Gundam Plastic models, Gundam Plamo, or Gunpla (ガンプラ)[1] are model kits depicting the mecha machinery and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse by Bandai Spirits.
These kits became popular among mecha anime fans and model enthusiasts in Japan and nearby Asian countries beginning in the 1980s. Gundam modeling spread in the 1990s with North America and Europe being exposed to Gundam through anime and manga. They are extremely popular in Japan and other Asian countries but are gaining traction in the west.
The name Gunpla derives from an abbreviation of "Gundam plamo" phrase, ‘plamo’ itself being a portmanteau of plastic and model, since most kits are made of plastic.
Bandai sold over 100 million Gundam plastic model units between 1980 and 1984, and over 300 million units by May 1999.[2] Recently, Bandai had sold an estimated 450million units worldwide across nearly 2,000 different Gundam models.[3] As of March 2021, Bandai Namco has sold 714.84 million Gundam plastic model units, including 538.24 million standard Gundam units (since 1980) and 176.6 million SD Gundam units (since 1987).[2]
History
Gundam models are based on the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, which debuted in 1979 as a television show.
In 1980, Bandai obtained the rights to produce models based on the Gundam franchise. While Clover's models were produced in the style of most children's toys - fully assembled and ready for play - Bandai designed theirs as plastic kits to be assembled, similar to military vehicle models.[4] While Clover's products targeted children, Bandai's approach was more appealing to the teenage and adult consumers that were more typical of Mobile Suit Gundam's audience, and was received extremely well.[5]
Nearly every mecha in the series was made into a model kit, from mobile suits to support aircraft and space battleships. Parts came in up to three different cast-in colors. These early kits are distinguished by their lack of articulation and low detail and, unlike later generations, require glue to assemble.
A later development was System Injection, a technique which permitted a single "part" to be cast in multiple colors of plastic simultaneously, minimizing the need to paint the finished model.[6]
Assembly
Gundam model kits come in many varieties, but the majority made from the late 80s on - standard "plastic" kits - are manufactured and assembled similarly. Kits come as a collection of plastic parts, decals, and sometimes other decorative accessories which the purchaser assembles by hand into the finished model. The plastic parts are delivered in the exact form they exit the injection molding machine,[11] on a "sprue tree" - a grid of interconnecting plastic rods, called runners, created by the channels in the mold that carried the molten plastic into the cavities that create each part. Each part is connected to the runners by a small plastic nub called a "gate" where the runner connected to the cavity.
The kit builder must cut away this excess plastic - e.g. with a pair of side cutting pliers - to free each part, then (optionally, but usually) clip, carve or sand away the remaining plastic tip where the gates attached to leave a clean surface.
Once the parts have been freed, the builder must then snap them together to assemble the model. Early kits required glue, but from the late 80s onward all kits assemble without special tools or materials.
Some kits use an internal frame - a complete "skeleton," fully articulated and able to stand on its own - to which panels are then attached to finish the appearance of the mecha. Some kits also have this internal frame fully pre-assembled on the runner- although this system has been largely phased out, as it can severely weaken over time, due to the degradation of the softer plastic used.
Customization
Design
Over the decades, Gundam plastic models have been available in many forms, with many levels of intricacy and functionality, from immobile display units that are static once assembled, to fully poseable, highly articulated models with interchangeable parts (weapons, shields, etc.) and complex mechanical engineering.
All parts fit together with a variety of glueless, toolless joints, such as ball-and-socket pivots, or posts on one component that fit tightly into holes on another. While models are designed to be posed for display, these joints are not intended to hold up to action figure-style play; even during gentle pose adjustments, it is possible for parts to come loose and need to be pushed back together.
Components are made of plastic materials selected to fit the needs of each part. A given unit, like a foot or leg, may use parts made of multiple different materials. Bandai casts colored pigment into each part to provide a basic color scheme for the finished model, so the builder does not need to paint it if undesired.
The picture above illustrates the detail level of a higher end (Real Grade, 2011) model. This is one part of the model's "foot", less than an inch across, which not only has many details in a very small component, but is built around a very small doubly-articulated hinge. The fully assembled leg unit uses many more parts which allow it to bend at two major joints, and also has trim panels which slide apart as the leg is bent to allow the motion.
Materials
Gundam model kits can be made of several materials.
Plastic
The typical mass-market kit is made from thermoplastics, such as ABS, polypropylene or polystyrene. These are referred to in the community simply as "plastic" models, and use the snap-fit assembly method described in this article.
Plastic Gundam model kits are manufactured in Japan or China by Bandai, which has an exclusive license in manufacturing and marketing them around the world.
