The New Otaku Surf Web Site.

     After much consideration I’ve decided to move the website to www.otaku-surf.com If you’ve got this site bookmarked please update. I figure now is the time to change it up just a bit since I’m starting to get into a bit of HD video/film projects related to Anime Conventions. 

    I’ve already put up two HD movies shot with my camera, but I don’t expect to lessen my interest or my gundam photography. I’ll still continue to do it, even moreso, since I’ve invested a bit more into the new website. Hope you guys like it and I’ll see you on the other side!

And without further ado, you can find the new site at: 

www.otaku-surf.com

Sinanju aerial strike using beam shield.

I figured when I left this blog over a year ago that I wouldn’t return. But alas my love for Gundam and Anime has returned. I plan to continue this blog on a regular basis.  At least an update every month.

I start off with the Mobile Suit that brought me back, the MG Sinanju.  I really didn’t expect Bandai to churn this one out. I figured the company would just direct all attention to Gundam Seed and its predecessors. But I’m glad they decided to produce the mecha.

Unicorn versus Sinanju. (Digitally rendered to include flare)

I also review the MG Unicorn which I had bought last year and played around with the idea of doing a post on it,  but never got to it.  My usual shooting studio, the Blue Ridge Mountains, is no longer available to me so I decided to play around with indoor settings, light and shadows and some digital manipulation.

MG Sinanju

The MG Sinanju after a triumphant battle with the RX-O.

The Sinanju is a Neo Zeon Mobile Suit from the Japanese novel “Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.” Full Frontal, the pilot’s name, operates the mecha. I decided not to put, Full Frontal(..this name is kind of odd and funny name.), in Sinanju since I found that the configuration for the seating was a bit loose on my model.

But that’s the only thing that I found that was loose on this model. It looks like a tank and it’s built like one too! I’ve accidentally dropped it a couple of times from the shooting table, with the end result being no damage and all it’s armor plates attached with no sign of letting up.

Sinanju with Beam Saber.

Sinanju kneeling with Beam Saber.

I’ve got to give props to Bandai for this model.  I think it’s one of the sleekest and deadliest designs that I’ve seen for any type of mecha. Even though it’s bulky and huge, Sinanju’s maneveurability is incredible. You can see from the shot above, it’s knee joint is fully capable of bending to almost any type of pose you can think of.

Sinanju waiting to strike in the shadows.

I knew before I ordered it that there was no way in the world that I would leave it unpainted. I deviated a bit from the color schemes provided, the biggest difference is the joints and hands which I painted light gunmetal gray to give it a steel looking quality.

Sinanju in Flight. (Stand digitally removed)

One thing that I really wished I had done last year when I was putting the Unicorn together was get water decals, which I did with the Sinanju and helped a lot to give it more detail.  Having said that the gold water decals that come with the Sinanju were horrible! You’ve got to have a lot of patience and dexterity in order to put those on. They are also a bit more flimsy than the water decals you buy from Bandai.

The Sinanju includes a few weapons and from what I understand he’ll be getting a big new one come April.  Like the Sinanju itself, the designs of his arsenal are well done and just add to the menacing look of the Neo Zeon Mobile Suit.

Sinanju with Large Beam Axe-Blade.

Sinanju Aerial Strike with Beam Axe Saber.

Sinanju kneeling with Beam Rifle.

Sinanju strike using double beam axe blade.

As mentioned before, the gold water decals that came with the Sinanju were just too flimsy, so I had to use the regular decals for all the gold emblems that you see on the model. It took some patience to get them on and align them just right, especially for the knee and elbow joints.

The white line markings across the leg and shoulders also proved to be kind of difficult for me even using the water decals that I purchased separately from Bandai. Fortunately enough the rub on decals that came with the Sinanju were a bit easier to use than previous rub-on’s. So if I made a mistake using the water decals I could go back to the rub-on’s.

Sinanju with double axe sabers.

Sinanju in Flight. (Stand Digitally Removed)

Sinanju strike with Beam Rifle.

I’m glad I purchased the Sinanju, it’s a favorite design of mine especially since it has a kind of resemblance to the Kampfer. The poseability is incredible for it, given that it’s big and bulky. The markings on it add to the detailed look, once you get them on and aligned right. The model is a must buy for Zeon fans and all-around mecha fans, you won’t regret it!

The MG Sinanju

RX – O Unicorn Gundam

RX-0 Gundam Unicorn

The RX-O Unicorn Gundam is again from the aforementioned novel Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. Piloted by the novel’s protagonist, Barnage Lynx.

I bought the Unicorn Gundam early last year after I played around the idea of coming back earlier to Otaku Surf. This normal mode of the Unicorn, looks pretty simple enough, but it is much sturdier in this version than it is in Destroy Mode.

The decals do a great job of making it more detailed since it’s practically all white.

RX-O Unicorn Armed with Gatling Gun.

RX-O Saber Strike.

RX-0 Gatling Strike.

RX-O Unicorn Gundam Destroy Mode

MG Unicorn Gundam - Destroy Mode.

This is the reason why I bought the Unicorn. It’s awesome psycho-frame Destroy mode. I really like the fact that it has all those red psycho-frame panels throughout it’s body. This mode also is slightly taller than the normal mode of the Unicorn.

The only real downside for the model in Destroy mode, is that it’s armor is very loose, since it was made to be transformable.  This can be a bit frustrating when you’re trying to maneuver the arms and legs.

Another negative is it’s knee joint which is not as poseable as previous MG’s and newer ones like the Sinanju. I went ahead and slightly modified the knee joint on its right leg for some flexibility.

Unicorn flight with Double Gatling Gun.

Moonlight Unicorn Blast Off.

Unicorn with Sabers

I like the Destroy mode so much in fact that I’m thinking about getting another one and possibly doing a Banshee of it. It’s a great design that adds more unique details to the popular well-known classic Gundams.

Unicorn versus Sinanju.

Unicorn with Beam Rifle

Unicorn Fully Armed

Well, we finally come to the end of this very long post after a very long hiatus. I’m very impressed so far with the Gundam Unicorn MG’s and hopefully Bandai will continue to produce them.

Although the Gundam Unicorn has a few problems, in reference to it’s leg mobility and loose plating, I still like the model’s design and have no regrets in purchasing it.  The Sinanju, to me is an excellent MG. The only real downside again, is having the time and patience to get those gold stickers aligned correctly.

I’ve heard that the Delta Plus may be the next one they produce from Unicorn, which I think is fantastic. If they make an MG out of it, I’ll be the first to pre-order it.

The MG Unicorn Gundam

Hunt for the White Unicorn, Resurrection & Revenge

 

Picture of the MG Strike Freedom over Shenandoah Valley.  Stand digitally removed. 

 Welcome to Otakusurf.com

This blog is about the anime, gunpla, and anime conventions that I came across during the summer of 2007.

Highlights include AMA and Otakon 2007 and my pics of Gundam figures and Model kits in and around the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

Originally, I had intended to continue the blog, but as some of my regular visitors may know I work in television and moved in October of 2007 to a great but demanding job outside of Washington D.C. 

This site is inspired by Danny Choo at Dannychoo.com.  For some other super websites on anime and Gundam check out the links on the sidebar under blogroll.

Thanks for stopping by. I hate to see it end, but what a great summer!

Jun. 07 - Sept .07

     Welcome to Otaku Surf. This blog is set up to showcase and review otaku stuff that I get on a regular basis and a few places I go to that serve otaku. Coming up is a review of Bandai’s Gundam Fix Figuration Figure “The RX-78 GP03S Stamen and Weapon System”, which is the current header.