From Screen to Shelf: The Allure of Gundam Models in NZ's Model Enthusiast Scene
If you’ve been to any hobby shop, you’ve undoubtedly spotted rows and rows of Gundam model kits. These mechs come in an incredible amount of looks, colours, designs and even sizes - you can find models that can fit in the palm of your hand, all the way to impressively large mechs that could easily be the focal point of your favourite display shelf. But what exactly is Gundam, and why are Gunpla models so popular?
What Is Gundam?
Gundam is a very popular anime and manga franchise that began in the late 1970s. Although this Japanese series got its start in Japan, its popularity has branched out to hobbyists, mech enthusiasts and manga and anime fans all over the world. It’s most well known for its iconic giant robots, which are known as mechs. From action-packed movies to a life-size Gundam in Odaiba, Gundam has grown heaps over the years.
What Is Gunpla?
Gunpla, or Gundam Plastic Models, are plastic model kits that allow hobbyists to build and customise their own Gundam mechs. There are many different grades of kits as well, so everyone can find a kit that suits their skill level.
Once you look into the model kits yourself, you’ll see why they’re so appealing:
A Universe Of Designs. Gunpla beginners are often shocked at just how many kits there are. There are hundreds of different designs out there to choose from. With mechs of many different styles, colours and styles, you’ll have no problem finding one (or many) that appeal to your tastes.
Aside from the designs of the mechs themselves, there are also different ‘grades’ of kits. High Grade models are less detailed and more beginner-friendly. However, Perfect Grade models are extremely detailed, and they’re a fun challenge for enthusiasts willing to put in many hours of work. There are also additional grades, such as the Super Deformed grade. SD Gundams are chibi mechs with more cartoonish proportions and are loved for their cute and unique appearance.
Prime Creativity And Customisation. You don’t have to stick to what’s in the kit, either - You can get creative with decals, model stands, accessories and even paint. Many kits come with accessories, like weapons or additional parts, for their Gundam models. You can also purchase additional accessories for compatible Gundams. Model stands with included armatures allow you to pose your mechs in dynamic ways, with the armature being used to suspend mechs in action-packed positions. Some hobbyists choose to paint their models to give them even more character. If you’re not much of a painter, you can purchase Gundam panel lining markers to give your mechs some detail.
Balancing Art And Engineering. When you get your first model kit, you might think that it’s just like a 3D puzzle - but there’s actually a bit of engineering that goes into most kits. You’ll need to put together joints and moving parts so that your mechs can move properly. This can give you a cool insight into how articulated models work.
If you really want to get into it, then you can purchase additional supplies so that your kits will come out perfect. Tweezers for handling small parts and nippers to cleanly clip parts from their plastic boards are must-have items for hardcore Gunpla builders. As mentioned above, you can also purchase paint or markers to add finishing touches to your models.
A Connection To The Gundam Universe. It’s no surprise that Gundam fans love Gunpla kits. But, you don’t have to watch every movie or read every manga to get into Gunpla. Some enthusiasts appreciate the movies, anime and manga along with the kits, whereas others simply love assembling and displaying their models.
Making A Display. One of the best parts of getting into Gunpla is displaying your completed models. Many kits take hours to put together, and you’ll need to stay focused and detail-oriented if you want to do things right. Once you’re done, all your hard work will pay off because you’ll have another awesome mech to add to your collection.
Because these models are so articulated, you can even regularly reposition your mechs to keep things interesting. You may be surprised at just how flexible these models are!
A Growing Community. You’ll have an easy time finding fellow Gunpla enthusiasts on the internet or at your local Gunpla shops. There are Gundam fans all over the world, and connecting with others online or in person lets you talk with like-minded people or make new friends.
Rocketing Into The World Of Battling Mechs With Gundam Model Kits
Are you intrigued? Starting with Gunpla is easy because there are plenty of affordable, beginner-friendly model kits to choose from. Just head over to our Gundam section at Totara Hobbies to see what we mean. We also have RC cars, Tamiya 4WD mini racers, an incredible array of dice for TTRPGs and more.
Would you like some assistance? Call us on +64 21438727 or use our contact page to reach our team.
Dive into the storied world of Gundam with Totara Hobbies.
