Gundam fans have a huge range of different model kits to put together, paint and admire afterwards. But while there will probably never be one that you didn’t enjoy putting together, it is only natural that as your experience of building kits grows, you will want to move from simpler models to more detailed versions.
If that is where you stand at this time, you may be delighted to discover the Universal Century Hard Graph kit range.
Including figures, vehicles and scenery from the Universal Century timeline, these kits enable you not just to build characters, but also place them in their settings. Made at a 1/35 scale, they will need a lot of painting and detail on the decoration to bring them to life, helping to recreate the iconic scenes from the series in the most realistic fashion.
If simpler kits offer an entry-level way into Gundam modelling, this is the point at which you can earn your stripes as an expert. It will require more concentration, skill and effort, but will bring greater reward as you produce more authentic-looking and impressive sets with your figures taking their place in the middle.
The Universal Century Timeline
Universal Century’s timeline of Gundam animated and live action works dates back to 1979, when the Mobile Suit Gundam TV series was first aired, continuing into 1980. This was followed by the compilation movie Mobile Suit Gundam The Movie in 1981, then a steady succession of TV series, compilation movies and animations.
There was even an amusement park ride, the Gundam Crisis, which appeared in 2007, while CGI and live action productions appeared as the technology made possible things not available in 1979. The most recent output was the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, an animated movie that came out in 2021.
Based on the concept of a gradual migration of humanity to colonies based out in space or on the moon before fragmenting into warring powers and competing kingdoms, prompting the invention of various battle suits, the Universal Century was a concept to excite fans even before it came with such great models.
With such a lengthy history, there is much to admire and enjoy about the Universal Century theme, with its longevity pointing to a deep popularity that has further grown through the quality, detail and exciting challenge posed by the models in the range.
Amazing Product Detail
Examples of great products include great products like the distinctive twin-gunned M61A5 battle tank,
As the Masumine Gunpla Studio review noted, details included not just the guns, but the “flexible belt-style tracks” that are connected by metal pins, as well as decals for two different versions, three figures and “photo-etched metal detail parts, wire cables, and clear parts.” The plastic is moulded in multiple colours, although this will be painted over, of course.
This is just one example of the superbly detailed models in the range. Universal Century was one of the great Gundam series and the models produced are worthy of such an epic saga.
Indeed, when you have done the work of completing a model set and placing it on display, you will have good reason for congratulating yourself on achieving something pretty epic yourself!
