Gunpla: The UGY-R41 Man Rodi (IBO HG)

The Man Rodi came into Iron-Blooded Orphans just as I lost patience with the anime. Occasionally, I pick up on foreshadowing for tragic events in a story, and immediately drop it. I've no love or patience for the slow-motion car crash, and I prefer actual surprises to telegraphed tragedies. Of course I went back to check while writing this, to see if I was overreacting and took no pleasure in being less pessimistic than the show. And, yes, the dude was piloting one of these. Why did I get this then? Well, the design is interesting and the kit is cheap.

As a build project, the Man Rodi is cathartic but kinda half-arsed. It lacks the internal frame gimmick, which admittedly makes for simpler assembly, but it retains the wasp waist issue a lot of these IBO kits seem to have. As bulky as it looks, you're still relying on a single polycap with only minimal support around it. On the plus side, the colours are on point with minimal stickers, granting you two choices for the unusual eyes, and no comment-worthy paint requirements. Once completed, posability is pretty decent too, considering the bulk, and there is weapon storage. It was lacking something though, like a stand. This is a kit that was crying out for an included flight stand of some kind, as this doesn't actually have feet, and was only seen in space. It can balance by itself, but you aren't getting any dynamic poses without an action base. You get what you pay for, I suppose. Its definitely not bad for what it is, but its not good enough to convince people whom weren't already onboard with its “Froggy-Zaku” styles.

So, with that in mind, and as observant readers will have already realised, I decided to go off plan. The Man Rodi has a classically Zeonic paintjob of two-tone green, but its proportions don't work well with that. There's too much of a contrast between the limbs and its main body. So, spraypaint in grass green! That makes three greens, which helps break things up. I didn't bother with panel-lines, but I may come back to it.

In short: inexpensive kitbash fodder, but not bad.

Gunpla: The V08Re-0526 Helmwige Reincar (IBO HG)

When I do a write-up for one of these, I like to check the lore for some context, and to help with the introductory paragraph. Here's what I found out: the Helmwige Reincar is a centuries old, but recently refitted, Mobile Suit based off the Grimgerde. Its named for German opera and Nordic mythology. Its service record is somewhat obscure, the design lineage being overshadowed by the assorted Gundams, and seemingly produced in very limited numbers. Its on screen performance from what I've read isn't that impressive either, and can be summarised as: "holds a sword, pilot killed in a notably violent manner while defending another". None of that really matters however, as it has an obscenely large sword. A sword in fact, so stupidly large, that its longer than the robot is tall, and makes photography a nuisance.

 

Yes, I know it's childish to fixate on that, especially as really big swords are a common anime thing. But the thing stores on a pop-out codpiece mount, I think I am only responding in kind. And, the thing is, it's rather impractical. I don't mean the obvious way, I mean in the "how can I balance this, the joints can't take it" way. The Astaroth I did a while back had a similar problem, in that the internal frame gimmick and disproportionate weapons don't mix due to polycaps, but at least they tried to compensate here. The oversized hands and handles have a tabbing system, and there's optional/mandatory wider feet to help. Then again, none of this is especially unexpected. Iron Blooded Orphans kits tend to have their waist joints based around an unrestricted balljoint, and you've got a problem once the friction is lost. That will probably ruin this guy, as the right elbow is already suffering, and the Astaroth isn't ageing well on the shelf.

 

OK, so about 270 words in, and I've only talked about the sword, the phallic imagery it presents, and how it demonstrates that there is such a thing as too much sword. What else can I say? There is a mace? Part of the sword detaches for what I presume is a back up weapon. For wildly impractical dual welding.

Sorry. Seriously now. The embodies what I consider to be both the virtues and sins of the Iron Blooded Orphans line. You build each body part bones first, before applying armour atop. Toro here has a lot of armour, but it's designed so as not to interfere with mobility. That's both a positive and a negative, due to the aforementioned joint issues. This being the third time I've built one like this, the process offered few surprises but no annoyance. There is a sticker sheet, which is extremely minimal by IBO standards, covering, although I've handled better stickers. Purists may also not that this kit deviates from the show I'd that it was a monoeye, rather than a visor, but no biggie. Visually its pretty good, and I like the Minotaur motif it has going on. This does look like a machine that would charge right at you, especially with the face mask up, and the horns down. It's orky, and I like that.

When you get right down it, the Helmwige Reincar is very typical of the IBO design philosophy, and my taste for the absurd. And the colour blue. But it's inevitable balance issues prevent me from giving it a glowing endorsement, even though I found it a nicely relaxing project.

