GUNDAM | A Peek Inside to Gunpla’s Creativity

Always wondered what the hype is or why people are super interested in gunpla kits? Well’ if your new to building gunpla or a master builder, here’s a one big general overview of the world of gunpla!
Here’s where most of my info came from:
Early BAKAC Winners: modelattempt.co...
Interview with Manson Ng: en.gundam.info...
BAKUC General information: dc23mecharts.w...
The first Gunpla upload to YT (or so I know off): • BAKUC - How to build G...
#gunpla #gundam #gunplacustom

[@slimeestation]

Don't be your only obstacle to explore your creativity! Cheers, viewers! EDIT: To the many people asking for the thumbnail, we draw the thumbnails ourselves so you'll find them here and only here!

[@AzraelThanatos]

Just as a note, the 90's High Grade (much like the early 00's Entry Grade) are not the same line as the current ones. The modern HG line started in the 00's (Entry started a few years ago).

[@Nalan_LLP]

One of the reason why I’m in love with gunpla to begin with, their approach of engineering towards a toy while keeping everything simple. Of which also inspired me to personally improve my skills in terms of mechanical understanding so then i would be able to not just customize, but build one out of thin air. This together with the mindset of “make a goal for yourself. Not for what you achieve at the end, but for what it makes of you to achieve it.” Is essentially the best outcome for someone who’s dead set on self improvements. So do what you must from a gunpla. Build it, enjoy it, learn from it. Remember the occasional breaks but never let the momentum down!

[@fattiger6957]

That's the great thing about Gunpla. There is practically no barrier to entry and afterwards the sky is the limit. I just finished my first real custom project, a MG RX-78-3 2.0 repainted and detailed to be more in-line with Tomino's original concept of the Gundam. It actually turned out much better than I was expecting. It's not perfect. My scribe lines aren't super clean and my paint job is a little uneven at a close look. But I am proud of the results. I definitely encourage anyone who wants to get into customizing gunpla to do it. Don't start off with a PG obviously, but EG kits are super cheap so you won't feel bad about testing out things with them.

[@hitachicordoba]

@@fattiger6957 I used to build/paint Gunpla in the 90s/2000s (I remember only being able to find them in comic and Japanese gift stores in the 90s until Toys R Us started selling Wing kits and MSiA figures for like $7 lol). I now have very little time and space for full size kits so I mostly collect Shokugan figures like Gundam Converge/G-Frame/Artifact/Mobility Joint etc. I still buy kits out of FOMO, the box art is so appealing!

[@SearchmanDS]

As Meijin Kawaguchi says: "Gunpla is freedom!"

[@GenJuhru]

Yep, there's indeed a lot of Freedom kits...

[@FKATorp]

I'd say people shouldn't be afraid of older kits, just don't expect to get a ton of playability or as smooth of a build process out of them compared to more recent ones (Though some kits are just absolute stinkers too). Also Jabman025, RedHeadphones6 , and Kakarot197 are more great gunpla review channels.

[@NZP208]

I treat kakarot917 to my gundam news. I'd also recommend mj2005g7ndam

[@fattiger6957]

And sometimes older kits are your only option for some machines since Bandai seems to be much more risk averse than they used to be when it comes to designing releasing new kits. This is especially true for MG fans like me.

[@HanAcrchi]

Mecha Gaikotsu is also a decent review channel in my opinion

[@sylvssheykidelik6058]

I would not consider him a decent gunpla reviewer when he dissed the MG Ez8 and did not considered its release date. That guy just wanted toys not plamo 🤣

[@NZP208]

@sylvssheykidelik6058 I mean gunpla is freedom. And bandai built their models to pretty much be like toys. though you are correct, there are different types of people who buy gunpla

[@Netherbuilds]

gunpla has been the main thing that kept me inspired to make stuff. my motivation to pursue a engineering degree has always been to apply whatever i learned to my hobbys. 3d modeling has been the one thing that opened up a whole new world next to gunpla for me. now i invent stuff that helps me keep building gunpla while im trying to recover from some medical stuff i have going on. tough situations call for creative solutions 👌

[@haziqsean429]

