Model Kits

Gunpla Build - Entry Grade Gundam 2021-06-06

I’m really excited for this one. I’m not sure if I should be, but I am. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that I built not one, but two Grandaddy Gundams. And while I hear nothing but good things about this Entry Grade kit, there’s still a possibility that it isn’t as great as I’ve been led to believe. As always, there’s only one way to find out.

New Gunpla in Target 2021-05-22

Back in the fall, I wrote a lot of words about how Gundam model kits were being sold at Target. It was a pleasant surprise, but I wondered whether it was a one-time deal, or whether they would continue to bring in new product over time.

Here now, in the middle of 2021, I can confirm that Target is not quite done with Gunpla. In addition to restocking a few of the “old” models from the fall (I’ve personally seen resupplies of the Revive Gundam and the Wing Zero), they’ve added at least two new kits to store shelves. Once again, I did my duty and showed my support through my patronage:

Gunpla Build - High Grade Leo (Final) 2021-05-16

Somehow I managed to write six - six! - posts about the Leo, a mobile suit I have absolutely no love for. How the heck did that happen?

Anyway, let’s get started and see if the Leo can redeem itself.

Outdoor Photos

I got a chance to take some outdoor photos this time. The lighting is a lot more blue than I expected, but you can see all the detail - and all the mistakes - with much greater clarity.

Action Base 5

I took a few photos using my new Action Base 5. I plan on doing a full review of it soon.

Or soonish.

Honestly, I have no idea. I've had the base for months now, but I haven't gotten around to using it. Stay tuned.

Quality of My Work

This was not my best build. Not even close. In fact, this is downright sloppy work.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Leo (Part 2) 2021-05-09

Full disclosure - these two brown pieces on the torso were the last two body parts I worked on. I rushed through them, and didn’t let them fully dry If you look real close you can see some fingerprints and discoloration:

I’m not going to worry about it, since it will largely be hidden by the rest of the torso (and the arms)

Upper Torso

As I mentioned before, my plan was to paint the midsection of the Leo brown. I have only one photo of this, and before you ask, no, the paint is not finished drying in the picture:

Gunpla Build - High Grade Leo (Part 1) 2021-05-06

Okay, without further ado now let’s get the build started.

First, a look at the runners:

That is a fairly small (but extremely well organized set of parts. Most interesting to me is the fact that it only uses a single row of ball-joint polycaps. As someone who regularly watches video reviews of new kits, I know that Bandai keeps trying to lessen - and in some cases, eliminate - the use of polycaps in High Grade kits, so this isn’t a huge shock.

Gunpla Build - High Grade Leo (Part 0) 2021-05-02

Despite this being a simple build of a mobile suit I don’t particularly like, there are a bunch of topics I still need to cover before starting the build!

Gunpla Evolution Project

When we last left off, I mentioned that the HG Leo was part of something called the Gunpla Evolution Project, and specifically featured a gimmick called “Evolution Fine Point Build”.

Here is a page from the instruction booklet that kinda-sorta explains what this means:

The parts are organized on the runners in roughly the same place where they appear on the mobile suit. I’m not sure how exactly this makes it a “fine point build”, but it is a cool idea nonetheless. I imagine that a seasoned builder could put this thing together without an instruction manual.

Action Base 5 Review 2021-04-29

Ahhh, the Action Base. Such a humble, yet indispensible little Gunpla accessory. Whether you want something to prop up your model during a middair pose, or you need something to prop up a broken model, it is always a smart call to have an Action Base or two lying around.

As a fan of 1/144th scale models, my usual go-to is the Action Base 2.

The AB2 is simple and (mostly) reliable, but it has its problems. This is what drove me to look into the other types of Action Bases, to see if they were worth “upgrading” to. If you factor in price, size, features, and availability, there was only one logical choice - the Action Base 5: