kaige|net

I don’t plan on putting my “otaku den” (as Andy calls it) on display, because I don’t have one. Pics of my toys will have to suffice. That’ll also give me opportunity to start playing with my new macro lens, which I’m sure will take me a while to learn how to use properly. Let’s start off with Gundam Fix Figuration #0026…

The Gundam Fix Figuration series features poseable, pre-painted, PVC/ABS figures of greater detail and generally with more accessories than your typical action figure or scale model. [Ideal for me, because I’m likely to assemble a model kit perfectly, only to botch it up with a crappy paint job.] The series gets its name from Gundam Fix — -a book of illustrations and photorealistic renderings from Katoki Hajime’s mecha designs.

This particular model is of arguably the best known mecha in the Gundam universe — -Amuro Rei’s RX-78-2 from the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime — -an appropriate choice for my first anime figure purchase.

Actually, I favor the transforming Valkyries from the Macross series or movie, but those start well above ¥10,000. The Fix Figurations aren’t exactly cheap either — -although they start below ¥2,500, the more intricate ones can go over ¥10,000 as well.

The “Ver. Ka” — -“Version Katoki” — -is the most popular among the several redesigns of Okawara Kunio’s original mecha design.

After assembly, I still had alot of parts left over — -typical for the series. For some this is good thing. But, packrat that I am, it’s quite the opposite for me. Mostly it’s extra armor or armament, but in this case it’s mainly because the figure can also be converted into the less cool looking RGM-79 GM mass production mobile suit.

I guess now’s the time to geek out with the specs…

RX-78-2 Gundam

Unit Type: Prototype Close-Combat Mobile Suit
Manufacturer: Earth Federation
Height: 18.0 meters
Weight: 43.4 metric tons (base), 60.0 metric tons (full)
Generator output: 1,380 kW
Thrusters: 55,500 kg
Armor material: Luna Titanium alloy
Sensor range: 5,700 meters

Armament and special features:

• 60mm Vulcan x 2, fire-linked, mounted in head
• beam saber and beam javelin, stored in recharge rack on backpack
• beam rifle
• hyper bazooka, stored on backpack
• shield
• “learning computer” system
• magnetic coated joints (field upgrade)