Is HG Load Astray Worth The P-Bandai Tax? (Build+Review)

[@fishpop]

The Lord/Load Astray is from the Gundam SEED ASTRAY Princess of the Sky manga.

[@ShaffCloud81]

Great to see you uploading again

[@AstreaGT]

Didn't see your Livestream darn. I built this bad boi last week and was blown away. That head had more parts than most RG's. I agree that the shoulders limit the articulation and make it a little bleh. I'm debating if I want to paint it though just because the feel and quality of the plastic just seems really nice and gives it a neat look and feel.

[@piyoweb]

They'd sell a tons more if it's just regular release lol. Won't be surprised if they'd make a MG, Metal Build of it

[@zeonicace940]

Being honest, everything is p-bandai nowdays lol. It's almost like they don't want to sell stuff.

[@hazzar7784]

I liked this as a review. Got to see what the build was and kit was actually like, which is what I care about. Articulation is nice, but outside of noteworthy things it's pretty standard. I mean as part of a review. 90 of gunpla reviews focus on articulation, and all sound basically the same to me.

[@maverickkincaid1621]

I'm working on something that isn't like what 99% of others do... Hopefully it takes off

[@hazzar7784]

@@maverickkincaid1621 keep me posted

[@maverickkincaid1621]

@@hazzar7784 Will certainly do, I'm not sure how to begin an actual YT account for others to catch on, but I'll do my best. I have a wonderful concept that I think many would enjoy including myself. Gundam are truly so much more...

[@Pr4TheNPC]

The kit is quite awesome, I love the sword storing mode

[@raxkiyamatocarlos2102]

Nothing against Zakuarelius or God Gundam. I was seen Zakuarelius's stream, but then saw notification to your Lord Astray stream and i switched ^^;;

[@d9_1056]

I think the restrictions on posability serve the purpose of added stability.

[@hrgaming4plebs570]

seems warm water/hair dryer trick could work to pose the whip. otherwise Im waiting for mg version of it to do it justice.

[@vustvaleo8068]

the Load Astray's design makes me think of Dann of Thursday from Gun X Sword.

[@AllHailShadow117]

I just built the HG Heavyarms custom. Pretty weak tbh, kinda regret it lol

[@crudnom7090]

Isn’t it the “Lord Astray” not load?

[@ChrisTian-sd5yq]

that's because the kits is base of HGBD Lord Astray

[@theyank]

Almost feels like an emo barbatos. Looks like a really cool kit shame it's a pbandai.

[@PineUpAll]

I got this kit for pbandai srp. Pretty woth it if you bought this directly from pbandai. I only paid 20 for this guy, but not adviseable to pay more than 40 tbh

[@balgus82]

Buying pbandai isn't that bad now that they have a US store. Before that it would easily double the retail prices.

[@Matanumi]

still fucked if your outside of US though

[@raganx7108]

They should just dismantle P-Bandai it is absolutely useless for the community.

[@justpassingby298]

It isn't? It allows bandai to make smaller scale prints for designs that, theoretically. Less people would want, or variants of kits, there is a reason for it.

[@daws761]

@@justpassingby298 yeah but p-bandai kits used to be recolors or variants,not totally new never released ms like the mk-5 or aoz kits. I understand that some of those MS are obscure designs but creating a black market and paying resell for kits is crazy. Especially if you live in places where p-bandai doesnt even have a distribution channel(cough *europe* cough)

[@daws761]

I wish i could buy this kit for 40$,id have to spend around 70/80€ so close to 90$ for me. Hate p-bandai

[@U.C.1180]

There is no such thing as a P-Bandai tax unless you are buying from a 3rd party. More the plastic equals more money.

[@maweitao]

The standard release Double Rebake was about $25. This kit was $31 on P-Bandai. They're built on the same base and plastic volume is comparable. You're swapping a torso and minor transformation gimmick for the sword. A 20% price increase is typical for P-Bandai. However, the tax isn't just about price alone. It's committing to a kit sight unseen and then waiting 3-6 months to get it. It undermines the community and smaller gunpla shops.