Week of November 9th, 2025

Hey builders! Welcome to another week of plastic, panel lines, and pure Gundam goodness. Let's dive into what's going on in the Gunpla Community!

This builder has taken the 1/100 Kampfer from basic-blue-plastic to a fully custom metallic mobile suit. The weathering work here is phenomenal. @gundamaker nailed that "battle-worn" aesthetic with strategic chipping, grime, and wear patterns that make this Kampfer look like it just rolled off a hot drop in a colony. The attention to detail on the weapons and verniers shows serious skill and patience.

Be sure to visit gundamaker.com for all your Gunpla needs. There, you’ll find kits for pre-order, sale, conversion kits, and even STL files for 3D printing!

Accomplished builder @gunpla_luke (instagram) announces detailed book in progress!

@gunpla_luke : “SAMPLE! Spreads for my book that I’ve been working on! Content still not proofed and won’t be till the full draft is complete, but I wanted to share some of the things to expect! Paint info, inside the build, some how to’s, high quality photos, info about the kits going into the project and more! It will be jam packed with I think 8-9 high quality customs. Hope you’re all as excited as I am!”

The wait is OVER, folks! The MG 1/100 Gundam Barbatos Lupus has officially dropped this November, celebrating Iron-Blooded Orphans' 10th anniversary. This bad boy features an updated Gundam Frame with improved shoulder and waist articulation, plus all the iconic weapons: Sword-Mace, Twin Maces, and those rotating 200mm arm cannons. You even get a Mikazuki figure.

Price: ¥7,150 (~$48.50 USD)

Bonus: There's an expansion set coming too with what looks like the Valkyrja Buster Sword. Keep your eyes peeled!

From the new anime series Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, the HG 1/144 Zaku (GQ) is here with a green makeover and updated detailing. This isn't your grandpa's Zaku—it's got refined articulation and comes with the classic Zaku Machine Gun, Heat Hawk, and Cracker Grenades.

Price: ¥2,420 (~$16.50 USD)

Premium Bandai is blessing us with the HGFC 1/144 Mandala Gundam to celebrate Mobile Fighter G Gundam's 30th anniversary! This quirky kit features bead-like segmented arms, a bell-shaped base for Defense Mode, and a mystical Khakkhara staff with hidden flamethrower and beam saber. G Gundam director Yasuhiro Imagawa himself supervised the transformation gimmick!

Price: ¥2,915 (~$19.70 USD)

The IBO spin-off film hit theaters in Taiwan on November 7! Hopefully, this means a U.S. release is soon to follow. Stay tuned for updates.

This mobile game continues to be hugely popular worldwide. There's a special half-anniversary celebration with NYCC 2025. PROMO CODE: GSGGET ««««

Expert Modeler @mechaassemblyexperience (Instagram) brings us our tip of the week:

Dry‑tip is the bane of acrylic painters everywhere. My go‑to fix is a simple mix I call SlipMix: 80% Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver + 20% Vallejo Retarder Medium. Blend it into a dropper bottle and add a few drops to your paint cup before spraying. It keeps the needle slippery, prevents buildup, and lets you focus on your finish instead of fighting clogs.

👉 Try it on your next session and see how much smoother your passes feel. For more recipes, check out my article: Skill Grows in Tiers—A Recipe for Success

Editors note: Be sure to check out the Mecha Assembly Experience blog. MAX has some seriously helpful insight on custom painting and modifying your Gunpla. I have learned quite a bit, myself!

November is absolutely PACKED, builders! Between the Barbatos Lupus dropping, GQuuuuuuX introducing us to fresh designs, and G Gundam getting some anniversary love with that wild Mandala kit, there's something for everyone. Share this newsletter with friends and stay up-to-date on all things Gunpla!

What are you most excited about this month? Hit reply and let me know what's on your build queue!

Got news tips or want to share your builds? Reply to this email or tag me on instagram!

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