Gundam

GUNDAM HOBBY LIFE GHL #020

JUNE

One of the most popular and iconic gundam TV series

Everything you need to know about GUNDAM

By KanPui

What is Gundam?

• Overview about Gundam

• Concept of the Gundam

TV series & Films

• The first TV show

• Popular TV series

• Appreance in other movies

Manga, Novels & Games

• Overall about manga and novels

• Popular games

PART I GUNDAM CONTENTS

Cutural impact of Gundam

• Commercial

• Museum

• Military

PART 2 GUNPLA

What is Gunpla?

• Overview about Gunpla

Types of Gunpla

• High grade (HG)

• Real grade (RG)

• Master grade (MG)

• Perfect grade (PG)

• Super Deformed (SD)

• Entry grade

• High resolution

Third party products

• Overview about third party products

• Hot/poular model kits

How to build Gunpla?

• Preparation

• Steps

P.22 P.26 P.30 P.20

PART 1

GUNDAM

OVERVIEW

Gundam is a Japanese military fiction media franchise which created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and a group of creators under the name Hajime Yatate from Sunrise (known as Bandai Namco Filmworks nowadays). This TV series began with the TV show named Mobile Suit Gundam and began on April 7th, 1979. The TV series defined the “real robot” mecha anime genre by featuring giant robots called mobile suits in a militeristic setting. Due to the famous of this TV series, many of merchandises has been created including films, manga, novels, video games, and plastic model kit which known as gunpla.

CONCEPT

Mobile Suit Gundam was developed by animator Yoshiyuki Tomino and a changing group of Sunrise creators with the collective pseudonym of Hajime Yatate. The series was originally entitled Freedom Fighter Gunboy (or Gunboy) for the robot’s gun, with teen boys the primary target demographic. Early production had a number of references to freedom: the White Base was originally “Freedom’s Fortress”, the Core Fighter was the “Freedom Wing” and the Gunperry was the “Freedom Cruiser”. The Yatate team combined the English word “gun” with the last syllable of the word “freedom” to form the portmanteau Gundom. Tomino changed it to Gundam, suggesting a unit wielding a gun powerful enough to hold back enemies like a hydroelectric dam holding back water.

[9] In keeping with the concept, Gundams are depicted as prototypes or limitedproduction, with higher capabilities than mass-produced units.

Most Gundams are large, bipedal, humanoid vehicles controlled from a cockpit by a human pilot. The cockpit is located in the torso, while the head serves as a camera

to transmit images back to the cockpit. Most of the series protagonists are Newtypes, genetically advanced humans adapted for space. Newtypes have psychic abilities that enable them to sense each other across space and to utilize special mobile suits. The series itself has been described as a space opera.

RX 78-2 Gundam, one of the famous gundam in the franchise

Credit:Google

6 GHL Gundam Hobby Life

WHAT IS GUNDAM?

NEWEST SERIES!!!

The newest mobile suit gundam series named : The Witch from Mecury has offically premier in October 2022.

TV SERIES AND FILMS 1st TV SHOW

Overview Plot

The first TV show was Mobile Suit Gundam, also known as First Gundam, Gundam 0079 or simply Gundam ‘79, is an anime television series, produced and animated by Nippon Sunrise. Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it premiered in Japan on Nagoya Broadcasting Network and its affiliated ANN stations on April 7, 1979, and lasted until January 26, 1980, spanning 43 episodes. It was the first Gundam series, which has subsequently been adapted into numerous sequels and spin-offs. Set in the futuristic calendar year “Universal Century” 0079, the plot focuses on the war between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation, with the latter unveiling a new giant robot known as the RX-78-2 Gundam piloted by the teenage civilian mechanic Amuro Ray.

the Federation crew and civilians in the process. Out of desperation, young Amuro Ray accidentally finds the Federation’s new prototype arsenal—the RX-78 Gundam, and manages to beat back Zeon forces. Scrambling everything they can, the White Base sets out with her newly formed crew of civilian recruits and refugees in her journey to survive.

