What's the Deal with "Third-Party" Mecha Model Kits?!

Why do we call them "third-party kits"? Let's discuss...
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[@GeremyG]

I want 1/100 scale kits. If Bandai doesn’t want to make those I will give my money to a company that does.

[@reycal22]

I totally agree, especially since Bandai apparently only wants to do P Bandai 1/100!

[@FighterDoken]

This is ironic, because I think there are too many 1/100 kits coming out constantly and so I want more 1/144 kits. All the 1/144 kits have been P-Bandai lately. I think the fact that we both feel this way means that Bandai needs to make some changes.

[@fieldkaiju]

@@FighterDokenI think you’re just crazy

[@pasive6443]

​​@@FighterDokenmate, 2023 had a single 1/100 non p bandai kit and it wasnt even a MG kit. And this year we have had two 1/100 kits so far. Are you really implying that 2023 had zero 1/144 kits and only 1 kit this year?

[@GeremyG]

@@FighterDoken uhhh… are you joking?

[@probablychuuni]

As a mainly MG builder, the drought of MGs from Bandai has turned me to 3rd party kits. Not only that, you get larger 1/100 scale kits with a massive amount of accessories. I especially love the Motor Nuclear kits for plastic quality, level of detail, and easy of build. As for knockoff kits, I just get copies of P-Bandai kits because my country doesn't have a PB store and I don't want to pay for scalper prices.

[@DidensyBanana]

Motor nuclear kits are good and have cheap price for the amount of contents you get. They also have comics and I think they’re releasing an animation

[@Blaziruku]

Another big thing is that they typically are closer to a PG/MGEX in parts and separation too. Not only that, they basically all come with stands. Bandai has been kind of random with including them or not, especially with some kits that basically require them to barely stand (FM forbidden for example) or as a transformation to flight mode where it's just awkwardly sitting on the ground (Zeta ver ka)

[@OtonashiV]

Motor Nuclear kits are great (but they're technically first party)! The kits are from a manhua called "Legend of Star General," which basically features mech designs inspired by Mashin Hero Wataru - another Sunrise show that featured chibi mechs, but the manhua reimagines and modifies them as properly-proportioned mechs. Like Gundam Seed, the show was also super popular in China. The average Chinese customer loves getting a good deal, so a lot of Chinese model companies focus on value by jamming as many features, accessories, etc. into their kits are possible.

[@ashtaron23]

We have a pbandai official store and it's still nearly impossible to get some of the kits because popular ones get scalped and sold for twice up to 3x the price.

[@masataaizee]

Agree, another issue is scalper make normal price kits expensive like 3x especially P bandai and out of print kits. Heck even normal release get mark up when it's first arrived and you not pre order it

[@numa_kai]

Totally agree on the part of of third party companies filling a void that bandai cant fill. If I can buy the kit from bandai, I keep if bandai only. But redesigns from dragon Momoko and daban really got my attention. Especially when they made MG astray variants that bandai never made. Nilson works also made a semi PG 2.0 astray which was pretty cool. The MG stargazer was really really a long time coming and I really wanted one without scratch building it myself so If a third-party produces a kit which bandai has not made or released in MG or PG format, then I am heavily persuaded to buy it especially since there has been a drought in the MG line-up for years.

[@masataaizee]

semi PG astray really good solid kit since you don't need to worry about smallest internal parts

[@Sylar2112i]

So far I've bought 4 third party kits. The physalis, the Einta sky defender, the star glory and the apocalypse fusion. As well as some extra sets for Bandai kits. Since I didn't grow with the anime, I just love mechas in general.

[@Demiurge13]

wow same exact ones for me too! add in era aurora and zao workshop oracle

[@TheRacknker]

Didn't buy all of them but some of them. Got a lot of in era and such

[@hanz101]

I have built some. I feel like as soon as you leave the warm bosom of Bandai, your modeling skills are checked pretty quickly. But that’s the fun part~!

[@victorg7036]

P-Bandai is available in my country, unofficial, but when a P-Bandai kit cost $30ish(depending on the kit) it can cost $100+ here. So I got no problem buying a decent quality bootleg/ 3rd party kit.

[@fattiger6957]

Yeah, exactly. Most of the world doesn't have access to P-Bandai kits directly from Bandai. So we have to pay 2 or 3 times the price on aftermarket sites. There's a lot of P-Bandai kits I would've liked to get, but I'm not paying the going rate.

[@emperorhadrian6011]

Same

[@Daitrombe]

Same, I've gotten some bootlegs, but only when the Bandai kit is otherwise impossible to get

[@stevenhirtle7000]

Even here in Canada, it's usually double MSRP markup at resellers. Some times more. Makes it hard to support P-Bandai.

[@thebackcorner1427]

On the name "third party"- I think it might come from the transformers scene, who has long since grown accustomed to the idea of calling non-hasbro transforming robot toys all third-party (because in general, "cross-compatibility" meant "scales correctly with your mastepriece or mainline toys" for transformers)

[@munooro]

Piracy is a service problem. Bandai is no longer making products that I want and when they do they prevent me from buying it easily.

