Master Grade Kit of the Year 2023

This is my pick for the master grade kit of the year, an award I give out every year but not last year........ watch the video for my explanation.

[@Ag-wk5mg]

I think a room tour of all your kits displayed at the moment would be pretty cool!

[@x00004]

Best comment

[@kidrobot.]

hopefully with better lighting

[@elnavales]

I'm a MG guy too. Really bummed that they make so few per year now. So many kits need 2.0.

[@vintagegunpla]

great video! love this earnest old school style of just chatting about gunpla with no need for flashy editing, etc.

[@Blandon71]

Hey! You’re doing a great job. Always look forward to your videos 🙂 excited for Epyon!

[@argoth231]

That's a nice backround you got there

[@rogueagent0191]

I love the MGEX. All in all great building experience. Solid kit and its just looks gorgeous

[@supermexican12]

Just got RG Epyon I’m hyped keep it up brother man!!

[@CharloBagis]

I just got my RG Epyon, will wait for your review before building, thanks Jabman!

[@s0appy683]

great to see youre alive and well good sir :)

[@bigcollin1006]

Good stuff!

[@AmritSingh08]

Can’t wait for your Epyon review. I didn’t even know master grades were so scarce till you pointed out the reason for no 2022 kit of the year.

[@MakotoJay]

i miss this brother, thank you.

[@aahnecroth]

no mentioning of the mgsd, which was a pretty great kit

[@trentv4162]

That Zeta lineart is the basis of the original MG Zeta 1.0 which isn't a horrible kit but it is relatively dated despite how nice its white plastic feels, might be worth a shot if you really like that design version. Back then a lot of MGs were unofficial Ver.kas because he often created the linearts that they developed into kits (can't really verify if he supervised them to the same degree of Ver.ka though). It's interesting seeing modern MG becoming Junichi Akutsu's (Bee Craft in old manuals) gig especially with his radically different approach to designs he did prior (SEED 2.0 and MGEX Strike Freedom). Part of my problem with the whole Zeta Ver.ka discourse is that everyone forgets almost every Zeta kit we've gotten in recent memory has been based on Katoki's Zeta design not the original. The only real exceptions to this are Okawara's Wave shooter version for the 1990 HG and the new Zeta Ver.ka ironically. As a huge Zeta gundam nerd the Ver.ka is probably the best interpretation of the Zeta design even when compared to the original MG or PG versions which both stem from the Katoki redesign.

[@Keener_ThanYou]

MGEX Strike Freedom is amazing favorite thing to see on my shelf

[@PhilHug1]

Funny thing is I finished building my MGEX Strike Freedom today. Awesome

[@xxnike0629xx]

MGEX ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam is a great kit. MG MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam Ver. Ka is an improvement for sure over the MG 2.0. 2024 I don't think we'll see much MGs besides P-Bandai releases and the MG RX-9/C Narrative Gundam C-Packs Ver Ka is confirmed for April 2024 and MG MSN-06S-2 Sinanju Stein (Narrative Ver.) Ver Ka is confirmed for June 2024. It would be great to see an MG XVX-016 Gundam Aerial and I would guess its variants will get a P-Bandai release. There's also MG ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Lupus/Lupus Rex that Bandai could make. They could also do MG XXXG-01W Wing Gundam EW Ver Ka, oh and of course a new version of the GN-001 Gundam Exia; either an MG 2.0 or an MGEX. For now, we'll have to wait and see what Bandai does. But I expect *a lot* of P-Bandai announcements; even more than what we normally get. It seems like a lot of kits that Bandai intended to release got delayed and is now slowly getting announced & released. Speaking of the RG OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon ... I think it's such a wasted opportunity that Bandai did not also announce an RG XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero (TV). That would've _really_ gotten people excited.

[@Tomtenthemech]

Keep your eyes peeled for a fourth quarter 2024 PG Nu Gundam 👀

[@Exaris79]

The MG Zeta VerKa sucks since it lacks the HyperBeam Cannon and a display stand compared to the MG Zeta 2.0. IMO I still love my Dragon Momoko/MJH MB Strike Freedom with all of its Beam FX. I'm waiting for my MG Stargazer to arrive tomorrow and can't wait to add LEDs to light it up like a Christmas tree.

[@RageHelios]

I Picked up MG Hyaku Shiki back in November and its ready for when I get the itch to build Gunpla. Ive found with so few MGs actually coming out I watch the P.Bandai store more. Willing to spend possibly more on P.Bandai Kits since MG's arent releasing as often right now, and Im less likely to buy as many kits in the year.

[@baratiecook]

I really do have OCD. I'm going crazy looking at the booths height 😅 Looking forward for the epyon.

[@marzbee115]

Yeah I was disappointed with the zeta ver ka as well. I buy Ver ka kits for Hajime Katoki's interpretation on mobile suit designs and absolutely not for anime accuracy.

[@conorfogs]

Not too many choices last year lol

[@Fuchimy18]

You the jabman!👍

[@dainatalvirk6853]

Still can't believe you think the Zeta 2.0 has a worse transformation then the Zeta ver ka. The Zeta ver ka's transformation was so bad that it killed my desire for bandai to make a 2.0 or ver ka of the zeta plus, now I just want them to reissue the 1.0 zeta plus indefinitely.

[@FS_Scott]

In cases of doubt, the award should just go to the Mark 2 ver 2.0 again.

[@argoth231]

I keep holding out hope for a re/100 serpent custom

[@JagUriel]

I don't know whether to rejoice that so few MGs got released this year, because I'm on an embargo from purchasing new ones by the Missus and I'm not missing out too much, or devastated because Bandai has really halted their efforts with my favorite Grade of Gunpla...I know quality over quantity, but man New MGs have been scarce...

