Japanese Gundam Models

[Le Chuck]

Good friend of mine is stationed in Japan, he sent us some Gundam models for Chirstmas.  I assembled them that very afternoon and actually had a blast doing it.  I've never read the manga, watched the shows, or anything but really enjoyed these little guys.  They're only about 5 inches tall so the pieces are tiny but I couldn't believe how articulated they are.  I've seen big ones in hobby stores for stupid prices but this was my first encounter with the "fun size." I named them Gerald and Lord Bosworth. They're gay and have pugs.  They own a grape and barely shop that only carries imports and local small batch runs. 


Gerald is so serious


While Lord Bosworth is such a cut-up!  He's not really a lord, it's totally an affected title but everyone loved it and it stuck.


These two know how to make an entrance!


Watch out, kitty got claws!


Bedroom eyes.


Dance like no one is watching!

[shponglefan]

I named them Gerald and Lord Bosworth. They're gay and have pugs.  They own a grape and barely shop that only carries imports and local small batch runs.

I can totally picture a Gundam sitcom based on this premise.

[pbj]

How difficult were they to assemble?

[Le Chuck]

How difficult were they to assemble?

Not bad. The instructions are dual language and every step is very well illustrated. None of the issues with vague instructions and poor fits we ran into with models as kids. Used a xacto to clean up edges and do the decals. They were too advanced for my 9yr old but they were a snap for me. I think about 1/2 hour to 45 min build time on each. And that's with kids hovering.

[danny_galaga]

Are they from Bandai? They look like fun (",)

[Howard_Casto]

I know that gundam and macross are probably the oldest transforming robot franchises out there.  They aren't as popular as the transformers in the west because every single figure is a Jet that turns into a robot... not much variety in design. 

[Le Chuck]

Are they from Bandai? They look like fun (",)

They are and they are.  These are the 1/144 and go for about $7 a piece in Japan.  Add about $10 to that for Amazon.   

[pbj]

Do they snap together or do you have to glue them?

[Le Chuck]

Snap, they are fully articulated.  You could glue some of the bits together later, armor to body frame, but a lot of the armor is articulated also to give full range of motion. 

I'm not a fan of the series - not that I don't like it, just never been exposed - but some of the 1/100 Master Grade models are really cool looking.  Just look at that glorious basterd.  Not bad for under $40.

[Howard_Casto]

It's been running since the 70's in one anime form or another.  Imho most of it is crap, but the more recent ones seem to want to add an actual story so the franchise has improved significantly.  I think the new one is called unicorn?  I haven't seen that one but the one before it is pretty decent. 

[BadMouth]

Cool robot designs are standalone cool.  No knowledge of series or background needed.

I put together a Tamiya tracked vehicle chassis kit a month ago.  At first I was annoyed that you have to assemble absolutely everything including the on/off switch and gearbox.  After a while I was like "damn, I'm enjoying this....".   It was nice to have something that required concentration but not a lot of thinking or decision making.  Just follow the instructions carefully.

[danny_galaga]

Here's one I put together earlier 

[Le Chuck]

Scale? 1/20?

[shponglefan]

I do believe that's a 1:1 replica