[@zeroblade9800]

Easy there Gabe, spittin your truth for years now

[@Phlegm_Thrower]

So your logic is, if you can't buy the BMW you want, you're just going to buy the Chinese knockoff? 😂

[@munooro]

@@Phlegm_Thrower if the end result is such that you cant tell or feel the difference from an actual BMW, sure since its cheaper and more available

[@Phlegm_Thrower]

@@munooro has the bootleg Gundam been so good that you can't tell the difference?

[@gabrielchin4161]

@@Phlegm_Thrower Not yet, but it's getting close. It's mostly about "cheaper and more available". I'd happily buy original Bandai if they were more available and aren't marked up to a crazy price.

[@chonwai]

Have been building kits for the last 20 years and the improvement from the 3rd parties are impressive, the last kit i build was rhe GP02 and the details and quality of the plastic is outstanding

[@MrEnKaye]

Tbh, since P-Bandai is not available in my country, i feel no shame in buying bootleg versions of those kits, especially with the price difference

[@sonmaianh7686]

P-Bandai is available in my country and I still have no shame in buying third-party kits. I don't need to justify my action of not wanting to pay premium money for overpriced kits. And even if there are Bandai kits that are both good and well priced, I still may buy third-party kits if they are reasonably priced and decent.

[@zenring11]

EW is my goat when it comes to gunpla expansion sets. Actually amazing quality for PB expansion kits that I simply don't have access to.

[@zeroxexe111]

...so😂

[@sado429]

Especially when you consider how pricey and difficult it is to get the P-bandai kits, you can't blame people buying the bootleg. P Bandai really needs to change the whole system of selling the exclusive kits, so that everyone everywhere can easily and affordably buy the p bandai kits

[@vm_duc]

bandai deserves getting their kits bootlegged as long as they still put new molds on p-bandai.

[@TheSickening1]

I just bought Motor Nuclear's Wei Yuan for the price of a HG, and it's MG size with metal articulation, that is great for someone who lives in a tax heavy country

[@First-Name_Last-Name]

Good vid. I never called any original designs kits from other non bandai/koto/etc as third party kits. I just call em mech plamo kits since that what it is: a legit original design mech plamo made by a legit manufacturer People really need to understand and differentiate the meaning of "Third Party" and "Bootleg" and not just regurgitate what they read or listened from the internet.

[@AzraelThanatos]

Yeah, bootleg is more of the direct copy... It's more of something I'm accepting of with bootlegs because, well, with several things, especially some of the P-Bandai or GBE kits, scalpers combined with limited availability make me consider them more. Early in the summer, I has a slight accident while shifting things around with my collection that broke my seraphim display kit for the RG Wing Zero EW, couldn't find a direct replacement for a decent price, but the bootleg was almost as good but around the price of the original purchase rather than ten times the cost...and the same could be done with the shipping costs there.

[@kivulifenrir]

I've always looked at it this way: Third Party was non-Bandai decent kits that didn't break the bank, that you could tinker with. Then strait rips with different names and quality were bootlegs. They have their place in the current markets also. Third Party give us all those kits Bandai isn't, like the Solomon version GP02 that's essentially a super detailed MG 2.0 kit. And bootleg gives us not just cheaper, but available options for some harder to find kits that not everyone has access to where they are, and can be used as cheaper options for creating customs works or just experimenting.

[@vm_duc]

long as they still make them intentionally similar to existing gundam designs, they're bootlegs. simple as that. aside from motor nuclear, i have never seen a legitimately original chinese design, and even then, motor nuclear rips off mashin eiyuuden wataru.

[@zer0bre]

I'm a MODEL KIT builder not a BANDAI KIT builder. I couldn't care less who makes them as long as they're on the market. I have around 120 kits and roughly half of them are the, so called, "third party" kits. Reason being, they usually have better detail level compared to the originals. Them being cheaper is just a nice bonus.🤷‍♂

[@barmutah]

Agreed

[@PaszerDye]

I agree, but i don't see why you should be upset about an economic/manufacturing classification. Bandai is clearly struggling to address a global market, as much as they posture to the contrary, & focusing on their local customer base. That said, Zaku's argument is totally reasonable & objective about the matter. So i don't see a reason to get angry at a classifiction.

[@KimmermanStudio]

Intereresting. I want to see your entire collection

[@shimapancyra]

its been really dry on the mg series so i rely on these third party for them ....its cheaper to kitbash and customize them than cutting up a bandai kit

[@Dstinct]

Important note that Gundam is not a copyright word, it's a trademark. It is used to signify that something on it is an officially produced product by whoever owns the Gundam brand.

[@frenchbreadbuilds7053]

True, but Gundam, it’s likeness, characters, story involving those characters, and all things derived from that is intellectual property that falls under copyright law. Even if something something doesn’t have the Gundam trademark on it, Bandai can claim IP theft/infringement if the likeness is clearly derived from Bandai’s intellectual property.

