Why I Started Building Gundam... And Why YOU May Want To Also...

I'd spent many years building many, many airplane models. And at the time, I was enjoying myself. Yet somewhere along the way, the fun seemed to slip away... and I needed a change.

That's when I "discovered" Gundam, Bandai's push fit model kits from the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. And that discovery made all the difference for me in rekindling my enjoyment of the hobby.

So this video tells the tale of my Gunpla journey... how it happened, what appeals to me about them, and why you too may want to consider building them.
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[barsona]

The fact he gets it, without understanding the context of where "Gunpla is freedom" comes from, just shows how much Bandai Hobby has done a good job to welcome newcomers.

I hope you enjoy your journey. Don't worry, there ARE jerks in this hobby to, who would nitpick. But as you said, "Gunpla is freedom."

[insuficientdata]

I was in the hobby and got burnt out. I failed a commission kit on the original Sinanju Ver. Ka. Nothing and I mean nothing on that kit went right. So I got in contact with the seller refunded hime the partial payment. Sent him the Sinanju Ver. Ka that was partially built. After that I hung up my tools and focused on my life. Almost six years later a friend of mine bought the original Char's Zaku II Origin not the re released Red Comet Version. So he bought the kit and he literally had no time nor idea on how to build the kit since he thought it was a figure. So one day I decided to stop by his place and the kit simply screamed build me in my head. So I took the kit home and dug up my tools that I have neglected for almost a decade. Surprisingly I don't know if it was because I've missed the hobby or because I wasn't scared to mess up the kit I didn't buy, but every on the kit was perfect. I literally repainted, removed every seam, and weathered every piece including the accessories to the best of my ability. After I gave home the built kit he offered me money for my time, but I turned him down. Then he introduced me to Nakama Toy store in Chicago and when I met the owners it was then and there that I decided to return to the hobby and support local. I would love to showcase some of my built kits, techniques, and my own commentary, but truth be told I have no idea what camera or electronics I need to buy to get started. So I build my kits and showcase them to other fellow builder in Facebook groups.

[oldfreddyfrenchfry]

My favorite part of Gunpla is an interactive finished product you can pose, display, repose, etc. it makes the whole process more rewarding to have something interactive and can visually change the aesthetics.

[geo]

Your wife seems like a smart and wonderful woman. This is the second video of yours that I've watched where she was the catalyst for you as it pertains to model building. The first video was the one on commission builds.

[lesliehoang]

Love that your talking about gunpla with Dad jokes

[gillesprezudent]

I got my first kit this Christmas. A Master Grade Barbatos. I was a casual fan of the anime, seen a few episodes on TV here and there. But, building that kit really flipped my switch.

I think what really hits me is that this hobby is as deep as you want it to be. If you want to just snip out the parts and snap it together, go ahead. If you want to customize a bit and paint the armor, there's a huge aftermarket for you to dive into. You can go nuts and drill out the parts to run LEDs and wires all around.

[nameputhpong]

Always nice to see a fellow modeler’s downward spiral into gunpla addiction.

[tewzaku]

Gunpla is freedom! I thinks that’s a quote from Oldschoolgunpla lol!!

[cspo]

Graze Custom was the kit that got me into Gundam, too. Such an attractive model.

[Aluminatihusker]

Great video! I really appreciate your story about how your wife bought you a model again. She sounds like a wonderful person! What an awesome thing to do!

[warmachine]

This was a great video. I was a Gundam fan first, but I've branched out into armor and aircraft. Reimagining the scale stuck out because my first video of yours was your Grimoire Red Beret that you reimagined as a carrier launched VTOL where you did that exact thing.

