Here...Try A New Hobby

Do you like building models? Know what gunpla is or want to know? Read this article to get some information

Gunpla!

What is gunpla?

Gunpla are model kits of giant robots called "mobile suits" from the "Gundam" franchise. Gunpla have existed since 1980 just after the 1979 release of the first Gundam anime "Mobile Suit Gundam" (some times referred to as Gundam 0079). As of recently, the Gunpla kits have been created on a universal format. All of the model kits created since 2014 that are of the HG (high grade) scale are now interchangeable. This basically means gunpla are a lot easier to customize.

Why is this important?

Other than for the fun of customizing cool model kits to fit your imagination, every year there is a national and world tournament for gunpla building. Most major countries that have gunpla fans have a national tournament and the winners are taken to the world tournament in Japan. The rules for the U.S. tournament are outlined here: http://www.bluefincorp.com/catalog/gbwc2014 So if you want to get into it you could win a trip to Japan.

Why this hobby?

Well what's better than build giant robot models? I can't think of any models cooler than that. Gunpla are a lot of fun to customize and they're a lot of fun to build in general. If you're a fan of the franchise then you can pretty much pick any mobile suit you saw in the show and chances are they made a model for it. Japan has been trying to increase the interest in gunpla ever since the creation of their mini-sodes series "Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G". Kids in the series could build gunpla and battle with them in a virtual reality simulator. The popularity of this series launched the series "Gundam Build Fighters" and the sequel "Gundam Build Fighters Try". Try is currently still airing in Japan and can easily be found on youtube.

Why watch anime about models?

The anime are very compelling. I've been following each of them as they come out and I love them. The anime show off so many cool custom models that make it hard to not brainstorm about customizing some gunpla. Customizing is only limited by your imagination. There are endless possibilities out there. Its truly a fun experience and you should give it a shot.

Here is a website that has a pretty good tutorial on how to customize gunpla: http://otakurevolution.com/content/laymans-gunpla-guide Don't fret if you cut a piece the wrong way or if you lose a piece during the building process because there is a website that specializes in selling discount gunpla and pieces from models in case something like that happens:http://www.gundamstoreandmore.com/

Give it a shot!

What are you waiting for? Try this hobby out! Watch an anime first if you're not sure. Watching one of the anime will get you pumped! Treat yourself and have some fun! You can get any of these models from ebay, amazon, or the gundamstore. If you're lucky like I am, there may even be a store in your city that sells gunpla.