[@division_bb4461]

I wanted MG Heavyarms Custom. Since its P Bandai the prices are 3-4x times the MSRP thanks to scalpers. I went through lengths going around all gunpla shops in Osaka during my vacation couldnt find a single one selling it. I ended up buying the Supernova from online shop. A much better deal

[@theclerksays]

I'm from Singapore but I realised that local hobby shops are starting to sell P-bandai kits. And strangely they start selling the kits the same day I receive mine direct from P-bandai. I suspect some kind of reselling or scalping is going on. Now as just a hobbyist consumer, I not only have to deal with bots and third-part scalpers, I even need to compete with my local hobby shops to secure a p-bandai kit direct from P-bandai itself. I've seen direct bootlegs of p-bandai kit, and now I am proud to say that I support bootlegs of them and tell my friends to buy bootlegs. I have no sympathies for bandai since they are already making so much money and they don't care if consumers like me have to buy from resellers at a markup. FOMO is a good profit maximizing strategy, but a limit has to be drawn somewhere.

[@crazyeyecarl]

People get mad about this? I've never heard anyone care. Genuinely. Every single person in every community I've been apart of looks forward to these kits...if they're cool kits at least.

[@ZeroXSEED]

Bandai lapdogs mad their pure and innocent hobby got tarnished by bootlegs

[@jarrodherrington1708]

I have bought a few accessory kits through USA Gundam Store. The Monument Kit will be my first whole cloth non-Bandai kit. Looking forward to it when it releases

[@GrimLocke161]

3P Transformers started out similarly with upgrade kits and accessory armors for official figures 15 or so years ago, and have since branched out into figures that are either show and comic accurate or various degrees of reimagination. The unspoken agreement when it comes to Hasbro’s IP is that 3PTF companies cannot use the names of the characters or the faction symbols for the Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals, Predacons and so on, but otherwise all hell has broken loose. Hence, it’s been really interesting seeing these Original Mecha Model Kits gain their footing since I love 3PTFs, and I look forward to what comes from these companies.

[@ApenBaard]

This has been my understanding of how it is: -bootleg/knock off = direct copy of already existing product from existing ip. Straight up reusing or recreating already existing molds etc. -third party = original product based on someone elses already existing IP. (So created by someone else then ip owner) On its own "third party" doesnt say anything about the legality of it. You could further divide it in licensed and unlicensed third party if youd want to be more precise in your laguage (or authorized/unauthorized if you want to use the offical terms) -And of course completely original designs are original designs.....Like, kotobukiyas original kits arent cosidered third party or bootleg by anyone either are they? (Althoug their armored core and other licensed kits are in fact third party kits :D) -In case anyone is curious, from my understanding, second party would be if bandai, instead of owning the factories and making the models themselves directly, would own a subsidiariy that would do that for them. If theyd hire an independant company to do it it would be third party again.

[@masataaizee]

Love any add on/upgrade parts 3rd party make for any existing kits without buying P-bandai because sometimes Bandai just do colour swap and just give minor additional part for it especially HG

[@juliartawan9968]

Mine similar but a bit diferent -bootleg= product made from others people IP without Licence. -knock-off= copy of existing product & without Licence. -3rd party= product made from other people IP but with Licence ,like AC kits from kotobukiya & bandai pokemon, Godzilla, etc merchandise ( i don't think bandai owening those). As for Chinese kits I count them as original as long as they don't exist in gundam design database, i dont want to call them bootleg or stealing just because they feel like gundam, i mean bandai doing the same thing and people somehow praise it (hashmal-metalgear ray, baskyrotto- wanzer front mission mech, etc). I dont think having gundam like design is considering stealing since "kunio okawara" himself making a gundam like design for chinese game and the model kits will be make by hemoxian

[@TheDarkestPhoenix]

I'll give my money to companies that fulfill the demand I have. That's kind of how that works. I would love to buy a Tallgeese in 1/60 scale, but they've failed that demand, so instead I am buying the Monument. Similarly, I'd LIKE a 1/60 Nu Gundam, but we haven't gotten one of those beyond a metal structure that would require me to sell a kidney, and as far as I am aware, isn't a model kit? I like models, and I like big robots, so, for me, it doesn't matter who it's from, I want things, and ideally, not at kidney selling prices.

[@kivulifenrir]

There is a model kit version of the Metal Structure Nu floating around out there. It's just really hard to find currently. (Have it sitting in my backlog taking up the most space currently)

[@sierracosta47]

Daban has literally took the metal structure into and actual pg model kit with the garage figures and leds. But it's like 500 dollars in gundammit.

[@thaihungphan7255]

@@sierracosta47 well the bandai metal structure is like 3000$ so I rather buy the daban one instead 😅

[@Aeon1989]

I don't mind buying a Daban kit. Especially if it's one that Bandai hasn't made. I bought a 1/100 FA RX-178 MKII and besides a few issues, liked it. I did get a Hyaku-Shiki and plan to get a PG Phenex as well because I liked the non finger print magnet gold they are made in.

[@yesayamichaelchandra648]

We're builders, we can fix the issues

[@Aeon1989]

@@yesayamichaelchandra648 Oh I did lol. Cement and nippers lol

[@stevenhirtle7000]

Only issue with my FA MKII is the tubing Daban used. Thankfully, Bandai has released vinyl tubing under the 30mm line. Of course, that was after I modded mine with some cord from Michael's and removed the mounting points for the vinyl tubing. Might buy a second FA to repaint in to Titan colours at some point.

[@r-jaymariano1054]

Great video that sheds some light on this particular topic! I like your point regarding how the market is now flooded with OMM kits. As you've said, early releases are a breath of fresh air for me as I like to explore new builds, as well as great pricing compared to Bandai kits(bigger model, metal inner frame, included stand, etc.) But now, I'm much more picky about what to buy. But one company I support is In+Era. I love almost all the design they release.