Set in a fictional universe (Universal Century year 0079 according to the Gundam Calendar), the Principality of Zeon has declared independence from the Earth Federation, and subsequently launched a war of independence called the One Year War. The conflict has directly affected every continent on Earth, also nearly every space colony and lunar settlement. Zeon, though smaller, has the tactical upper hand through their use of a new type of humanoid weapons called mobile suits. After half of all humanity perishes in the conflict, the war settled into a bitter stalemate lasting over 8 months.

The story begins with a newly deployed Federation warship, the White Base, arriving at the secret research base located at the Side 7 colony to pick up the Federation’s newest weapon. However, they are closely followed by Zeon forces. A Zeon reconnaissance team member disobeys mission orders and attacks the colony, killing most of

On their journey, the White Base members often encounter the Zeon Lieutenant Commander Char Aznable. Although Char antagonizes Amuro in battle, he takes advantage of their position as Federation members to have them kill members from Zeon’s Zabi family as part of his revenge scheme. Amuro also meets ensign Lalah Sune with whom he falls in love, but accidentally kills when facing Char. When the Federation Forces invade the Fortress of A Baoa Qu to defeat the Zeon forces, Amuro engages on a final one-on-one duel against Char due to both blaming the other for Lalah’s death. Having realized he forgot his true enemy, Char stops fighting to kill the last surviving Zabi member, Kycilia Zabi. Amuro then reunites with his comrades as the war reaches its end.

RX 78-2 Gundam, the famous gundam and the main character in the show

POPULAR TV SERIES

• Time: 3/1985 - 2/1986

• Episodes: 50

• The 2nd installment in the franchise.

• Time: 4/1995 - 3/1996

• Episodes: 49

• The 6th installment in the franchise.

• Time: 10/2002 - 9/2003

• Episodes: 50

• The 9th installment in the franchise.

• Time: 10/2007 - 3/2009

• Episodes: 50

• The 11th installment in the franchise.

• Time: 4/1999 - 4/2000

• Episodes: 50

• It is the 8th installment in the franchise.

• Created for the 20th Anniversary celebration.

Unicorn RE: 0096

• Time: 4/2016 - 9/2016

• Episodes: 22

Turn A Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam OO

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed

GHL Gundam Hobby Life

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans

• Time: 10/2015 - 4/2017

• Episodes: 50

• The 14th installment of the franchise.

APPERANCE IN OTHER FILMS

Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Ernest Cline’s 2011 science fiction novel Ready Player One is not only a love letter...

Credit:Google

In 2018, Ready Player One, an America science fiction film based on Ernest Cline’s novel of the same name was released. Directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Zak Penn and Cline, it stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance. The film is set in 2045, where much of humanity uses the OASIS, a virtual reality simulation, to escape the real world. A teenage orphan finds clues to a contest that promises ownership of the OASIS to the winner, and he and his allies try to complete it before an evil corporation can do so. The film was awarded the title of Best Science Fiction at the 45th Saturn Awards a further two Outstanding Achievement Awards

Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Ernest Cline’s 2011 science fiction novel Ready Player One is not only a love letter to pop culture chock full of fun references, but also a sugar rush of eye candy with stunning visuals. The 2018 film won over audiences and critics alike and netted a whopping $583 million at the worldwide box office. It’s fair to say that Spielberg’s movie was a hit, uniting geeks across generations and the globe. With such widespread appeal for Ready

Player One comes the age-old debate with any movie about what the best part was, particularly with so many nostalgic elements and character appearances. It’s possibly a deeply personal choice for some, from the iconic soundtrack to throwbacks to media they perhaps hadn’t thought of in years, but in terms of plot and characterization, the other cameos can’t hold a candle to a certain giant mech hero’s surprise appearance.

As antagonist Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn) seemingly had the film’s leads on the ropes in battle as he chose Mechagodzilla as his avatar, all hope seemed lost. However, at the very last second, Daito (Win Morisaki) came to his friends’ aid in a Deus ex Machina move as he transformed into RX78-2 Gundam. The arrival was nothing short of majestic and a complete surprise perfectly apropos for battling against the legendary Toho Studios kaiju. The battle segment featuring the iconic mech was fast and powerful, ending far too quickly as Daito was unable to keep the form for an extended time. His efforts were not in vain, though, given the powerful blows he was able to deal to the monster with his beam saber.

The Gundam’s appearance was a genuine surprise, as it’s rather rare to see anything Gundam appear in Western media. But the surprise reveal, alongside the iconic match up of mecha versus kaiju, was truly the best part of the film. While the Gundam’s glorious moment was short-lived, its arrival was significant as it makes one wonder how well a live-action Gundam film could be interpreted, let alone for a global audience particularly still unfamiliar with the quintessential Japanese pop culture icon. With Godzilla as a household name, it feels as if the robo series has a chance to make a landing in theatres, too. Fortunately, Legendary Entertainment, the studio behind the most recent Godzilla adaptations outside of Japan, is willing to take that chance.

Legendary Entertainment announced in July 2018 the co-production of a live-action Gundam film alongside the anime’s parent company, Sunrise Inc. In March 2019, Legendary signed accomplished comic creator Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Runaways, Y: The Last Man) to write the script. While very little is currently known about the upcoming production, the promise of a feature-length adaptation has fans beyond enthused. However, with the likelihood of it being at least a few years before the movie debuts due to its current status, as well as the varied state of the film industry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it leaves the timetable of when fans can expect to see a Gundam up close on the screen up in the air.

If you’re too antsy for the movie’s premiere, though, a quick trip to Japan might just help aid with your excitement, given its recent advancements with building a life-size, functional Gundam. The 59 foot, 55,000-pound titan is a full-scale Gundam replica and resides at Gundam Factory Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, Japan at Yamashita Pier. While the massive structure is primarily a steel skeleton constructed to appear like the legendary suits, seeing it towering above onlookers, let alone moving, is truly a sight to behold. The Gundam’s gigantic head even had the honor of being

blessed by Shinto priests in a jotoshiki ceremony, a religious service that prays for the safety of a structure after its completion, continuing to prove how significant the replica and its origin is to Japanese culture. The attraction opens December 19, 2020, and is sadly only open until March 2022. The future of the mech after its display at the factory is uncertain, but fingers crossed it will be to develop its functions even further, proving further that Gundam has a place in mainstream pop culture.

The gundam that appear in the movie was RX 78-2, an iconic gundam from the franchise.

The film also has many other characters from different movies and games such as The Shining, the Back to the Future franchise, the Iron Giant, Overwatch, etc...

A fight scene in the movie

Gundam Hobby

Gundam Strike (custom)

Manga, Novels and Games

MANGA AND NOVELS

Manga adaptations of the Gundam series have been published in Japan under different authors and magazines. The manga can be created both before or after the TV series. There are also published in English in North America by a number of companies, such as Viz Media, Del Rey Manga and Tokyopop, and in Singapore by Chuang Yi. With the novels, it will be also applied the same method of creating but it will not be posted on the magazines.

This is a cover for novel

This is a cover for manga

Credit:Google

GHL Gundam Hobby

GAMES

Games that relateted to Gundam is also huge. There are some famous names such as Gundam Versus, Super Robot Wars, Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn, Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the battlefield 2, etc... These games can be played in several platform like PS4, PS5, PC or arcade.

These games are Gundam Versus, Super Robot Wars and Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the battlefield 2

CULTURAL IMPACT OF GUNDAM COMMERCIAL MUSEUM MILITARY

The Gundam franchise covers ten universes that comprise a dozen TV series, over twenty animated movies, and dozens of novels and manga. Bandai is the fourth largest toy manufacturer in the world and Gundam merchandise makes up 20% of its sales. In 2004, Gundam sales resulted in profits of ¥42.8 billion, growing to ¥54.5 billion annual profit by 2007, and ¥80.2 billion annual revenue per year by 2014.

By 2000, the popularity of Gundam had resulted in the creation of hundreds of different model kits with more than 350 million sold. In 2011, the Los Angeles Times reported that some estimations state that “10 Gundam models (have been) sold for every man, woman and child in Japan.” By 2015, Bandai had sold an estimate 450 million units, with nearly 2,000 different Gundam plastic models. Bandai Visual had also sold 11.9 million home video units by February 2006.

