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Post by magengar on Aug 1, 2009 14:17:36 GMT -5
Wow, I like that exoskeleton design. It looks like you can combine it with different parts from other figures in this toyline, eh? That's a Badazz exosketelon design, indeed! I'd like to play with something like that, for Stop-Motion Photography animation... ...it would look awesome in CG. zozo-Magengar
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Post by mechamasterj on Aug 1, 2009 23:42:00 GMT -5
Dollar for dollar you get way more out of Koto vs. Bandai. And 99% of Bandai models are the same base Gundam model built over and over again with over 20 years of development and only minor exterior changes. Koto is busting out completely new designs continually. Bandai is fine and all, but they don't exactly take any risks or do anything new. Based on these factors I think Koto is the better model maker. Im not sure how many bandai kits vs koto kits you have build, but the experience you mentioned bandai having has givent them the edge, srue they do make many rehash kits but they do improve uppon thier kits each year (just look at the differences and improvements made with 2.0. renditions) Most of thier kits far surpass that of Kotos in terms of; plastic quality, mobility, and number of colored parts. Most of kotos kits need more work then bandais HG kits and you cant even compare them with their MGs and PGs. Also, Koto kits cost more for thier size. a 1/144 scale koto will run you 40 ~ 60 while bandias are usually under 20 and they are of higher qaulity. I wont deny that Koto, first, has a better selection of mecha, and, second, are improving as well. But, I stress this, they are not at the same level as bandais...... dollar for dollar!! You cannot deny bandais years and years of expierence in the model department. Look at Vic 's SRW thread he mentions all of the mods he needs to do, when you get a lot of that right out of the box with bandai. Again, I give it to Koto for thier branching out and covering a larger assortment of mecha, and very cool mecha at that, but they just arent at bandais level yet in the actual model making department as far as mechanics go. Maybe they will surpass bandai eventually, but now, they still have a ways to go. Im not saying who picks better designs im just saying who makes better "model" in the end.
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Post by xiombarg on Aug 2, 2009 0:24:13 GMT -5
Im not sure how many bandai kits vs koto kits you have build, but the experience you mentioned bandai having has givent them the edge, srue they do make many rehash kits but they do improve uppon thier kits each year (just look at the differences and improvements made with 2.0. renditions) Most of thier kits far surpass that of Kotos in terms of; plastic quality, mobility, and number of colored parts. Most of kotos kits need more work then bandais HG kits and you cant even compare them with their MGs and PGs. Also, Koto kits cost more for thier size. a 1/144 scale koto will run you 40 ~ 60 while bandias are usually under 20 and they are of higher qaulity. I wont deny that Koto, first, has a better selection of mecha, and, second, are improving as well. But, I stress this, they are not at the same level as bandais...... dollar for dollar!! You cannot deny bandais years and years of expierence in the model department. Look at Vic 's SRW thread he mentions all of the mods he needs to do, when you get a lot of that right out of the box with bandai. Again, I give it to Koto for thier branching out and covering a larger assortment of mecha, and very cool mecha at that, but they just arent at bandais level yet in the actual model making department as far as mechanics go. Maybe they will surpass bandai eventually, but now, they still have a ways to go. Im not saying who picks better designs im just saying who makes better "model" in the end. I partially agree with where you are coming from, but where you are comparing scale for scale it doesn't work, because if you look at the parts count in your average 1/144 scale Bandai MG to say a Koto 1/144 scale AC model, the AC model will usually have more than twice as many pieces, and then there's the Koto Zoids line which I'm not even sure how to fit into the comparison picture. Anyway, it's probably not even worth arguing about, but I feel Koto deserves more credit for their innovation vs. Bandai's keeping the status quo, but that's just my opinion.
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Post by mechamasterj on Aug 2, 2009 22:41:43 GMT -5
lol well you do have a point that scales are really not exact and pertain to the series and not just some standard scale. But I am just talking about ease of build as far as painting goes, and then considering ariculation. While AC has may have more parts, they aren't that poseable, and require a bit more necessary painting. I cant speak from the zoids kits since i dont own any of thier kits but they do look awesome.
I also see what your saying, since gundams do pretty much have a sort of basic design, it takes a bit more innovation to take on the less standard designs. I do love that about Koto and wish Bandai would be more daring in the model department. They do seem to play it safe there, however, they have taken on code geass (but stopped after season one for some reason) and are now tackling macross frontier. Still, i dont beleive there is nothing beyond that.
I feel Koto is destined to take on the mecha modeling industry and thier models continue to improve especially their excelent 1/144 scale SRWOG kits (though i have yet to build one of these).
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Post by gaogaigod on Aug 29, 2009 17:19:20 GMT -5
In a bit of news I didn't see on here: Looks like the Frame Arms are getting some love from diamond. Just saw them in the September previews. Going for $34.99 if you wanna get them from your local comic shop.
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Post by mechamasterj on Oct 28, 2009 14:53:38 GMT -5
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Post by emerje on Oct 28, 2009 15:19:34 GMT -5
Oh damn, I thought I could avoid these, but now they're doing licensed kits? I've been looking forward to Break Blade (AKA Broken Blade) for a while now, it's going to be a 6 part movie series premiering in Japan next year, based on a manga. The existing FA kits look like they might actually blend in nicely with the BB mech designs.