[@maeshughessr369]

I think people have gotten tired of the game RX-78-2 re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-release. It is THEE suit when most people think of Gundam, but there are so many of them. And as most have said, we will turn to 3rd party sellers when they make suits I love into kits. Especially in MG size.

[@ArtSawce]

Its for the die hard fans who only collects RX-78-2 variants and i know a few of them

[@12stormy13]

​@@ArtSawceit's me, I am the one. I love that kit, and everyone who complains about them doing it justice is ridiculous to me. You would have be upset that Pokemon still makes Pikachu stuff. Now I see no reason they can't do more MGs or other kits as well though, they are a big enough company.

[@charlesyoung8600]

It's so nice to see other people that are upset about the lack of 1/100 scale kits. If bandai don't care, I'll spend my money somewhere else!

[@Cokevas]

I fully support the XFS GM Spartan because its better than P-Bandai's and a 1/4 of the price. Plus P-Bandai isn't available on my country.

[@UrbanS_69]

I've yet to build any non Bandai or Kotobukya kits, but if one of those OMM/3rd Party companies were to make us up a Tequila Gundam before Bandai, I'd be on that in a heartbeat.

[@fattiger6957]

I don't see an issue if they are making original kits. There are a few I'm probably going to get in the future.

[@katorogi1784]

im from the phillipines and from my plamo start 2-3 years ago, i started with Bootleg bandai for my first 5 kits, 4 HG and 1 MG..for my reason, it is always the price...i can either buy 1 bandai hg or 4-6 bootleg HG....either 1 bandai MG or 2-3 bootleg MG....1 year after starting the hobby i went into 3rd party kits which as you said are primarily MG scale...1 bandai MG or you can buy 2 3rd party MG for the same price....as someone who hasnt watch a single episode of gundam, i dont have much attachment to the kits, thats maybe why i tend to go for what looks cool and what is cheaper (specially after seeing the Pbandai stuff)....2-3 years into the hobby out of my 50+ kits 40% are MG 3rd party kits, 20%bandai RG, and 20% kotobukiya (zoids and mechagirls) and 20% 3rd party mechamosume model kits which are also booming...i recommend also checking them out....i dont how the 3rd party kits scene is like in the US but here in asia since we are much closer to china, the 3rd party kits are cheaper...i also see some 3rd party figurines popping in social media but im not into them...pls dont stop reviewing 3rd party kits, most of what you review i already have them or planning to buy them, but when you review bandai (i dont build HG anymore) its either a Pbandai or an MG/PG which for me personally is too expensive (yes i can save up to buy them but im an impulsive buyer XD)

[@gfan1972]

I got the In Era Thunderbolt because I loved its color scheme and looks. I am a huge fan of this style of kit and will continue to pick them up whenever possible. Also thanks for the follow up on the Cyber Forest girl head swap possibility!

[@MatMightStir]

Mine is getting here in a few days!! Were the decals good? (and what kind?)

[@CatalopeFilms]

Just finished up the build on my Thunderbolt as well! Loooved the colors and overall design. Haven't decided if I'm going to decal yet or if I might want to do a couple dots of paint here and there first.

[@myrtlekenazjanairo9411]

5:20 That "RX-105 GUNDOOM" made me crack lmao

[@RocketSlug]

I got into these original mecha model kits specifically because I didn't have any attachment to Gundam as a franchise. I like the mechas and the designs, but never got into the series enough that made me want to seek out a particular line or a particular release. This is where the original designs really caught my attention. You have all sorts of Gundam-inspired mecha, but drawing from motifs like Chinese mythology, historical figures, or other such inspirations. Plus I really like that a lot of them have metal inner frames. It really helps give the kits some heft and rigidity that just feels good.

[@SolidestAutumn]

I built my first Gunpla set yesterday, so I'm not an expert, but when I look at the gunpla sets online, I always drift more towards IN ERA models. I didn't even know gundam stores sold non BamCo sets. I'll probably upset a lot of purists, but the Nemesis Goddess, Thunderbolt Manta Ray, and Lizard sets are some of the most beautiful sets I've seen. I've made most of my lego MOCs with inspiration from those types of sets in the past.

[@theamazingbrave]

The Transformers fandom has been throwing around the term "Third Party" for at least fifteen years now. Older fans will remember Fansproject and their Parallax City Commander, which was a trailer that could break into armor and attach to Classics Ultra Magnus (a white Repaint of Classics Optimus) to mimic the original toy where the trailer combined with the cab robot to form a super robot. _This was the only way we could get an Ultra Magnus that did this at the time._ There wa sTitanium Ultra Magnus, but he was tiny and the trailer didn't combine with the cab; it was all integrated. They did the same thing again with Classics Rodimus immediately after. The distinction between third party and a bootleg at the time was bootlegs often created copies of entire toy molds and sold them to second-party markets. Third party only infringed on IPs, and they were very careful about what they could and couldn't get away with... for the most part. The Parallax armors mentioned closely resemble official Transformers characters, but have a lot of unique design elements to distinguish them. I don't know whether they skirted the law enough to not get in trouble, were never caught, or were based in countries like China where the law couldn't go after them, but they never saw any real consequences until Hasbro and Takara caught on and made rules at conventions prohibiting the selling of third-party products. I know when Haslab Unicron was first announced 01 Studio's got into some hot water because they released a third party Unicron of their own at around the exact same time that didn't have extraneous alt-mode parts hanging off the robot mode, was more screen accurate, had a less complicated and more clever transformation, and was cheaper by a couple hundred dollars. I'm also assuming Bigfirebird wants to distance themselves from infringing on copyright after the release of their Nicee because they've tried to stick with wholly original designs ever since. It's probably why their Windblade design has been stuck in development hell. There's also terms like "fourth party" that have been thrown around, which make bootlegs of third party products. Live by the sword I guess.

