Introduction to Gunpla World

Have you ever heard about Gunpla which is famous in the country of the rising sun?

You have never heard of it? Worry not, i will enlighten you about what the hell is Gunpla and why it is famous in Japan. :D

 

Gunpla masterpiece at Gunpla Expo in 2013

So basically Gunpla (ガンプラ Ganpura, a Japanese portmanteau of “Gundam” and “plastic model”) refers to plastic and non-plastic model kits that have become popular among anime fans and model-lovers, especially in Japan and in other nearby Asian countries since 1980s. The popularity of Gundam models increased in 1990s with North America and Europe being exposed to Gundam through television, video and manga.

Plastic Gunpla

Plastic Gundam model kits are manufactured by Bandai in Japan (or China) which has an exclusive license in manufacturing and marketing the kits around the world. The first plastic Gundam model kits were sold in 1980 in Japan.

Plastic Gundam model kits consist of several trays of parts or "runners" that either snap-fit (most post-1990 models) or require glue (older models prior to 1990) to put together. The cover image on the box, or box art, is usually done by an illustrator with a picture illustration of the subject mecha design in action. All plastic Gundam models kits are supplied with stickers and sometimes decals to apply extra colors and markings as seen in the show, movies, manga or video games. Smaller or lower grade kits often require paint to give the model a finished appearance.

The kits range in different scales with the most popular scales being: 1:144 (approx 13 cm tall), 1:100 (approx 16–19 cm tall) and 1:60 (approx 30 cm tall).

You can visit Gundam Wiki for more information on gunpla many more.