From: "Reynolds, Jason M." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [gundam] SD Dendrobium Re: MotM Apr '07 Re: Gunota question
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:06:11 -0600
>>>>>>>>>>>
That's a good point to bring up. During and immediately after its
release, 0083 was the least merchandise-friendly Gundam series ever
made. If you count only the model kits during and immediately after a
series release, 0083' (4 kits) is still the worst series ever, but
far. The runners-up, if I'm not mistaken, would be Turn-A (~8), 08MST
(~6), 0080 (~7), CCA (~9?). You might say the 0083 producers were
pretty courageous to stage a final battle scene between two
unmerchandisable MA's.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I think an important fact to consider is that there was a major transition
going on in the Bandai modeling paradigm. CCA and 0080 were the first
lines
to have a line consisting solely of "snap-tite" kits. Before that the
majority of the kits required a lot of blood, sweat, and glue to make them
look halfway decent. Once the snap-tite kits were released, it made Gunpla
much more attractive to the casual model maker who didn't have the skills
for the older kits. Once the paradigm shift was fully embraced, the hobby
took on a whole new level.
As far as series model count:
With the exception of the Hobby Hi-Zak, and the blue Geara Doga, the CCA
line produced a kit for all of the MS, and the lone MA, in the movie. Well
OK they didn't produce the Elmeth, Gelgoog, and Gundam from the flashback
scene... That isn't a failure by any means. It is also one of the most
complete series lines behind First Gundam.
The 0080 line released the majority of the MS shown onscreen many of which
were merely background window dressing. That line was very successful as
well.
Turn-A suffered because Tomino was deliberately trying to make it
un-merchandisable.
Personally, I think the 08th MS Team line only suffered because they were
about to transition UC away from "series" lines in favor of the
"multi-series" HGUC and MG lines. In many ways the 08th kits were HGUC
prototypes. Many of the designs from that series were highly
merchandisable, it was more just about timing.
I'm trying to remember what we DIDN'T get in the 08th MST line. What comes
to mind is the Mass-Production Guntank, the Dom that appeared briefly in
Shuddering Mountain, Aina's custom Zaku from episode 1, Sanders's
shot-to-bits GM from the same episode, and Acguy. Guess they could have
released Topp's team as well. Apsalus isn't really suitable (too big),
although IIRC the GM Sniper Ground Type came with a mini-version of Apsalus
III. Support vehicles would be cool (even if off-scale) but I won't hold
their absence against Bandai.
The major players, though -- Gundam Ground Type, EZ8, Ground GM, Zaku, and
Gouf Custom -- all made it. Even the Gouf Flight Type, which IIRC got
probably less than a minute of screen time and did nothing worth talking
about, and the Sniper Variant GM Ground Type. I only have the Gouf Flight
Type myself, but IMHO it's indeed nearly HGUC quality (or at least early
HGUC).
Personally I'm surprised 0080 got so many kits for a six-episode OVA that
really didn't focus on MS battles, unless Bandai was using it as an
opportunity/excuse to "modernize" a bunch of its old kits.
I'm still awaiting my HGUC GM Custom and (especially) GM Cannon II...
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