[@RobotKitsune]

I had burned out completely on Bandai and Kotobukiya. I loved them for years and still do, but i kind of found i was getting, i dunno, almost bored of their stuff, i guess? Recently i had a peek at USAGS and stumbled across some Infinite Dimensions' designs and was kind of blown away. The designs were exciting, epic, and detailed. I kept exploring and finally fell in love with the Einta Industries Sky Defender. I kind of fought with myself about it since i had always been a Bandai/Koto only builder, but after seeing how much love the Sky Defender was getting, i decided it's time to try something new. Currently waiting on one i managed to find at a small hobby shop here in Canada, one that seems to be focusing on these types of kits. Their designs have given me what i needed to spark my interest in the hobby again-- that feeling of excitement i remember Bandai and Kotobukiya giving me years ago.

[@stefilordofsmugness4108]

Thank you for speaking about this. Bootleg kits are getting closer and closer day by day to cost as much as a real one in Japan, and their quality scales with it too. Its not quite there yet, plastic quality need to improve, but there are companies as of now that can make bootlegs near as good as the original. Hope bandai catches on it and makes its products more awailable.

[@Alphagundam]

I have built the zero gravity judge and the hemoxian Thor andI really enjoyed both kits. I have the motor nuclear nezha, the thunderbolt, the special forces sentinel, the hemoxian tastier, snaa gawain, snaa thunder incise grace. Honestly it's nice to see the 1/100 scale void being filled. It's my preferred size to build and the lack of new mg or them being premium bandai really puts a hit on that.

[@chemccord]

3rd party allows a lot of us to get kits that either don’t exist or are too hard to get. Effectswing add on kids allow us to have RG models like the Avalanche exia that doesn’t exist with Pbandai or getting us the RG impulse Packs for far cheaper. I saw keep going. Transformers has entire 3rd party brands dedicated to giving only designs that aren’t made

[@NeoSlashott]

Gundam aside, there are 3rd party transformer toys are much better than hasbro does like the Gen 1 Transformers that are faithfully show-accurate both robot and altered forms. Magic Square is a perfect example for excellent engineering transforming robots like a perfect jigsaw puzzle.

[@komikath]

i mean, there's weiyuan kit with HG simplicity and price on MG size with sturdy and hefty metal part. i don't think bandai ever done that. Or the Einta Sky Defender with MGEX vibe on half the cost and bigger size Or kit that Bandai just wont do a revamp after many years like the physalis Maybe its the repeating over and over RX 78-2 and Unicorn or Astray to call it a new kit. Or the fact that they have P bandai and Fomo/limit the shit out of access on many kit Shit like that is what make the "3rd party market thrive"

[@carlorielmendez6505]

The thing is, Hasbro is far more lenient in the Transformers scene that there is a majority opinion that if you pick the handful of top non-hasbro designers in china, they are already leagues ahead of hasbro, and sadly, even Takara Tomy transformers. And they also have a widespread acceptance that even full mechas are still 3rd party, not just equipment and upgrade sets.

[@desuwa1994]

I've been buying alot of Kotobukiya kits as alot of them are Bandai MG Size. They're also incredibly fun to paint

[@vidfreak727]

I just bought the Martial Emperor! I’m excited to build it! SNAA has definitely impressed me so far.

[@MedskiPurnamski]

To my knowledge the term 'third party' originated mostly from the Transformers community where independent or small non-Hasbro/Takara companies meet fan demands for specific Transformers designs that Hasbro/Takara haven't or refused to produce. TF fans are pretty clear about the distinction between third party and knockoffs in which the bare necessity of a Transformers-derivative figure to be called 'third party' is that they must engineer their own molds and designs as opposed to knockoffs which only replicates existing official Transformers molds (some being upscaled but still very much a knockoff) with very little addition and sell them with a non-copyright infringing names such as Taikongzheng or whatever. With that distinction there are very few kits that can be called 'third party', such are the Physalis Solomon (AKA Not GP02) and several Mechanicore kits that were made to resemble the GP01 and the Deep Striker, while kits from In Era, SNAA etc are pretty much original IPs despite their kits being mostly developed through reverse engineering the MG Strike.

[@calebharch7229]

C: Bandai, we need more 1/100 kits! B: 1-2 a year. C: Fine, I'll buy 3rd party. B: Why are we losing customers and money?

[@ebindelgado9660]

While I never own a 3rd party kit, I feel they could be good for custom parts (like backpack adapters, pegs, option weapons)

[@TheEARLD]

The original mech kits are filling my mg drought, the designs of a lot of the kits are really flamboyant and definitely distinctive. What i do recommend is a pin vice and some silicone grease. Im building the zao workshop oricle at the mo.

