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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GN-001REII Gundam Exia Repair II – RG – 1/144 (Bandai) Review

Posted on July 28, 2025 by Otaku_Kurai

Not sure if tweaking it or leaving it alone was the right choice. Eh, it looks iffy.

Censorship has been the hot talk lately. In fact, the topic has been so big that it’s been stressing me out… I will talk about it soon as possible, but for now, I want to focus on another awesome topic for my fellow otakus. Shortly after building Char’s HGUC Zaku Commander, I’ve now finished building another gunpla, and that’s the GN-001REII Gundam Exia Repair II – RG – 1/144 from Bandai. If you remember my highlights on Instagram, you will remember seeing 5 new boxes of Gunpla that I bought on that day. This Exia Repair was one of them. Like the other four, this one was a random buy. One that was worth it. With its slick design, relatively easy build and less stacked pieces, I can safely say that the process of building it was smooth. The question is, is the reception good? Is it worth buying it? Was it worth the process? We are about to find out in this review.

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Char Aznable’s MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type – HGUC – 1/144 (Bandai Spirits) Review

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Otaku_Kurai

This photo was SO good, that I didn’t even need to add filters or do edits at all. Wow…

Its been an AWFUL while since I last built a new Gunpla model. It was back in 2023 with the HGUC Guntank. Sadly, due to many issues with the economy in 2024, I couldn’t really get any new model kits. Yes, even the cheap ones… Now that’s out of the way, I can fully get back into buying more and building more Gunpla. If you remember my Instagram reel showing 5 new Gunpla boxes, then I’m sure you are familiar with this new Char Aznable’s MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type – HGUC – 1/144 from Bandai Spirits that I bought. This was a random buy, and according to many, I bought a model kit that’s considered a sensation.

Despite that, does it earn the highest rank of honor for me? Well, that’s find out in this review that I will be giving.

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Direct Photo of My HGUC Revival RX-78-2 Gundam Gunpla Model Kit

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Otaku_Kurai

As I said yesterday, I was going to take a picture of my RX-78 Gunpla models to celebrate my 5th anniversary of building them, which took place in the summer of 2019. Every time I see these two together, I can’t help but smile really hard. When I remember that memory, I realized how historical and important that moment was for me. During the year 2019, my hype fever with Gundam was riding high. When I had freer time, I remember I would binge watch the living heck out of Gundam. From the epic UC timeline, to the awesome AU timeline, and getting awed and wowed by back to back Gundam installments. The ironic part was, I truly got into it on the 40th anniversary of the franchise. Honestly, it felt like as if I was reliving the year 1979. It just felt SO symbolic… That’s why being able to build my Gunpla model was like an awesome icing on the cake. I yearn for times like those again, and I hope I can do it again this year with its 45th anniversary, and, my 5th anniversary. Why does this matter so much to me? Simply put, it was historic because it wasn’t just the first time I built my own Gunpla models, but it started a gateway of entering the world of Gunpla. A gigantic worldwide hobby that’s adored in all of Japan, and parts of the world. Realizing this, it makes me glad to be part of the big world of building Gunpla. Not only that, but ever since starting with my first Gunpla model kits, over in time, I began to build other Gunpla model kits, such as my EX-Standard Exia, Quanta RG, and my HGUC Guntank. The best part is, there is still a lot more to go, and it excites me to continue this epic world of building Gunpla.

I now present you an improved POV photo shoot of my RX-78 Gunpla models. Both BB Senshi SD, and HGUC Revival RX-78-2 models.