It's (Not) A Gundam!
Feb. 24th, 2026 07:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kallowayHelp me pick my next* build! (*Well, I have the Destiny Astray to finish, whatever I'm making for 30ML Day, the other contest, and possibly some other small decompression builds. Which is fine, it means I can leave this poll open for a bit.)
These kits are all not Gundams, nor are they made by Bandai. There's a frustrating habit in the hobby, both by the folks who build the kits and the folks selling them, to lump all these kits under "Third Party", "Indie Plamo", or just "ChinaPla" even though not all of the makers are Chinese. I haven't decided on a preferred term, but I'm leaning towards just listing the maker or if I need to refer to a larger whole, "Other Kits" or "Non-Bandai".
( More info on each kit + links to listings/pictures )
Anyway, there's lots more conversation about non-Bandai and non-Gundam kits to be had, but here's a start. ^_^
These kits are all not Gundams, nor are they made by Bandai. There's a frustrating habit in the hobby, both by the folks who build the kits and the folks selling them, to lump all these kits under "Third Party", "Indie Plamo", or just "ChinaPla" even though not all of the makers are Chinese. I haven't decided on a preferred term, but I'm leaning towards just listing the maker or if I need to refer to a larger whole, "Other Kits" or "Non-Bandai".
Poll #34288 It's (Not) A Gundam!
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 7
Which Non-Bandai Kit Should I Build Next?
View Answers
Blue Estailev (Orange Cat/Wave)
3 (42.9%)
Oberon (Mecha Core Industry)
4 (57.1%)
Baphomet Demon Phantom (Cang Toys)
2 (28.6%)
Fire Lord (SNAA)
0 (0.0%)
Apocalypse (Vientiane Fusion)
0 (0.0%)
Mandala (CaesarWorks)
0 (0.0%)
Yunsheng Y-20 (Xiwanshe)
0 (0.0%)
Genesis (Infinite Dimension)
1 (14.3%)
Gus (ZZZA)
0 (0.0%)
Valkyrie (Eddas)
1 (14.3%)
Edelstein II (Moderoid/Good Smile)
1 (14.3%)
Cannon Shadow (Soul Vogue)
0 (0.0%)
Oracle (Zao Workshop)
2 (28.6%)
Star Eternal (Iron Toys)
0 (0.0%)
Frame Arms W2 Spectre:RE (Kotobukiya)
0 (0.0%)
( More info on each kit + links to listings/pictures )
Anyway, there's lots more conversation about non-Bandai and non-Gundam kits to be had, but here's a start. ^_^
Hello, hello
Feb. 23rd, 2026 06:16 pmbrandyn posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
addme_fandomWhat's up party people?
If you've made it this far you've probably gathered that my name is Brandyn, and yeah I'm testing the waters here. I'm used to social media but never did anything live journal related and definitely don't entirely fit in with capital F Fandom spaces (Though all respect to the queer men, gals, and non-binary pals that spend their time in the trenches and help elevate certain fandoms, I like Star Trek and Gundam, I respect my history).
Mostly want to use this space to post a bit...vulnerably? Not necessarily in terms of my personal life or a place to vent necessarily (Though that's not off the table), but a space removed from the more performative persona I've put on for some other sites (Namely LeagueOfComicGeeks, cause big comic fan. Can find me under fatboyftw there). Not that I'm bitching, I love being known as a snarky but insightful asshole but it can take work to maintain. Alongside the inherent cynicism that having a space only dedicated to one niche hobby inherently brings since once you reach a certain threshold of something and learn how the sausage gets made you tend to get more bitter and critical. I love shouting into the ether about stuff but traditional social media has a way of getting me a bit heated sometimes, lmao.
So I'm going to use this space to be chill and just mainly talk about things I enjoy, comics and otherwise. A place I can go when I wanna post something that on another site I might have to defend or explain a bit more than I have the mental energy to do. As for what I would be posting about well, as we've established comics. Comics of all kinds, love the entire medium, not just superhero stuff. But also the occasional manga/anime, Kaiju Films, video games, and chats about fiction writing since it's not something I do nearly enough but something I love to do.
If any of that seems interesting then feel free to follow...subscribe...whatever it's called here.