Resin
A less common type, known as a garage kit or resin kit, is made from a thermoset resin, typically polyurethane, often simply referred to as "resin."[13] These are not assembled with the snap-fit approach, and the builder must assemble them with glue. Many other assertions of this article will also not apply to resin kits, since they make up a very small minority of the product line.
Scale
As with hobby models based on real-world military equipment, Gundam models are intended to be "scaled down" replicas of realistic designs, based on the dimensions given in the fiction. These scales are given in terms of the ratio of actual model size to the size the machine would have if it were actually built. 1:60, for instance, means that every inch of the models height is equivalent to 60 inches of the machines height if it was real.
Generally, finished model heights range from 4~5 inches for small-scale models(high grade, real grade, entry grade), 6~8 inches for mid-scale models(master grade, full mechanics, reborn one-hundred), and 12 inches for large-scale models(perfect grade). Common scales, and the grades typically associated with them,[15] include:
Grades
Bandai uses a naming convention called grade to denote its scale and detail, with 4 main model lines and several spinoff lines. Each line evolves with improved modelmaking technology over time, so a High Grade kit released in the 2020s will trounce the 2000s releases. In addition, singular Mobile Suits will be released in multiple lines several times with new designs. For example, the RX-78-2 Gundam has releases in almost every model line, commemorating the anniversary of the series and to display new technology.
With minor exceptions such as plastic mold damage, Gunpla kits are almost never officially discontinued.
Original / No Grade / First Grade (FG) (various scales)
The original 1980 line of Gundam models does not have an associated grade, since this terminology was not introduced until 1990. These kits are limited in articulation, some require glue to assemble, and they must be painted for a correct appearance. Model Kits released to coincide with a show or movie usually that did not have a grade associated with them are generally referred to as No Grade kits. These were released in 1/144, 1/100, or 1/60 scale (some 1/100 models used the High Grade name on their boxes).
After the adoption of the grade nomenclature, Bandai rereleased the designs of the RX-78-2 and Zaku II with minimal updates as First Grade (FG) starting in 1999. Four mobile suits from Gundam 00 were also given First Grade Models, with limited color separation.
Reissues of the original 1980 line are sometimes referred to as the Best Mecha Collection (BMC). For the 45th Anniversary of Gundam in 2024, a modern remake of the original RX-78-2 kit was released in October, called the BMC Revival version, which now features modern Gunpla techniques such as color separation and snap-fit parts while retaining its limited articulation.
Hobby
Gundam model building as a hobby is a worldwide phenomenon.[26] Participation ranges from simply assembling kits as sold, to mild personalization with paint and decals, to creating nearly original works with parts from multiple kits, additional custom-made components and in-depth, highly detailed multi-layer paint jobs.
Like any hobby, Gunpla building can be extremely involved and expensive, but with model kits starting at less than US$20[27] and requiring no special tools or materials, barrier to entry is low.
Some hobbyists build dioramas around finished models[28] using techniques shared with other miniature model-based hobbies such as model railroading and wargaming. A diorama could depict a mecha in combat, undergoing maintenance or even destroyed on the battlefield.
Bandai holds an annual international contest, Gunpla Builders World Cup,[29] in at least 16 countries. Winners are awarded trophies and model kits.[30]
Model series
Gundam models are divided into series according to the media they are derived from.
Since 1999, the High Grade series uses various names to separate them from line to line.
- High Grade Universal Century (HGUC) refers to units that appear from Mobile Suit Gundam to Mobile Suit Victory Gundam and the series that are released in between. In 2010, this was expanded to include other series, under the lines:
- High Grade After Colony (HGAC)
- High Grade After War (HGAW)
- High Grade Future Century (HGFC)
- High Grade Correct Century (HGCC)
- High Grade Cosmic Era (HGCE)
- Models from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED/Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, as well as from any Gundam series that released after 2010 released under these sublines:
Gundam FIX Figuration
The Gundam FIX Figuration[31] (aka G.F.F.) series of collectible figures was started based on the Gundam mechanical designs of Hajime Katoki and his 'Gundam FIX' illustration artbook and are released by Tamashii Nations, a Bandai's characters based toys line. Although they are similar to gunpla, they are not truly gunpla as they are not plastic model kits, they are pre-assembled figures. These figures share similar features as those found in the MSiA series, but are considerably more detailed and often include more accessories.
