Custom Build #002 Part.2

Here is a little update:

- Aile Strike's backpack is added. It was raised and pushed back a little to give room for the shoulders and the head.

- Gale Strike thrusters are added to the backpack. Top pieces of these thrusters are cut off to avoid friction between the gale thrusters and the aile thrusters above them.
- More Strike thrusters are mounted on the beam saber handle on top. They will be modded later.

- Knee caps will be modded.

- MG Aile Strike feet are added because the original NG1/100 feet are too fat and hard to mod.
- MG Aile Strike hands are added.

That's it for now. It resembles a little bit more like Ex-S now. I'll see you around!

Custom Build #002 Part.1

I'm currently abandoning my previous project because I need inspiration. Finals during last semester also had an impact in this project. Although I do not intend to continue #001, I am not completely abandoning it. Meanwhile I'm going to concentrate on a new project.

Gundam Eclipse is holding a summer contest. Basically, you mod a recently purchased model kit and show it off! The prizes are fantastic, but I'm aiming for the first prize: MG Delta Plus.

I purchased NG 1/100 Gale Strike Gundam in April. Although I'm satisfied with it, the model kit does not look great on my shelf. Later on, it utterly annoyed me because the candy-like colors do not look impressive at all.

I had an idea of turning Gale Strike into a heavily armored mobile suit like Ex-S Gundam. The inspiration came from GFF Ex-S Gundam that I bought in May. I figured, "What if I re-imagine Ex-S Gundam in Seed universe? Although it utterly failed, Seed is supposed to be the new UC, afterall."

I started this project a few days after the contest was announced, which was June 2nd. And, here is the progress so far:

Week one: Head was slightly modified. Torso, back, and waist parts were heavily modified. I used a lot of spare parts from 00 model kits that aren't used. Pen caps (green) were used to imitate thrusters on the back skirt.

Week two: Scratch-built a  beamsmart gun using a rifle that came from Kotobukiya's Weapon Unit #6 as a base unit. A pen (green) cap is used to imitate energy tank. Basically, I used a lot of unused writing utensils to build this gun.

Week three: Sensors and pipes are added to the chest piece. Shoulder parts are slightly modified. Side skirts are modded into storages for beam sabers.

The progress of this project has been halted because my parents are in the states right now. So, I had to put away modelling stuff away at the moment. Also, I ran out of pla-plates. So, until my parents leave New York and I get my supply of pla-plates, then I can resume this project. :)

EMSIA Freedom Gundam

Freedom Gundam is the dawn of Kira Yamato's beam-spamming legacy. A lot of people love and hate this mobile suit because it is nearly invincible (until Providence Gundam trashed it). Some even think that the design is a knock off of Hi-Nu Gundam. However, I love Freedom simply because everything about it is just freakin' beautiful and awesome. Although I like this mobile suit, I actually hate Strike Freedom. I think the whole design is just too flashy. Also, the DRAGOON system particularly in Strike Freedom is cheesy, like side7reviews put it.

Front side and back side views of Freedom.

I'm actually amazed that there is literally nothing wrong in this action figure in terms of paint and molds. In the past, my MSIA figures have a handful of paint bleeds and molding errors. However, this figure doesn't. 

The plastic materials that made up this figure vary from very sturdy to soft, making this figure very durable. 

The wing span of the wings are outstanding. It's almost twice the length of the figure! Oh gracefulness..

The reason why I like Freedom so much is because its peacock wings. I quickly fell in love with the wings when the silhouette of this mobile suit appeared in the second opening of Gundam Seed (my most favorite opening from Seed universe actually!).

I think that HG didn't do justice on Freedom's design. In fact, the line butchered the mobile suit so much that I threw away my HG Freedom. HG made Freedom look so chubby and the wings barely represent the aesthetic of this mobile suit. Afterwards, I  bought Cosmic Region Freedom. I sold it right away after I opened it because the line couldn't capture the sense of awe that Freedom's wings give out. Nice details and decals, though. Then, MG wasn't even in my mind because I prefer 1/144 model kits. Then, I saw side7reviews review on EMSIA Freedom. Boy, finally!

Anyways, this figure is back heavy. I'm not sure if this figure can stand only with its two feet, but I have tried so many attempts and I failed. You will need a small stand to support its back. The wings are enormous, afterall.

Accessories included are: one shield, one beam rifle, two beam sabers, three beam saber handles, and six manipulators.

side7reviews mentioned in his review of EMSIA Freedom that this figure is squat in terms of height. While I agree, I think that you have to actually pose this figure so that it does not look squat. The proportion of the other things in this figure is just right.

There are no holes or pegs in this figure for any kind of display bases to attach. So, you will need Tamashii Stage Act to pose this figure. I am very impressed at this figure because the articulations are very flexible. You can pose Freedom in any kind of poses you want. Literally, anything.