(Yes if you check my profile this is just my first post copy and pasted, I realized I didn't have another introduction in me, I'm sowwy)
If you've made it this far you've probably gathered that my name is Brandyn, and yeah I'm testing the waters here. I'm used to social media but never did anything live journal related and definitely don't entirely fit in with capital F Fandom spaces (Though all respect to the queer men, gals, and non-binary pals that spend their time in the trenches and help elevate certain fandoms, I like Star Trek and Gundam, I respect my history).
Mostly want to use this space to post a bit...vulnerably? Not necessarily in terms of my personal life or a place to vent necessarily (Though that's not off the table), but a space removed from the more performative persona I've put on for some other sites (Namely LeagueOfComicGeeks, cause big comic fan. Can find me under fatboyftw there). Not that I'm bitching, I love being known as a snarky but insightful asshole but it can take work to maintain. Alongside the inherent cynicism that having a space only dedicated to one niche hobby inherently brings since once you reach a certain threshold of something and learn how the sausage gets made you tend to get more bitter and critical. I love shouting into the ether about stuff but traditional social media has a way of getting me a bit heated sometimes, lmao.
So I'm going to use this space to be chill and just mainly talk about things I enjoy, comics and otherwise. A place I can go when I wanna post something that on another site I might have to defend or explain a bit more than I have the mental energy to do. As for what I would be posting about well, as we've established comics. Comics of all kinds, love the entire medium, not just superhero stuff. But also the occasional manga/anime, Kaiju Films, video games, and chats about fiction writing since it's not something I do nearly enough but something I love to do.
If any of that seems interesting then feel free to follow...subscribe...whatever it's called here.
(Yes if you check my profile this is just my first post copy and pasted, I realized I didn't have another introduction in me, I'm sowwy)
Hi hi, I'm new to DW. Am I doing this right?
Feb. 22nd, 2026 05:30 pmlunafleurette posting in addme_fandomName: Luna
Age Group: 25+
Country: Philippines
Subscription/Access Policy: 18+ at minimum, 25+ preferred. My journal is public, but I can and will post about explicit topics and have them appropriately labeled and with warnings. Will not interact with Harry Potter fans.
Main Fandoms: Alien Stage, Honkai: Star Rail, The House in Fata Morgana
Other Fandoms: Genshin Impact, The Haunting of Hill House (Book), Love and Deepspace, This Monster Wants to Eat Me (Watatabe), Kino no Tabi, Haibane Renmei, Hetalia, Our Life: Beginnings & Always, Blooming Panic, Bustafellows, Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk (and Black Butterfly), Hakuouki, Funamusea (The Gray Garden and Wadanohara), Scum Villain's Self-Saving System, Mo Dao Zu Shi, Frieren
Fannish Interests: writing and reading fic, creating original characters, worldbuilding and lore discussions and analysis, yumeshipping/oc x canon
OTPs and Ships: MiziSua, HyuLuka, IvanLuka, MyPhaiDei, NeuviFuri, MikoShioHina, RakkaReki, Eleanor Vance/Theodora, Baxter x OLBA MC, Caleb (Xia Yizhou) x LADS MC, BingLiuShen, BingQiu, QiJiu, BingLiu, LiuShen, MoShang
Before adding me, you should know: I can and will shut any interaction down if it ventures into ship discourse. If you have trouble discerning between real human beings and fictional characters, we will not get along. If you are uncomfortable with such content as incest, pseudo-incest, toxic relationships, yanderes, omegaverse, teratophilia, noncon/dubcon, then it might be best for you not to subscribe/interact for your own peace. I don't care what people do or don't ship, just don't make it my problem.
Age Group: 25+
Country: Philippines
Subscription/Access Policy: 18+ at minimum, 25+ preferred. My journal is public, but I can and will post about explicit topics and have them appropriately labeled and with warnings. Will not interact with Harry Potter fans.