OOH That was your custom aerial ive been seeing on x. Lovely job

[@Thenewbagman]

yeah.."Tayama" paints are fire, boi

[@Demiurge13]

lol

[@Changchar37]

田宮❌,田山⭕️😂

[@user-vy4nb8bf7j]

Another fun about gunpla is finding seccond hand gunpla and customizing it buyed alot seccond hand gunpla and brought back from plastic bag to premuim shelf but.. some of them missing a limbs😔 no problem i'd just customize it like it was from gundam build

[@TSFA2021]

I think the worst timing would be not mentioning RG 2.0 which is the upcoming part from RG Line

[@ilexgarodan]

You've earned yourself a new subscriber. Gunpla AND Dragon Quest? Yes please!

[@fattiger6957]

I got into Gunpla about a year and a half ago and I am totally hooked. I can't say I have a ton of kits (8 MGs, maybe a dozen HG, and the RG GP01) but I really enjoy building them. Plus, taking time to build and finish kits keeps me from buying a ton of them. MG is definitely my favourite line. With the 8 I already have, I have 4 more waiting in my backlog. I just finished making a custom G3 RX-78 2.0, the first real custom project of mine. Complete repaint to multiple shades of grey (to match Tomino's original concept of the Gundam to be less colorful and more militaristic looking) a some panel line scribing to up the detail (since the MG 2.0 is basically a blank canvas) and a tiny bit of additional parts made out of parts of the runners and bread bag clips. I love that gunpla allows for builders to put as much or as little effort into it as they want and still get a complete piece at the end. I can put together a EG or a simpler HG in a hour and have something to put on my shelf. Or I can spend weeks on a complete custom project. People were sharing their custom gunpla long before the internet days. There have been Japanese magazines and guidebooks for decades that give tips and tricks along with showing off projects. I'm sure there were also modelling competitions going on in Japan going back to the 80s.

[@hebiyang]

Love the Sulerial mashup! Now I want to build my own one 😅

[@loungelevel100]

Thank you! Biggest tip I can give is be careful with the legs, one small mishap could make it go snap

[@henryfleischer404]

I just got started on making my own Kitbash today, after waiting a month for parts. I'm working on a customized Zaku II, with part of an ADF-01 from Ace Combat 7 as it's weapon. I'm also thinking of mounting the canards on the legs, and also putting the engines on it's back, and some missile launchers on the shoulder shield. This is my first Kitbash since I stopped building Warhammer miniatures, where it's much easier to do since they don't pose or need to make mechanical sense, and are glued together. Still, I'm confident I can pull something off, I just don't know what I'm going to do with the engines.

[@batangbatugan]

Hey! I just recently made my own custom gunplas, too, and they're also mecha musume like yours! I used HG Mercury kits, Figurise figures and 30 Min Sisters extra parts to make Suletta and Miorene as Calibarn and Aerial.

[@neco_arc_gaming]

i fw manson, he runs a little shop where he sells mostly painting supplies and tools. real nice guy :)

[@donniedo9431]

Your hard work is appreciated. You earned a sub! Keep at it! (Love the Sularieletta)

[@Oman_Au]

Man, was this a nice video. This channel earned a sub. I see you are an Ace Combat and Yakuza fan. I think that would make great future videos. Looking forward to what you come up with next ;)

[@slimeestation]

I'll pass this comment to lounge, I'm sure he'll appreciate it! Thank you!

[@androyus]

That's one lovely Suletta right there. Keep up the good work 👍

[@slimeestation]

Thanks!

[@emperorzerstorer4360]

Gunpla is love, Gunpla is life...

[@wackpool1491]

yeahhh I can sooo identefy with that quite... My gunpla plans for the future: Dominitrtix/which ariel an Angron inspired Talgeeese Fluegl and a new DDLM inspired Mexican gundam

[@YonkouBrownie]

Now I have a new need! My dumb head thinks that I can build one 🙃

[@slimeestation]

You can do it!

[@hebiyang]

Get a simple HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam and try it out! You're dumb head is just telling you "you can't" simply because you've never tried it! Just have fun with it and don't be afraid to fail :)

[@hebiyang]

Your "dumb head" is right! Start with a simple HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam and try it out! Don't be afraid to fail and have to start over, or even have to buy a new one. GUNPLA is FREEDOM!