The Gundam franchise had grossed over $5 billion in retail sales by 2000. Its owner Bandai Namco Holdings was earning up to ¥54.5 billion per year from products based on the Gundam characters by 2007, rising to ¥80.2 billion per year by 2014.

Gundam Base Tokyo is a dedicated museum to Gundam. Among its major attractions is the Gundam Statue of the RG 1/1 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. GFT(Gundam Front Tokyo). It features a display collection of over 1000 Gunpla models and the biggest exhibition of Gunpla in the world. In 2012, Robots Gone Bad covered the museum and stated that it houses 90% of the kits ever made. In 2012, a large topiary Gundam made of ten thousand begonias, zinnias, and star daisies was on display to promote the green movement.

The code name for the under-development Japan Self-Defense Forces advanced personal combat equipment is “Gundam”. On the display exhibition on 7 November 2007, the equipment of the set contains infrared camera and scope that can verify if the incoming target is a friend or foe, along with a monitor display that can browse the internet. The equipment has a total weight of 9 kg and the powered suit can run for 8 hours. The testing team consisting of troopers claims that the major improvement should be focused on increasing the battery life of the system. The researchers are also aiming for funnel type systems including missiles that can stay/hover in air and mini scouting robots

A product from Bandai

A picture from Gundam Base Tokyo

Credit:Google

Gundam Unicorn Statue at Odaiba, Tokyo.

PART 2

GUNPLA

WHAT IS GUNPLA?

Gunpla is a plastic model kit which based on the franchise “Mobile Suit Gundam” and produced by Bandai. These models are produced in several scale and in each box, there are multiple parts that can be assembled by hand. The target customers when Bandai first introduced these models was teenagers

and adults; and now it can be proved that it is a correct choice. According to Nikkei Asia, Sales of Gundam-related merchandise by Bandai were 76.7 billion yen ($641 million) in fiscal 2014, accounting for almost 14% of the parent firm Bandai Namco Holdings’ total sales.

TYPES OF GUNPLA

HIGH GRADE (HG)

In 1990, Bandai introduced the High Grade (HG) line. This line can be easily afforded due to the low price (compare to MG line) so it is really popular. These models are mostly in 1:144 scale, though some older kits are in 1:100 scale. It is important to note that the SEED and SEED DESTINY 1:100 scale models do not have HG listed anywhere on the box or manual, but they are considered HG in terms of quality.

MASTER GRADE (MG)

In 1995, the 1:100 Master Grade (MG) line was introduced. This line featured more parts, better detail and improved articulation than the high grade kits. For example, you can see the details in the MG Barbatos kit with multiple parts in order to create lots of flexible joints

for the figure and the users can easily create more poses. It also helps the kit to be looked more realistic. However, these kits are quite expensive (compare to HG and RG line).

REAL GRADE (RG)

In July 2010, Bandai introduced the 1:144 Real Grade (RG) line as part of the “Gundam 30th Anniversary”, which takes design elements from the Master Grade and Perfect Grade line such as an inner skeletal frame. This Gunpla line achieves the largest range of motion in each joint. You can see the differences in the right-side picture between HG kit and RG kit. RG kit can be seen with more details even they have the same scale (1:144).

PERFECT GRADE (PG)

The highest quality kits are known as Perfect Grade (PG), introduced in 1998. These 1:60 scale models are made of even higher quality plastic and metal components. These kits include parts that have to be secured with screws, and often require some minor wiring for small LEDs. The market for the Perfect Grade level of models is limited due to the higher cost, often costing between

4 million VND to 11 million VND. Perfect Grade models are a true challenge and their construction can take days, or even weeks.

Super Deformed (SD)

Also offered is an expanding line of small plastic kits labelled SD Gundam (Super-Deformed Gundam) which are not presented in a particular scale. “SD” Gundams are comedic renditions of the various Gundam mecha designs featuring a disproportionately large “head.” These kits are often much easier to construct but offer very limited possibility and require paint and detailing to truly “finish” the kit. The most famous line is the BB Senshi (known as SD GUNDAM BB Warriors in Bandai’s English page). Depending on popularity of series, SD units may also be sold in separate product line (e.g.: Superior Defender Gundam Force).