Main Fandoms: Alien Stage, Honkai: Star Rail, The House in Fata Morgana
Other Fandoms: Genshin Impact, The Haunting of Hill House (Book), Love and Deepspace, This Monster Wants to Eat Me (Watatabe), Kino no Tabi, Haibane Renmei, Hetalia, Our Life: Beginnings & Always, Blooming Panic, Bustafellows, Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk (and Black Butterfly), Hakuouki, Funamusea (The Gray Garden and Wadanohara), Scum Villain's Self-Saving System, Mo Dao Zu Shi, Frieren
Fannish Interests: writing and reading fic, creating original characters, worldbuilding and lore discussions and analysis, yumeshipping/oc x canon
OTPs and Ships: MiziSua, HyuLuka, IvanLuka, MyPhaiDei, NeuviFuri, MikoShioHina, RakkaReki, Eleanor Vance/Theodora, Baxter x OLBA MC, Caleb (Xia Yizhou) x LADS MC, BingLiuShen, BingQiu, QiJiu, BingLiu, LiuShen, MoShang
Before adding me, you should know: I can and will shut any interaction down if it ventures into ship discourse. If you have trouble discerning between real human beings and fictional characters, we will not get along. If you are uncomfortable with such content as incest, pseudo-incest, toxic relationships, yanderes, omegaverse, teratophilia, noncon/dubcon, then it might be best for you not to subscribe/interact for your own peace. I don't care what people do or don't ship, just don't make it my problem.
(no subject)
Feb. 21st, 2026 12:19 amkallowayOn Wednesday, my father pulled up a flyer on Facebook for a nerd-show next weekend and incredibly nearby. Even though I have a fairly strict no-winter-shows rule because, uh, weather, this is close enough and cheap enough that I figured if I get a table and nothing comes of it, I at least got to hang out with other nerds for a few hours. Anyway, got a table, lol, and will spend some of this weekend/coming week sorting out some stuff to take. This looks like it might become ~monthly and if it takes off and I can maintain a table, it'll really help the clear-out. (The only other table I have booked this year is Semmex and that's not a personal table. I also don't want to spend every weekend this year trying to sell my stuff but I really do need to do the cleanout. Blrgh. Blrrrrgh.)
Finished up the KO GM and it's... okay. Some parts sucked to build but overall it's fine. I was thinking he needed a friend and was looking up other GMs and then suddenly remembered maybe I had one in the back of a cabinet? Sure enough... It is a very old HGUC kit and the nubs have yellowed like I've seen on a lot of old Gundam Wing kits. Since this GM has probably been in the back of the cabinet since being built, I can only assume it's age + plastic quality. Anyway, the GMs can be slightly messy friends, lol.
Going to work on the Destiny Astray today and maybe get the body done this weekend? I'm hopeful. IDK what my next kit will be but it will be Bandai so it at least will go together without extensive modification and/or pain.
Finished up the KO GM and it's... okay. Some parts sucked to build but overall it's fine. I was thinking he needed a friend and was looking up other GMs and then suddenly remembered maybe I had one in the back of a cabinet? Sure enough... It is a very old HGUC kit and the nubs have yellowed like I've seen on a lot of old Gundam Wing kits. Since this GM has probably been in the back of the cabinet since being built, I can only assume it's age + plastic quality. Anyway, the GMs can be slightly messy friends, lol.
Going to work on the Destiny Astray today and maybe get the body done this weekend? I'm hopeful. IDK what my next kit will be but it will be Bandai so it at least will go together without extensive modification and/or pain.
Mysteries of the Universe, I guess?
Feb. 16th, 2026 09:22 pmkallowayWeird Question Department- did anyone send me something in the mail around the end of last month? There's a tracking number in the system that scanned once at a sorting center and then has never been seen again. Unfortunately, the system also only has the tracking number, no origin point, and no actual image of the label so we're not even sure whose it is. I can't think of anything unaccounted for! (Not the KS I thought it might be.)
Also mildly convinced there's something going on/I'm supposed to have done by tomorrow but also nothing comes to mind. I have a busy week next week, but this week is pretty open. But it's also Fat Tuesday and the Lunar New Year so perhaps my brain is trying to juggle those in.
Other than that, work last night wasn't ridiculous but I hadn't slept well, so I pretty much deflated early but slept decent. I did get runners checked for both Star Abyss kits so I'm just going to count the entire day as a win anyway, lol. I'll keep working on the Destiny Astray when I have the brain power, and I grabbed a battered KO GM to poke at otherwise.