[@tokyosour4215]

They're not too difficult! I bought an MG freedom just cuz I thought the box was cool. Ended up building it and it was sooo much fun. 3 years later I'm kinda addicted and have like 18 MG kits and 2 PGs You could start with an HG kit. But MG wasn't sooo crazy. You could definitely do an MG

[@sakidickerson]

You absolutely can. Surprise yourself and find out

[@johnprice6271]

Okay, that is a really- and I mean REALLY clean kitbash though!

[@JosephJoboLicayan]

I’ve been in the gunpla space for a stupidly long time and here are some things in the video that needed some slight corrections and parts that I found were lacking in in-real-world context (this does get a bit long but ive shortened this as much as I can): 2:48 You really only hear people pronounce Tamiya pronounce one way (whether Japanese or western, its all the same since its so simple) but this the first time ive heard someone say it like TAYAMA lol 5:00 Yes its true that the earlier generation of RGs had their set of issues and growing pains, issues like these are common to new lines just like the MG and HG as well. A lot of the earlier kits of both lines had some lack of detailing, non-anime accurate molding/improper proportions, limited articulation, joints loosening over time, and the usage of brittle plastics. And yes, joints loosening over time has always been a problem in every grade and there are a lot of factors that affect this like: what plastics were used, posing weight distribution, and especially how hard its been played with. 5:18 Despite early RGs were a bit of unstable, they were just so beautiful though and the looks definitely made them popular. However, not all RGs were known to be handgrenades: kits like the Zaku, Gundam Mk2, Exia, 00 Raiser, and the Astray were fine all-around and pretty stable, able to stand on their own (but doesn’t mean they didn’t have their own issues). The main issue of the earlier RGs were that the gundams they chose to make RGs of were some of the flashiest ones like the backpack heavy seed gundams, the transforming Zephyranthes & Zeta, and even the Sinanju which used used an older inner frame that was not meant to handle such weight. This was a time when Bandai was pushing the technology of the time hard and fast and the earlier generation of RG kits definitely suffered for it but these did help and were very good lessons for the current generation of Real Grades, and to a big extent also, the MGs and HGs. 5:45 Modern RGs did not start with the Sazabi, it started with the RG Unicorn Gundam released in 2017. The RG Unicorn was such a groundbreaking kit because not only was this the first Unicorn kit with minor issues, but it was the first RG with the line’s current reputation for detail and sturdiness of an MG in the size of a 1/144 kit. Before it was released, EVERYONE expected it to be a hand grenade like the RG Zeta, which wasn’t helped when images of the inner frame using clear parts was released. But to everyones shock, the reviews praised the kit as it was stable and stiff, which was unheard of with RGs and definitely a first for a transforming Unicorn kit. Nobody expected it to be so good because the HG was stable but was lacking in details, articulation, and had no transformation. On the other hand, the MG had details and transformation but plagued with stability issues. And the PG... well, it was a completely different beast altogether but I cannot emphasize this enough: the RG broke the mold of what RGs could be. Modern RGs did not start with the Sazabi, it started with the Unicorn. 6:15 Should mention that the earliest pioneer of gunpla in the western side of the internet was rrobbert184, who really was the first guy to have such a presence in the gunpla space especially with the early rise of youtube before and during the 2010s. The influencers you mentioned only got big years later in the mid 2010s onwards. Other big youtubers in the space of note were TYPE V3 who exploded with the Build Fighters era and Kakarot197 who is still going strong and the most active one today. One big thing you didn’t mention (and probably didn’t know) is that before the rise of these youtubers, the Gunpla community in the internet was based around blogs. A lot of these blogs are functionally dead now coz social media sites took over. The western/English side of the Gunpla community was always small until around the time of build fighters and IBO really started booming but before that? It was always centered around the Japanese internet revolving around blogs. One could be forgiven for not knowing this because there really is a giant language barrier between the global internet and the Japanese internet, as even now there is very little exchange between the Japanese and English/Global Gundam communities. But oh, the rabbit hole gets even deeper. Before the internet, a lot of the Gunpla customizing scene revolved around hobby magazines and a lot of these are still ongoing to this day. This really started with MSV or Mobile Suit Variation in the 80s as some of these customs eventually made their way into Gundam canon and lore (lookup the gundam wiki page of Mobile Suit Variation). Japan still really loves its print media (ever notice that Manga is still page flipping while Manhwa is scrolling?). So yeah, the history of gunpla customization has its roots all the way back from the beginning like you said, but its so much deeper if you understand the Japanese side of the story. Overall, despite these nitpicks I pointed out, the video was a delight to watch. Its informative and heartfelt at the same time. And always remember, Gunpla is Freedom.

