Sunday, January 17, 2016

HG Build Custom GP Base Part 1

Can't have HG Build Strike Gundam without this accessory

Second Gunpla work (sort of) in 2016 XD


With the completion of the work on HG 1/144 Build Strike Gundam Full Package in the previous posting, this accessory is a natural follow-up to that kit due to its in-universe connection. As a matter of fact, the increased price of the overall kit notwithstanding, I think it wouldn't be out of place if it was included with HG 1/144 Build Strike Gundam Full Package and subsequently offered as a separate kit. ^^


HG Build Custom GP Base
Production company: Bandai Hobby Division
Release date: November 2013
Price: 600 Yen (exclusive of tax).
Official link

The GP Base is an interesting idea in "Gundam Build Fighters", even more so than the battle system through the scanning of Gunplas itself in my opinion, since we have already seen that in "Model Kit Fighters Gunpla Builders Beginning G", which came out three years prior to "Gundam Build Fighters". In the anime, the GP Base is a device to store the Gunpla and modeler information, very much a fancy identification card to initiate the battle system. In Gunpla form, it's a fancy display stand to compliment Gunplas from the show. ^^




Emblem and merchandising seal of "Gundam Build Fighters".


Released in 2013.


Interestingly, the GP Base's release number is "000" despite coming out after "001" and "002" of the series, Build Booster and Amazing Booster respectively. ^^
I suppose the idea is to separate the base from the rest of the series, which are all option packs and weapons meant for customization of your model kits. ^^

As a display base, it functions the same way as Action Base 2, but it does feature a large base that can "display" the aforementioned information. There's no electronics involved, obviously, ^^; as the information to be shown is via a card included with the kit's instruction manual. ^^




Introduction of the kit on the sides of box.



Introduction of the kit can be found on the bottom face of the box as well.


Previews for Build Gundam Mk-II, Beargguy III and Build Booster.



Comparison with the box of HG 1/144 Build Strike Gundam Full Package.


HG 1/144 Build Strike Gundam Full Package is from "HG Build Fighters" while this GP Base is from "HG Build Custom".


Comparison with the box of a BB Senshi kit, in this case BB Senshi Sangokuden Shin Enjutsu Zssa.



GP Base's box is shorter and thinner in comparison, ...


... even though both kits are of the same price - 600 Yen (exclusive of tax) each.

Frankly, I'm more interested in the information card than the stand itself, since the former is definitely more pronounced and outstanding than that which requires DIY on Action Base 2. ^^ With a bit of designing and printing, the information card can be duplicated with customized text to be used on various kits that I have or am planning to build, and that work seems really fun from the get-go. ^^


Box open.


Content.

A look at the runners' design:


Just three runners, nine parts in total for the entire pack.


Runner label: HG GP Base.







All the parts are of considerable size as compared to normal model kits.


The folded instruction sheet.



The two-page instruction sheet.


Part count.


The template for the information card is included on the instruction sheet, but you will have to hand write the model kit information onto the paper itself and cut it out if it's to be used directly, which is probably not the best of ideas. ^^;


One of the base's gimmicks: there's a round slot to accommodate a LED Unit for Gunpla that would allow the jewel near the top section to light up.


The nine parts to form the base.




Testing fitting the parts to see how the base would turn out when assembled. ^^

Take away the stand, the base feels like an upside-down calculator, or a smartphone that has been beautifully bent near its middle section. XD

The parts themselves need very little detailing work, so the main work for this kit would be on the information card. ^^

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