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What is GUNDAM?
Gundam is a Japanese military fiction media franchise. Gundam and its inspired franchises primarily feature and focus on giant pilot-manned robots known as "mecha" or "mechs." Mobile Suit Gundam (1979-1980) is accredited as the first Gundam anime series, which defined the mecha anime genre and its subgenres. Many infamous mecha franchies and series include Neon Genesis Evangelion, Code Geass, Gurenn Lagann, and many others.
What is GUNPLA?
Gunpla is a portmanteau of "Gundam Plastic Model." The Gunpla series includes plastic model kits for the Gundam franchise, as well as many other mecha franchises. Model kits vary in price and complexity, with basic beginner kits starting as low as less than $10 USD. In order to build the kits, you are given plastic pieces attached to brackets, stickers, and a picture-based instruction manual. The plastic pieces are organized by letters and numbers, so it is very simple to locate and cut the piece. You must supply your own hobby cutters (AKA model nippers, side cutters, sprue cutters, etc) as they are required to cut the parts.
Image (cc) Animenewsnetwork
Gunpla kits usually come with a grade rating displayed on its box art, which gives a quick insight into complexity. "Super Deformed" (SD) and "High Grade" (HG) kits are low-cost, beginner-friendly, and low-complexity, which is great for those looking to explore the hobby. "Real Grade" (RG) and "Master Grade" (MG) offer more complexity and detail at a higher price cost. MG kits tend to be bigger models than RG kits. Finally, "Perfect Grade" (PG) kits are at the top for complexity, price, and detail. PG kits usually involve building an inner frame (endoskeleton) and boast many possible posing opportunities. Additionally, Gunpla kits display model size relative to the true size of the mech in the series. For example, a 1/144 model kit is 1/144th of the true size of the mech.
My GUNPLA Collection
Pics & descripts coming soon...
