Blog #8 - Gundam Construction

Happy Saturday ladies and gents, today I spent my weekend diving into a new hobby I've been wanting to do. I have to admit—it was a lot more time-consuming but rewarding than I expected. If you're familiar with Gundam models, you probably know they're not just your typical plastic kits. These box of nightmares that test patiences are miniature robots that are extremely detailed, intricate, and take a surprising life span of your amount of time to assemble. I decided to give it a try and see how long it actually takes to build one of these iconic beauties. 

I started with the famous Gundam RX-78-2 model, a classic design, but I quickly realized that this was no quick weekend project. The kit came with hundreds of tiny plastic pieces, each of them numbered and requiring careful attention. Having to buy a specific tool kit for the model and the ones in the future was an expence I wasn't expecting. The first step was to carefully trim each piece from the sprues (the frames that hold the pieces together) correctly as it is scarily easy to snip off a armor pieces that could be mistaken as excess plastic. I spent a good few hours just doing this, making sure I didn't accidentally damage my very first build. 

Next came the assembly, which was a slow arduous assembly of snapping pieces into place and making sure everything was lined up perfectly. There’s a distinct satisfaction in hearing that satisfying "click" when two parts fit together. But I quickly realized that it wasn’t just about snapping things together—it was about precision. Many of the pieces had very specific alignments, and I found myself repeatedly glancing back and forth between the instructions to make sure everything was in the right place.

The most nerve racking part was the detailing. The model came with stickers and decals that added color and depth to the Gundam’s armor and joints. I thought it would be quick and easy, but carefully placing each tiny sticker took much more time than I anticipated for that uptmost perfection. The whole process felt like a slow meditation—each little step required focus and patience, and by the end of the weekend, I’d spent a solid 12 hours just assembling only part of the model, specifically the top torso.

While the process was long, it was also incredibly rewarding. There’s something really satisfying about seeing an almost complete model that I worked on so carefully. I definitely gained a greater appreciation for the art of Gundam building and for people who build these kits professionally or as a hobby. 

Building a Gundam model is not just about the final product, but the simplicity of appreciating fandom, and having more unique indoor hobbies. It’s a great reminder that some things in life are worth taking the time to do right. If you’re looking for a creative and meditative way to spend your time, I highly recommend giving it a try. Just be prepared to spend a bit of time on it—good things are created to, those who build with love! I think I'll finish my current build in a couple weeks by my current guesstimation.