Mega Size 1/48 and Real Grade 1/144 scale Unicorn Gundam kits announced at 56th Shizuoka Hobby Show!!

Announced earlier, during the 56th Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan, are the Mega Size 1/48 scale and the Real Grade 1/144 scale Unicorn Gundam kits from the series Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn!! For fans of the series, the Real Grade or RG version of the Unicorn Gundam was already teased (and personally I actually expected it, since they released a RG kit of the Sinanju) and personally it looks amazing in both Unicorn and NT-D mode!!

(photo credit: Gundam.Info.en site)

(photo credit: Gundam Kits Collection)

(photo credit: Gundam Kits Collection)

Looking at the kit, I'm assuming this kit would actually transform and not do any parts swapping like most HG kits. This is backed up by the fact that this has an innerframe (like most RG kits) that has Psycho frames all over it.

(photo credit: Gundam Kits Collection)

(photo credit: Gundam.Info.en site)

Just looking at the inner frame, I can tell that this thing will be a beauty in person. That said, it makes me worried for the overall stability of the kit and how durable it is, considering so many moving parts and a transformation gimmick for NT-D mode. I'm sure most fans would simply not bother with the gimmick and just display it in NT-D mode (like me). It would be a waste to keep the Psycho frames hidden in Unicorn mode to be honest.

That said, what caught everyone by surprise at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, was the reveal of the Mega Size 1/48 Unicorn Gundam kit. 

(photo credit: Gundam Kits Collection)

Look at the size of that thing! He's almost half the size of the guy on his back!! It's THAT BIG!! Here's a more detail comparison scale of the said Mega Size Unicorn Gundam kit.

(photo credit: Gundam.Info.en site)

Looking at the scale on the right of the figure, the Perfect Grade 1/60 scale kit is roughly only as tall as the Mega Size kit's shoulder/chest. 

(photo credit: Gundam Kits Collection)

The Mega Size kit, is one of the rarest grades Bandai has ever produced. So far only a couple of kits were made under the Mega Size line namely:

• RX-78-2 Gundam
• MS-06 Zaku-II
• MS-06S Zaku-II Char Custom
• AGE-01 Normal
• AGE-02 Normal

Thought to be discontinued, the Mega Size line is similar to a High Grade kit, being easy to assemble and very durable, but more huge than a Perfect Grade kit. Also, they are far more affordable at roughly 1/3 the price of a Perfect Grade kit. The only issue with Mega Size kits are they don't have inner frames and details are not as good as Perfect Grade kits. But if you want durability and a bigger figure for cheap, then the Mega Size is definitely the kit for you.

Personally, between the RG and the Mega Size kits, I highly prefer the Mega Size, due to the huge size and durability. Also, having had atleast 2 Mega Size kits myself, I find them much more impressive on my display than 1/144 kits. :D

What are your thoughts about the RG and Mega Size Unicorn Gundam kits? Sound off below! :D

Travelling Gundam Diaries - ToyCon 2014 and Foodtrip with Travelling Hello Kitty!!

As always, here's another look at where Travelling Gundam is in the Metro!! Went to ToyCon 2014, and although he may not have taken much pics with toys, he did get lots of lovin from cosplayers!!

Another thing to note, was Warner Bros. Philippines was nice enough to bring the actual costumes worn by the actors of the hit film Rurouni Kenshin, at ToyCon!! Just in time to promote the upcoming sequel here in the Philippines. And Travelling Gundam wasted no time to get a pic with the costume. :D

A few days after ToyCon, we got a modem upgrade from our local internet provider; PLDT. It was a modem+WiFi router in one. Thankfully Travelling Gundam was there to help.

Internet speeds at home got abit more decent after installation and reception got stronger. Hopefully it won't give me anymore headaches just like in the past. Then my Travelling Gundam went on a foodie date with his companion; Travelling Hello Kitty!!

One of the best finds they got was that ChocNut chocolate drink which was on sale at Ho-Land in St. Francis Square!! You can read more about it on my significant other's post here: http://adventuresofaladyexplorer.wordpress.com/2014/07/01/spotted-choc-nut-milk-chocolate-drink/

Good thing they both packed CarbTrim, to help keep the carbs at bay, as they both enjoy their foodtrip together! :D

But before I leave, I'm happy to announce that Travelling Gundam is about to get an upgrade soon. From being an Advance Grade (AG), he's about to get more articulation now that he's gonna be upgraded to a High Grade (HG) kit soon. :D

Travelling Gundam Diaries - Travelling in the City!