Gunpla: The STH-05R Rouei (IBO HG)

Acknowledging that it was gonna be bleak, I wanted to like Iron Blooded Orphans. I gave it a go. Today's subject is from that series, brought prior to watching, and fielded by the "Turbines" Mafia family. An actual family, as it turned out, consisting of apparently dozens of women, all married to the one guy. They have a crèche. Somebody more eloquent than myself can unpack that one. Fortunately, there's no shortage of other things to talk about here.

Ever look at something, and think there's a cultural context you are missing somehow? Like a idiom you don't get because you're literal minded and don't know whom Gordon Bennett was? I get a similar feeling with today's subject. There's something about it I can't quite place, possibly supernatural, about that four-eyed faceplate. The rest is more familiar, the chonk and bellbottoms look evoking Zeon designs like the Dom. It's a good and interesting look, but it's not what people are likely to mention about this thing. Unlike most IBO kits, the Rouei has no internal frame at all, the construction being similar to a conventional HGUC. There is no obvious reason why this is the case, the external design offering no barrier to the implementation of such a thing. It seems counter-intuitive too, as the Rouei is a remoulded variation on the Hyakuren. Surely, if you knew you were doing both, wouldn't you be aided by having the common internal frame? Also, and I'm not quite sure how to work this into the article, so I'll mention it now, the shoulder armour looks like it should have another joint in it, but doesn't. As it is, one can only suspect some cost saving measure at play. I'll also admit to not realising this fact when buying, silly me. However, all that only matters in the context of IBO, and the absence of a Robo-skeleton is a curiosity, not an objective problem. I wouldn't begrudge someone whom passed on this kit because of that though.

The actual build process proved to be quite a solid one, in both the literal and figurative sense. Nothing leaps out as exceptional, but its a no-fuss process. I like a kit that isn't finicky. It results in a possibly more stable robot than the other IBO kits I've done, as its much thicker in the mid-riff with big feet, so polycaps are less vital to the balance of the thing. Its not without its problems once completed though, the fist plates being a nuisance during photography and couple of joints being loose. In other news, the build does rely on stickers, with fricking humongous ones for the thrusters, in an odd blue-grey. Aside from that showstopper, the stickers are otherwise minor, and often go into recessed locations. I applied the smaller examples, and took the opportunity to try paint here, which worked wonderfully for the eyes. It also seems to getting better at avoiding the cutmark problem too, so I'm pleased with how this turned out.

Let's talk weapons. The Rouei is equipped with a pistol and club combo, fitting the usual tactic in IBO were you to wear down a foe with ranged attacks before crushing the cockpit in with a blunt instrument. Its another good look, thanks in part to double-jointed elbows, and both can store on the most ample butt armour. Throw it on a flight stand, and you've got all you need for a great pose. In a happy bonus though, this kit features all the weapons from the original Hyakuren kit, just unmentioned on the box. That's a rifle, two kinda-boxing gloves, and a sword + sheath. Was that also a cost-cutting measure? Strange, but welcome.

To be blunt: this kit had been sitting at the bottom of the to-do pile for a while, due to the skelebob issue, fear of it being a lemon, and being less than keen follow those episodes I watched. But it proved not to be a lemon. No, its more a kind of unbranded supermarket chocolate. I feel if you are attached to the characters that pilot this, you definitely won't be unhappy with the experience. Otherwise? Well, it won me over, but don't overpay?

Gunpla: The EB-05s Schwalbe Graze (IBO HG)

A common design archetype in Gundam is the idea of a commander type. This is a mobile suit closely related to a rank & file machine, but with maybe a new head, a new model number, and a few performance improvements. This is closely related to the "Ace Custom" trope, although is not necessarily the same thing, as a commander type is usually an uncommon variation, not a personalised machine. The Schwalbe Graze is one such mobile suit, one explicitly intended for leaders and talented pilots. Its also blue and has a weapon on a string, which puts me in mind of the Gouf/Zaku dynamic. And its a good kit, but I fell down a rabbit whole of indecision.

I'd like to ramble for a moment to ask rhetorical questions about detailing gunpla. Consider blue boys model here, which is in a conventional 2D, and especially the areas around the thrusters. 

Are these areas actually black, or is this just suggesting shadow? Or is it dirt/burnt-bits that accumulated around the thrusters? Was it ever painted? The art style does allows for several interpretations. And then there's the kit, it's 1/144 scale, so design elements have to be fairly obvious or exaggerated to stick out. And then you ask which came first, the model or the kit? Are they both interpretations of the same idea, equally valid? And what my point actually is? Well, the point is you'd have to choose between realism and screen accuracy, and I'm still finding that balance. Or, how much do I paint, if at all? 

