Model Kits

Star Wars Model Kits - Boba Fett 2019-03-24

Back during christmas, my wife got me yet another Star Wars model kit as a gift. This was the first one I would build that would be of a human character, rather than a spaceship of some sort. Specifically, this is a kit of my favorite bounty hunter:

I assumed it would a similar process to building a Gundam model. In both cases you are building a model out of a head, arms, legs, chest and backpack. And yet now that I am done, I can say that the build actually felt more similar to my previous, starship-based Star Wars kits. Whether human or spaceship, they tend to use fewer pieces than Gundam kits, but require far more painting/detailing/weathering. Ostensibly, the experience is the same, but in practice they are very different. You have to pay very close attention to what color everything should be, since there are many small details that may happen to be colored silver or black or brown. You have to come up with painting strategy in which you figure out what to paint, in what order, and when to apply decals or weathering. I found it to be extremely challenging, though when everything comes together the results are quite worth it.

Star Wars Model Kits 2019-02-18

Some time around the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Bandai began releasing model kits based on various Star Wars vehicles. This was an interesting development; here was a company famous for creating model kits for Gundam and other popular Japanese franchises now using their talents to create models based a franchise that is live action, Western in origin, and arguably the most popular science fiction brand in the world. In a way, it is a far cry from their regular wheelhouse.

In the years during which this blog was silent, I managed to obtain and build a few of Bandai’s Star Wars kits. Here are my thoughts so far.

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Wings and Stuff 2017-02-26

Wings

Of all the individual components that make up the Gundam Epyon, the wings are the part I was most excited to build. They’re unlike anything I’ve personally encountered before. Yes, even the Wing Zero’s boosters don’t quite compare in size or shape. After all, the Epyon’s wings are as tall as the mobile suit itself, and are made up of several separate components which are woven together to make an appendage that appears multi-layered and intricate. I couldn’t wait to see exactly how they are made.

As is the running theme of this build, the answer is “the process is complex, and not as fun as I had hoped”. The way it works is that the bottom of each wing is sandwiched between the pieces that make up the middle, with the middle then sandwiched between the parts that make up the top. The pieces aren’t entirely flush when they’re correctly assembled, so it isn’t obvious that everything is properly aligned and attached. The only way to be sure is to invoke the gimmick which allows each wing to spread out. If all the pieces move and slide around without the wing falling apart, then you did it right. Just make sure you move each section of the wing in the proper order, otherwise you might break something (or at least encounter an unnerving amount of resistance).

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Lower Body 2017-02-24

Lower Torso

The lower torso is very long, almost skirt-like. It also has a bit of heft and bulk, particularly in the side skirts. I think this adds a lot to the look. The upper torso is quite a bit smaller in comparison, and when combined with a longer, wider lower half, it gives the Epyon a certain look, as if it is wearing not a skirt, but rather a long robe or cloak in order to conceal its true and raw anime power. Considering the show that this mobile suit comes from, that feels entirely appropriate.

Also, all the pieces feel secure and stable, which is a huge plus.

Feet

This is where the kit gets that much more ridiculous. When transformed, the feet of the Epyon become a pair of dragon heads. In order to sell the effect, the very bottom of each foot opens up like a mouth, complete with sharp, menacing teeth. What’s more, the green decals wedged into each foot becomes the dragon’s eyes. I guess if you’re going to go down this route, you ought to go big or go home.

Two two green decals will be the ‘eyes’ of the dragon heads when transformed

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Upper Body 2017-02-20

Head

The head uses quite a few different colors, but somehow it makes it work. I’m surprised at how much I like the use of white for the face guard. It stands out against the darker colors of the helmet. As for the little wings/ears/whatever that come off the sides, they don’t attach very securely to the helmet, but in terms of their look I think they’re growing on me.

Torso

It’s hard not to talk about the torso without comparing it to the Wing Zero’s. Epyon’s felt simpler to build, despite its use of a larger quantity of small pieces. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the Epyon’s chest jewel isn’t nearly as complicated to assemble.

When all finished, the torso boasts just as many colors as Wing Zero, but I’m not sure they work as well. My biggest issue is the use of yellow and that bit of green from the jewel. Alone, they might actually work, but when combined with the maroon and purple it’s a huge color clash.

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 - Weapons 2017-02-01

The Epyon comes with only two weapons, so this part should be easy.

The sword is made up of three main components - a large hilt (which itself resembles a short sword), a large beam blade, and a red pack that attaches to the mobile suit. A length of thick wire connects the pack to the hilt.

I’m not sure how I feel about this weapon. I don’t understand the need to make the blade so large beyond wanting it to look cool. Does it offer any practical benefit? Whatever the reason, I’ve never seen anything like it.

Gunpla Chronicles OVA 2 2017-01-17

Picture it - Christmas Eve, 2016. I open a gift from my younger brother. It is roughly the same size package as the Master Grade Proto Zero I got from my older brother a few weeks prior. And it comes in the same kind of gift wrap. Could it be … ?

…. ohhhhhhkay, that is definitely not what I expected. Is it conspiracy or coincidence that the Proto Zero’s arch nemesis, the Gundam Epyon, appears before me? I don’t remember either of my brothers being a huge fan of the Epyon (little bro was always a Heavyarms guy through and through). And yet here it is.

After the initial feelings of surprise washed away, I was left with three thoughts.

Just like with the Proto Zero, regardless of the intent of this gift (or my feelings on this particular mobile suit), it leaves me with warm and fuzzy memories of the past, so for me they’re both winners.
This is another Katoki Hajime redesign, and once again he works his magic. I used to hate the Epyon. It was my least favorite mobile suit design in all of Gundam Wing. But this? This looks kinda cool.
Seriously, where am I gonna store these two models?

Gunpla Chronicles OVA - Bonus Short 2017-01-16

In 2001, Cartoon Network aired multiple UC-era Gundam TV shows and OVA’s all at the same time. None of them did well, and it looked to be the end of Gundam on North American television.

Except it wasn’t. In 2003 they began to air a new, kid friendly show based on SD Gundam. It felt like a slap in the face to me and everyone else who actually supported the UC shows, and it left me feeling childishly resentful of anything related to SD Gundam for many years.