Next to no Knowledge about Gundam Models! X-mas Gift Help!
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So here's the skinny, my buddy is just now getting back into building Gundam model kits after his were accidentally donated away as a kid. I would like to help him out with his hobby by getting him a model for Christmas, but I know little to nothing about Gundam outside watching a few of the anime series. He often uses terms like Real Grade and 1/144 scale, but I have no idea what these mean. Can someone run me through the basics on finding a good kit? I'm looking for something that costs roughly $30-20, but not a total piece of crap. I was looking at some on Amazon that seem too good to be true like these models:
http://www.amazon.com/Gundam-00-GN-001-Scale-Model/dp/B000VO0550/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1384922553&sr=1-2&keywords=gundam+00+model+kits
http://www.amazon.com/110-God-Gundam-144-model/dp/B003FG64RO/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1384922668&sr=1-1&keywords=burning+gundam
Gundam series I know he likes: Gundam Wing, G Gundam, Gundam 00, Gundam Seed Destiny, Gundam (original), Gundam War in the Pocket, Gundam Unicorn, Gundam Age.
Thanks guys.
http://www.amazon.com/Gundam-00-GN-001-Scale-Model/dp/B000VO0550/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1384922553&sr=1-2&keywords=gundam+00+model+kits
http://www.amazon.com/110-God-Gundam-144-model/dp/B003FG64RO/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1384922668&sr=1-1&keywords=burning+gundam
Gundam series I know he likes: Gundam Wing, G Gundam, Gundam 00, Gundam Seed Destiny, Gundam (original), Gundam War in the Pocket, Gundam Unicorn, Gundam Age.
Thanks guys.
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20-30 gets you a good HG. Or, High-grade.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam_model
Try some of the new releases since it's a recent return, I suppose?
Maybe the HG 1/44 Zaku AMAZING(Fuck yes third coming of Char)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam_model
Try some of the new releases since it's a recent return, I suppose?
Maybe the HG 1/44 Zaku AMAZING(Fuck yes third coming of Char)
0
RG 1/144 kits you can find anywhere around 25-40 bucks, though the selection is a little limited, given how relatively new of a 'grade' it is compared. (But it basically provides higher/larger grade detail into the smaller 1/144 size kit.) But given your friend's wide preferences of Gundam series, it's hard to go wrong with any RGs.
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artcellrox
The Grey Knight :y
Here's the simplest way I can break them down into.
The numbers are basically the scale, like the ones you see on maps. 1/144 is the smallest size you can get for mobile suit models, with bigger ones coming as 1/100 and 1/60. To get an idea of how big a model can be, multiply any of these fractions with 20 metres (the average size of a Gundam).
The "grade" basically means the detail put into the kit: how good it looks, how well it moves, and as a result, how hard it is to make. Here are all the grades that matter right now (links lead to a list of all kits of that grade in order of first released).
These are usually available in 1/144 size and average around USD20, are best for beginners. Use the HG Categories link within to get to specific series, though given his likes, you won't find shit he WON'T like here.
1/100 size kits, varying in price, but definitely more than High Grades. Master Grades cover the entire franchise, and hence are not categorized by shows. Best done after practice on some High Grades first.
1/60 size kits, all well over USD150, these are considered the ultimate test in Gunpla building (along with some really hard Master Grades). DEFINITELY not for amateurs to buy or try, unless they have help from someone who knows what he's doing.
The description in the link says it best: "The small size and affordable prices of the High Grade, the advanced inner frame technology of the Master Grade and the massive part count of the Perfect Grade." Can be considered along the same difficulty as Master Grade.
Another general rule of thumb: try to avoid really old kits unless you're an expert in painting, glueing, and making things look good. Older kits tend to look bland when just snap-built (term for building without paint or other aesthetic changes), and have certain weak parts.
That's all you'll need to know about Gunpla, at least to give gifts on it. For my own opinion, the Burning and Exia are good HGs (though I'm not a fan of 00's design), but really you can get him ANY kit you want, since he even likes Destiny and 00 (no offence to your friend). Just to be on the safe side, though, get him a suit that clearly has Gundam, GM, or Zaku in its name.