Changeable parts and variant models are often utilized throughout the line, offering the collector a wide variety of display abilities. The collectible figures use PVC (with some ABS plastic) for construction materials, and a recently introduced expansion to the line use metal in the skeleton of the figure. Gundam FIX figures are designed to be true to Hajime Katoki's vision, and as such often adopt design elements and styling found throughout his artwork. The Fix series caters to Gundam fans who enjoy the scale, possibility and durability of the MSiA line, but seek the extensive details and variations that can often only be found in the Master Grade Gundam model-kits.
The G.F.F. line does carry a higher price than the MSIA and MSIA Extended lines, which can represent a concern for some collectors. However, overall the G.F.F. represent a more "high-end" line of collectibles, which often contain better detail, more accessories, and the option to build multiple variations in the same box.
As the series has progressed, G.F.F. collectibles have been improved. Changes include sharper-more precise part casting resulting in better detail, improved articulation, and improved durability.
Special editions
Over the years, Bandai releases special limited editions of various kits, usually as competition (such as the yearly Bandai Action Kits Asia (now Universal) Cup held in Hong Kong) prizes, or as an event-limited (such as Japanese toy expos, movie launch premieres) item, as well as region-specific models (e.g. premium Bandai China limited cross contrast colour models), and special collaboration models with companies and celebrities such as 7-11, Uniqlo, hatsune Miku. although sometimes these kits are sold as limited web-shop items or discreetly sold by Bandai.
These kits usually come in clear plastic, metal-plated (certain kits are in so-called 24-k gold finish), "gloss-finish", "pearl-finish", "titanium-finish", or any combination of these. Their prices are usually much higher than their regular-release counterparts.
Display-only models
For trade shows and toy fairs, Bandai displays some extremely large models in 1:6 or 1:12 scale. True to the scaling, some of these models are well over 5 feet (1.50 m) tall.
Although most of these are one off promotional models used for display purposes, Bandai has produced a few of these for commercial purposes under their HY2M line. Notably, these are MS-06S "Zaku II Commander Type" (Char Aznable custom), which is now out of production, and the RX-78-2 "Gundam". These generally retail for approximately $2,000 and are intended to be sold primarily to store owners as display fronts.
As part of the 30th Anniversary of the Gundam series, the company officially announced a project on March 11, 2009, called Real-G planning to build a 1:1 real size scale Gundam in Japan, it was completed on June 9, 2009, and displayed in a Tokyo park.[37][38] The 18-meter tall statue was later moved and reconstructed in Shizuoka City, where it stayed from July 2010 to March 2011[39][40] when in August it was dismantled only to reopen in Odaiba, Tokyo on April 19, 2012.[41]
Chinese copy controversy
In April 2010, Bandai sued two Chinese toy manufacturers for manufacturing and selling counterfeit Gunpla kits. The lawsuit states that Bandai demands 3.69 million RMB (roughly US$540,000) compensation from the companies.[43]
Bootleg Gunpla companies include Daban, TT Hongli, Model GD, Elyn Hobby, Dragon Momoko, and more.[44] [45][46]
In popular culture
Four Gundam media series titles focus primarily on Gunpla kits: Plamo-Kyoshiro (1982), Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G (2010), and Gundam Build Fighters (2013) and its sequel Gundam Build Fighters Try (2014) and later the spiritual successor Gundam Build Divers (2018) as well as its sequel series, Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise (2019–2020).
In the manga/anime series Sgt. Frog, an addiction to Gundam models is the only thing stopping Keroro from invading Earth, since he reasons that if the Keronians invade Earth, all of the Gundam models will be destroyed, and there will be no one to make new ones. He loves the models so much, if any harm comes to them, he will react violently (such as going Super Saiyan). He is prepared for such events, though, since he keeps spare kits in the Hinata family's attic. Because the anime is made by Sunrise (the studio behind the Gundam anime), and because Bandai is the show's primary sponsor, the show is able to refer to Gundam models directly without legal issues.
In the manga/anime series Genshiken, Soichiro Tanaka teaches Kanako Ohno and Kanji Sasahara how to build Gundam models in Chapter 13 (adapted as episode 8 of the anime, where the pseudonym "Gungal" is used).
See also
- Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Gundam (fictional robot)
- Plastic model kits
External links
- Bandai Hobby Site
- Bandai Hobby Site
- Bandai Action Kits Universal Cup (BAKUC) Online Competition
- Tamashii Web - Official Gundam fix figuration series website.
References
- ガンプラとは - バンダイ ホビーサイト bandai-hobby.net, retrieved 2020-02-15^
- Fact Book 2021 Bandai Namco Group, 2021^
- Bandai celebrates 35 years of Gundam model kits Nikkei Asian Review, December 6, 2015^