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 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.

Gunpla: The HGUC Hizack

OK, lets see if I can make a regular go of this, or if I'll just loose interest as time goes on. 

I think I'll start with my most recently completed work, the RSM-106 Hizack. It's from Zeta Gundam, the first Gundam sequel, is which is about a less apocalyptic, but dirtier war. Basically, after the Federation beat Zeon, it got into some really bad habits, and the sequel follows a rebellion against it, the Anti Earth Union Group (AEUG). The thing about the Hizack is that there is basically no justification for it that works in-universe. I could be wrong, there was retcons, but still. The Hizack is a modernised version of the Zaku 2, with the same colours. Fair enough, if it was a Zeon spinoff, or even the AEUG, fielding it. Even with Zeon gone, there should be loads of Zakus knocking about for rebels to use. Trouble is, it's the Federation antagonists using this, and more specifically, The Titans. Yes, the famously elitist, Earth-first, fuck-Zeon, Titans special forces group use this thing. Seriously, guys, does this not get confusing? Does friendly fire not happen? I mean, the regular Federation forces at least paint the things blue, FFS. And what's more, isn't this thing technically obsolete versus the GM series you already have? Those can at least carry two beam weapons at once. It's not like you captured these, and went "waste not, want not". That happens in war a lot. No, somebody in the Federation decided to make thier own, seemingly leaving the design unmodified, and then gave the most Zeonic version to the guys specifically about killing Zeon stragglers. Was this a dark joke? The only credible explanation is that Sunrise/Bandai realised the Zaku 2 was a popular design, and wanted another, BUT also refused to let it be heroic.

Either that, or someone asked the Titans "Are we the baddies?" and they gave the hardest yes they could. 

Anyways. Actually putting it together was quite simple, although this probably has more to do with its "2000" stamp on the runners, than any deliberate design choice. It's mainly matter of joining two parts to form a body part, very easy, but this produces many longitudinal seams, with articulation being basic to solid. I also found the process of separating parts from the sprue to be a consistent ball-ache, with unavoidable stubs appearing in obvious places like the top of the head. The golden tubes were also unfun, being made of a rubbery plastic you have to bend, so maybe a bit of glue, there. On the plus side, the Hizack easily benefited from several basic touch-up techniques, being my first test subject for a Gundam Marker. That, and a Nuln Oil wash for the cables, really brought things to life. Mephiston Red was also used to finish the gunsight, and stickers for the monoeye was applied, although not the feet as I felt it was unnecessary. Yeah, I could paint some bits of the feet and backpack, but picking out those details would undermine the military green. I probably need to go back and do the star on that shield though. 

Despite my posing of it, its not actually possible for the Hizack to make use of the side handle on its machine gun. This would require some cutting of the component, and that's a bit of a shame, as otherwise the posability of the kit isn't bad. Certainly does “imposing grunt” well enough, and I'm possibly answering my own question with that. Also, I suppose he'd do well with a beam saber. If he came with one...

Generally, I'm pleased with how it turned out, but I'm disappointed with with the lack of weapon options, and was a little tetchy during assembly.