A few days ago, one of the people in a Gundam FB group I'm a member of, asked me what had happened to my Travelling Gundam and if he is still travelling around so to speak. I realized that while it is true that I post my Travelling Gundam's adventures (and misadventures) via Instagram and Tumblr, not alot of people follow them. So I decided to make a compilation post of sorts of my Travelling Gundam's adventures.

Introducing, the Travelling Gundam Diaries! :D

And here's what my Travelling Gundam has been doing lately:

He watched "The Fault in our Stars" just recently.
Yes, Travelling Gundam is into chick flicks apparently... 

Here he is mixing a mug of hot chocolate. 

Trying out Hoagies' sandwiches. I think
he's trying to do some healthy living thing. 

Enjoying a wonderful sizzling burger steak at
a local food joint in the Philippines.

Enjoying the evening city lights.

After launching my little Travelling Gundam project, I'm very pleased to note that there has been some other people who did their own "Travelling" toy project as well. In the Gundam FB group I'm in, a user joined in the fun and introduced to us; the Zoomin Zeons. :D

And ofcourse, my significant other decided to join in the fun, but with a twist. Her's is the Travelling Hello Kitty. :D And here it is, along with my Travelling Gundam on a date:

Look forward to more adventures of my Travelling Gundam!! :D

Meet the Travelling Gundam!! :D

As a gundam fan, and gunpla builder, I've always admired and loved seeing Gundam kits in dioramas or settings that would recreate a particular scene in the anime. However, for the most part, gundams model kits are usually stored on display cabinets and are rarely played with. And as much as I do understand why most model kit builders do that (in fear of breaking the model), I also realize that for awhile most gundam fans eventually get tired of their model kits and sell em off to dispose of them or worse... throw them in the garbage bin. :(

After some thought, I recall of a particular story from the internet where a garden gnome goes off on an adventure of a lifetime, travelling from one place to another instead of being stuck inside a garden lawn.

So I thought, probably some modellers already did this. And upon searching the net, I came up empty handed. And so, I thought it might be fun to try making a gundam version of this, and so I took my most stable and favorite model kit around; the 1/144 Advance Grade Gundam AGE-1 Normal, and decided to go on a vacation with friends with him. To be safe, I reinforced my kit with some super glue on some parts that might fall apart and added some layer of topcoat to ensure the panel lining wouldn't wash out after I splashed it in the water.

And the result? The "Travelling Gundam" was born. :D

For our first trip together, we went to Water Camp in Cavite Philippines. It was a pretty nice swimming resort that served as the perfect starting point for my "Travelling Gundam" project. :D

It was a great way to get the project started. And with the help of my friends, who had with them an awesome waterproof camera, I got me some amazing underwater shots with my Travelling Gundam.

I definitely had fun with this project and I look forward to taking my Travelling Gundam to more adventures soon!! :D

Gundam Unicorn Episode 7 Philippine Screening + GMKC 2014 = My Epic Gundam Birthday!!

May 18th, 2014 marked the day I finally become 31. I don't really FEEL any different, only that I bear some life lessons that shaped my life for the better. :D This comic more or less captures what I feel "getting older"

My feelings about "adulthood"

However, little did I know, that this day would shape up to be THE best birthday celebration I've ever had in my life. :D

As you guys can imagine (if you managed to see most of my blogposts) I'm a HUGE fan of Gundams. As my significant other mentioned, I'm in a "Gundam High" this year. So imagine my delight and excitement, upon Gundam Philippines' announcement that the seventh and final episode of Gundam Unicorn will be shown here on SM North Cinema 10... on MY BIRTHDAY. :D

My face lit up like this upon learning of the awesome news

And thanks to my Gundam Model Kit Competition entry, I got to score 2 tickets for the screening of Gundam Unicorn for me and my significant other. You can read more about it via this blogpost. 

Having the screening of Gundam Unicorn's final episode set on my birthday was pretty much awesome already, however, the awesomeness of my birthday didn't just stop there. One of my good friends; Mr. Kenneth Guevarra of SenZaru Multimedia, gave me an early birthday present...