Also mildly convinced there's something going on/I'm supposed to have done by tomorrow but also nothing comes to mind. I have a busy week next week, but this week is pretty open. But it's also Fat Tuesday and the Lunar New Year so perhaps my brain is trying to juggle those in.
Other than that, work last night wasn't ridiculous but I hadn't slept well, so I pretty much deflated early but slept decent. I did get runners checked for both Star Abyss kits so I'm just going to count the entire day as a win anyway, lol. I'll keep working on the Destiny Astray when I have the brain power, and I grabbed a battered KO GM to poke at otherwise.
Swords? Swords!
Feb. 14th, 2026 10:43 pmkallowayRight after US Thanksgiving last year, a popular and well-regarded gunpla shop announced it was closing. A bummer, but not a huge surprise. This is not an ideal environment to an import-heavy small business. The plan was for a gradual phase-out but on Friday the owner announced someone will be buying any remaining stock, time for one last sale and the site is closing Monday. While there wasn't much left, I did grab a few things, including an MG 00 Raiser.
That shop is also still running a contest and intends to keep the community discord around for fun, so we'll see how that goes.
The minor cold I mentioned a few days ago has progressed to minor obnoxious coughing, so hopefully I'm towards the tail end and it'll shuffle along in a few days. After how sick I was a year ago, when I had the flu, I'll take this minor annoyance.
Both of my Star Abyss models arrived and their boxes are gigantic. ^^;; I'll need to bust them out at some point later and do runner checks. Finished up the little Trans-Am Clear 00 Diver Ace that I guess I subconsciously built for Valentine's Day. It's really pretty but if I ever do another one or get fussy, I'll change its eye color. Pink eyes when everything else is also pink don't really work. Really pretty kit, incredibly difficult to photograph.
Last... autumn? I had picked up the Daban copy of the unobtainable MG Destiny Astray and promptly did a runner check, planned to build it, and... Anyway, started building it now and yeah, a lot of issues and annoyance but I haven't completely broken anything yet. I expect it to be a bit of a grenade when finished but if it looks good on the shelf, I'll be happy. On the off chance work ever tries to kill me with overtime in the next year or two, I'll buy a real one. (But I'm also still brainstorming/building what I need for the 30MM contest diorama!)
Working slowly on archiving and am going to try to shift to cleaning out what's in the WIP folder instead of mirroring what's on AO3. The latter isn't as important. Though I will keep mirroring KH stuff since there's so much and small-dosing it has been working for me.
Need to do some words (mostly written, need typed) and replies...
That shop is also still running a contest and intends to keep the community discord around for fun, so we'll see how that goes.
The minor cold I mentioned a few days ago has progressed to minor obnoxious coughing, so hopefully I'm towards the tail end and it'll shuffle along in a few days. After how sick I was a year ago, when I had the flu, I'll take this minor annoyance.
Both of my Star Abyss models arrived and their boxes are gigantic. ^^;; I'll need to bust them out at some point later and do runner checks. Finished up the little Trans-Am Clear 00 Diver Ace that I guess I subconsciously built for Valentine's Day. It's really pretty but if I ever do another one or get fussy, I'll change its eye color. Pink eyes when everything else is also pink don't really work. Really pretty kit, incredibly difficult to photograph.
Last... autumn? I had picked up the Daban copy of the unobtainable MG Destiny Astray and promptly did a runner check, planned to build it, and... Anyway, started building it now and yeah, a lot of issues and annoyance but I haven't completely broken anything yet. I expect it to be a bit of a grenade when finished but if it looks good on the shelf, I'll be happy. On the off chance work ever tries to kill me with overtime in the next year or two, I'll buy a real one. (But I'm also still brainstorming/building what I need for the 30MM contest diorama!)
Working slowly on archiving and am going to try to shift to cleaning out what's in the WIP folder instead of mirroring what's on AO3. The latter isn't as important. Though I will keep mirroring KH stuff since there's so much and small-dosing it has been working for me.
Need to do some words (mostly written, need typed) and replies...
