Model Kits

Gunpla Chronicles - About Gunpla 2012-04-29

When I returned home, the first thing I had to do was pour over the Gunpla scene and determine what it is I got myself into. The news was almost entirely good. Most modern model kits do not need to be painted, nor do they need to be secured using glue or modeling cement. The only thing stopping them from being build-able “out of the box” is the fact that you still need a handful of tools to put them together correctly.

The other good news is that, contrary to my fears, the Gunpla scene is a healthy mix of casual hobbyists and hardcore builders. This is a big deal for me; the internet communities surrounding most hobbies are made up entirely of enthusiasts, and enthusiasts lack the perspective needed to help beginners. They’ll recommend setups which require significant investments in time and money, without any regard to the fact that a newbie is probably looking to get their feet wet with something small and simple, to see if they’re really interested before they lay down any serious cash.

Gunpla Chronicles 2012-04-28

While we were at Disney World, my wife insisted that I buy something “nice for myself” while I was there. This was not an easy task for me. As a child souvenirs were mostly off the table, and as an adult I’m still affected somewhat by that conditioning. But even when I find something intriguing, I’m still held back by the fact that anything I’m going to find is either going to be a simple trinket, or a replacement for some household item I already have. In my mind, a souvenir should be something special, something you keep for years as a symbol of all the good memories you made on your trip.

In the end, I found something that was absolutely perfect. It won’t be used or broken, I’ll see it all the time (thus reminding me constantly of the best vacation I’ve ever been on), and it is something that lines up perfectly with my interests. I bought a Gundam Model kit.