Year in Review: 2015

This had been a rather mixed bag, 2015. I had a lot of hopes and expectations with this year, starting off, but like 2014, they just kinda fell away from me. Rather abruptly, at that. The same could be said about this blog, I suppose. A lot of attention right at the beginning, and then... Silence...
I guess if I were to consider 2012 and 2014 the First and Second Impacts, respectively, then this year was definitely the Third Impact.

In any case, things could be worse, and I'm alive, so perhaps -JUST perhaps- 2016 may give way to something far more positive and worthwhile...

Acquisitions of 2015
HGBF 1/144 Gouf R35
HGUC 1/144 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] Ver.GFT
HGUC 1/144 Rozen Zulu [Episode 7 Ver.]
HGUC 1/144 Neo Zeong
HGUC 1/144 Rebawoo
HGUC 1/144 Gelgoog Marine [Cima Garahau]
HGUC 1/144 Gundam GP01
HGUC 1/144 Gerbera Tetra
HG THE ORIGIN 1/144 Char's Zaku II
Code Geass 1/35 Lancelot Conquista
HGAW 1/144 Gundam Double-X
S.H.Figuarts Yoshi 
MG 1/100 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn [Final Battle Ver.]

While my main plamo and figure collections saw a considerably large decline, it's mostly because I've taken up a few other collections, including recollecting old video games, the ever-popular Nintendo amiibo line, the last four volumes of Gundam The Origin, and starting my full-devoted oath to pick up the new releases of Gundam on home video here in the states, thanks to Right Stuf and Sunrise, Inc.

I still have a little ways to go to get caught up on those, as this was also the first year in many that I was able to actually spend money for Christmas presents for friends and family. I've also been selling off the old Bandai releases, since many of them have been or soon will be replaced with the updated RS versions. It was still nice to see my Gundam DVD (And BD) collection be at a nice healthy size and gaining for the first time since 2012 (save for the Unicorn BDs, of course). Remember, if you're interested in the new releases, click the link near the top-right of my side bar!

Getting back to Gunpla, here, the kits I had completed this year, are as follows:
(A few of these are covered in my earlier posts)

The HGUC XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam was the first kit of the year, and a nice entry way into the following kits. I loved this release, and was really hoping to see more releases this year. Alas, Bandai had other things in P-mind, but I digress.

The Gundam X Maoh from the Build Fighters line was up next, and while a good reminder of why I enjoyed the build of the regular HGAW, but also presented newer issues I don't recall having with its identical parts. Also, it seems I somehow accidentally skipped this one in my earlier posts...

Yonem Kirks' Zaku I Sniper Type in HGUC form. I enjoyed this about the same as the regular release, but while I love the added details to the design, I did not like the need to mold all the grey parts black. Something I had to deal with on the HGFC Master Gundam a few years back that seemed unnecessary.

Next, the Build Fighters variant of the Crossbone, the Cross Bone Gundam Maoh. Paint-wise, this one was much simpler than its X1 brother, though even easier given the use of the stickers for the reflectors.

Then came the first of my kits given to me by a fellow builder in an online forum I belong to.
The HGBF Gouf R35 was a great revision of the old Gouf kit, but may also be the gateway for the now-bothersome (to me, anyway) REVIVE line... Regardless, this kit was a nice build and good to see the Gouf get such a good treatment without straying too far from the base design.

The Episode 7 version of the Rozen Zulu saw a "fix" to most everyone's problems with the first release, but in my opinion, they went too far in lightening the color scheme. But, the Unicorn-enthusiast in me couldn't just pass up this kit, especially given the deal I got on it, at the time.

My first (and so far, only) in the recent HGUC MSV Zaku releases, Johnny Riden's Zaku II saw some extra effort. Since its design naturally boasts decals, I also opted to stay true to Okawara's art of the suit and make its grey piping and minor details into a metallic grey. I think it turned out well, and very fitting for the Crimson Lightning's symbolic MS.

Cima Garahau's Gelgoog Marine HGUC was a re-obtainment from an era long past, and as such, was treated with attention my old 2002 build never got to see. For an older kit, I was quite pleased with how this one turned out!

And, of course, that Gelgoog's victim,the Gundam GP01, predecessor of the GP01Fb, followed close after, because, reasons. All-in-all, though, I was thrilled with how far I'd come on just paint detailing, which this kit showcased well, I think.

 Next up, Full Frontal's suit from the heretofore unseen Gundam Front Tokyo animation,  "Gundam UC: One of Seventy-Two," The P-Bandai HGUC Rebawoo. This one also marked number 99 in my 1/144 HGs.

So, of course, this leads to the HGUC Neo Zeong, which I did cover in my last post. This marked the end to the Road to One-Hundred, but not the end to my HG collection. Though things did slow down considerably, afterwards.

The first one to pass the 100 mark was the Gerbera Tetra HGUC. One we'd all been hoping for for a while finally came out a couple years ago, but took me a bit to get. Nice simple build-and-paint.

 I eventually got the first of the HG The Origin kits, Char's Zaku II. A rather impressive feat of engineering for an HG, this was one I decided to panel line and detail up (including decals, of course).

And, finally, the Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex, the main showcased suit from One of Seventy-Two. This one took FOREVER because I tried roughly three different golds to cover the gross plastic color. Finally settled on Tamiya's Gold Leaf to do the job, which did well, I think. Not perfect, but it was better than the other two's prior looks.