[@sammyc38]

The 3rd party model kits are getting better and better in quality and design. I have the feeling Bandai is on repeat with their kits, while 3rd party is getting new kits/ models out. Love it!

[@Ronc137]

Third party kits have been really eye catching and popular lately. Just this year I bought Aurora, Charon, Eternal Star Glory, Sky Defender, and God Flame Keade. With 3 more in the wishlist

[@FullArmorBear]

Zero Gravity Judge was a fantastic kit. Some of these kits are just wonderful with all of the in box options they contain. I just wish a lot of these newer kits weren't so pointy.

[@maxnexus5421]

Supernova really hit it hard for being a good kits from wing kits to zoids specifically the 3 berserk fury and the huge ass death scorpi.

[@division_bb4461]

@@maxnexus5421 Bandai screwing over Endless Waltz fans with ridiculous P-Bandais really gave Supernova the momentum!

[@edruth6223]

Love the Doppelganger shirt!! The last 3rd party kit I built was the dragon momoko Deathscythe Hell. The build experience was awful, so much extra work had to go into it 😅 Despite that, the end result was amazing. That re-design was absolute peak hahaha

[@michaelfloodine]

As a 30MM/30MS builder all I care from the model is that the parts connect up for kitbashing. Been sticking with Bandai models so far but if something scrolls through my youtube/google feed and looks like its got the right connections and has parts that gimme an idea for a build I'll snap it up!

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

🤔Interesting insight on third-party mecha kits, thanks! 🚀

[@patrickleslie9932]

I definitely look at reviews for these original mecha model kits before deciding to purchase. Of them In Era+ is the only one that really tickles my fancy when it comes to design, quality of the plastic, and the level of intricacy in the build process.

[@hentikirby7142]

Just got my Sky Defender today from Einta and I love it.

[@williamwilmes]

I'm not interested in buying bootleg. Original Mecha Models, though, are catching my eye. I built the Entropy of Titans Thor. It is a great looking kit after you lock it into a pose. I ordered the Lizard and can't wait to build that one, and put it on my shelf.

[@i_tachikoma]

Flame Kaeda is an original kit that I don’t think gets talked about enough. Great kit.

[@GamerZone_pH]

Let's Go! "Fighter" Series!

[@Deadss2796]

Great video! I like the OMM Moniker too.

[@MrBoBoBo]

My Sinanju bust is my favorite part of my collection! We need more!

[@ascensionindustries9631]

Bootlegs are usually cheaper copies like what Daban produces. Third party kits and especially third party transformers have their own unique elements and engineering. Yea they may take from established designs but in many cases their quality may be as good or better than the originals.

[@forbiddensuper2369]

motor nuclear and gods gaurdian gawain have been my favorite 3rd party kits ive built

[@jejemonbuster1892]

Much better lighting this time Zack

[@willisjackson7029]

In my experience as a collector of Transformers and Gundam models, toys that have been recasted and sold through a different company is typically called a bootleg. Where when a company makes an accessory kit for an existing toy or model to enhance the play experience, that can be considered a third party as long as they aren’t duplicating preexisting components. I’ve seen various third party manufacturers say that they are not in league with the brands that they are making accessories for but that they are making them to enhance our play experience with our toys or models. The same can be said about third party action figures that they design and they typically give them a bit of a stylized design so that they aren’t sued for copyright infringement. But the collectors market has become a very large place in this day and age and if the official companies aren’t making what the consumer is looking for then they start looking at the third party manufacturers for a possible solution for their interests.

[@c.o.n.collectingofnostalgi889]

Hey mate just subscribed to your channel, found you because I am building the ZOIDS Iron Kong at it has been a mission to complete but honestly it is rewarding and nice to unwind from the day to day of life. Found this video on these "knock offs" interesting because like you said the designs are gorgeous, I have built two of them the Thor and the purple one with the cool wings and yeah finding those more fun than the main stream stuff life Gundams.

[@lyleharvey292]

The ruling was pretty fun..got a few more to build I totally agree with you on the name…do you know when the in era lizard will be available to ship from USAgundam?

[@sierracosta47]

Damn first the lizard, sky defender, monument, and tastier. I have alot of 3rd party

[@lyleharvey292]

When’s the lizard release?

[@kotopotato]

Huge fan of OMM. Since there are multiple brands, i feel there are many new and exciting variants that pop up frequently

[@MrKrigeta]

I've bought a lot of them in the past 2 years and for the most part they have been really great builds

[@gunplanmore6050]

I have the Solomon GP02 in my backlog and I pre ordered the In Era+ Lizard. I just have few kits I have to build before I move on to them that's all.

[@ophawkable]

I've done 3 kits in the In Era+ line by Infinite Dimensions and I loved building each one! Not so much the Genesis though. That one was a pain. 😅 (but still fun)

[@metalfire88]

I'm buying original mecha model kits like Blade King, Martial Emporer, Lizard and etc. They are good and solid kits that adds fun to build mecha with inner frames.