[@SifuBuilds]

...and this is why I love Gunpla. Gunpla is freedom.

[@kyleobryant6150]

Great video! Definitely want to feed the beast and make customs soon. Ps: where did you get the art in the thumbnail?

[@slimeestation]

K from the channel drew it and you'll find it in our community tab

[@johnfrevert9503]

You should see all the custom builds I have! I've even done a team of Power Rangers with a Megazord!

[@MrQuester1]

I was always afraid of altering a kit because of how difficult it was to obtain them and expensive to import. Things have changed now, but now I simply lack the time. (and space for painting) I can't even find time to straight build, the back log is huge!

[@slimeestation]

Sucks to be an adult innit ? 😅

[@NZP208]

Id say real grade got better at unicorn and onward, or right after unicorn, like the tallgeese. Also to all who read this, dont be afraid to buy older kits, even some of the older real grades. Some older models can actually look really good and you can customize it to make it look better and have better articulation. Some of the older rgs are also just great on their own, like the gundam mk II, astray, unicorn, exia, 00, and qan t

[@fattiger6957]

My main problem with RG is how ridiculously tiny some of the parts are. MG is my favourite line and even then there are some parts that are annoying. I only have one RG, the GP01, and it was pretty fiddly and annoying at times with how small everything is.

[@NZP208]

@fattiger6957 well that is to be expected with something that's complex at a small scale. Mgs I don't really have that much of a problem with, the ones I've build only a few of them have tiny parts. Just be careful with them. The rg gp01 is pretty flimsy, especially because of its core fighter gimmick and if it's been posed some and if it was built a long time, alot of early rgs need to have some care into it, maybe tighten some of the joints?

[@a.p.studios8713]

Crazy, i just finished a hg astaroth custom build in my current ibo x franxx custom project!

[@a.p.studios8713]

Basically i kitbashed the og hg astaroth with the hg bael and various barbatos parts, along with parts from the uraven, 30mm gatlings, and graze ankle armor for a cockpit, the kyoukai senki truck, and plaplate to create a regal ms with foot daggers, a left arm claw, a right arm tonfa sword from the demolition knife, a backpack/backskirt gatling setup, and panzerfausts from the kampfer inspired by the delphinium, chlorophytum, and argentea franxx units About to primer, and cant wait!

[@zeddlai4152]

thanks your video motivate me again.. for do my backlog 😁👍 Gunpla is Freedom.....✨

[@erict.miyahira6241]

2:29 surprise ace combat.

[@djatikusuma9447]

Gundam breaker 4?

[@KING_OF-HEARTS-G]

8:33 is that stand proud from the Hajime no Ippo sound track 🤨

[@slimeestation]

Ye. it's in the description because it got claimed :D

[@TheGeekyHusband]

Nicely done! *subscribed*

[@0Heeroyuy01]

my RG rx78-2 is still missing its feet b/c they broke just getting them off the runner, part of the left arm broke so its posed with the shield in front of it so i never see the broken arm part. my RG wing zero EW is missing a V on its head b/c it just randomly fell off and i cant find it, tho it is still holding its pose after about 4 years of owning it. and in my opinion the best RG is the Tallgeese, it felt good to build and no issues yet. early MG i like is the burning and shinning gundams both are still missing parts like screws yet are holding up just fine in different poses.

