New Gunpla building events offer Gundam fans the chance to learn new skills
THE GUNDAM BASE has announced a series events allowing fans to try their hand at building Gunpla and learning additional skills.
These events, designed to appeal to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers, will be held at the GUNDAM BASE stores in Odaiba, Tokyo and Fukuoka and also at the specialized SIDE-F store in Fukuoka.
Gunpla, a portmanteau of “Gundam plastic model”, refers to the extensive line of model kits based on the “Mobile Suit Gundam” anime franchise.
Produced by BANDAI SPIRITS, these kits allow fans to assemble highly detailed and articulated replicas of mobile suits, characters, and vehicles from the series.
Gunpla building is a popular hobby worldwide and THE GUNDAM BASE serves as a hub for this hobby with a vast amount of Gunpla kits on sale and workshops for builders at some locations.
The upcoming events are tailored to provide different experiences:
Gunpla Assembly Experience Event
This hands-on workshop offers participants the chance to build a classic Gundam model and learn basic modeling techniques.
- Participating Stores:
- Gundam Base Tokyo and Gundam Base Fukuoka.
- Dates:
- Gundam Base Tokyo: July 22nd (Tuesday) to July 25th (Friday), 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM JST.
- Gundam Base Fukuoka: July 18th (Friday) to July 25th (Friday), 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM JST.
- Reception Locations:
- Gundam Base Tokyo: Build Room Reception Counter (or store entrance if an entry lottery is held).
- Gundam Base Fukuoka: Event Space Reception Counter.
- Participation Conditions:
- Open to full members of THE GUNDAM BASE MEMBERS program. Participants must be 6 years old or older.
- Participation Fee:
- Free.
Participants will assemble the 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Assembly Experience Ver. Gunpla kit.
The RX-78-2 Gundam is the iconic original mobile suit piloted by Amuro Ray in the first “Mobile Suit Gundam” series, making it a recognizable kit for new builders.
The assembly process is estimated to take approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
Even first-time builders are encouraged, as staff will be on hand to provide guidance.
Apart from basic assembly, participants will also have the opportunity to learn skills involving sanding and using Gundam markers.
Builders can learn the basic technique of sanding (smoothing rough edges) on either the left or right shoulder part of their kit. This step will about 10 minutes to complete.
Builders can also try their hand at basic painting using Gundam Markers, specialized pens for model kits, on either the left or right shoulder part of their kit. This segment also takes approximately 10 minutes.
Gunpla Posing Workshop
- Participating Store:
- Gundam Base Satellite Store “SIDE-F”
- Dates:
- July 18th (Friday) to July 25th (Friday), 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM JST.
- Reception Location:
- GUNDAM SIDE-F Craft Space Reception Counter
- Participation Conditions:
- Open to full members of THE GUNDAM BASE MEMBERS program. Participants must be 6 years old or older.
- Participation Fee:
- Free.
This workshop focuses on the artistic aspect of Gunpla display, teaching participants how to pose their models effectively for photography.
Participants will select one of the prepared Gunpla models, build it and then learn techniques for dynamic and cool posing.
They can then use their own cameras or smartphones to photograph their posed Gunpla.
All attendees who participate until the end of either event will receive an original sticker as a commemorative gift.
Builders who complete the Gunpla Assembly event will receive a sticker featuring a mobile suit from the Gundam Unicorn series.
Completing the the Gunpla Posing workshop at SIDE-F will be rewarded with a sticker of the RX-93ff νGundam (nuGundam).
A life-size statue of the RX-93ff νGundam can be found outside the Mitsui Shopping Center LaLaport in Fukuoka where SIDE-F is located.
These events are specifically designed to be accessible and enjoyable for first-timers, with staff providing assistance throughout.
They offer a unique chance for fans to engage directly with the hobby, learn new skills, and connect with the Gunpla community.
The new events are being held in addition to the “Gunpla Night Club” events that take place at GUNDAM BASE stores.
The “Gunpla Night Clubs” provide a space to build Gunpla kits and use specialist equipment at times that suit the schedules of adult hobbyists.
Source: Official Website
© BANDAI, Sunrise, Sotsu
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