Two Gundams duke it out on top of my bookcase!

It’s been a long time since I built a Gundam model kit. That last memorable time was when the very first Gundam series (0079) aired on Toonami in 2001. I started collecting model kits when Gundam Wing was all the rage. I collected just about every model kit that was sold in Toys “R” Us, even the Endless Waltz ones. When Mobile Suit Gundam aired, there were so many Gundams in the series… I didn’t know where to start!

The first, and only, model from 0079 timeline is the Gouf from the Principality of Zeon. It’s also the first kit I painted with a Gouf painting kit I found on an online Gundam store that was under $10, if I recall correctly. I continued collecting a few more model kits from Wing and one model kit from the 08th Team until the next biggest Gundam series aired, G Gundam. I did poorly on collecting these; I have only two of kits–Burning Gundam and Maxter Gundam–and this was from Wal-Mart! After G Gundam came and went, SEED was next for new and old Gundam fans to buy. I avoided SEED kits like the plauge, the same way I did the the series itself. This is where I started to grow tired of building kits.

After Cartoon Network pulled the plug on the weekday Toonami block, the Gundam popularity with it. I don’t think Toys “R” Us carry them anymore (or parted ways with Bandai as the retailer cut back on stores). As I write this, I’m rediscovering my love of Gundam model kits. But I need a new place to buy them–even if it means getting them imported. Maybe Wal-Mart (or a better retailer) will cut a deal to sell model kits for Gundam 00 if it gets better ratings on SciFi. For now, I’m going to hardcore path to get more Gundam.