Emerje
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Post by quinjester on Oct 29, 2009 9:08:02 GMT -5
I couldn't resist ordering the Gourai when I saw they were being offered through US importers at Japanese MSRP. I'm kind of hoping they come with some generic decal sheets, but even if they don't I'm sure I have enough spare from other models to "pretty" him up. The frame looks nice and poseable and I've recently been bitten by the modeling bug again so this should be right up my alley
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Post by recca74 on Oct 30, 2009 22:33:15 GMT -5
I couldn't resist ordering the Gourai when I saw they were being offered through US importers at Japanese MSRP. I'm kind of hoping they come with some generic decal sheets, but even if they don't I'm sure I have enough spare from other models to "pretty" him up. The frame looks nice and poseable and I've recently been bitten by the modeling bug again so this should be right up my alley Can't wait to pick up that Gorai. That one's been calling my name. Also would like to get a couple of those Frame Architects too. So many possibilities for customization/scratch-building! So, what other stores are offering these domestically? I've only seen the Gorai and Stylet at BBTS so far...
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Post by mechamasterj on Oct 31, 2009 20:06:35 GMT -5
hmm not sure yet but seeing as how diamond is offering them up in a month or so you may see some in your local comic book store as well as some of the mainstream domestic online stores.
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Post by quinjester on Nov 1, 2009 16:52:08 GMT -5
The local place near me has the Gourai and Skylet on pre-order, but it's not looking (at least for now) like ANY of the US distribution chains are going to be selling just the Frame architect version. ... Fortunately, I have one tacked on to an amiami order right now to make the most of my EMS shipping
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Post by mechamasterj on Nov 2, 2009 10:10:42 GMT -5
Yeah I had mine shipped sal so wont see them till next week unfortunately.. but i am getting all three...... got 10% off of em too
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Post by quinjester on Nov 2, 2009 10:23:50 GMT -5
Got mine from amiami for 17% off and should have 'em by mid week ... I was sad that they were sold out of Gourai though. I'm not really digging the Stylet one, but I figure that if the base body is no good, at least I'll only be out the $14 or so shipped it's costing me. If it IS good ... well, I've got some older model kits I might look into bashing with it
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Post by mechamasterj on Nov 2, 2009 15:54:39 GMT -5
Good deal quin but amiami only ships EMS which negates most savings if you ask me (unless you got a lot of shtuff to boot then it can even out a lil). I cant wait to mix and match these guys, but still, they will require a bit of painting...... i do wonder if they will have decal sheets to accompany these dudes. Guess we gotta see how well they do..... maybe theyll even do some SRWs in this form
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Post by southpawdragon on Nov 4, 2009 0:58:59 GMT -5
seems more realistic as far as customizing compared to gnu
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Post by quinjester on Nov 5, 2009 9:53:24 GMT -5
Got my Architect (base body) the other day. It definitely shows its model heritage, for better and for worse.
The good: It's a phenomenally poseable frame. The shoulders are fantastic with the way they're jointed, able to flex and shrug and move essentially like a humans would. The waist is jointed in a manner that the figure can lean forward and backward quite a long way, although (as near as I can tell) there's no side to side bend. Obviously it can twist, though. The figure has adjustable hip height so you can make it taller or shorter, and while outward hip movement is limited very slighly (no side-to-side splits/van damme poses, unfortunately), the overall leg movement is great; kneeling or even sitting in sieza is no problem for the frame.
The not-so-good: There's that "model kit" heritage rearing its ABS and polyvinyl head. It's by no stretch of the imagination an "action figure", despite coming in a window box all assembled. It's a snap-fit model kit that has had 95% of its parts put together already, make no mistake. Pieces will come apart while you're trying to move limbs, the elbow and knee joint pegs come out of their sockets VERY easily, and it uses polycaps for its various joints so it's bound to wear down and get floppy with time. You WILL need to sit down with a tube of glue with this, pre-built or not. In particular the upper bicep and the thighs are in desparate need of being permanently affixed, and the hands (which you put together yourself) have some fitment issues and will need to be glued as well to save headaches.
The rundown: It's a very cool frame and I'm excited to get my Gourai so I can see how it works with the armor, but make no mistake about it, these are model kits through and through, despite having the pre-built frame. I see the Frame Architect as being a great commodity for customizers, though, and I do hope Kotobukiya keeps adding to this line because I can see a lot of potential here.
Pictures hopefully tonight.
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Post by coldiron on Nov 5, 2009 10:48:52 GMT -5
Where are the people in the states getting there? I want one of these.
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Post by quinjester on Nov 5, 2009 10:58:14 GMT -5
I got the Architect from amiami as part of another order, since it's looking like only the full sets are being distributed in the US. I have gourai on pre-order from Big bad toy store, but it's looking like the US release wont be until later this month: www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2101They're being distributed by Diamond, I think, which means that you should also be able to order them through a local comic or collectible store if you have one nearby.
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Post by coldiron on Nov 5, 2009 11:13:28 GMT -5
I'll check the comic store thanks.
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Post by mechamasterj on Nov 5, 2009 13:14:12 GMT -5
hmm well i guess what quin said is to be expected but was hoping for more action figure oriented, but still cant wait to get my sets. Thanks for your first impressions quin!
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