[cravinacupofcoffee]

What a great video. As a long time Gunpla Builder who's entry into model making was Gundam, I love to hear the perspective of someone with prior modeling experience and their thoughts on Gunpla, which is too underrated! My first model was the HG Barbatos 6th Form! My first model and your first model could canonically fight! There just isn't a hobby that introduces you to the wonderful world of model making with such opportunity for creative freedom and has this low of a bar for entry. Anyone can get into it! And with just a few tricks you might be able to kitbash, then paint, then scribe, then scratch build, then make dioramas! Also the lore building you could make with your tiny little model is part of the fun! If I could recommend a Gundam show, please try Gundam Build Fighters! It's about the models. They reference the shows a lot too, but it's a love letter to Gundam and Model Building. In the show they build, paint and customize Gunpla then fight each other using the models they made! The main character is an aspiring young builder who struggles to fight using his own machine, but he is one of the best model builders and painters! His struggles are so relatable, and his love for the hobby resonates throughout the entire show! It's also where "Gunpla is Freedom" came from!

[gunplabadly]

I know this isn’t new, but wanted to share how much I enjoyed this Deep Thought. This was great! I messed around with car models back in the mid-80s. I had no fun and quit. But, I started watching modeling and Warhammer YouTube about 5 years ago. And from there to here, I am building my first Gunpla now. It’s awesome and I’m all in. Thank you for sharing your experience and how you got here. Your many years of modeling really shine through in your content.

[trollmastermike]

I have been somewhat interested in war hammer 40k/ gundam models recently.

But what has stopped me was a bad child hood memory with a metal huey kit i got that was to much for a newbie especially a very uncoordinated kid, i felt very overwhelmed.

But after listening to you talk about it and their being different levels of difficulty and well it not having to be "perfect" i am going to give it another try after 14 ish years lol.

Thanks have a blessed day!


Also painting the models is one of the things that stopped me from doing military vehicles because i am color blind and i dont paint well😂.

[martinrichards]

Got home from work today and watched this one. Jon, you made me laugh, so thanks for that! Don't stop doing the creative segments; you have a great sense of humour and made me laugh out loud. Your thoughts are right on the money. Your modelling journey sounds much like mine, and i appreciate how well you use the language to express your thoughts. You're the modelling philosopher, and it's great to see. Thanks so much, again.

[rafifthesecond]

Man, I know this is old but I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on Gunpla (and just scale model hobby in general). I was taken aback by how introspective a lot of your thoughts are, it really did get me to reflect how I'm treating this hobby. And the segment where you say on how decades in the future, us younger generations will be in the same position as you (the old generation), made me reflect on how I view changes in times (if that make sense).

I still got plenty of reflecting to do but for what it's worth, this video really gave me some good laughs and good amount of introspection. So yeah, cheers and thank you!

[mrmanguy]

I just got my first kit this weekend at a convention i went to with my girlfriend. I've been bouncing around for a bit, trying to find a new something to put my free time into, and I believe I just found my calling. Thank you for sharing this story! It was incredibly enjoyable to listen to. Wish you the best.

[Gundamuk]

Another great vid Jon! Had a very similar introduction to Gunpla. I'm so glad I took that impulse purchase in a second hand shop in Japan back in 2005. The HG Strike Rouge. Snapped and panel lined it in an afternoon, and the bug started right there and then.

[Davef]

Exactly the same: When I was a kid in Germany my father brought aircraft-model building to me and my brother, a hobby that he had done himself when he was a kid in the 1960/70. When I became a teenager I stopped building them. Many years passed and by now I am living in Thailand. About 3 years ago I saw this Gundam model and I wanted to try it. It totally got me for the same reasons you described. Also due to the lack of Aircraft models here. Gundam are much easier to find than other plastic models. Now I am slowly getting tired of Gundam but I still enjoy them. My wife is a fan of One Piece and a few months ago I got her a small Bandai model kit of a ship of that show. And so it all starts over again. I had never done such a ship before and it was a new challenge and new experience and they are made by Bandai so the fit is as perfect as the ones of the Gundam. :)

[markvicferrer]

The anime have a lot of World War 2 aspects that can be as gripping & intriguing as events from the war itself. 8th MS Team is a nice self contained series that's an easy entry point into the world without just diving headfirst into a massive saga.