Happy New (Gunpla)Year!

Well it’s new gunpla to end the year with a bang.

It’s time to usher out 2009 and invite in 2010 but, before that happens I got my dose of Gunpla to end the year on a high note.

As most of you already know, the year 2010 will be the year of the Tiger according to the Zodiac Calendar. That’s why I finally got this magnificent kit.

Now this kit I’ve been wanting to get for a long time and it doesn’t disappoint. The detail and gimmicks are definitely there but, more on that from the review to come. I can’t wait for this one to be complete.

Before that, some short info

Kit Name: Gotaitei Sonken Gundam Korinpaku

Character Basis: Sun Quan

Mecha Basis: RX78GP01Fb Full Vernian “Zephyranthes”

Kit Price: 1200 Yen

Next, the kit I got all worked up over.

Nothing much to be said aside from how awesome this kit is. The best part is that it has plenty of shiny clear red parts and very interesting gimmicks.

As usual, some short info

Kit Name: Kyou-I Gundam F91

Character Basis: Jiang Wei

Mecha Basis: F91 Gundam Formula 91 & MS-06 Zaku II

Kit Price: 600 Yen

Together with it, I got this

Well, no surprise here for the transformable gimmick of this kit as you can see the eagle in the back of the box art. Surprisingly, this kit is very nicely detailed and bears a lot of resemblance to the Zeta Plus that it is based on. Weirdly, this kit had me digging a lot before I could find it hidden at the back of the shelves. Thankfully, it comes cheap and has a cute button badge together with it as part of a “Free Gift”.

Kit Info

Kit Name: Rikuson Zeta Plus

Character Basis: Lu Xun

Mecha Basis: MSZ-006 Zeta Plus

Kit Price: 600 Yen

And this,

The genius of Cao Cao’s army, Shiba-I Sazabi. A simple breakdown, this kit has two modes “Bushou” (General) and “Gunshi” (Army Advisor). In “Gunshi” mode, he has a different head – piece and holds a fan. While in, “Bushou” mode he has the sharp sleek head – piece as you can see in the box art and combine his fan with his sword to form his ultimate weapon. Seriously, what is it with geniuses and fans? Maybe I should get one myself.

Kit Info

Kit Name: Shiba-I Sazabi

Character Basis: Sima Yi

Mecha Basis: MSN-04 Sazabi

Kit Price: 600 Yen

No Gunpla fan would be one without one of these,

That’s right, no Gunpla/Gundam fan can call his own without owning any form of this father of all Gundam, RX-78-2 Gundam. This particular kit happens to be the 30th Anniversary Edition (note the gold sticker at the top left) and doesn’t happen to be mine. It’s my brothers. Me? Well, I’ve already got a MG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. Ka (god bless Katoki Hajime). Anyways, this kit is very well detailed and even the articulation is good for an SD Kit.

Kit Info

Kit Name: RX-78-2 Gundam 30th Anniversary Version

Kit Price: 800 Yen

On a side note, this kit really impressed me.

Oh! This I gotta show!

It’s non other than the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam Head Display Base. Not for sale in shops anywhere it only comes with January 2010′s Edition of Dengeki Hobby Magazine. Just by looking at the box you know how great this stand will be. It has the ability to switch between Unciron Mode and Destroy Mode. The sides and the back are also equally good looking. The back features a cool lineart of Unicorn Gundam in both Unicorn and Destroy Mode in the same blue print used for the cover. More pictures when the review is up.

Kit Info

Kit Name: RX-0 Unicorn Gundam  Head Display Base

Kit Price: 1290 Yen (comes with of a January 2010 issue of Dengeki Hobby Magazine)

I saved the best for last,

I really don’t have to type anything. The box art speaks for itself. This kit is that awesome that it rivals my Hi – Nu in terms of awesomeness. Who cares about the 30th Anniversary Version with Clear Parts when you can go for the best thing? The best part is I got this kit at a lower price. Though, that still isn’t really dirt cheap. Always remember, this kit will leave a substantially big hole in your pocket if you are an average earner. Well, at least I can have a Destiny vs Strike Freedom diorama now.

Kit Info

Kit Name: MG ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam Full Burst Mode

Kit Price: 7000 Yen

Well, that’s all for the year. It’s been a blast for me both Gunpla and not Gunpla wise.

New Years Resolution? Collect more awesome Gunpla?

Your turn Bandai, you made Blue and are gonna release Red. Now, gimme a MG Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatu Mina Custom!!!!!!

Oh! Before I forget,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sonshoukou Gerbera Info & Out-of-Box Review

Kit Info

Kit Name: Sonshoukou Gerbera

Character Basis: Sun Shangxiang

Alias: Archer Princess of Koutou

Mobile Suit Basis: RX-78GP04G Gundam “Gerbera”

Kit Price: 600 Yen

Series: BB Senshi Sangokuden (Romance of the 3 Kingdoms)

Runners

The kit isn’t exactly very big.

It only comes with 2 part runners and 1 polycap runner.

There are a total of 31 parts and 10 polycaps making this a relatively simple kit even for a SD kit.

