{"id":1892,"date":"2014-12-05T10:02:18","date_gmt":"2014-12-05T01:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/?p=1892"},"modified":"2020-04-08T14:03:30","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T05:03:30","slug":"why-is-gunpla-so-addictive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/how-to\/why-is-gunpla-so-addictive.html","title":{"rendered":"Why Is Gunpla So Addictive?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Gunpla:
Master Grade RX-78-2 Ver. Ka.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gunpla is a satisfying and quickly addictive hobby but can be overwhelming to anyone trying to get started. FROM JAPAN is here to give you a closer look at the popular series that make up the huge selection of Gundam model kits.
\n<\/p>\n

What is Gunpla?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The big question is: \u201cWhat is Gunpla?\u201d It\u2019s actually a shorter term for the phrase \u201cGundam plastic model\u201d (Gundam + Plastic model = Gunpla!) Gunpla are plastic replicas\/models of Gundam and other awesome mobile suits that are featured in various Gundam animation series that you can build and customize. They are manufactured by Bandai and have been available in the market since the 1980s.<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
Painted Master Grade Sinanju<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why are they so addictive and interesting? You can\u2019t deny the fact that the Gundams and mobile suits are cool and awesome! Most of us as kids would have dreamed to have piloted one of these mobile suits featured in the animation series. They look cool and how can you not be excited in building one of your own and display the grandeur of the mobile suits whether it be an antagonist\u2019s or a protagonist\u2019s suit. You can display them at home, on your desk, even on your work-desk at the office! (If your boss allows it!)<\/p>\n

Reasons why Gunpla is addictive<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. Gunpla models are accurate and precise in detail<\/h3>\n

The detail and precision of the Gunpla parts are superb! You\u2019ll be amazed with the engineering and technology that has been utilized on these model kits. As you go up the kit grades (High Grade, Master Grade, Perfect Grade), the details and mechanics just keep getting better and better, from manipulator joints to hydraulics and inner mechanics.<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
Master Grade RX-78 Prototype Inner Frame<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. As human beings, we constantly crave to create and build things.<\/h3>\n

You were given hands to create wonderful things, and you\u2019ll be amazed at what you can create and build with Gunpla\u2014imagination is the limit. In building Gunpla, you stimulate your creativity, imagination and motor skills. You\u2019ll be amazed and inspired by what other hobbyist can do with their Gunpla kits using the right tools and equipment.<\/p>\n

3. Gunpla models are collectible<\/h3>\n

We hobbyist not only love building but also collecting different Gunpla kits. There is a certain fulfillment in collecting all the models in a specific series or just collecting every model that you like and sharing them with fellow hobbyists.<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
High Grade Age-1 Titus with weathering and battle damage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kit Series 101: Gundam Wing Models and other popular series<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are many Gundam model series to collect from, and some of the most popular series are the Gundam Wing series, Gundam Unicorn series, Universal Century series, Double O (00) series and the Seed and Seed Destiny series. Each series has lots of cool looking mobile suits to choose from.<\/p>\n

Gundam Wing Series<\/h3>\n

The Gundam Wing series has been available for a very long time! It\u2019s one of the oldest and most popular series known worldwide, especially in Asian countries where the TV series was aired.\u00a0A mobile suit with eagle like wings as the protagonist is one of the most popular models available which is known as Gundam Wing. The model is available in various grades and model variations. (You can find out more about the different grades in our next article.)<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
HGBF Gundam Wing Fenice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They revamped the older Gundam Wing model kits and produced new ones which have the Endless Waltz (EW) tag on the box. The EW kits have been redesigned by Katoki Hajime and include a generous amount of decals.<\/p>\n

One of the most popular Perfect Grade models is the Gundam Wing Zero Custom, which brags a set of angelic wings. How awesome is that? Another great kit is the Gundam Heavy Arms model, which has crazy heavy duty armaments.<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
Master Grade Heavy Arms EW (without decals applied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gundam Unicorn Series<\/h3>\n

The Gundam Unicorn series is special because it is not a TV series but a very long running movie series that has spent years in the making, releasing a movie from time to time. This series has one of the best mobile suit designs, which include the protagonist\u2019s Gundam Unicorn and the antagonist\u2019s red comet Sinanju mobile suit. Even the grunt units have awesome designs!<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
Painted High Grade Unicorn Destroy Mode<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Universal Century Series<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll readily know that the kit is under the Universal Century series because they have the HG Universal Century (UC) tag on the box followed by the model number of its series below. The UC tag is usually depicted in a gold background with black text.<\/p>\n

The Universal Century series is the oldest series which includes the father of all Gundam and the most popular\u2014RX-78 Gundam. This is the same model as the life-size Gundam that is displayed in Odaiba, Japan. RX-78 Gundam is an iconic figure in the Gunpla world, you just can\u2019t miss having at least one RX-78 Gunpla model in your collection!<\/p>\n

The Gundam Double O Series<\/h3>\n

This series has a more mature storyline and is one of the most serious of the Gundam series. Kids might have trouble appreciating the story, but the Gundams and Mobile Suits featured in it are still awesome and cool! The most popular model in this series is Gundam Exia and its variants, especially the Double 00 Raiser variant which is available in Perfect Grade.<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
Painted Master Grade Gundam 00 Seven Swords<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Gundam Seed and Seed Destiny Series<\/h3>\n

They recently re-mastered this anime series because it is also an old series. Just looking at one of the main protagonist\u2019s suit, Strike Freedom Gundam, is enough to know why it is a popular kit in the series! Other popular kits in this series include Freedom Gundam, Destiny Gundam, Aile Strike Gundam and many more!<\/p>\n

\"Gunpla:
Master Grade Strike Freedom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where to buy Gundam model kits<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Gunpla kits are available at various hobby stores and online shops. What you won\u2019t find often though are limited, out-of-print, or Japanese editions in international markets. If you\u2019re looking to get into Gundam model building then check out FROMJAPAN\u2019s general listing\u00a0here<\/a>, or any of the more specific listings linked below:<\/p>\n


\nGundam Wing Series<\/a>
\nGundam Unicorn Series<\/a>
\nGundam Double 00<\/a>
\nGundam Seed<\/a><\/p>\n

And keep reading more about this hobby with our articles \u201cHow to Choose the Right Gundam Model Kits<\/a>\u201d and our Beginner’s Guide to Building Gunpla<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"GUNDAM<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gunpla is a satisfying and quickly addictive hobby but can be overwhelming to anyone trying to get started. FROM JAPAN is here to give you a closer look at the popular series that make up the huge selection of Gundam model kits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","omw_enable_modal_window":"enable","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[]},"categories":[28],"tags":[83,151,72],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1892"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11156,"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892\/revisions\/11156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}