, hopefully they do the other Gundam’s before jumping to 00, although I would be interested in an O Gundam.

 Next up, the HGUC Kshatriya has been announced for an October release, but I finally stopped to check out the price.  At around a whopping 4200 yen, this is ringing in as a high baller.  Unfortunately, while the price of the MG line is gradually going up, a majority of the kits have managed to stay in the 3000 to 5000 yen range.  HG kits, as we see here, tend to run the gambit though, which some being available for as low as 300 yen, to 4000 yen plus.  I for one would like to see a little more stability in their lower end model line.  I’d buy the Kshatriya at that price if it was an MG kit, but HG is going to make me pause.

Moving on, the buyer for the remaining HGUC Green Tokyo Project Gundam 30^th kit has fallen through from lack of response.  If interested, it’s asking price is $40 US dollars (or 4,000 yen) shipped anywhere in the world.  Please post or mail if interested.

Now for the Sinanju summer project, for the time being, I’m stuck waiting for good weather.  Unfortunately the color I picked is fairly sensitive to humidity, going so far as to have a warning to not spray on humid days.  So the project is going to go fairly slow for a while. 

Lastly, I’d like to do a little photo dump of random pictures taken over the last couple of weeks.  I had thought about making it a separate little trend, but figured I’d tack them on the my State of the Gundam Union posts whenever the pictures have piled up.

Here’s the Gunpla parts shop that Danny Choo mentioned before.  It’s the Yellow Submarine shop in the Radio Kaikan, 4th floor.  Quite a load of parts, so could be good if you wanted to stock up on a variety of weapons, etc.  The prices varied from 200~300 yen to 3000 yen(!).   Planning on hitting it up again this weekend so will try and take more pictures.

 

Yellow Submarine also carries pro shop releases.  They had quite a few of the Mechanical Clear Gundam 2.0 available.  I’m debating picking up one the next time I go.  The only problem is that Pro Shop releases can’t be discounted, even by places like Bic Camera, so it’s the full 4,410 yen…

While checking out the 4th floor of the Radio Kaikan, I saw quite an awesome life sized helmet and figure for Gabranth from FFXI.  Unfortunately, the helmet is over $1,00 dollars, and the figure, while bad-ass, is also around $450 dollars.

Akihabara Station’s Electric City Exit is under construction.  Wonder how they “new” Station will look

Debating on making a jump to my first DSLR.  While apparently the Olympus Pen is not technically a “true” DSLR, it’s got style, and takes damn good pictures by the samples I’ve seen.  Now just to use my upcoming 30th birthday as an excuse to get around the price…

Last, saw my first rainbow in a very long time, while out in Kohoku New Town for dinner. 

Ecopla: SD RX-78-2 Gundam

I whipped through the ecopla version of the SD RX-78-2 Gundam and here’s the pictures.  For those not familiar with ecopla, this is Bandai’s way of participating in the new Eco trend occuring everywhere.  The plastic used is all recycled from leftover plastic.  It makes sense, as I’m sure you all are familiar with the fact that there is tons of plastic left over after finishing a build.  Do to the recycled use, the plastic comes out as black, creating yet another “version” of Bandai’s popular kits.  Yet another way to whore the same thing out to the public, while making more money, and making it easier for guys to convince their significant others that it’s ok to spend more money on more kits.  “But honey, it’s eco!”  Hey, I can’t talk, I bought two myself.  

Anyways, from my understanding, ecopla is currently only being sold at Bandai’s hobby center in Shizuoka prefecture and the occasional show.   So these could be considered somewhat limited release.  For those in the greater Tokyo Region, being able pick these up during the Green Tokyo Gundam Project period is a great opportunity.

The box is black and white

And the runners all black.  Comes with special seals

The head, the eyes really stand out now with the black

All the parts ready to be put together

Close up

You can build the core fighter as well

Or the core booster.

Overall, the black actually looks fairly cool, and unlike black parts of other kits, there isn’t much white residue or damage from snipping off the parts.  The few seals then actually accent the black as well.  While no pictures of it posing, it’s a SD kit, so don’t expect that much.  Still the black gundam is very compact and cool.  Recommended if you can pick one up.

The State of the Gunpla Union – 071209

Thanks to the Green Tokyo Gundam Project, my new found interest in HGUC, and the upcoming Gundam Expo I’ve got quite a bit of content to update with over the next few weeks. 

On the burner:

1. Green Tokyo Gundam Project HGUC kits
2.  My 3rd HGUC kit
3.  The ecopla kits
4. The Gundam Expo
5. My next MG kit
6. My summer MG project

You get the idea. 

While everyone’s still excited about the 1/1 Gundam, I’ve already started looking ahead to the Gundam Expo to take place on 8/21 – 8/23.  I’ll actually be taking the 21st off, so am planning on heading out to the event.  I’ve suprised no one has caught this yet, but the Gundam Expo site has been updated with the event only goods.  Without further ado: 

	HG 1/144 RX-78-2 GUNDAM Ver.G30th   (New Event Gunpla!) Full color metallic version 　　　　　& EX 1/144 Gundam Trailer Extra finish version	5,000 yen
	HG 1/144 Double 0 Raiser & Cherudim Gundam  (New Event Gunpla!) Clear Version	3,000 yen
	HG 1/144 Arios Gundam & GN Archer  (New Event Gunpla!) Clear Version	2,700 yen
	HG 1/144 セSeravee Gundam & Seraphim Gundam  (New Event Gunpla!) Clear Version	2,600 yen
	MG 1/100 MS-06S Shar’s Zaku II Ver.2.0  (New Event Gunpla!) Extra Finish Version	6,500 yen
	HGUC 1/144 Gundam Clear Version	1,000 yen
	HGUC 1/144 Shar’s Zaku II Extra Finish Version	2,000 yen
	HG 1/144 Gundam Exia Metallic Version	2,200 yen
	MG 1/100 Gundam Ver2.0 Clear Version	4,200 yen
	MG 1/100 Strike Freedom Gundam Clear Version	4,800 yen
	MG 1/100 Destiny Gundam Clear Version	4,800 yen
	1/60 Gundam Exia Clear Version	4,500 yen
From EXTENDED MOBILE SUIT IN ACTION comes a event only item
	EXTENDED MOBILE SUIT IN ACTION!!RX-78-2 GUNDAM MEMORIAL Ver.	2.500 yen

 

Hmm, for the most part, clear versions of 00 Gundams, and bringing in the clear veresions of models released at other events.  The EF of Shar’s Zaku II is a maybe, but at $65 is a bit on the expensive side.  On the other hand, first day events include the Ring of Gundam 30 minute movie, plus panels with the original Gundam cast, plus more, so looks like I’ll be getting a ticket. 

Anyways, a short note for today, look forward to more updates about the goods from the Green Tokyo Gundam Project this week.

Gundam in Daiba

Ran out to see the 1/1 scale Gundam in Daiba today.  Pictures just don’t do it justice.  While there are tons of pictures out there, and I’m sure there will be plenty more, here’s mine to add to the bunch. 

Also! I picked up a few extra Gundam Ver. 30th Green Tokyo Gundam Project kits as well, as this is the only place you can get them.  I’ve got 3 extra, and will post details on them.  Like the Sinanju, first come, first serve.

 At Shimbashi station – Take the Yurikamome to Daiba station.

Advertising in the station.

The park is about a 5 minute walk from the station.

And catching a peek as we go.

Various shots around the Gundam.

The crowd started picking up towards the afternoon.

And here’s todays damage!

 Picked up the limited HGUC Gundam, the pamphlet along with a couple of the Eco-pla kits.  Throw in a towel and some cookies for good measure.