The numbers are basically the scale, like the ones you see on maps. 1/144 is the smallest size you can get for mobile suit models, with bigger ones coming as 1/100 and 1/60. To get an idea of how big a model can be, multiply any of these fractions with 20 metres (the average size of a Gundam).
The "grade" basically means the detail put into the kit: how good it looks, how well it moves, and as a result, how hard it is to make. Here are all the grades that matter right now (links lead to a list of all kits of that grade in order of first released).
These are usually available in 1/144 size and average around USD20, are best for beginners. Use the HG Categories link within to get to specific series, though given his likes, you won't find shit he WON'T like here.
1/100 size kits, varying in price, but definitely more than High Grades. Master Grades cover the entire franchise, and hence are not categorized by shows. Best done after practice on some High Grades first.
1/60 size kits, all well over USD150, these are considered the ultimate test in Gunpla building (along with some really hard Master Grades). DEFINITELY not for amateurs to buy or try, unless they have help from someone who knows what he's doing.
The description in the link says it best: "The small size and affordable prices of the High Grade, the advanced inner frame technology of the Master Grade and the massive part count of the Perfect Grade." Can be considered along the same difficulty as Master Grade.
Another general rule of thumb: try to avoid really old kits unless you're an expert in painting, glueing, and making things look good. Older kits tend to look bland when just snap-built (term for building without paint or other aesthetic changes), and have certain weak parts.
That's all you'll need to know about Gunpla, at least to give gifts on it. For my own opinion, the Burning and Exia are good HGs (though I'm not a fan of 00's design), but really you can get him ANY kit you want, since he even likes Destiny and 00 (no offence to your friend). Just to be on the safe side, though, get him a suit that clearly has Gundam, GM, or Zaku in its name.
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artcellrox wrote...
Here's the simplest way I can break them down into.The numbers are basically the scale, like the ones you see on maps. 1/144 is the smallest size you can get for mobile suit models, with bigger ones coming as 1/100 and 1/60. To get an idea of how big a model can be, multiply any of these fractions with 20 metres (the average size of a Gundam).
The "grade" basically means the detail put into the kit: how good it looks, how well it moves, and as a result, how hard it is to make. Here are all the grades that matter right now (links lead to a list of all kits of that grade in order of first released).
These are usually available in 1/144 size and average around USD20, are best for beginners. Use the HG Categories link within to get to specific series, though given his likes, you won't find shit he WON'T like here.
1/100 size kits, varying in price, but definitely more than High Grades. Master Grades cover the entire franchise, and hence are not categorized by shows. Best done after practice on some High Grades first.
1/60 size kits, all well over USD150, these are considered the ultimate test in Gunpla building (along with some really hard Master Grades). DEFINITELY not for amateurs to buy or try, unless they have help from someone who knows what he's doing.
The description in the link says it best: "The small size and affordable prices of the High Grade, the advanced inner frame technology of the Master Grade and the massive part count of the Perfect Grade." Can be considered along the same difficulty as Master Grade.
Another general rule of thumb: try to avoid really old kits unless you're an expert in painting, glueing, and making things look good. Older kits tend to look bland when just snap-built (term for building without paint or other aesthetic changes), and have certain weak parts.
That's all you'll need to know about Gunpla, at least to give gifts on it. For my own opinion, the Burning and Exia are good HGs (though I'm not a fan of 00's design), but really you can get him ANY kit you want, since he even likes Destiny and 00 (no offence to your friend). Just to be on the safe side, though, get him a suit that clearly has Gundam, GM, or Zaku in its name.
I meant to give you plus rep! I'm so sorry! This was super helpful!!
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artcellrox
The Grey Knight :y
TheYellowDart wrote...
artcellrox wrote...
Here's the simplest way I can break them down into.Spoiler:
That's all you'll need to know about Gunpla, at least to give gifts on it. For my own opinion, the Burning and Exia are good HGs (though I'm not a fan of 00's design), but really you can get him ANY kit you want, since he even likes Destiny and 00 (no offence to your friend). Just to be on the safe side, though, get him a suit that clearly has Gundam, GM, or Zaku in its name.
I meant to give you plus rep! I'm so sorry! This was super helpful!!
Pfft, doesn't matter, rep doesn't mean much any more. Either way, glad I could help.