In conclusion, I don't regret spending $50 on this figure because it is that great. I am very satisfied at how playable this figure is and durable at the same time. Even though it is slightly smaller than 1/144 model kits, its large graceful wings will definitely tower most 1/144 model kits. Honestly, words can't describe how amazing this figure is. I'm not too sure about this, but EMSIA Freedom is a rarity these days because of the decline of MSIA line production due to the release of Robot Damashii figures. So, if you can find this figure for around $40, I'd say you go get it. Especially, if you love Freedom Gundam.

Overall: 10/10

This is the pose that stole my heart.. c:

Robot Damashii Union Flag Custom II (GN Flag)

I fell in love with this mobile suit as soon as it appeared in the season finale of Gundam 00. It was such a bittersweet emergence, though, because it only appeared for less than five minutes. Nevertheless, it was definitely captivating.

Front side and back side views of GN Flag.

This mobile suit is gorgeous. Unlike other grunt suits, it's very sleek and anorexic, which is something that you don't usually see in other Gundam universes. It looks menacing when you put on the open face-mask.

Compared to HG 1:144 Overflag, GN Flag stands a little bit shorter. It's kind of unfortunate, but at least it's not 1:200 short.

Accessories: Pulse rifle, beam saber, GN cable, GN Tau, two open fists, two closed arms, and an open face-mask.

The articulation of this action figure is outstanding. I have to say that it's almost human-like. So, you're always tempted to change the pose of this action figure when displaying it. Although unnecessary, the accessories are great bonuses. Honestly, there really is nothing to complain about this action figure. If you have Tamashii Stage Act, you can definitely pose this action figure in dynamic mid-air poses.

If you love Graham, buy it. If you love Flag derivatives, buy it. I really can't stress enough how much I recommend getting this action figure. Unfortunately, it has become a rarity. Most sellers will sell this action figure around $100, excluding shipping. However, stick around eBay long enough and you will find one that is less than $50. I was lucky enough to find an online hobby store that sells this action figure for $30.

Overall: 9/10

"Indeed, we were destined to fight each other! It was your display of your overwhelming power that stole my heart! This feeling I have, it can only be called love!" Geez. Graham, you're such a romanticist.

Package #003

The boxes look amazing. You can see how exclusive these action figures are. I really like the EMSIA Freedom Gundam because of the widths of the wingspan. Articulations are also amazing. Justice Gundam was a giveaway. I didn't intend on buying it, but someone from eBay sold it together with Freedom. Both action figures came out to be less than $50. So, why not?

Again, back to my finals. "orz

Package #002

It's been months and they're here! Revoltech Arch Gurren Lagann, Super Galaxy Gurren Lagann, and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Finally, Figma archetype: he. This thing is so rare, I'm glad I got it for less than $60 on eBay.

Well, back to my finals now.

GFF Wing Gundam ver.Ka

I really love Katoki's re-design of Wing Gundam. Basically, it is Wing Zero Custom without the angel wings. The color scheme is very vibrant, something that you don't always see in lead Gundams.

Side views of Wing Gundam ver.Ka.

Front (left) and back (right) views of Wing Gundam ver.Ka.

Accessories: a shield, a beam saber, a buster rifle, two rifle packs, and three manipulators.

I prefer 1:144 scale figures, so I bought the Gundam Fix Figuration version because there is only master grade version of this mobile suit. I paid way more than I should have been paying. I don't regret it, though.

The quality of this figure is outstanding. The plastic is very sturdy, although it seems to be very fragile for articulations. Besides, GFF figures are not made to be played around, anyway.

Although there are few paint bleeds and molding errors, this figure comes across looking very detailed and realistic. Decals appear almost everywhere in the body. I really appreciate this because this figure doesn't look like a toy.

Front (right) and back (left) views of the wings.

Articulations are very stiff, but they are as good as HG model kits. Buster rifle guard is very loose. It doesn't want to stay in one place and flaps around all the time. Wings are very stiff. This is great because it would stay up no matter what kind of pose you're trying to do.

I was actually surprised that this figure is able to stand on its feet. The back is very heavy because of the large and long wings. You need to adjust the position of the feet right, though.

Unfortunately, you can't attach this figure to any action base. There aren't an openings for it. So, you would need Tamashii Stage Act to pose this figure in mid-air. 

I really recommend this figure. This GFF figure is an extra item that is comparable to its master grade brother. However, this figure is for display only. So, if you like to play around with your figures, I suggest you avoid buying this.

Overall: 8.7/10

Of course, you just have to pose this figure this way.

Package #001

HGMC Hi-Nu (left) and NG Gale Strike (Right)

These two model kits just arrived a few days ago. My parents are coming to visit me here in the States by the end of this month. So, I'm trying to clean up some of the unbuilt model kits lying around my room. It was 8 hours straight of gunpla building.

I have to say that I had fun building these two kits. There was not any second that I was not impressed while building them. By the end of the building process, I was just amazed with the way they look. I haven't decaled, stickered, nor panel-lined them. However, they already look amazing on my shelf.

I have more model kits coming up. Hopefully,  I have the time to build them in the midst of finals. Sigh.

Comics section is moved!

I realize that I really can't mix gunplas and comics. They are different things from different realms, afterall. Duh. So, I have decided to remove the comic section to here.