Geek of Oz

At last weeks Sydney Manga and Anime Show (SMASH) , I had the chance to speak with Tom from HobbyCo who filled us in on what's what in the world of GunPla. GunPla is a contraction or portmanteau of Gun dam Pla stic Model and is quite often given to any anime related plastic model kit. Following the release of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series in 1979 came a line of plastic model kits in 1980. Since its inception there have been hundreds of kits released of nearly every mecha design in varying sizes and levels of detail. Diving into the world of GunPla can be daunting so I had a chat with Tom to tell us where to start.

This is where it all began. Undoubtedly the most successful and perhaps the most significant anime series of all time, Gundam is so much more than just another franchise and is as popular now as when its eponymous series was released in 1979. Filled with action, political intrigue and social commentary Mobile Suit Gundam ( 機動戦士ガンダム)  is to Japan as Star Wars (or Star Trek) is to the West. "The year is 0079 of the Universal Century. The Earth Federation and its space colonies are engaged in an apocalyptic war. The rebellious Principality of Zeon, using humanoid fighting machines called mobile suits, has all but vanquished the Federation. Now the Federation's last hope is the prototype mobile suit Gundam. When a twist of fate makes young civilian Amuro Ray the Gundam's pilot, his own battle begins."

Released on DVD locally by Madman, Mobie Suit Gundam Unicorn takes place in the same timeline as the original series, Mobile Suit Gundam, and is based upon a novel by the same name by Harutoshi Fukui.  "The year is U.C. 0096. Three years have passed since the end of the Second Neo Zeon War. It is said that the Vist Foundation manipulates the Earth Federation and Anaheim Electronics from behind the scenes. Hoping to create a new world, the Foundation attempts to hand over a certain secret to the Neo Zeon remnants known as the Sleeves. This will mean the opening of Laplaces Box, which holds a great secret tied to the origins of the Universal Century."