[Kit Insight] Bandai HGUC 1/144 RMS-141 Xekueins [Type 3B Equipment] (Painted Build)

Model Number: RMS-141 Xekueins [Type 3B Equipment]

Designation: Titans Mass Production General Purpose Mobile Suit

A beefy grunt that can dish out and take enormous punishment!

[METAL BUILD] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 GNT-0000 00 Qan[T]

Setsuna's endgame mobile suit, immortalised in Metal Build form!

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGUC 1/144 RX-78AN-01 Gundam AN-01 Tristan (Light Build)

An older release given new parts, a new backstory and a new anime series.

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGUC 1/144 Type 89 Base Jabber (Armed Model) (Painted Build)

A mobile suit can be tricked out with all the bells and whistles but it still needs a way to get from point A to point B.

[Kit Insight] BSC Haro Mechanical Mascot (Painted Build)

The Red-eyed Haro!

[CUSTOM] Bandai HGTO 1/144 Ballistic Zaku R2 (Light Build)

Another version of Meijin Kawaguchi's Ballistic Zaku!

[CUSTOM] Premium Bandai HGIBO 1/144 ASW-G-64 Gundam Flauros Anti Mobile Armour Combat Type (Calamity War Rollout Ver.)

In the chaos of the Calamity War, a White Devil blasts a path to peace.

[Kit Insight] Bandai Tamashii Nations NX Edge Style MS Unit MBF-P03secondL Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L

The best and worst parts of this figure is its huge sword.

[Kit Insight] Bandai Tamashii Nations NX Edge Style MS Unit Nightingale (Completed Figure)

A big, mean fighting machine in pseudo-SD form!

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGIBO 1/144 Graze Ein Iron Blooded Coating Ver. (Light Build)

The fearsome Graze Ein in ferocious Iron Blooded Coating!

[Kit Insight] Bandai SD Aegis Gundam [Deactive Mode] (Painted Build)

Always preferred a duller colour scheme over a bright and loud one!

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGTB 1/144 MS-06R Zaku II High Mobility Type (Reuse "P" Device) "Psycho Zaku" (Light Build)

Even by Thunderbolt Sector standards, the Psycho Zaku is over the top!

[Kit Insight] Bandai MG 1/100 MS-09 Dom (Straight Build)

A classic mobile suit and model kit!

[Kit Insight] Bandai BB Senshi SD Knight Unicorn Gundam (Painted Build)

As with most Unicorn Gundam model kits, this one can also transform!

[CUSTOM] Bandai RE100 1/100 MS-08C Efreet Type C (Jaburo Attack Ver.)

Model Number: MS-08C Efreet Type C

Designation: Principality of Zeon Limited Mass Production Anti-MS Combat Use Mobile Suit

If the Efreet made it to full mass production, the outcome of the ground war might have been different.

[Kit Insight] Bandai HG 1/144 GNZ-001G/C/T All-Gundam (Customised Build)

Model Number: GNZ-001G/C/T All-Gundam

Designation: A-LAWS All Purpose High Performance Transformable Mobile Suit

A fitting mobile suit manifestation of the power and brutality of the A-LAWS.

[GBWC] Gunpla Builders World Cup 2017 - Singapore

There are lots of amazing and creative entries at this year's GBWC 2017, with a great number of large-sized works pushing the boundaries of the size limitations! Comprising a total of 107 entries across all categories this year, there is a great mix of model kit grades, scales and concepts! Head down to Compass One mall from 17 Oct to 29 Oct 2017 to view all the fantastic entries!

Kudos to everyone who participated! Even if you don't win anything, relish the fact that you are brave and sporting enough to join a global competition!

[Kit Insight] Premium Bandai HGBF 1/144 RX-139BAN Hambrabi Suban (Painted Build)

A very unique mobile suit design revived by the HGBF line!

[CUSTOM] Bandai HGAW 1/144 FT-9600-D GT-Bit Heavy Assault Loadout (D.O.M.E Enhanced Version)

Mobile Bits are essentially unmanned cannon fodder grunt units and therefore should be decked out with all the bells and whistles!

[CUSTOM] Bandai HGUC 1/144 RGM-79G/FP GM Command (Federal Police Model)

As the workhorse of the Federation, the GM frame can be adapted for a variety of different uses and functions. For the colonies far from the immediate reach of the Federation's military might, the GM Command (Federal Police Model) is the first line of defense against rebels, insurgents and the occasional Neo Zeon incursion. 

[CUSTOM] Bandai HGTO 1/144 RGM-79[N-2] GM Local Type (Coastal Defence Use)

A variant of the RGM-79 'GM' mobile suit localised and optimised for its immediate theatre of operations, the GM Local Type (Coastal Defense Use) is deployed to coastal zones and regions to safeguard Federation interests.

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGUC 1/144 RGM-79 'GM' (Straight Build)

Nothing says "mass production" more than the classic workhorse of the Federation!

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGBF 1/144 RGMGM-79C GM/GM Cannon (Customised Build)

Hands down, the best and most worthwhile HG 1/144 model kit by a mile, and it's not because of my inclination towards GM-type mobile suits!

[Accessory Analysis] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Tactical Arms II L & Tiger Pierce Option Set

More goodness for the fantastic Metal Build Gundam Astray Red Frame!

[Kit Insight] Premium Bandai HG 1/144 RAG-79-G1a Gundam Marine Type "Gundiver" [Production Model] (Customised Build)

A Gundiver model fine-tuned and refined for limited mass production to use against the Zeonic amphibious scourge! 

State of the Hobby - September 2017

Time is a funny thing.

When I was younger, I used to gaze forlornly at the model kits placed behind a sheet of glass in the display cabinets of departmental stores, wondering if I will ever be able to afford a collection like that. When my parents bought me a model kit, I would tear into it with gusto, building it quickly and then posing it and making battle sounds with my mouth and pure imagination. When I was younger, I didn’t have the disposable income to indulge in the hobby, but what I had was a ton of free time.

[Kit Insight] Premium Bandai HGUC 1/144 RGM-89D/A1 Special Operations Jegan Type D [Tier 1 Operator Use] (Customised Build)

Based largely on the modified Jegan Type D used by ECOAS Commander Conroy Haagensen during the Sleeves Incident, the Tier 1 Operator Jegan was designed with one purpose in mind: to wreak as much havoc as possible deep behind enemy lines for as long as possible before returning to base for rearming. 

[Kit Insight] Bandai HG Gundam The Origin 1/144 MS-06C5 Zaku II Type C5 Commander Type (Anti-Ship Combat Use) (Painted Build)

The Zaku II is a classic mobile suit, having spawned hundreds of different variants and thousands of customised versions. The latest iteration of the HG 1/144 scale Zaku II can be considered one of the best, if not the best, version of a Zaku II model kit in the 1/144 scale.

[Kit Insight] Kotobukiya Hexa Gear 1/24 Governor Armor Type: Pawn AI (Light Build)

This new line of model kits may be tiny but it is big on gimmicks!

[Kit Insight] Bandai RG 1/144 RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (Light Build)

The Unicorn hype train can't be stopped, but thankfully the latest model kit rendition of an over-saturated mobile suit design doesn't crash and burn!

[Kit Insight] Bandai Gashapon Exceed Model Zaku Head [Char Aznable] (Straight Build)

When these cuties were announced and teased, Zaku fanboys everywhere rejoiced! Finally, an affordable and ridiculously detailed Zaku head is available!

[Kit Insight] Tomytec Zoids Modelers Spirits Series 1/144 RMZ-11 Godos (Straight Build)

A tiny mechanical dinosaur big on detail and articulation!

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGUC 1/144 MS-08TX/S Efreet Schneid (Customised Build)

A force of nature, both in the OVA and the model kit!

[Kit Insight] Bandai RE100 1/100 RMS-107A Bawoo Geändert (Customised Build)

No subtle, camouflaged references to Zeonic designs here, the Titans Bawoo Geändert does not bother hiding its Zeon heritage!

[Kit Insight] Bandai RE100 1/100 AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma (Straight Build)

Go big or go extinct seems to be the design philosophy for the AMX-103 Hamma-Hamma!

[Kit Insight] Bandai Star Wars Rogue One 1/12 Death Trooper (Light Build)

Easily the most badass iteration of the Stormtrooper put to screen, the Death Trooper shocked and awed when it appeared during the opening sequence of Rogue One, as well as during the climatic Battle of Scarif. 