The parts are molded in 4 colours, white, creme, gold and pink.

The quality and reproduction of the colours are relatively good. The white is well pretty much standard. While, the pink and creme is good though some might like the pink to be darker. Sadly, the gold is rubbish. As like all the other BB Senshi Sangokuden kits, the gold is bad and of poor quality.

Manual

As I’ve said before, this kit is really simple to build and you don’t need to know a scratch of Japanese to build this kit (well, not that any other Gunpla kits do require any).

The manual is only 3 pages long with the final 2 pages just pretty much wasting space so that there isn’t an empty page.

The interesting bit though is that this kit comes with 5 choices of “eyes”. 5 heads aren’t provided though.

Out-of-Box Review

I just happen to have a thing for huge weapons

For Out-of-Box reviews each kit is gonna be judged on 5 categories:

1. Quality and Detail

2. Articulation

3. Gimmicks

4. Work

5. Value for Money

Quality and Detail

There’s no doubt about it, this kit is solid and very well made. The parts snap in nicely and even though there still is a seam line it’s hardly visible from a distance.

Like all Bandai kits, the quality of the plastics are very good and there are hardly much flaws except for the horrible gold. While the gold might look okay on pictures, it really is horrible to look at with the naked eye.

As for the other colours, like I’ve said before the creme and pink colours are good. Though, it might not be everbody’s cup of tea. The white is standard Gunpla white. The same glossy white which I prefer painted or sprayed so it doesn’t fell so plasticky (if there is such a word).

As like any other BB Senshi Sangokuden Series SD kits, the detail is aplenty. After all, the BB Senshi Sangokuden Series has arguably the best detailed kits among the whole SD Series.

Such details can be seen like Sonshoukou Gerbera’s earrings.

There really isn’t much to side about the back profile. Detail is definitely there but it isn’t as much as the front. But, that’s a normal thing.

The only thing which puzzles me is the 2 circular connection slots on the back. The only logical explanation I can think of is that the torso design platform base is the same as the other BB Senshi Sangokuden kits and so Bandai decided to just let it be. If you wanted, you could insert parts from other BB Senshi Sangokuden kits into the connection slot. Though, I haven’t tried so I’m not 100% sure it’ll work.

Articulation

The articulation for this kit is a bit difficult to explain.

In terms of a BB Senshi Sangokuden kit, the articulation is pretty much standard. Then again, the articulation of BB Senshi Sangokuden are one of the best articulation for SD kits around today. Especially if compared to the rubbish articulation of the BB Senshi Sengokuden or BB Senshi Sangokuden Gaiden Kits.

Yeah, so you get the picture.

The articulation for this kit isn’t anything to shout out about but, it’s definitely enough for an SD kit.

Gimmicks

ARSENAL! No, not the football team.

It’s an unspoken rule that all SD kits must have some form of gimmick. The BB Senshi Sangokuden Series is no exception with one of the coolest and freshest concept of gimmicks.

This kit is pretty interesting and unique.  Instead of the usual ultimate weapon and armour removing gimmicks which all the other BB Senshi Sangokuden kits employ. This one, comes with fresh and cool gimmicks. Nothing exactly new and revoultionary but, still nice to have.

The first gimmick being her bow turning into a bow. Ok, that didn’t come out right. Well, just let the picture explain the words.

Pew! Pew! Pew!

Sadly, there is no place to store that golden arrow.

The second gimmick is the inclusion of 2 cut-out aprons. Just for you to know, Sonshoukou Gerbera is a useless cook.

Notice the cute tiger motif?

The third and final gimmick is of course the 5 “eyes” stickers as shown above.

Work

I don’t have to do anything. Just compare the clean build kit and the box art and you see there really isn’t much work that has to be done.

Aside from the gold accent on the armour and some panel lining and everything is done. Perhaps the most work that has to be done is the polearm.

That is if you are a marker user.

If you do intend to re-paint the kit, it wouldn’t be too difficult to be done if compared to the other BB Senshi Sangokuden Kits.

One things for sure, that gold must go.

Value for Money

Finally, the question is, is it worth your money?

I’d love to say yes it’s worth your every single cent and you should go out now and buy it. But, no.

This kit only has 2 part runners as compared to the other BB Senshi Sangokuden Kits of the same box size which have 3 part runners.

In fact, there aren’t even any clear parts or part swapping.

Then again, it’s only a 600 Yen kit and that is relatively cheap. So, if you do have a spare 600 Yen lying around or if you’ve wanted

this kit, go and get it.

Conclusion

This is a really nice cute kit and it’s definitely worth getting. 600 Yen isn’t a price too much to pay for this kit as it brings a very unique and fresh approach for the BB Senshi Sangokuden Series. There are minor flaws here and there but, its forgivable except for the gold. At the end of the day, it’s still a thoroughly satisfying kit.

END

Progress:

As for now, the kit is gonna be brought of for disassembling, sanding ,washing, painting, minor sanding, more painting, panel lining and final touch up.

Pictures of the completed kit should (hopefully) be up and ready in 1 week.