The Psycho Chariot of the False Comet

I suppose it'd be rude of me to abandon this place without at least giving you guys a good once-over of the one massive achievement I managed to accomplish, this year. This'll likely be a long one, at least photo-wise, but it's something I had intended months ago when I built the damned thing...
Just a heads up, this won't be a review, necessarily, but just more of a photo-journal of the build, including some notes (for what I can remember) of the process.

The Road to One-Hundred

As mentioned in my last posting, I'm fast approaching a hallmark of 100 1/144 HG kits since restarting my collection back in 2010, 6 years after I had stopped getting the smaller scale and subsequently got rid of my previous collection... And while I've more than doubled my numbers since those days, I've still not regained everything I've lost. But it's weening down what I have left to re-buy, so it won't be long now until I've finally hit pure excess. But that will be for another time. I have another goal in store for my milestone - or kilometerstone. (heh)

As of now, I have 90 kits built and completed,With number 90 being completed just a couple days ago.

As my 90th kit, I just finished the HGUC XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X1! I love this little guy! Lot of nice details to paint, and a ton of accessories! I wished the emblem was a waterslide, though...

My plan for getting to the 100 mark is to clear through the remaining main U.C. protagonist Gundams and/or MS, plus what I have already left to build. The ideal line up is as follows (not necessarily in this order)

Road to One-Hundred
091: GX-9999 Gundam X Maoh
092: XM-X9999 Cross Bone Gundam Maoh
093: MS-05L1 Zaku I Sniper Type [Yonem Kirks]
094: RX-79(G) Gundam Ground Type
095: RX-78GP01 Gundam GP01
096: RGZ-91 Re-GZ
097: LM312V04 Victory Gundam
098: RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam
099: ARX-014 Silver Bullet

and for my 100th 1/144 HG kit...

Are any of you really surprised? lol

Yes, the massive mobile armor from Gundam UC, the NZ-999 Neo Zeong shall be my celebration prize! Since I still need to get 6 of the other kits, it will be some time before I get around to this monster. If I had to guess, mid-to-late spring. We'll see when we get there!

But, yes, this is all for now! I'll keep on updating as I complete or get more kits for this goal!

Also, for those wanting to know, I bought my Neo Zeong from Gundam Planet. They were very helpful and informative, and I love supporting local (at least country-local) businesses!

Retrospective of Gundam UC - Part 3 (FINAL)

<< Part 1: The Boy who Grasped the Reins of Possibility                              << Part 2: The Power to Transcend the Now

 

 Most everything has its themes that the story revolves around. It’s essential to any interesting plot. Gundam UC is no exception to this. However, unlike many traditional stories, Unicorn has as many as 4 themes: The blessings and curses of blood, the power of possibility, “To my only desire,” and the words “Even so."

Retrospective of Gundam UC - Part 2

<< Part 1: The Boy who Grasped the Reins of Possibility                              Part 3 (FINAL): À mon seul désir >>

Throughout the Universal Century era, we’ve heard about how Newtypes, as proposed by Zeon Zum Deikun, are meant to be the next step in human evolution. Brought about through our transition to living in outer space, our senses would adapt to the void and perception and even precognition would open to us, allowing mankind to understand each other without misconceptions. However, all that had been seen of Newtypes since their first mention is the ability to see ahead in battle, allowing one to read moves and step accordingly. As Cardeas Vist put it, it made “Newtype” synonymous with “Ace Pilot.” Gundam UC not only lampshades this grim truth, but does a magnificent job at showing what Newtypes were supposed to have been, what Newtypes have been, and what Newtypes can be.

Retrospective of Gundam UC - Part 1

“Mankind possesses a god.                      

             The inner god called Possibility.”

                                           - Cardeas Vist

Already a stark contrast line from the thematic “Mankind’s souls are bound by gravity” used throughout the Universal Century prior to this. Mobile Suit Gundam UC (Unicorn) is the latest Gundam animated series entered into the Universal Century calender, placed in the untold era between the end of Char’s Counterattack and Gundam F91.

Just warning you now that this WILL be spoiler heavy, so please continue at your own risk.

For the last 35 years, the term “Universal Century” was synonymous with endless war and bloodshed, something that just seems expected after the One-Year War and all conflicts that had sparked from the embers of that war. However, Unicorn paints this picture as the result and not the cause, as previously thought for years, thanks to an untold incident that happened almost 100 years before - A terrorist attack on the Earth Federation’s Prime Minister’s satellite residence, Laplace, at the dawn of the Universal Century...