[Accessory Analysis] Dragon Momoko Super Evangelion Arming Tree & Progressive Weapons

Dragon Momoko (DM) dropped this bombshell shortly after the shipping of their fabulous MG 1/100 Testament Gundam, surprising a fair bit of the community. For the uninitiated, the Arming Tree & Progressive Weapons package exists as a Bandai Chogokin set released some years back and costs a bomb (as with most Chogokin-branded products). It is a very interesting concept, even for non-followers of the Evangelion franchise, which is why you are now reading this Analysis.

[Accessory Analysis] Anubis HG RG MG Variable Action Base

Third party model kit manufacturer Anubis has been releasing some pretty cool stuff over the past few months, from the titular multi-function Anubis Base to a Heavy Combat Weapon Set that is able to meld mechanically with the Gunpla from almost any Gundam series. Their latest product throws back to simpler times, but with a twist.

[GALLERY] Bandai Tamashii Nations Metal Build 1/100 Powered Red & 150 Gerbera Straight [Power] Option Set

Powered Ridiculousness!

[Kit Insight] Suntoys Super Deformed Master Grade RX-78-2 Gundam (Straight Build)

A SD kit with a MG inner frame? Wow.

[CUSTOM] Bandai HGRC 1/144 MSAM-YM03 Montero (Mass Production Type)

G-Reco kits need to be given a little more credit, even if their anime series was pretty damn bad.

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGIBO 1/144 STH-05R Rouei (Painted Build)

As far as grunts go, the Rouei has a superior combat record.

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGBF 1/144 NK-13S Gundam Schwarzritter (Painted Build)

As the latest rendition (model kit development wise) of the Denial Gundam, the Gundam Schwarzritter boasts a dark, brooding black colour scheme, complemented by powerful accents of gold. From the no-frills, pugilistic design of the Denial, the Schwarzritter is equipped with a massive backpack that can turn into equally massive swords, giving it undeniable power as required by the Masked Second G.

[Kit Insight] Hobby Star HG 1/144 Gundam Harute Final Battle Ver. (Straight Build)

It has been ten years since the conclusion of 00 Gundam, one of the best series in the entire Gundam franchise. With well developed characters, a decent plot and a fantastic mecha design portfolio, 00 Gundam will be forever etched into the greater cultural collective.

[Kit Insight] Dragon Momoko MG 1/100 RGX-00 + AQM/E-X05 Divine Testament Gundam (Straight Build)

Third party model kit manufacturer Dragon Momoko (DM) has been doing some great work with their MG 1/100 Strike series of model kits, pushing out a good number of different units very quickly. The Divine Testament Gundam is the latest in DM's MG line, incorporating all of its lessons learned and technology developed over the past three years.

So is the Testament a testament of what the company can do?

[GBWC] Gunpla Builders World Cup 2017 - Singapore Leg

It's time for the annual GBWC again, this time in October!

[Kit Insight] Bandai HGUC 1/144 RMS-154 Barzam (Painted Build)

The Barzam is in itself an oxymoron: it is a Federation mobile suit but with the signature monoeye-sensor of Zeon units and it looks nothing like the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II that it was based off, other than the Titans colour scheme. The various design features and characteristics give the Barzam a bestial, oddly appealing look, being the love-child of Federation and Zeon engineering.

[Custom] Bandai HGIBO 1/144 V08-1228 Grimgerde Vanguard [Anti Mobile Armor Combat Equipment] (Customised Build)

The Grimgerde came out of nowhere to kick ass in the first season of the Iron Blooded Orphans anime, but sadly relinquished its place on the show to become the Helmwige Reincar, which was eventually wrecked. Nevertheless, the Grimgerde made such a showy impact that the customised Grimgerdes have not stopped coming.

[Gallery] Metal Club Metal Build 1/100 GN-0000/7SG 00 Gundam Seven Sword/G [Inspection Colours]

Third party companies are giving Bandai a run for their money in the area of Metal Build collectibles, and this 00 Gundam Seven Sword/G makes a very strong case.

[Kit Insight] Bandai Macross Delta 1/72 Sv-262Hs Draken III (Painted Build)

The Draken III is arguably a masterpiece of variable fighter (VF) design, shifting from a sleek delta-shaped fighter mode to a walking tank Gerwalk and finally to the slender, Anubis-esque Battroid form. As compared to the protagonist Siegfried, the dark and brooding Draken III captured my attention (and money).