#Amazon gundam models how to#

These Gundam plastic kits-or Gunpla for short-are an absolute treat for anyone who enjoys the franchise or simply appreciates the process of building a model.

Over the course of several decades, the franchise has grown from its anime roots and expanded into the realm of film, video games, and model kits. If you've ever been a fan of giant robot-on-robot action, you've likely come across Gundam, Japan's finest pop culture export since Godzilla. Until the technology to make a massive machine in your backyard is readily accessible and affordable though, the next best thing is to construct more conveniently sized mecha on your desk. These are all suitable for beginners and will need the basic tools mentioned above.There's an uncontested rule that giant robots make everything better, from film and television to video games and quickly settling disputes with your neighbors. Now that you have a basic understanding of what Gunpla are and what you need to construct them, let’s get into recommended Gunpla for beginners. If you don’t plan on detailing or painting when you start out, these tools won’t be necessary.Īt least now you have an idea of the possibilities you have as you progress in the hobby. (Head over to my section on paints and brushes for models for painting tips and recommendations.) Other tools you might need for detailing include: If you can’t find sandpaper, a nail file will do the trick. You should get multiple grits and start with the lowest grit, and then finish off with the highest grit. Nubs are the pieces of plastic left behind after cutting the pieces from the runners.Ĭutting too close to the piece will cause stress, but a hobby knife is super sharp, so it will allow you to get a cleaner cut without causing any damage.įinally, sandpaper will allow you to remove the very last bit of the nub without causing any stress to the plastic. I use one by BOENFUand find that it works quite well.Ī hobby knife, like an X-Acto knife, will allow you to clean up the nubs. They’re sharp and prevent you from stressing the plastic, which is what happens when if you cut too close to the piece. Side cutters help you easily cut the pieces from the plastic runners. The basic tools you need to build Gunpla are: What Tools Do I Need to Build a Gundam Model? The written part is in Japanese, but the images are straightforward and have symbols that are easy to understand.

#Amazon gundam models how to#

So, how do you know how to put the pieces together? The model comes with a manual that has both written instructions and drawn diagrams. I go into more detail about Gundam grades hereand sizes here.Īs a beginner, you should be able to enjoy building without having to worry about fine tuning everything. It’s generally recommended for beginners to start out with the 1/144 size because there are fewer pieces and details to get right. The 1/60 Gunpla are considerably bigger than the 1/144.

So, the models are scaled-down versions of them and various sizes are available. The Gundam in the anime are actually 18 meters (59 feet) tall. If you start out with a High-Grade or Master-Grade model, it should be fairly easy for you to build.Īnother factor to consider is the size of the models. Master Grades are also pretty simple for beginners, too.

High Grade is the easiest grade you can start with. There are a few other grades that are less common, but you will see the symbols HG, RG, MG, and so on in the corner of the box. Gunpla comes in different grades, such as: The building difficulty of Gundam models depends on which grade you choose. When you say Gunpla, you’re basically saying “Gundam plastic model.” The “pla” means “plamo,” which stands for plastic model. Gunpla is both a general term and a brand name. Gundam models are typically called Gunpla. I’ll walk you through the tools you need to build these models and which models are recommended for beginners, but first things first.