Media Roundup, Accidental Advent All-in-One
Feb. 12th, 2026 07:33 amkallowayYet Again, Stuff-
First, last quarter's JFF movies!
No Longer Heroine - I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. It's a delightfully meta movie about a high school girl who's always been in love with her friend and how she's always expected to end up with him despite never telling him her interest. There are a few too many subplots, but everyone was a joy.
Teiichi - Battle of Supreme High - this was a good movie but I also didn't really like it, if that makes sense? Basically an over the top story about student council elections.
My Love Story!! - live action version of the manga, makes a few changes for format but overall the same story and a lot of fun.
Handball Strive - about the power of social media in an area still recovering from the 2011 earthquake, and friendship, and ooof, social media.
Bento Harassment - this is the genre of generational conflict movies that turn up a lot, and it even has the required parent getting sick, etc. There is so much delicious food, though and one unresolved subplot that's a little maddening.
Megane Glasses - a slow movie about nothing and the middle of nowhere and just... finding one's own pace. (Also food.)
Restaurant from the Sky - this is about a man and cheese, but also food and mourning and family and community. Peak culture drama, tbh, but I feel like it's a hard genre to recommend movies in because things happen but quietly.
As usual, I am procrastinating on this quarter's movies. ^^;;
School of Rock - haven't seen this since it came out but my father picked up a copy and saw it for the first time and then insisted I watch it. Still good!
Majestic Prince (full series + movie) - this is an anime about giant robots and fighting aliens and it is tropey and ridiculous and Absolutely Understood The Assignment.
Flying Witch 12 & 13 (Chihiro Ishizuka) - I sometimes worry when otherwise chill manga, especially slice of life(ish) series, get past about volume 9... But Flying Witch is still full of ridiculous charm and these volumes were great.
The Dragon Knight's Beloved 8 (Ritsu Aozaki, Asagi Orikawa, Akito Ito) - wraps up an arc and see above, the next volume is going go be make-or-break for the series keeping my interest. The leads are still super-cute though.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! - this was recommended and it was pretty good. I like series about fans and media creation, and I liked how the real world blended with what was being created or what could be created. Unsure about hanging onto it, though. (For now?)
First, last quarter's JFF movies!
No Longer Heroine - I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. It's a delightfully meta movie about a high school girl who's always been in love with her friend and how she's always expected to end up with him despite never telling him her interest. There are a few too many subplots, but everyone was a joy.
Teiichi - Battle of Supreme High - this was a good movie but I also didn't really like it, if that makes sense? Basically an over the top story about student council elections.
My Love Story!! - live action version of the manga, makes a few changes for format but overall the same story and a lot of fun.
Handball Strive - about the power of social media in an area still recovering from the 2011 earthquake, and friendship, and ooof, social media.
Bento Harassment - this is the genre of generational conflict movies that turn up a lot, and it even has the required parent getting sick, etc. There is so much delicious food, though and one unresolved subplot that's a little maddening.
Megane Glasses - a slow movie about nothing and the middle of nowhere and just... finding one's own pace. (Also food.)
Restaurant from the Sky - this is about a man and cheese, but also food and mourning and family and community. Peak culture drama, tbh, but I feel like it's a hard genre to recommend movies in because things happen but quietly.
As usual, I am procrastinating on this quarter's movies. ^^;;
School of Rock - haven't seen this since it came out but my father picked up a copy and saw it for the first time and then insisted I watch it. Still good!
Majestic Prince (full series + movie) - this is an anime about giant robots and fighting aliens and it is tropey and ridiculous and Absolutely Understood The Assignment.
Flying Witch 12 & 13 (Chihiro Ishizuka) - I sometimes worry when otherwise chill manga, especially slice of life(ish) series, get past about volume 9... But Flying Witch is still full of ridiculous charm and these volumes were great.
The Dragon Knight's Beloved 8 (Ritsu Aozaki, Asagi Orikawa, Akito Ito) - wraps up an arc and see above, the next volume is going go be make-or-break for the series keeping my interest. The leads are still super-cute though.
Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! - this was recommended and it was pretty good. I like series about fans and media creation, and I liked how the real world blended with what was being created or what could be created. Unsure about hanging onto it, though. (For now?)
