Ecopla: Green like a Zaku

At the Shizuoka Hobby Show Bandai's promo mechandise will include Ecopla (via Gunota). Ecopla is a line of HGUC (Gundam, Zaku, Gundam Mk.II and Gouf) made from recycled materials. From the dark color (all the kits are molded in the same dark green) it looks like pre-consumer recycled plastic. Or perhaps it's post-consumer material (i.e. the runners)? That would be more interesting.

In theory, Ecopla makes sense for hobbyists who prime and paint every kit anyway (including all the pros). In East Asia, this group might be large enough to make a difference. Of course this is just experimental phase for now. Any promo product at hobby shows are more likely to be collected so having these eco variants of the HGUC doesn't displace consumption of the non-eco variants. So in the end the net environmental impact is negative.

On the other hand, every year at Shizuoka Bandai put out promo kits, so this year choice is greener than, say, metalized version of 1/100 G00 kits (somewhat surprised that's not what we are getting).

Of course this is a small reflection of the bigger problem: the environmental movement have to play in the commercial PR arena to have any chance of success, but allows companies, organizations and governments to score PR points with fake eco initiatives. So every initiative meet the kind of mildly-cynical second guessing that I just gave.

It shouldn't detract from the fact that it's really a good move. Bandai!

Latest Gunpla news with pictures

Cool. The red cables on Zaku FZ looks fantastic! Too bad I think the other photos showing the traditional beige cables are the release colors.

Still, of the HGUC 0080 kits so far, Zaku FZ is one of the most improved. As kits, both Gelgoog JG and Zaku FZ (original release) were a bit dated by today's standard. But the old Gelgoog kit had at least the proportions right. The old Zaku FZ kit was a great kit for the time, but the proportions were a little curious. The HGUC version looks really great.

Latest Gunpla news with pictures

A page with pictures to accompany our sister site Gunota's latest merchandise report.

More on the HGUC Nu Gundam

Actually, I was thinking more of the Gun Eagle from SD Gundam Force when I did it...

More on the HGUC Nu Gundam

Hmm... then I would be more inclined to build a symmetric Nu Gundam with just one kit instead. No, I am not (just) trying to skim on expense (stagflation alert!), it's that 12 of these huge fin fannels on one MS is kind of freaky. Mounting 3 fin fannels on each side seems reasonable right?

Well, it's not exactly like I will actually try it out... On a related note, the HGUC Sazabi will definitely tempt me out of gunpla retirement. Shall be interesting to see...

More on the HGUC Nu Gundam

As Core requested:

All the pieces to convert the HGUC Nu Gundam to the Double-Wing version are all there - except the extra six fannels, which you'll have to use a second kit for. Also, If you want to have two shields, then you have to use the other arm from the other kit.

Quick Fix Review: HGUC 1/144 Nu Gundam

Quick Fix Review:

The 1/144 HGUC Nu Gundam

I had seen on the net - I forget which site, sorry - that the Double Fin-Fannel Wing was doable. And once I got my hands on one kit in the store, I checked the parts...and indeed, it was possible! So without further ado, I bought two kits and proceeded to modify.

Points of interest:

1) The knee joints are designed to be able to take the stress of the extra weight the wings bring to the kit - but...it still sags, so the trick is really to properly pose it.

2) The "mechanical" joint areas are now in gunmetal/metallic grey, rather than neutral grey.

3) The helmet comes as one piece - no more nightmares for people who putty and sand. And there's internal detail under the back flange of the helmet, too.






























4) The rifle can be gripped well - a big difference from the MG Kit.

5) the Fannels are fully-articulated and detailed.

6) there are internal details for the calves, but not much else - unless you consider the detailing on the underside of the waist-plates to be important.

7) The backup sabers and mountings are fully-articulated as well.

8) The shield uses Hazel-type connectors - I guess it's the standard now.

9) The proportions are somewhat in-between Izubuchi and Katoki - but the overall result is that it simply looks good.

10) The Bazooka mount swings, so it can technically go into position for "back-fire."

11) On the Minus side...the left hands are a downer. One is an open hand, and the other is a closed fist - no fist for saber-gripping or trigger-grips.

All in all, this is a very satisfying kit - if only it had more useful hands.

HGUC Gundam GP02A MLRS Specs

Hard to believe, but true. This is the first model photography I did since my daughter was born. Actually it went back further, it's the first model photography I did since Newtype Asylum was closed.

Damn... see how sloppy I got. The rocket engines are all posed this way and that way. Doesn't look like everyone is on the same mission. pfff! Ok I am out of practice.

About the kit: it's a no-brainer choosing this version (a variant from the arcade game Bonds of Battlefield) over the standard Physalis. For 200 Yens more you get two triple missile launchers and a meaner looking nuclear bazooka. You give up on the special stand for the GP02A vs. GP01Fb fighting pose. But that can be easily (and better) recreated with two Action Bases. Just to be absolutely clear, the photos here shows the model posed on an Action Base, which is NOT included in the kit.

PS: want to throw a question out there: the online pictures seem to show that the MLRS version uses a darker shade of gray than the standard GP02A. Is that true? Does anyone have a side-by-side photo of the two kits?

Gunpla announcement roundup

Ok before you complain that I am just ripping off Gunota (this and that), well ok guilty as charged. But the point of GML (as opposed to Gunota) is to have a little discussion.

What do I have to say... well... wow Gunpla is going 7 ways at the same time: First, CCA, 0080, Seed, Sangokuden, G00 and G00 side story. That's a little mad!

MG Gelgoog Ver. 2.0
MG Force Impulse Gundam
HGUC Sazabi
HGUC Zaku II Kai
HG Saachez custom AEU Enact Custom
HG Tieren Space Commander Type
1/100 Over Flag
1/100 Gundam Astraea
BB Senshi Sangokuden Kakouen Dalas
BB Senshi Sangokuden Sousou Gundam + Shibai Sazabi ~Miracle Of Guandu~