(Part 2) Top products from r/Gundam

Welcome to the hobby, friend! Here's a few useful tidbits of info for you.

None of the Gundam kits from the last 20 or so years need glue. That's a standard feature across pretty much every Gundam model kit. So in that regard, feel free to pick any design you like. Not all kits are created equally, but a quick search across this subreddit will help you figure out if the kit you're looking at happens to be hot garbage (and there are a few that are).

To more directly answer your question, the starter set uses an older model of the classic RX-78-02 Gundam. The Revive version is a much, much better model. You can find it here on Amazon.

A panel lining pen (or pens) are not required, but certainly make for a better final product. They're pretty cheap on their own, and generally you'll want at least grey and black, and possibly also brown. Alternatively, you can get a pack of all 3. You'll also want so basic q-tips/cotton swabs to clean up your panel looking.

You're also going to need some nippers. Nippers come in a range of types, qualities, and styles. The best nippers are single sided (that is, one side is a blade and the other is flat). These, the infamous Godhands are hands down the best nippers on the market. They're expensive as shit, but worth every penny. If you're on a medium budget, Tamiya's nippers are the next best option. There are cheaper nippers out there, but they're gonna come with significantly inferior results. That said, a lot of that can be addressed with...

A good hobby knife. You'll be just fine with a simple, cheap X-Acto knife, but there is (in my opinion) a better option. My personal favorite, the Tamiya Design Knife. It's got a slightly smaller blade, which will let you get into tighter spaces with it. It also comes with a metric crapton of replacement blades. You'll want to replace the blade every couple kits, but there's a bunch of them in there. There same container that holds the replacement blades even has a second chamber to dispose of your old blades into.

Finally, you may want some fine pointed (possibly angled) tweezers for decal application. Finger oils can screw up the adhesive on the stickers. You can pass on this starting off most likely, but you'll want to get some eventually.

TL;DR, the starter pack isn't the best option. If you're after the granddaddy Gundam, get the Revive. Otherwise, pick your favorite design. The newer the kit, the better, generally speaking. Look at the copyright date on the box cover to see. Bottom left corner.

You're going to need nippers, which can get pricey, but the cost is worth it. Start with a mediocre pair, and upgrade to the Godhands once you're committed to the hobby. You'll need a knife, too. You can cheap out on this one, but there are better options IMO.

Optionally, get tweezers, panel lining pens, and cotton swabs.

Edit: other good starter kits

HG Barbatos is a great kit. The build process for IBO models is a bit different than other gunpla, though, as they have a quasi-inner frame.

HG 00 Gundam is another great starter. It's also the first kit I ever panel lined, and it was a great starter for that.

If you're wanting a Zaku, the HG The Origin Zaku II Type C is probably the best Zaku kit released to date in 1/144 scale.

Finally, I'd feel bad for not suggesting my all time favorite HG build. It was just a fun, fun kit to make and to pose. The HG 1.5 Gundam. It's got some really cool gimmicks and, unique colors, and an awesome design.

It should be fine asking here, most of us in /r/Gunpla are subbed here too anyway.

Anyway, if your Bf has never built a gundam model before he should probably start with a cheaper High Grade (or HG) model first, they are very simple and won't look that amazing but it works as an introduction.

If your Bf has built a gundam model before then you should probably get him a Master Grade (or MG) model, they tend to be leaps and bounds better than the HG models but they do require some discipline and a modest amount of experience to put together.

I should note that gundam model kits don't have english instructions, but the illustrations used in the instructions are excellent and don't really need additional text for you to follow them. It's not anything major but it might cause confusion if you don't know about it before hand.

Amazon is probably your best bet for where to buy from, you're just more certain of the support you'll get if there is a problem and the savings you might get from ebay would be marginal at best. You could potentially buy from Hobby Link Japan which will feature better base prices and has a good reputation, but they ship from Japan so the shipping cost might not be worth it sometimes.

And finally I went looking for Heavy Arms kit on Amazon already and found a HG version and a MG version which is currently on sale. You could get them both for just about $50 before shipping. This is great if your Bf has never put together a kit before, he could get used to how things are done with the HG kit, then used what he's learned on the more difficult MG kit.

Without knowing your boyfriend's taste in gunpla, this newly released MG 1/100 Freedom Gundam 2.0 kit is pretty popular. It has also been praised by gunpla reviewers for its quality and poseability.

Chill, anti-social, likes moderate mind-fucking (but not deep into mind-fucking), and is loving, especially whenever they make a bond with someone.

MG Freedom 2.0 or the MG Wing Fenice Rinascita

I'd say start with either the movie compilations or full series of Mobile Suit Gundam from 1979. After that, here is the list of timelines for animated works from the various Gundam series from the both the Universal Century (the Universe the original series is based in) and the Alternate Universes (G Gundam, Wing, IBO, etc).