[@danielhisham7110]

the thing is for bandai, they know the kits should be like a normal release instead of PBan. If the MS only appear in Manga or MSV I can still accept the PBan tag but them turning normal kits into PBan in unjustified

[@ryanzz1357]

As long as they are creative but not just copycats with slightly changes designs, and good quality, they have their own unique existence purpose

[@MossyRiverRock]

I think the third party comes from the toy/action figure creator/consumer space. It does often get conflated with bootleg or unlicensed figure using others IP.

[@etankhardcore]

The first full on bootleg that I broke my "Bandai-only" philosophy on was that PG Exia that comes with the LED set, the repair parts, waterslides, and the entirety of the Avalanche/Dash parts with loads of gimmicks for the same price point of the base Bandai PG Exia kit without any add-ons. That thing absolute mashed any bias I had against "third party". Bandai would have never touched the Avalanche at that scale and even if they did it'd be well over double that price for all of that.

[@MrChanderzz]

I haven't bought anything but "original Mecha model kits" in the last 18 months. Bandai leaving the gap in the MG market I've been eating them up as an alternative.

[@DanRussell-zl9re]

I think a lot of these kits are really neat . Bandai makes so many kits it would be hard for me to look elsewhere. That being said I did just get a Kotobukiya kit of Durga-1 hand size to try out . I love all things from Japan I drive a Honda fit and a Scion xb . Great video and great points . But at the end of the day only so much shelf space

[@gabrielotero5694]

I would love to hear your opinion on SNAA's Gawain, which is going to be my first original mecha design that's not Gunpla. I LOVE Gundam's designs and been assembling mostly Gunpla, but I read on Reddit that Gawain is such an amazing kit!

[@KenjoHayashi]

I thinks its fine people gonna buy what they want if there's a desire in the market. Especially Kits Bandai doesnt want or plan on making like a MG Kshatriya after it aired on the ova so other companies made it.

[@AmpHibious]

I have to say that it seems like P-bandai time availability limits on high demand kits actually benefits scalpers more than ever, and in turn boosts bootleg sales. sure most people get a chance to preorder, but if you miss that window for some reason buying the kit second hand is disgustingly pricey. i really want Rose Gundam but im not willing to spend 80-90 dollars for it. and im really not ashamed to have bought a bootleg GM Spartan off ebay. i actually remarked on the fact that the bootleg kit seemed to do undergating way more effectively than any bandai kit i've ever built. it would seem that bandai's designers love to put gates in places that are deliberately frustrating even when they don't have to....

[@aguynamedlynx6397]

Currently working on the Sentinel Special Forces. I got it because I can't find an MG GM Sniper II anywhere for some reason. It's insane how much I got for it. I originally thought I would get just the pictured mech (the regular sniper type) but apparently it comes with parts for the heavy bombard type (backpack railguns, additional sniper rifle and shield, gundam-style head). For some reason, it never clicked for me why the box was so large for what was just a simple sniper machine (think Ver Ka ZZ sized box with extra thickness) As a result, it ended up cheaper than even other 3rd Party/OMM designs. $45 in local currency for a super detailed MG with metal frame is already a steal, but with the heavy bombard accessories, it is actually ridiculous how much I got. The In Era Rulin is like twice as ex for a similar-ish concept That being said, if I do find a MG GM Sniper II, I'm still getting it. A sniping buddy is always nice. Funny how it would probably be more expensive or have worse cost efficiency than the Sentinel.

[@aguynamedlynx6397]

Though as a whole, I buy what I want. Since I prefer smaller grades, most OMM kits don't appeal to me for the time being. Though with that said, the In Era Ruling is still on my shopping list once I find one...

[@junedtan2]

Here's where I draw the line: i'll buy bootleg (definition: direct copy or color variant) for p-bandai kits only, since p-bandai in my country can fetch two to three times the original prices. OMM kits are great nowadays. My latest one is Star Eternal Glory, nice kit although a bit tight on joints and part connections.

[@dantelombardo7608]

More of a request for possible video I’m not sure how hard it would be to find nowadays but would love to see a modernised review of the p-Bandai astray noir kit as I’m looking to buy it but I usually use your videos as a baseline of what to expect much love Cheers

[@henryfleischer404]

I haven't built any of those "original mecha models", because I mostly build 1/144th scale kits, and I'm not actually all that into Gundams in specific. I have every normal Gundam I want, save for maybe the GP01, so I'm more interested in Zeon-esque mechs, or stuff that's very different. For example, mecha musume, or a Knights of Sidonia kit I got a few months ago. I also tend to prefer simpler designs, which is probably also related to my love of Zeon mecha, particularly in 0079. I also like some full armor type designs, like the Full Armor Gundam or Psycho Zaku from Gundam Thunderbolt- if you want to woo me with a complicated design, use equipment I recognize- fuel tanks, missiles, guns, radars, engines, etc., not unrecognizable spiky bits.

[@snswarrior3562]

Even if bandai is not swayed by the success of 3rd party companies, their success shrinks Bandai's market share overseas, so they really have 2 options if trends continue. 1. compete and produce more master grade style kits, maybe try a new product line, or 2. start to pull out of the market if they dont want to compete. It really depends on how much the market outside of Japan matters to them but i doubt they would want to give it up that easily. Only time will tell really. Also third parties are not only competing on design, its also plastic quality, accessories, and overall build experience. One of the things that blew me away about the sky defender kit was the attention to detail in the manual. they streamlined the build process so well that I was flying through it and didnt want to stop. I've only really seen Bandai do this with special kits like the PG unleashed. I really hope that we get more awesome kits like this, and 3rd parties have shown that If bandai doesn't want to do make them, then they are ready to step up and fill the gap in demand.