[@miragebangbravern2024]

Full Mechanics exist for a reason

[@kidrobot.]

@@miragebangbravern2024 what reason?

[@miragebangbravern2024]

@@kidrobot. Basically with Bandai setting up a new factory plus COVID affecting production of Gunpla because Japan's economy is way bad than you think, MG releases have to slow down. Full Mechanics is introduced to fill that itch for something close to MGs.

[@kidrobot.]

@@miragebangbravern2024 wouldnt that affect the full mechanics line as well?

[@miragebangbravern2024]

@@kidrobot. Nah because at least with Full Mechanics, those are basically upscaled HGs which is no biggie for Bandai. MGs on the other hand have frames, etc hence why they take longer.

[@fantastiCkiLler92]

I know you are a MG guy but at least we got some MG's including PB release. I got the MG Age-1 Full Glansa and Zeta last year and I'm happy. But, there're ZERO HGUC release since 2021 (I'm not counting shenlong for obvious reason) Every HGUC kits are fucking PB....

[@meijiniii9044]

We don't get master grade kits often these days ever since the pandemic came..the MGEX Strike Freedom is really the one in terms of everything there is Bandai has to offer

[@Isteak80]

MG Reborns would be amazing

[@toadiscoil]

I have mine still on the box. I just started the hobby so I built a few before. I think I want to buy the Raser kit to cleanup the nubs really well and try it on another kit. I think I want to buy the Kyrios and the VerKa Wing Zero first and try the Raser set there. I don't think I will panel line the MGEX but I am also playing around to find out what are the best markers to do that.

[@Tomtenthemech]

Use an actual panel lining accent from Tamiya. It can seem intimidating if you've never done it but it will look world's better than any marker.

[@toadiscoil]

@@Tomtenthemech yes. I have done some research and I see divided opinions. Some say it cracks the plastic some say it works great if you give it a good shake to mix. I want to try the ink pouring Gundam markers next. And keep trying out stuff until I get to the look I want. I don’t want to get into painting though. I just want to assemble, place decals and panel line.

[@Tomtenthemech]

@@toadiscoil if you panel line the pieces before the kit is assembled you probably won't crack any pieces. I've panel lined over 50 kits with Tamiya panel accent and have yet to crack a single piece with it.

[@toadiscoil]

@@Tomtenthemech All my kits are already assembled. Yes those won't be my last kits of course. But I want to do all my tests on the tiny RG RX-78-2. I can easily buy another one if I crack pieces plus I am not that attached to that kit because if you look at it ugly it starts falling apart. I will probably buy the markers first, test out and then maybe get another RX-78-2 kit and try out the Tamiya liner. The pour type markers seem to be of good quality. Plus my technique is awful so rather test out with something I can actually completely clean out with alcohol.

[@SilentEagl3]

I would be down for a MG G Self. If I was going for a wild prediction? MG Ale Strike Ver Ka.

[@Tomtenthemech]

I would almost promise you that will never happen, let alone this year lol.

[@SilentEagl3]

The G self topped the voting for the next Ver Ka a few years ago, people want it. But My Ale Strike Ver Ka is a fun wild guess. Im not fussed if we dont get it. @@Tomtenthemech

[@daosx7639]

Hey, I've been looking around for glass display cases recently. What kind are those that are behind you, where did you go to get them, and whether you'd recommend them.

[@argoth231]

Detolf from ikea

[@kidrobot.]

do not buy displays specifically made for toys, they will charge you 2x as much. just go to ikea, target, walmart, local furniture store etc.

[@omeltoyman7566]

Oh...one more thing...😊😊😊😊

[@depolarization]

The MGEX Strike Freedom was real talk one of my favorite builds of all time. It's so good looking, the build process was so much fun, and it's got everything you could possibly want. Looking forward to future MG releases even though it's been a drip feed recently - the FM Aerial was dang nice as a 1/100 fan at least.

[@mrt181]

I have pre ordered a 3rd party metal inner frame for the aerial to get an MG/HiRes like kit

[@dsharp2521]

Where do you place the mgsd kits?

[@azrael1045]

of Bandai wants more $$$ they need to release a MG Kyshatria

[@LizardMan8675309]

I’ve pretty much lost hope for the g-self getting its MG ver ka lol

[@Tomtenthemech]

Q4 PG Nu Gundam 👀

[@UpsetWhopperJr]

where did you see katoki’s original zeta ver ka design?

[@jabman025]

twitter.com/E_Megas/status/1741373070496137580

[@UpsetWhopperJr]

@@jabman025 thank you

[@golice]

greeting from korea i have plan to move america soon one concern is many gunpla shop in america? (hopely east coast?) actually here in korea have many huge gundam base but idk american situation?

[@jabman025]

There are model shops that carry gunpla , It's a little harder to find than you're probably used to, but if you look around, you can find it.

[@chrisyong7347]

MGEX STRIKE FREEDOM 😂❤

[@areasevenpro]

You must've had a lot of Coke Zero to do this video.

[@marcpereira1438]

Playing devils advocate if you mention the MGEX, where is the MGSD?

[@jabman025]

surpassed my expectations, not really up to the level of the ver ka or mgex but I liked it, looking forward to getting the SD Barbatos

[@megaflux7144]

zeta ver ka felt more like a re/100 or FM than an actual master grade, never mind it feeling like an event kit like the mgex. fortunately third party kits shit all over bandai this year because all they released was HG trash kits and p bandai recolors.

[@ranamores4919]

This poll is becoming a joke year after year. Bandai is literally killing my fave line gradually. Welp. On to third party kits. Hemoxian Thor is great.

[@Kikomatsing316]

MG Tryon 3 pls