I recommend you watch the series from the Universal Century timeline in release order, but if you want to watch in chronological, that's up to you.

Have fun!

The HG Rx-78-2 Revive is a great solid kit. Fairly cheap and iconic too. In general Hg kits are sold individually, but sometimes you can find two-in-ones, like this but the kits are fairly old and you’d be better off buying the newer versions.

For tools you can go down to a hobby shop and grab some spruce cutters and a hobby knife. Maybe some sandpaper if you want to go more in depth, but I wouldn’t worry too much about your first kit. Shouldn’t run you more than $15.

What's your budget then? They usually range from $30 to $60.

MG Unicorn

MG Sengoku Astray

If he hasn't built anything before, getting him a pair of cutters to go along with the model will help tremendously

Tamiya cutter

The [original version] (http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/404868681X) was not very interesting, to be honest. About the same amount of Information as the MS Encyclopedia series, which is a short paragraph at most.

Though it does say 'enhanced and expanded edition' I would imagine it's mostly just an update along the lines of the MS Encyclopedias, just adding things since the 2010 edition. The presence of the UC- Nahel Argama seems to suggest this.

Building alone isn't hard, however, the cleaner you want it to look, the more work you need to put in - this is where all the tools come in.



You can always start out with a simpler kit, like a High Grade (HG), with just a pair of side cutter to cut pieces out. No need to get into sanding and all that jazz yet.


Get comfortable with the very basic before you move on to more advance techniques.

Don't try to run before you learn how to walk.

vol. one looks like this

https://www.amazon.com/Gundam-SEED-Vol-Mobile-Suit/dp/0345470451

Amazon still has copies. My copy I purchased through Amazon came with the season pass. https://www.amazon.com/Gundam-Generation-Genesis-English-Subs-PlayStation/dp/B01MQOV9YT/

The High Frontier by Gerard O'Neill is the book you're looking for. Its responsible for the O'Neill Cylinder and most of the ideas about space colonies used by Tomino in making Mobile Suit Gundam.

Edit: You can also buy on PSN with Singapore monies.

Play-Asia pretty good, they look shaddy as hell. But its generally not the case. (http://www.play-asia.com/sd-gundam-g-generation-genesis-english-subs/13/70a0nb?tagid=2007069)

Amazon but its more expensive. (https://www.amazon.com/Gundam-Generation-Genesis-English-Subs-PlayStation/dp/B01MQOV9YT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481778442&sr=8-1&keywords=sd+gundam+g+generation+genesis)

Ebay: Milage may very. (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGundam-Generation-Genesis-English-Subs-PlayStation%2Fdp%2FB01MQOV9YT%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1481778442%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dsd%2Bgundam%2Bg%2Bgeneration%2Bgenesis&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H1.Xsd+gundam+g+generation+Genesis.TRS0&_nkw=sd+gundam+g+generation+Genesis&_sacat=0)

> I don't know where to watch OG Gundam.

Here are links to Amazon:

• http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Gundam-First-Blu-ray-Collection/dp/B013TOVA98
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Gundam-First-Blu-Ray-Collection/dp/B015X2QN0K
  
  and Right Stuf:
  
  
• http://www.rightstufanime.com/Mobile-Suit-Gundam-Part-1-Bluray
  
  
• http://www.rightstufanime.com/Mobile-Suit-Gundam-Collection-02-Blu-ray

nice, there are no ingredients or directions for the first seed book though.
https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Suit-Gundam-Seed-Vol/dp/1595328815

Nope just lining markers. This is the set I used, I used the black the most since its mostly a red suit.

​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HY93GHY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also Pre-orders for Vol 4 & 5 are up too.

Vol 4: http://www.amzn.com/1935654985
Vol 5: http://www.amzn.com/1939130190

Book one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/193565487X/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Book 2. A bit expensive for used
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1935654888/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1935654977/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Vol 1: http://amzn.com/193565487X

Vol 2: http://amzn.com/1935654888

Vol 3: http://amzn.com/1935654977

Here

They vary in price and some can be quite difficult to get. Here's some Wing books on Amazon.

Or for online reference:
http://www.gundamgallery.com/

I've built two different Real Grade models and they are very difficult for experienced builders let alone amateurs. I would NOT get a "REAL GRADE" kit. Go for a HGUC (High Grade Universal Century) kit. Like this one:

http://www.amazon.ca/Gunpla-Starter-Gundam-Model-japan/dp/B003KX5OWS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418329233&sr=8-1&keywords=hguc+gundam

Actually has two mobile suits (robots) in one kit, a bad guy and a good guy.

War In The Pocket (0080) is on pre-order on Amazon for $25
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VHY66HD/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1


I'm finally getting back into Gundam - nice collection man! Those damn Blu-Rays cost soooooo much