[@DrunkenSoda]

I'm there for the heartbreaking deaths, only to switch to collecting non-premium Bandai Kits

[@tomhossain2099]

The god gundam was also an excellent RG

[@daniberriro]

Now I'm curious, is there a place to see the full drawing of the thumbnail?

[@slimeestation]

Community tab in the channel

[@daniberriro]

@@slimeestation Found it, ty!

[@Coolio_Ash]

God.... I want to go to japan

[@UltraInstinctYiik]

2:48 "Tie-Ya-Ma" lmao

[@hitachicordoba]

I've always said "taMEEyuh" but maybe the Japanese would be more like "TAWmeeyah"

[@jessfarinas1842]

For me rrobbert184 is the king of gunpla reviews. Sadly he isn't active anymore 😢

[@sunoo639]

bro fr ignoring SD even though there are genuinely good SD kits

[@ZefoniusLinestraf]

Mogaru mogaru gundamu itio gundam breaker 4 is coming im exited to play it i only have 1 gunpla amuro rai RX 78

[@ZefoniusLinestraf]

I was going to make a cool idea for a gunpla but yeah i didnt have the money to make it lol

[@weacro]

Every RG i've built no longer sits on my shelf because of how brittle and prone to falling they are. I'm no longer going to pose them unless I have a display stand for them and I add material to the joints to secure them.

[@fattiger6957]

The only RG I have, GP01, is holding up okay after about a year. But the standard shield never stayed on his arm. I might have to glue some magnets onto it.

[@miragebangbravern]

Most of my RGs are pretty solid though

[@koweedate]

The earlier RGs, yes unless they weren't played with. Newer ones, usually no, especially they are now mini-MGs

[@azraeiazman]

Using super glue is controversial?! I personally think using super glue is better for tightening joints. Dries harder than nail polish.

[@fattiger6957]

Can't superglue weaken plastic? I heard nail polish can as well. I use floor polish, which is a durable clear coat. Dip the ball joint into it, let it dry well and it should add some thickness without doing any weird chemical thing to the plastic.

[@ryon5174]

@@fattiger6957it really doesn’t What will weaken plastic is plastic cement

[@ApolJooce]

Who made the suletta art from your thumbnail?

[@slimeestation]

K, from our channel

[@Mech-amphetamine]

epic

[@kaijuwatchesYT]

Build Gunpla! >:o

[@sorafromgenshin]

kitbash?

[@testaklese]

I just picked up the RG titanium finish hi-nu-gundam from the gundam base US tour I've already built the standard nu and so far, these are the best kits I've ever built by far Better than any HG or MG. Only negative is that the coating they use for the titanium finish looks like absolute shit where the nubs were.

[@airscythe2122]

Anyone know the song at 12:53 ?

[@loungelevel100]

Its Showtime by Aethoro! Fell in love with this song when it came out and wanted to use it to express nervousness for showing suletta

[@BenkuCain]

What is the music at 1:49?

[@okami5062]

megaman zero 2 clover

[@BenkuCain]

@@okami5062 Thank you bomb ass video btw best content

[@kimvaj77]

I truly wish I had the patience for building gunpla kits. I guess it's a blessing since I'd waste my money on them 😅

[@slimeestation]

It's never too late to try!

[@kimvaj77]

@@slimeestation I agree, but I also share the same fear/anxiety of ruining a kit that you had brought in the video

[@ivanj46]

I'd argue that as I built more and more kits, it improved my patience. I start to figure out the ins and outs of what is essentially a 3D puzzle, gain more knowledge on the technical details conceived by the designers and use that to find a fix to whatever breaks and still be able to reach the end goal; an awesome looking model of a robot built with my own two hands. It gives me a bit of relief that in a digital world where we will never own anything, we can have something that we can say is truly ours.

[@fattiger6957]

Some kits don't really take that long at all. Entry Grade kits (which are dirt cheap, like $10) can be built in an hour, maybe 2 for newcomers. Just put on some music or a podcast in the background while you work.

[@_dFour_]

Genuinely as someone who wanted to build 40k and ended up finding the practice and quality of GW ABYSMAL, gunpla is hard to fuck up. Double tripple check if you sre unsure about a part but honestly... any High Grade is an evening thing.