Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans – ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Lupus – HGI-BO (#021) – 1/144 (Bandai) Review

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Otaku_Kurai

Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans is one of the most beloved Gundam installments of the 21st century. In fact, IBO became the first Gundam to win Animage Grand Prix since Gundam Seed Destiny back in 2005 and as well as the first to compete in the competition since Gundam 00 back in 2009. IBO is beloved by both old and new, IBO is often viewed by many, including myself, to be the true last AU Gundam installment that dealt with themes that make Gundam popular in the first place. With all respect to Mercury and GQuuuuuuX, but Iron Blooded Orphans truly felt like the last Gundam to deal with heavy political themes that involved war, suffering, and ideologies. I truly wish Sunrise and Bandai would return to those days. Anyway, back to the topic.

There’s no doubt that Barbatos is one of the coolest looking Gundam’s ever in franchise history. From slick melee attacks, to a nice slick design that makes it stand out as some slick edgy mobile suit, to some very cool looking weapons like the sword it has by its side. Not only that, but, this Gundam enjoys massive spotlight and always takes a pivotal role for important scenes in the anime. This high grade model version, released by Bandai a decade ago in 2015, has aged like fine wine. With a smooth and a fun easy process of building it, and good detail with nice coloring, it makes you wonder if this model kit is one of the greatest in Gunpla history? The truth is, yes it is, and you are probably thinking? What? Are you serious? How is this true? Well, let’s find out!

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5 Years of My First Two Gunpla Models: 5th Anniversary Celebration (2019-2024)

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Otaku_Kurai

It’s been 5 years since I built my first Gunpla models. Although I completed my RX-78 HGUC model in 2021, I purchased the model in 2019, and was building it until building issues happened, and thus had to be delayed until 2021. Aside from that, the SD was built and completed in 2019, and goodness me… It’s hard to believe that five years have passed… In fact, remembering that beautiful memory, still feels like it only happened yesterday, and hard to believe that time has passed by so quickly… These two models here, the BB Senshi SD RX-78 Gundam and the HGUC Revival RX-78 Gundam, were my first two models that I finished building in 2019, and 2021. Even though they are flawed by build and a lot of mistakes were made during the build, I don’t regret it one bit because these mistakes symbolize how I have come such a long way with building Gunpla.It pleases me to see, that even after 5 years, these adorable Gunpla models are still with me. I sincerely hope to collect more Gunpla models in the future and improve my skill more and more in time. Tomorrow, I’m going to show off these two models in a more detailed photo shoot.

My Otaku Merchandise Collection As of 7/16/2024 + Funko Pops

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Otaku_Kurai

For some odd reason, I completely forgot to show off some of my otaku merch that I have. As you can see, this is a collection, that even though it’s not the biggest, is still a huge collection nonetheless. It’s a collection in the making for over eight years, and as time goes by, I hope to continue collecting more otaku merch that makes me smile, and make my otaku wonderland appeal even better. I won’t lie that when I see these otaku goodies of mine, I can’t help but a happy, and yet, sad nostalgic feeling of the past. Simply because these otaku goodies in front of my eyes symbolize a time when my life was a lot freer, simple, and less intense and chaotic compared to today. Of course, that doesn’t mean things have gotten worse, in fact, the contrary, this otaku vibing has been the best ever for me, and the best is still yet to come. Simply put, things were just simpler, and like the saying goes in life, “the beginning, is usually the most fondly remembered”. A lot of these collected otaku goodies, mean a lot to me, and some of them were given to me by my loving family. I hope to collect some more in the future. The Funko Pops, Tobi Mask, and Travel Mugs are my favorite.

So far, I do like the photo shoot that I took. The angle, quality, and placement are on point, and my merch looks great in this picture.