D-Arts Zero!!!

D-Arts Rockman X Zero [1st Ver.]
Bandai / Release: Late August / Price: 3675 yen

I couldn't resist! This is so awesome it makes my face hurt!
First off, it's X1 Zero! I don't think anything has been made for this version. Plus, knowing Bandai, there will be variants, so heads up for the X2 and up Zeros down the line!

HG 1/144 "Fighting Action" Gundam H-Arms Custom

Ah, Heavyarms... I'm quite certain the first thing I thought of when I saw this thing was, "What happens when it self-detonates?" Aside from such an apocalyptic side-thought, the overall design and color scheme makes this so much more menacing than the original white/red/orange combo of the original TV version. That and double double beam gatlings!?

HG 1/144 "Fighting Action" Gundam D-Hell Custom

It's been 11 years since I first seen this kit, back when Gundam W was airing in the U.S. and Endless Waltz, it's OVA/movie sequel, wasn't far behind it. I had pretty high expectations for these kits, being the first time I'd seen the "HG" moniker attached to a 1/144 scale line. (I would later find out about the first 1990 High Grades as well as the HGUC line.)
When I went to Toys R' Us one day back in 2000, I first saw this kit. Asking my mom to by this was difficult (I was 13 at the time) because of the $14 price tag. But she caved and got it for me. I can remember now, the thin layer of red paint along the face and chest vents, the ridiculously unremoved sprue flash, and the foil sticker eyes... sigh. Well I was young.
Anyway, 11 years later, I meet this kit again at a chance encounter on the east side of Columbus. Almost like fate, as I'd never been to this store, only hearing about it the day before, going there with the intention on picking up some 1/144 Endless Waltz kits. Destiny, right?
Ironically, the prices for these were $12 and $11, respectively. Eat your heart out, Bandai America...

D-Hell & H-Arms Customs COMPLETED

Currently in the process of taking photos of these now ancient kits. Because of their age, I'm still in limbo about reviewing them, as it would seem unfair in comparison of many more recent kits... (exposed polycaps are always a downer)

In either case, photo posts will soon be up (probably tomorrow) for both of these, and I'll still give my base opinion on my likes and dislikes so... Review enough?

Stickers? No Thanks.

I know it's not for everyone, but I feel as a modeler for 12 years, the foil stickers these kits come with are a bit of an insult. It may be time consuming and sometimes expensive, but painting parts to correct colors to spite their stickers always bring a much more satisfying result!

Take for example the HGUC kits of MSN-06S Sinanju and NZ-666 Kshatriya. These delicate tiny foil stickers would end up being more of a nuisance. They could fold up on themselves, be wrongly positioned, rip, come loose around bends, wrinkle around curves... I could go on. And, unfortunately, these problems also exist with the more necessary clear stickers, too...



But, with some patience and a lot of effort, you CAN get a beautiful result, even on these small kits!

Gunpla List UPDATE

I have finally finished cataloging all of my models in my Gunpla List, and have added some photos (some rather poor quality) for reference!
I'll try to get some more photos out when the camera will work.

Also, I've added two new kits to my collection! Although, I prefer "Nostalgia GET!"

HGFA 1/144 XXXG-01D2 Gundam D-Hell Custom
HGFA 1/144 XXXG-01H2 Gundam H-Arms Custom

This starts my obtainment of all of the Endless Waltz 1/144 HG's. I had most of these when they first came out stateside in 2000, but as with most of my old kits, they were either destroyed or lost.
Both are marked NEW, as well as all future kits will be prior to completion.

Until next time!

Face-Off

My final photo (currently) showcasing my HGUC's. So far, I've kept my collection pretty neutral!
Not pictured: Dendrobium (for space reasons) and Gundam GP01Fb 'LPE' because of it's unofficiality, and Unicorn U-Mode. ^_^'

As you can tell from the horrendous quality of the photo, this is the biggest reason my new reviews have been on hold. Hopefully, a new camera will be able to be acquired soon...

Last Shooting Project

Logo artwork and design by Dustin "OZKai" Wilkinson.

While these are older models I've done, these also qualify as my first attempts at dioramas. The Last Shooting Project reflected what, at the time, was the peak of my modeling skills. I did three of these displays, all using Master Grade kits. I plan to eventually take more updated pictures, as these were taken back in 2006...

My mascot: Why?

I'm sure for the few of you who are wondering where the picture in my logo bar comes from, this may answer some questions...

"GerberaXTiger" by Dustin"OZKai" Wilkinson

Gunpla List Added!

I added a page to keep track of all model kits I currently own. I'm currently updating these to have some photos for each one, but will probably be a while before that gets completed.
The link can be found here, or right above this post!

HGUC 1/144 Gundam GP01Fb "Linkin Park Edition"

This is, probably, by far, one of my holy grails of Gunpla. A very limited release in Japan, it ties one of my favorite albums from one of my favorite bands to my favorite hobby.
The Linkin Park: A Thousand Suns ‘Gunpla 30th Edition’ blindsided me the moment I heard about it.

1/48 scale MSN-06S Sinanju Head Display Base

This was kinda one of the things I opened this blog for. To share my hobbies with, like, 2 people out there. Well, anyway, this is a bit less of a review as more an ease into reviewing.
Moving forward! I ordered this a bit on a whim, but I knew I couldn't miss this...

Dengeki (Monthly) Gundam A (Ace) No. 101, January 2011.

Now, you're probably thinking "It's not a first issue and you can't read Japanese (perfectly)?" Which you're right about, Person Who Quoted Me Exactly. No. I had other reasons for this purchase...


... Curious, now?
(Also note the thickness of the mag itself! This is a monthly publication!?)



Included with the magazine is a Bandai 1/48 scale MSN-06S Sinanju Head Display Base, to be used by the HGUC 1/144 MSN-06S Sinanju model kit!



As you can see it's a kit in itself! Although, I have no qualms about that. Though this has larger parts needing painted than I'm used to, it was still a quick build.



The assembly instructions were printed inside the magazine, and (not at fault to my lack of Japanese-e-ing) was not listed in the contents. So it took me a minute to find, because these pages are thin! But construction is fairly simple, and allowed me to do something to make this a little special...



I painted the parts after removing all of them from their runners, instead of one at a time. Which, by the way, I see so many Gunpla reviewers do and don't understand how they don't lose track of the parts O_O'

Anyway, heeeeeerrrrre's the final product:





I know you can't tell from the one photo at the end, but the monoeye can turn with the head, in lieu to how the Master Grade 2.0 Zaku kits have been. However, it sticks way easier (i.e., the MG Zaku's eyes don't), and in result, kept looking to the right more than centered >__<. So... I glued it, 'cause I'd rather it be centered than perpetually to the right.

And, as you can see, I do not yet own the HGUC Sinanju, so a very confused Sazabi will have to make due for now...



In closing, this is an awesome stand, and I definitely can't wait to get the Unicorn Gundam one with it's HGUC kit!

Rating: 4 out of 5