[@ronaldzamora8850]

I think they should do more 1/144 kits rather than just or mostly 1/100 if they want to continue the trend, so far they only did two, and hope they do more.

[@gundamOPS]

I just tend to use the term loosely to mean any chinese mecha kits. Likely because before we had Gundam kits from Dragon Momoko and Super Nova and we call them third party to distinguish from the bootleg copies like Daban kits, when the more accurate term for them is "unlicensed" kits. Ever since DM was shut down and Super Nova has re-branded and shifted to completely original designs, more companies are following the same path. The number of unlicensed derivative designs are also becoming uncommon. And since we are so used to calling any of these kits as third parties, it has become the umbrella term for a kit that isn't from Japan and Bandai.

[@azraeiazman]

OMM 1/100: $25-$50 great details, alot of accessories. Bandai 1/100: $50-$100 ok details, could be more with that kind of price. Not alot of accessories. With Bandai making less 1/100 kits now, no wonder alot of people are buying OMM kits. Some OMM kits are huge, like nu gundam huge. It’s really worth the price. The quality is getting better each time. Why OMM kits can have alot more details on their kits with that price but Bandai can’t? I often look at Bandai 1/100 kits wanting to buy them but cancel it because the lack of details on the kits.

[@jzecmusic8514]

For me, someone who doesn’t make enough to support buying larger and more pricey Bandai kits, I feel something like what Daban does is actually really cool. Daban released a bunch of different color ways for the PGU rx-78-2 for like, a hundred bucks each. The china exclusive one is going for like, 5k at most. Daban reproduced it for 100 bucks. If you can’t afford it then yes, I feel it’s ok to buy the knock off. But if you can afford it, buy Bandai. I still buy Bandai products regardless, but my PGU is Daban

[@thomaskok5773]

As someone who retired from Gunpla and mainly focuses on mecha musume kits, these 3rd party kits can be mind-blowing and generous compared to Bandai. The market definitely need competition as Bandai has been capitalize on the market over the past decades.

[@j-frame]

I build other company's model kits other then Bandai and Koto . Volk, Alphamax, Aoshima also produce model kits. I think Bandai was sway by Koto as they jump onto the 3mm connector model kits like 30mm and also Musume Plamo kit (30ms). For me 30mm & 30ms is like cheap alternative to Koto Frame Arms,Frame Arms Girl & Megami Device. Hope Bandai won't jump into the Hexa Gear line if they do shame on them.

[@ThomasFilbert]

I like the term Original Mecha Models (OMM) personally

[@manhhahlu]

Absolutely no problem. Bandai has really gone dry on releasing MG scaled kits so there's no issue with third party companies stepped up and filled the gap there. Demand and supply 101 really.

[@dDbalL-to7rt]

I haven't really strayed from Bandai kits because I really haven't built outside of the Gundam Wing series... my first Alternative Mecha Model kit is the Monument 1/60 (which is basically Tallgeese from Gundam Wing)

[@Geekeric]

Honestly I am reluctant to build non-Bandai mecha kits because there's usually no cool anime behind it. I am all in favor of non-Bandai producers, though, because any pressure on Bandai to make better kits and better anime just to get more of my $$ is a good thing. And geez, hard to make a better quality kit than Bandai.

[@__steelson__]

No, it's not hard to make the same quality kit, recent Chinese original models are proofing this

[@fieldkaiju]

Sky Defender is better than anything Bandai has ever done

[@azraeiazman]

Some OMM kits are catching up to Bandai’s quality.

[@shadow306k]

Given that most of these kits are of Chinese origin, one of my friend circles refer to these kits as 'Chipla'. Not really the most accurate of terms all the time, but it's covered our needs so far

[@sooehn]

the only one to blame is bandai for focusing on P-bandai products instead of releases that the rest of the world can get easy access to.

[@terrybohart]

like everyone and you said, Third Party kit usually filling the void of what Bandai haven't made yet, but in the case of straight bootlegs like from Daban, JMS, XFS, and other bootlegs companies, it's more on the demand, for example in Indonesia, bootlegs are rampant and popular because the prices in here is absolute madness, for you to be able to get new releases of new series or movie like Seed Freedom, you need to pay at least twice the actual price, this has not gotten any better because one of the biggest toy store/company in indonesia are the one that set this market price so everyone else is joining in on the price increase, HG Schwarzette when it was first released can go up to 1.2 million rupiah which is the same price as MG Wing Zero Custom Ver.Ka, you usually need to wait 2-3 years for a kit to be on their actual price. for average indonesian who wants to get into gunpla, spending 1/4 or sometimes even 1/3 of their monthly salary to buy an HG is not reasonable that's why bootlegs are so popular in here, like if the prices wasn't insane, i'm sure most people would choose the official Bandai kit, but at last it is what it is.

[@NzStudio00]

Third party and bootleg are not the same. Third party have their own trademark and rights.