Entry grade (EG)

Entry Grade, or EG, is a line of 1/144 scale model kits, or Gunpla, of the Mobile Suits from the Gundam meta series. Introduced in 2011 and made in China, the line was marketed to emerging markets in Asia. EG kits are similar to First Grade or No Grade 1/144 series Gunpla kits, wherein they contain no polycaps and are molded in only three colors.

High resolution model kits are one of the special line. These kits also have the same scale with MG line (1:100) but it is built and ready to use with a really high quality (from the color to the frame). These kits will extremely expensive.

Metal Build kit from MoShow Toys

Third party products

Due to the success and the fame of Gunpla, many third parties from China produce gunpla model kits. They produce various products that have nearly same design with the original model or have cool design and unique weapons which not include in any movies. There are many third parties on the market such as Daban, MJH, HS, JiJia, Nobrand, etc...

These products have a cheaper price compare to Bandai products. The players can easily buy a good figure with a reasonable price because the offical products from Bandai have a high price. For example, a PG model from Daban only cost around 1,7 million to 2 million VND, whereas a PG model from Bandai will cost around 4 to 6 million VND. In contrast, the quality will not good as the official products from Bandai. First, many third parties products have a bad to medium quality of plastic, which can be easily broken. Second, the joints in some models are not easy to assemble because it has some extend parts or unable to fit with other parts. Last, there will be some missing parts or broken from the beginning. This make the buyers almost depend on their luck to get a good kit. However, there are some kits that are really good and worth with the money you spend.

Model kits that produced by third parites but have good quality

Metal Build kit from MoShow Toys

HOT MODEL KIT

MoShow

MCT-J02 1/72 Takeda Shingan

• Scale: 1/72

• Type: Metal Build

This model kit was originally inspired by Takeda Shingen (1521-1573), one of the famous and strongest leaders in Japan during the Sengoku period. He was known as “Tiger of Kai” because Takeda was daimyo of Kai province (present-day Yamanashi prefecture).

METAL BUILD 1/72

MOSHOW TOYS TAKEDA SHINGEN

HOW TO BUILD PREPARATION

Gundam model kits come in many varieties, but the majority made from the late 80s on - standard “plastic” kits - are manufactured and assembled similarly. Kits come as a collection of plastic parts, decals, and sometimes other decorative accessories which the purchaser assembles by hand into the finished model.

The plastic parts are delivered in the exact form they exit the injection molding machine,on a “sprue tree” - a grid of interconnecting plastic rods, called runners, created by the channels in the mold that carried the molten plastic into the cavities that create each part. Each part is connected to the runners by a small plastic nub called a “gate” where the runner connected to the cavity.

Gunpla model as purchased

Parts made from ABS, and an ABS/ polypropylene blend

An entire Gunpla kit

Gunpla decal sheet

Model parts attached to sprue trees

Typical sprue cutters (required)

may also need sandpaper and panel liner

Credit:Google

STEPS

There will be 3 main steps:

1. The kit builder must cut away this excess plastic - usually with a pair of side cutting pliers - to free each part, then (optionally, but usually) clip, carve or sand away the remaining plastic tip where the gates attached to leave a clean surface.

2. Once the parts have been freed, the builder must then snap them together to assemble the model. Early kits required glue, but from the late 80s onward all kits assemble without special tools or materials. Some kits use an internal frame - a complete “skeleton,” fully articulated and able to stand on its own - to which panels are then attached to finish the appearance of the mecha.

3. When it comes time to assemble the panels making up the external appearance of the model, the builder may choose to customize the model in a wide variety of ways. The most basic is simply to paint the model, which allows for a large amount of personal creativity. Applying decals is also a common technique - decals are included with most models, but are also available as separate products for customization.

Oh, maybe there is 1 more step. It is :remember to pose your gunpla.

Step 1: Free the part from the runner Step 2: Assemble

Step 3: Customize them with panel liner

GHL GUNDAM HOBBY LIFE