First Gunpla work in 2016. ^^
If not for the "sudden" inclusion of HG 1/144 Gundam Barbatos in mid November last year, which was done less than two months ago anyway, this HG kit would have been from the latest Gundam anime series that I worked on. ^^
HG 1/144 Build Strike Gundam Full Package
Production company: Bandai Hobby Division
Release date: October 2013
Price: 1,400 Yen (exclusive of tax).
Official link
While it feels like "Gundam Build Fighters" was a show that I just finished watching the other day, it's actually more than two years old now and is succeeded by three Gundam TV series ("Gundam Build Fighters Try", "Gundam Reconguista in G" and "MS Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans"). ^^ The high frequency of new Gundam shows and their free availability to be watched on Gundam Dot Info are a pleasant and positive development for the Gundam franchise in my opinion. ^^ More shows to promote for more Gunplas mean more stuff for fans to buy. ^^
As a matter of fact, with so many Gundam merchandises coming out from various series in recent years, both the anime series that those models originates from and the different Gunpla/collectible lines developed by Bandai, one would have to make tough decision on what to buy every month even if the person is solely into Gundam, unless money is not an issue that is. ^^;
Knowing that I don't build Gunplas very often now, and even when I do, it would takes me months to complete one, I have been holding off in getting many newer releases that I really like. On top of that, knowing that Gunplas are always going to be reissued after their initial release, the priority of my budget on hobby purchases often goes to other collectibles now. ^^
Emblem and merchandising seal of "Gundam Build Fighters".
First batch production bonuses: an original MS Championship applicantion leaflet and a Gundam Try Age promotion card.
This High Grade kit is quite unique in my opinion. I was initially impressed by its renewed and improved design as a Gunpla of the Strike Gundam from "MS Gundam SEED" instead of its actual model from "Gundam Build Fighters". ^^ It has a much sharper, sleeker image that I really like, and being a newer design, the Gunpla engineering is foreseeably more advanced than the original HG kit of Strike Gundam, which came out in November 2002.
Introduction of the kit on the sides of box.
Interestingly, in the anime series, Build Strike Gundam is supposedly a heavily modified Gunpla by Sei Iori, presumably based off the original HG kit of Strike Gundam; in actuality however, this HG kit serves as the base kit for HGCE Aile Strike Gundam, which came out four months after Build Strike Gundam. ^^
This Back to the Future situation reminds me of getting his Beginning Gundam as mentioned some time ago. ^^;
Content.
The instruction manual.
Informative features in the instruction manual that are carried forward to kits from the same series and those from its subsequent "Gundam Build Fighters Try" line: original or base MS that leads to the Gunpla's design and some detailing tips.
All runners.
Excluding the three body and waist parts on a blue runner, these are the runners for Build Strike Gundam itself.
A look at the runners' design:
Runner A - Contains white parts mainly for the legs and waist.
(Left) One-piece design for the beam saber handle and upper arm parts.
(Right) The rear skirt armor part has tight slits that would be challenging to detail with a normal panel liner.
The part separation design for the leg parts is similar to that on the original HG kit of Strike Gundam.
Delicate molded details for the faceplate. ^^
Runner separation hints.
Runner B - Contains red parts mainly for the feet and shoulders.
One-piece design for the shoulder armor and foot parts, with the thrusters embedded in the middle of the latter requiring quite a bit of painting and detailing to realize.
(Left) A couple of segments on the shield part need to be painted white.
(Right) One-piece abdomen part.
Runner separation hints.
Runner C - Contains gray parts mainly for the joints and weapons.
(Left) One-piece joint parts for the legs.
(Right) I'm glad that the shoulder armor vents are included as separate parts that require no paint work.
(Left) Large protruding parts for the body and waist.
(Right) One-piece part for the beam rifle muzzle that can be commonly seen on other kits.
Based on the runner separation hints, the weapons are obvious components to be changed when a variation is to be released off this kit.
Runner D1 - Contains two yellow parts - a shield part and the V-fin.
The V-fin is definitely sharper and cooler than that on the original HG kit of Strike Gundam. ^^
Runner E - Contains white parts mainly for the shoulder armors.
Helmet parts with delicate molded line details.
One-piece design for the forearm and ankle guard parts.
The molded slits on the shoulder armor parts are good design that makes painting those pointy details (located on the shoulder vents from Runner C) so much easier.
The bottom half of the shield.
Polycap set PC-002 and beam saber runner SB-13.
Two blue runners for Build Booster, with one of the runners contains three parts for the Gundam itself.
With the three parts excluded, the two runners are sold separately as an individual pack, which came out the same time as this kit.
Label for the two runners: HG 1/144 Build Boosters.
Runner F - Contains parts mainly for the booster's body, subwings and launchers.
(Left) Large protruding parts for the booster's body
(Right) Three blunt bits on each subwing parts to be removed.
Delicate molded details on the blasters and thruster nozzles.
Runner G1 - Contains parts mainly for the main wings.
Body parts for the Gundam.
Based on the runner separation hints, the three body and waist parts are obviously to be removed for the individual release of this booster pack.
Foil sticker.
Most of the large pieces are for the booster's wings.
The Gundam Try Age promotion card promotion card.
Gundam Build Fighters Original MS Championship applicantion leaflet.
By participating in this contest, selected MS designs will be featured in the anime series. ^^
All removed parts are organized and stored in individual paper containers.
Will start working on this kit in the next posting. ^^
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