2024

Gunpla Build - Workshop Version Kit 2024-11-01

Over the decades, Bandai has released many, many, many model kits of the Grandaddy Gundam. Some are big, some are small. Some are detailed, some are not. And some are even given out for free, like the subject of today’s build, the RX78-2 Gundam Workshop Kit Version.

First released in 2016, the “Workshop Kit Ver.” is an intentionally simple and inexpensive model that Bandai gives out for free at special events (including, but certainly not limited to, the Gundam Base Mobile Tour). And I’m here to report on what the kit is like.

Gundam Base Tour 2024 2024-10-31

Last year, Bandai did the (first?) Gundam Base Mobile Tour. Basically, they made a popup shop that traveled around to a handful of locations to host events. You could buy Gundam Base-exclusive (and other rare/limited edition) models, build a free kit, and do a few other things.

The only problem is that the tour only had eight stops, which means a lot of people - myself included - couldn’t make it. Thankfully, they did it again this year, with almost twice as many stops. One of them was in driving distance, and I just had to see it for myself. Here is my report.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Zaku III Custom (Build) 2024-10-14

Let’s take a look at what’s in the box:

I have two initial observations. First, some of these parts are massive, which … yeah. It’s the Zaku III after all.

My second observation is that this kit is built out of the same extra hard, extra shiny plastic that most old HGUC kits seem to be made out of. I know from past experience that that it still looks perfectly fine after some topcoat, so I’m not really worried about that. What I do find interesting is just how rough this plastic looks under the surface.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Zaku III Custom 2024-10-13

You know, in all my years doing this hobby, I don’t think I’ve ever built a mobile suit from ZZ Gundam. Let’s change that!

I can’t not quote Gundam Youtuber Kakarot197 here - it’s time to build the Always Bulky Zaku III.

Oh, and a disclaimer:

Spoiler Preface!!!

This post contains some mild spoilers for the final episodes of ZZ Gundam. You may want to skip it if you haven’t watched the show.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Gundam Aerial (Photos) 2024-09-16

One of the things I love about this hobby is that sometimes it can change my opinion of a mobile suit for the better. Perhaps the most notable example of this is when I built all of the modern High Grade/Real Grade Gundam Wing kits, which finally made me a fan of those designs after all these decades.

And it’s happened once again with Aerial. I never really disliked her design, but I also didn’t care much for it either. But all that’s changed now.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Gundam Aerial (Build) 2024-09-15

By my eye, this kit looks like it has slightly fewer parts than Ilfrith (look here if you want to compare for yourself), despite the two mobile suits being so similar:

But I don’t really think this tells us anything about Aerial’s complexity (or lack thereof) in comparison. Ilfrith has a much bigger backpack, and despite being less visually complex, its shield is made out of more parts. These two things seem to account for most Ilfrith’s extra plastic.

Now let’s dive right into the build …