(Part 2) Best 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.

I'd recommend getting the MG RX-78-2 Origin Ver. if he doesn't have it already. It's simply a great, great kit and is definitely worth all the money. I can ramble on about how great it is, but instead i'll just quote u/MechaGaikotsu like I usually do.

>The Origin's proportions look astounding, and I can't believe i'm saying this about an RX-78-2. Detailing is subtle enough not to detract from the classic RX look, but at the same time it's a feast for the eyes. It only has what it needs, and no more. Sure it's a step back from the 3.0, but it's a deliberate one. The Real Grade level of detail is gone, but in it's stead is an unprecedented degree of poseability. The articulation is incredible, and that's not a joke. I have never seen a mecha model kit able to pull off crazy, dynamic poses, and at the same time, look natural from every angle. It's a sheer pleasure to look at, the design and engineering here is unparalleled in any model kit I have ever seen. This is a different caliber of Gunpla entirely. This kit features true optional parts, like on the Gatling gun, forearms, and the shoulder cannon, and lets not forget the shooting effect parts. A first for Gunpla, and I hope it's not the last. It has a couple of really silly loose parts, like on the chest vents and the barrel of the beam rifle. But besides that, this is solid as a rock. Sure it's not going to stand out so much on your shelf, that's the curse of wearing the skin of the iconic granddaddy Gundam. But pose this thing just right, and no amount of wings, mass and fancy clear effect parts will outstage how perfectly engineered this is. It demonstrates on every level, why Gunpla is the king of the mecha model kit. This isn't just the best Master Grade of 2015, this is Master Grade redefined, this is Master Grade perfected, this is the best Master Grade.

Another kit I would recommend that he get if he didn't have it would be the Hyaku Shiki 2.0. It's overall a really well engineered kit, and the fact that it comes in a mesmerising matte gold finish helps it ever so more. However, that gold finish does have two negatives, one being the horrible nubs that it leaves after a cut, the other being the price for that gold.

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.

Wow what an amazing answer, thank you so much! After looking through them I really ended up liking the Master Grade 1/100, which I think I also found on Amazon which is even better for me (yay prime!) I'm going to keep looking through all of those though until I actually order one because, who knows, my mind may change. Reading the amazon reviews of it though it seems really great, and I'm super excited.

Again, thank you so much for the amazing answer! Very, very helpful.

Bandai has made tons of different merch over the years. Their "gunpla" model kits are a fan favorite, but they require you to cut / snap out the parts and then assemble them. It's sort of like the Ikea approach but applied to action figures.

In terms of recent stuff, they recently started a new line of already-assembled, traditional style action figures called Gundam Universe. They run around $25 USD each and are roughly 6" tall, so pretty similar to the 1:144 model kits they make. Might be worth a look if you fancy some new merch but don't wanna build it yourself.

If you are thinking "Maybe I'll give this model kit stuff a try", I'd recommend starting with a High Grade kit like this $12 Leo. HG kits are the cheapest grade, but are still relatively decent in terms of results. IMO the Leo is one of the best values for your money since he's so freakin cheap, but the resulting model is actually super posable and fun :)

Your best bet is to delete this and post it again on r/Gunpla. They have an incredibly friendly community and they'd love to help you choose a good model to start with, as well as give you some recommendations on beginner tools.


For a more immediate answerm there are three MG versions of the Wing The TV version, the EW Version, the EW Zero Version, and the Proto Zero. The Wing Zero EW is an older kit, but does have the angel-style wings if you're looking for those, and my personal preference is the Wing EW.


Also, while there's certainly nothing wrong with starting with an MG, I highly recommend with either the HG Wing, or the HG Wing Zero. They're both really modern HG's that look great out of the box, and are cheaper too.

At the end of the day, you should definitely check out r/Gunpla for any further questions, or even just to check out some builds you're interested in.

Well never build it myself, but I would think its a good one on that fact that it is much simpler than the MG but that is actually a high price for that kit. You could get the much better Master Grade version for less. Also Its not "on sale". This kit is in NO WAY worth $70. The high price for this specific one you mentioned is around $25.

Here is the Master Grade or MG version of Exia.
https://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Hobby-Gundam-Master-Action/dp/B002BRUGI6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474381836&sr=8-1&keywords=MG+Exia

The master grade while it is more complex, There is also a lot more detail in the kit as well. It just requires a bit more paitence. You can tell its an MG if it has the gold seal that is on the tip right of this box. http://imgur.com/a/9vYRp.

Master grade Model kits have an inner frame to mobile Suit that the armor attaches to.

Or you I would suggest the 1/100 scale Avalanche Exia. This is like the Exia you picked out but it has a lot more detail, but its also good for beginners.

http://www.gundamplanet.com/1-100-gn-001-hs-a01-gundam-avalanche-exia.html

It is a simple but an amazing kit to put together. Also it has a lot of extras.

If you'd like I think I have an extra MG Exia that I can send you, just pay shipping :D.

A lot of people on here are going to tell you to try Gundam Extreme Vs for PS3. And they are right. It is awesome.

But, here's another suggestion that I haven't seen on here yet. If you have a Vita, I'd recommend trying out Gundam Seed Battle Destiny. The graphics are almost as good as Extreme Vs, and it has WAY more mobile suits. Something around 130. And it has a very, VERY good story mode, going from the very beginning of Seed all the way through the end of Destiny, and also including the Astray side stories, Stargazer, and even the Mobile Suit Variations. It's crazy fun and has several branching paths, meaning that you can play through it at least three times without repeating the same missions (and we're talking 32 missions per playthrough), as you can play as the Federation, ZAFT, or the Three Ships Alliance, and even switch sides part way through.

Every mobile suit is upgradeable. Every WEAPON ON EVERY MOBILE SUIT is individually upgradeable. Every PILOT is upgradeable (theres like 40 + create your own). It has space-based and land-based missions and some multi-part missions that are both, you have a fully upgradeable wingman in every mission for whom you can assign mobile suits and weapons and give commands to during the missions... The game has so much content its absolutely insane, and even more so for being portable.

The gameplay is very solid, actual strategy is necessary (knowing which mobile suits are best suited to anti-ship combat and prioritizing as such is crucial when trying to defend your mothership from attack... for example Aegis and Buster need to be defeated before Duel and Blitz...). I can't say enough good things about this game, and I haven't seen it mentioned on here yet, so... someone else please get it so we can talk about how fucking awesome it is!

Haha, thank you. My best advice for you is to take full advantage of a smudge tool. They blend very well, and I couldn't get nearly as smooth a look without them. Also, I went with a size .3 GraphGear pencil. Allows for darker, thinner lines. Hope that helps!

You can find one in 'The usual places' if you go that route, otherwise if you'd like to buy it Here it is on Amazon!

I'll warn you, the original english audio is...terrible. Char is pronounces 'Sha' and just...doesn't have as much going for it as the English Series dub, as it was done by a different company. Still, if you want to see the original MSG in a shorter form, with some bumped up animation at times this is the way to do it.

Ninja Edit: The Amazon version I linked apparently has the updated Japanese Sound-Set. While this sounds amazing, it may seem a bit 'off' from what you expected if you had, say, seen the TV show or even a copy of the original theatrical release. As I said though, it's pretty fantastic. Not sure if it's got the English Dub either...seem's subbed for sure however.