Thank you so much Kenet!! :D 

He drew a chibi-fied version of me (and my cat Tigger) with a Gundam head (which happens to be the Build Strike Gundam of Gundam Build Fighters) and it looked AMAZING!! :D I was lovin all the little details (like the Sub-Zero shirt), and my love for videogames (3DS in hand). I was more than surprised and thankful upon receiving such an amazing artwork from my friend, and added more to the awesomeness of what will become a Gundam-themed birthday celebration. :D

So on May 18th, me and my date went to SM North early, to avoid the long line (and hopefully score some nice seats). However, as soon as the mall opened, to our surprise, the line for Gundam Unicorn's movie screening was already INSANELY LONG. Alot of fans were really excited to watch the film, like us, and so we had to wait out abit before we were let in.

Thankfully, we weren't too far off the line, hence we immediately went in and luckily we got to score some really great lazy-boy seats in front, and I LOVED IT!! :D

As soon as the movie started, the room erupted in applause and happy cheers from the crowd. The entire place was filled with so much gundam love, that it made watching the final episode on the big screen more worth it. :D The feeling reminded me of the first time I watched Rurouni Kenshin being screened here in the Philippines, where tons of fans are having such a great time, it was AMAZING! :D It was definitely an experience.

I can almost imagine everyone in the cinema
reacting this way, after watching epic moments in the film.

Without spoiling too much, I can say that the film was a completely satisfying conclusion to the Gundam Unicorn saga. It had alot of highs and some lows, with lots of emotional moments that made many fans weep (including me and my date) inside the theater.

To my surprise, my date had a blast watching the film, despite the fact she wasn't able to finish the first 6 episodes of the series (she only got to episode 3). And after watching episode 7, she was definitely a fan of the series that she wished she could've had money to buy herself an HG Gundam Unicorn or Banshee kit. :D To view more of her take of the event, you can visit her blogpost.

After the event, me and my date went straight to the Gundam Model Kit Competition (GMKC 2014 for short), and IT WAS SIMPLY GUNDAM HEAVEN.

And as seen on my previous blogpost, I showed my date the towering Gundam Banshee statue that was on display that day.

Obviously, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to have herself taken a picture with the statue. Infact, she wants to freakin hug the thing if not of the sign that tells her otherwise. XD

There were alot of people; both new and old fans alike, crowing the event. Because aside from the awesome gundam model kits that are on display, they also had a HUGE SALE on gundam model kits!!

Parents, kids, and kids-at-heart, all enjoying the awesome sale.

Number of people in the event area is insane!!

She REALLY wanted to get this kit. :D

Would love to add this to my collection one day. :D

Speaking of sales... remember on my previous blogpost where there was this one gundam model kit I was praying for, that it would still be available and on sale when I get back on May 18th? Well on my birthday, my prayers were answered!! :D

I was super worried I would never be able to buy this kit, due to the sale. Considering this was priced at Php7,000 and then they lowered the price down to Php3,500 (more cheaper than the ones sold on Greenhills), it was a pretty sweet deal IMHO. And yes, I'm very giddy and happy as a kid as soon as I bought the kit. BEST. BIRTHDAY GIFT. EVAR!! :D

However, that's not all. Upon purchasing the mega size model kit, I was given a free special edition Hobby Japan magazine. I didn't think about the magazine too much at first, however, as soon as I got home and opened the magazine I was surprised to see it in FULL ENGLISH!! :D

Kudos to Bandai, Toy Kingdom and Bankee trading for this wonderful freebie!! :D I hope this is a start of Bandai's improvement in terms of making an impact globally, as I would LOVE to see the day where Gundam model kits being distributed here in the Philippines are in full english, from the box to the manuals!! I highly encourage Bandai to do so. :D

As for the GMKC 2014 event itself, where I actually joined as a New Challenger in the Open Category, unfortunately I didn't win (there were simply alot of tough competitors). It was all good though as we got to meet after the event the head of Bankee Trading, Mr. Rodel (the official distributors of Gundam model kits in the Philippines) and the representative of Bandai from Japan, Mr. Oyama.

Thank you so much guys for having such an awesome event here in the Philippines!! We hope this is a start of more great things for local gundam fans. :D Overall, my birthday ended on a very epic note, as the next day, I got my cake... or make that CAKES.

THREE FREAKIN CAKES!! :D What an epic way to cap off my 31st birthday!! :D It's been an amazing experience for me, and I'm very thankful of how my birthday turned out this year. :D Looking forward to next year!! :D