With the Swallow here I tried a few different techniques to detail it. First, I decided that the shoulder thrusters would indeed have a black around them, laying it on thick, then drybrushing with Game Color Silver to highlight then and the edges of the axe. I used stickers for the yellow bits, this being a colour I find troublesome, especially when its used in fiddly areas like the eyes. Meanwhile, I used my first big blue Gundam marker for some areas, and felt tips for clean up, before opting to ink wash the thing. The majority was done in the old standby that is Nuln Oil, layered thick on the skeleton, but otherwise moderated with a cotton bud. The blue segments were treated with Macragge Blue. The end result certainly isn't bad, but clearly I've done for “realism”, and not “anime accuracy”. My which I mean, its messy rather than clean.

The actual construction makes for favourable comparisons with the Astaroth, having a similar internal skeleton gimmick going on, but with colours more immediately pleasing and significantly less stickers. Some areas like the shoulders were a little annoying to cut & assemble, with some obvious seam lines, but little that's actually bad. Articulation is also in the goldilocks zone, moving well for something in such high heels. Where the kit starts to falter is with those design elements unique to it, as opposed to the regular Graze. The wired claw is weedy and prone to popping off, when I feel this should be a centrepiece. I ended up halving the length and applying Ard Coat to stop it flopping around. Something something your mum. The weapons inherited from its grunt sibling have more presence and did not require additional work.

In summary: it's definitely a nice kit, and I'm starting to understand why IBO models have such good reputations. But maybe there's another variant that's more up my street. And I still have much to learn. Especially with the damn robot photography.

Gunpla: The Gundam Astaroth (IBO HG)

A thought occurs, I should probably do a Gundam for a gunpla article at some point.... OK, Gundam Astaroth. then. 

I probably should give Iron-Blooded Orphans a go at some point. It's on Netflix, so it's not like there's any real barrier. Except its got a reputation for being excessively bleak, and that's not what I'm doing this for. My gunpla habit is meant to be one of relaxation and self-care, so an anime about child soldiers, with themes of fustian pacts, is not of much interest. Then again, it turns out this is from a spin-off manga, so watching the show wouldn't be nessecary, but my relecutance stands. I mention this for context. I have no prior connection to this particular Gundam, and its named for a baron of hell. I do hope that it doesn't turn out that this one squishes kittens for money, or something similarly edgelord. With that in mind, I picked up this kit for the following reasons.

1) 'twas cheap.
2) It was asymmetrical.
3) It came with a stupidly large anime sword, CALLED A DEMOLITIONS KNIFE, and a big oven-mitt to help hold it.
4) It's blue, and blue is lucky. WAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!

Anyways, let's talk robot skeletons, or more properly, Mobile/Gundam Frames. These are something that gunpla modellers can have a bit of a fetish about, such things being considered a mark of quality. Seriously, people love the Master Grades and so on for letting you build a Gundam with no armour, but lots of pistons. The Iron-Blooded Orphans line is notable for doing that sort of thing at 1/144 scale, its a gimmick of the setting, and Atas here is a beneficiary of that. You build it up bones first, and then plate the armour on top. This makes for a fun build, especially as the Astaroth has unique parts for each limb. While I have applied stickers and Gundam Marker, and it looks great, I almost want to go skin it and inkwash the whole thing, just to make the mechanics pop. As it stands, this approach does make the Astaroth look malnourished from some angles, but this does mean that articulation is largely unhindered and number of the joints is high. Sure, it could have a toe joint or summat, but the Gundam Astaroth moves exactly as well as you'd expect something like it to move. Correction: there is a toe joint, my mistake. It does not cheat by having swing out shoulders or trick hips either, it's just got a good range of motion. And while I've not had opportunity to try, customisation and parts swapping with other Gundams should be easy. 

So, we're looking at a kit that goes together well, my cackhandedness aside, looks great with basic techniques, and poses like a boss. What does it do wrong? Well, a sword longer than the robot is tall is a little impractical. I know, who would have thought it? You have to disassemble the left hand, then fiddle with the over-hand, and finally use the side handle in the right to get the suit to hold it properly. You may wish to apply the joint tightening hack of your choice, but it's not unexpected, and not actually an unreasonable failing. I would however comment that the vast sea of white plastic does make things look extremely plain, and some of the stickers aren't great. I didn't actually start to like the look of things until I went back, weeks later, the panel line all THAT. There are also two alternate weapons, a much tinier knife, which I have misplaced, and an assault rifle. These are perfectly OK, but lack the storage option the sword has. 

Gundam Astaroth probably benefited from me writing this up shortly after I'd done 2 much older kits, but it is good. Makes me want to pick up a few more from the line, TBH.