Laplace’s Box. A secret object said to be able to topple the Earth Federation or even destroy the world if used by the wrong men for the worst intentions. It’s an interesting plot device for a Gundam series, and very different from anything used before. What this item truly means to either side of the conflict, or the world itself, is revealed by the end of the series. And while, if you’ve seen Gundam F91 or V Gundam, you might be thinking why this is important at all. I will get into that toward the end of this.

This retrospective will follow 3 parts, the characters, the myths, and the themes.

Part 2: The Power to Transcend the Now >>                              Part 3 (FINAL): À mon seul désir >>

Admitting Mistakes and Finding Solutions

Okay, so I think I found the biggest problem with my review method and why I can't seem to churn more out, and it's all in the fact that I try to make it simple yet detailed, and as we know those two things mix like a cyber Newtype in a mobile armor. So, I will be introducing mini-reviews for many of my kits, that will literally just go over the basics, my pros and cons, and minor pictures. When and if I get the chance, some will be updated in the future to full reviews. But at the moment, I just want to give you guys some content! Expect those in the coming weeks, as I've already got a few prepped!

 Also, that retrospective on Gundam UC is in the works, and might end up being a multi-parter. I've written over a full page on just the main character alone, so I expect the rest to be a doozie! @___@;;
I might have the first part up next week, if all goes as planned.

One more thing before I go, as I finished the HGAC 1/144 Wing Gundam Zero I had teased 2 posts ago! Haven't gone nuts yet, but there's still time. (lol)

Until next time!

A WIP update!?!?!

Yes, it's been a while since I actually posted anything Gunpla related. And I apologize. What I'm even more sorry for, though, is how long this thing's been on the back burner...
 

Yes, I believe it was back in January when I last posted anything regarding this poor kit. What's even sadder is that it wasn't just the updates, but the actual progress itself actually halted right around then, as well...

So, what has become of our Psycho-framed decal-hell-laden kit...?

Recovery

If anyone remembers the riddle I left for my next obtainments, I've finally picked up the other.

For those who don't remember:

As the heavy horse's complexion pales
the poisonous rose's thorns will extend.

Now, the first one had already been fulfilled, in the form of the MG Full Armor Unicorn Gundam Ver.Ka, which I revealed when I got it at the end of December. However, I only just today acquired the second of these two...

YES, INDEED...

I'd been waiting for 9 long months, but Bandai did not disappoint! And for those who recall, I listed this in my End-of-year Wishlist...

HGUC 1/144 RX-160S Byarlant Custom

Release Date: November 2012 / Price: ¥2,730

While this pushes the ever-growing bocklog of Unicorn-based HGUC's I need to get to 16, I really don't care! This will either be a day-one purchase or is going on my wishlist to everybody (and I'll graciously accept duplicates! XD) 
 
I know there's also a lot of talk going around about the just-announced MG 1/100 nu Gundam Ver.Ka. But, frankly speaking, It's too far a departure from everything I love about nu Gundam.

It's too riddled with random panel lines and layered parts, and completely lacks the streamlined look that Izubuchi gave the original. I dunno. Color me Gravely Skeptical.
It feels like Katoki's trying too hard to tie its design to Unicorn...

Well, just a random news post from Slowpoke me.

Things I've Done Since Last Posted...

In between working on my MG Sandrock and actual working, mostly, I've repainted a couple pieces of mine.
One that's been reviewed, and one that is planned to be eventually.

My 1/48 scale RX-0 Unicorn Gundam and MSN-06S Sinanju Head Display Bases.

I decided, giving their size and crisp sculpt, they looked too plain just painting what needed painting. So I did a full paint job on these two.

And Then, There Were 5...

After a long wait - Over half a year, to be more accurate - and the absolutely HUGE scare that the rest may not see the light of day in the U.S., the next episode of Mobile Suit Gundam UC is finally released and available locally, solely through RightStuf (seemingly)...

And my delayed pre-order just came in today! I should have done it when I first read found out about it...

And now, with Episode 6: The Sky and the Stars being released next Spring, and a 7th episode in the works, I can officially say what I said back in December...

Two more to go!

À Mon Seul Désir

Wanted to do a follow-up on my previous posting, as I had just yesterday finished the last kit form my horde. I'll be doing mini-reviews for these, and I'll probably save larger reviews for more rare or special releases.

On a side note, I figured now owning 4 Gundam UC models warranted the viewing of the OVA (Thus far).
I must say, I'm very impressed. I haven't been this optimistic about a Gundam release since 2002, and it's very interesting to see this being released in the US simultaneously with Japan. Now, I just wish Bandai Visual USA would get off they're cautious asses and get to licensing the missing segments of the UC era: Namely Gundam ZZ and V Gundam...