I still got a few kits left, including some very last-minute gifted acquirements, including The HGUC Super Gundam and the RX-78-2 Gundam REVIVE Ver. But, currently, I've gotten a more important obtainment I missed out when it was initially released.

The P-Bandai MG 1/100 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn [Final Battle Ver.], which I tried to get when it was announced but failed to save a dime for, was given to me for my birthday by my wife, and I couldn't be happier. I've started some of the larger paintwork now, but am waiting to get better decals via SamuelDecal.

That's pretty much all I got, now. I won't promise future updates or reviews, but I definitely don't want to say "this is it." We'll see what the future holds, but I do hope that, not only for myself, but for all of you who've had moments of injustice and poor luck, that the coming year brings you all better times and great luck. Thank you all, and I hope we meet again, soon.

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!

Year in Review: 2014

2014, you have been a strange fellow. Back and forth, great and awful, memorable yet forgettable. Of course, I have some memories from this year that have been beyond wonderful and wouldn't trade them for anything, it just feels like the bad that came from this year felt unnecessary and even intentional... I dunno.

In any case, as we enter the year of Third Impact, 2015, I have a lot of things I plan to fix that I failed to do in 2014. Also, maybe do less kits... The above pic was less fun to set up than I anticipated.

Year in Review: 2013

After the beast that was 2012, A.D.2013 turned out to be a much fairer mistress. Sure, there were quite a few downs, but few were near as harsh as the last few years prior. New job, good friends, and a new life with my wife, Sarah. Those things alone help make a mediocre year great. So thank you, 2013. You're the first year in a long time that I'll actually miss.

2012 Christmas GET!!!

I guess I sort of jumped the gun with the end-of-year posting, since I tend to get at least a couple kits for Christmas.

And are they a doozie! So, a couple new MG's, and both are one's I've been fiending for since they've launched. The MG RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee -as well as the HGUC RGM-86R GM III- were gifts from my mother, who I can't believe managed to acquire the former without resorting to online measures. The Mobile Suit Gundam Complete Collection 1 was from my fiancee (Much needed since they're now out of production). And finally, the MG RX-0 Full Armor Unicorn Gundam was more of a present to myself, using Christmas money. ^__^;;  The Action Base 1 Clear was ordered specifically for the FAUG.

Thing's gonna be a beast.

I've got the Complete Collection 2 on order, finishing the original Gundam again, and I still have one more kit that will be on the way as soon as it's released...

Year in Review: 2012

 You were a bit of a stunner, weren't you, 2012? You brought so much dread and misery with you and some very rough patches for my hobby and my life. I'll be glad to see you go, but some good—and some necessary evil—came from you. And for that, I can't completely say "good riddance." But if you show yourself around here again, I may ask you to step off the premises.

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.

MG Sangrock: Status Update

"It wouldn't surprise me if one day he started saying that his 

lack of effort is the reason there's no air in outer space." 

                                            -Duo Maxwell (EW Episode 1: Silent Orbit)

Not much, here. Figured if I can't get a new review up, then I can at least update you guys with my in-progress of the MG 1/100 Gundam Sandrock Ver.EW I'm doing for the Gundam Wing Revival Project Group Build.

All the inner detail I've done for the cockpit, including the fully painted Quatre Raberba Winner. I'm doing a lot of the frame detail by ear, but the cockpit and pilot's seat were all referenced using screenshots from both the TV series and Endless Waltz (for higher detail's sake). I wish I'd taken more pics of it, but C'est la vie...

And the completed frame.  Once again, I devised the color layout for the frame by ear, not referencing anyone's floating around on the interwebs. I'm quite proud of the results thus far, as I almost never put this kind of detail into an MG's frame; seeing as it never gets seen once buried beneath the outer shell.

Also, not normal for me, I painted the standing Quatre figure, for--
Honestly, just for the hell of it.

Don't expect to see anymore updates for this, though, as I'll save those for a full review some time after the contest!

Until next time, old friend.

Gundam Wing Revival Project

Any of my readers like me, who were brought in the Gundam fold with New Mobile Report Gundam W? Or just a fan of the largest cross-media alternate universe-based Gundam series? Now's your chance to show your appreciation toward the almost-20 year old series (Japan), as well as your Gunpla prowess! A facebook group called the Gundam Wing Revival Project is running 2 build competitions (depending on your preferred build style) and a photo competition for those who feel their builds aren't up to snuff but can pose 'em till the SUNRISEs! (I see what you did there)

You can find all the rules and prizes in the above link, and be sure to read 'em carefully for your corresponding level. And just an FYI that yours truly will be in the second competition with my unbuilt MG XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock Ver.EW.

Hope to see some fellow Gunotas there, as well!

HGUC 1/144 MSN-02 Zeong Review

Char’s final mobile suit used during the One Year War, the Zeong held the title as being the first MS that Char piloted that wasn’t a unit customized for his use (On-screen, anyway). I never got this one previously, so this was a brand new addition against my old line-up.

HGUC 1/144 MS-06S Char's Zaku II Review

 In 2001, when the US releases of the HGUC line were out (to run alongside the broadcast of Mobile Suit Gundam), there was the issue of lack of 0079-based kits in the line, with the RX-78-2 Gundam just being released in Japan and was converted for domestic sale (with the Hyper Bazooka and Core fighter removed for unknown reasons, aside from making it cheaper, I guess). Especially with the lack of any of Char’s mobile suits being introduced into the line. Bandai did a quick-fix for this problem for us with a recolored HG 08th MS Team MS-06F/J Zaku II, complete with it’s own original boxart and manual.