Quick Post on Where to Find TT Hongli/Gao Gao Model Kits

Applicable to Malaysians only!

A few people has been asking me lately so I'm inclined to answer them but repeating the same thing over and over again is getting way too tedious.

Most of my bootleg knowledge comes from this ongoing Lowyat discussion which you can read and follow or even comment in.

Bootlegs are actually pretty easy to find but finding them at prices you'll be willing to pay for is even harder. I say honestly you wouldn't be paying RM30 (normal shop price) for a standard bootleg HG when you can get the original for RM45. I won't. But if you can get them for around RM20 or less, you'll want to to a certain limit (they are harder to build obviously). Even PGs won't cost too far off RM200. I will honestly tell you now that I got my PG Wing Zero Custom for RM155 (don't expect to get this price currently due to changes in exchange rates).

The best bootleg brand is TT Hongli or Gao Gao (same company, two different logos/names). It has been stated that those under the Gao Gao branding is better and I can admit it does feel like it with my most recent review on bootlegs. Don't get any other brand than this (except Gundoom) because models from Model GD/GHD, Bendi, LWDragon and so on aren't worth the money, time and effort to build.

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The cheapest place to get the bootlegs is from Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. You can easily get there by LRT. Wholesale shops such as Jia Yang and Toy Box (not sure I remember the name of this shop correctly) have them (however, they might not sell to you under normal circumstances). I also can't guarantee if they are still selling them since I only went there by then end of 2009. If you cannot get them, don't complain to me, okay?

As for Jia Yang, where I got my PG WZC, MG Strike Noir and 4 other HGs, you need to know the "rules". To get the 50% discount, you'll need to get any 6 model kits. Any, as long as you get a minimum of 6. You'll need to ask the taukey or employee there first before you suddenly grab 6 and then cannot buy. Note that you must state that you learn about this from a forum (the Lowyat thread I linked above specifically). If you're lucky you can get HGs at less than RM15, MGs at less than RM50 and PGs at less than RM200 (bigger ones will cost more).
Exact shop location via Google Maps = 3.16387,101.697478

As for Toy Box, I read that you must find the right guy to get about 30% discount and you can buy any amount. I never went to this one so I don't much about it.

There are, of course, other shops selling the bootlegs but the shops in Chow Kit are wholesale shops. If you have a company under your name, it will make it easier to purchase anything fro them. If you're daring, try to persuade the shop to sell you normally.

Because I haven't went there for a good while and haven't heard nor read anything about them, I suggest buying the bootlegs elsewhere. Although not as cheap as getting from Chow Kit, they are still substantially cheaper than buying from a regular shop.

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The easiest place to get them through out Malaysia, especially to those who live in Semenanjung, go to this Loywat thread. I never bought from him but his selling record is clean so buy from him if you can! The prices are also very good especially if you can COD with him. If you're doing postage, buy more that just one.

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If you're living in Kuching, we are in luck now! Heng Kim Trading also sells the bootleg TT Hongli/Gao Gao at reasonable prices! You ca add him in Facebook and ask him directly as well. :)
I bought the HG Cherudim GNHW/R from the shop for about RM20 which is pretty reasonable as it is (at least I don't need to fly to KL).

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Okay, that's all I can tell you guys, happy shopping! If you think building the bootleg is too troublesome or not worth to buy, then just buy the original Bandai version. XP

This is Ultimate!

Deviantart link.

This is the quite final piece I'll be sending in for the UDON Mega Man Tribute book. I think I might not make it in but since I'm already here, I'll make the last struggle. I don't like to give up once I've made a decision.

Okay guys, here it is, a over the top redesign of the X4 Ultimate Armor.

Simple photo explanation.
"The final stage is space and X has to confront Sigma with the sun in the background! What is Sigma planning to do now?!"
X: "Sigma!!!"
Sigma: "Hahaha! Welcome X, I've been expecting you..."

And... I'm done for now.

Robot Damashii Gundam Avalanche Exia! :O

Note: The GN Short & Long Blades are at the wrong side for the rear shot. ^^;

Price: 3800 Yen (roughly RM140~150 for us here)

WTF?! RD decides to make an Avalanche Exia?! O.O Considering how great the normal RD Exia was from my own review, I'm looking forward to this, unless they decide to make the Dash parts too (and I hope they won't be limited like the Repair versions). :S

Oh yeah, I'm currently busy doing this;
Right now I can say it is merely an attempt since the dead line for the tribute book is really creeping up closer as I started doing this very late. Just 5 more days before the 31st bust with my semester break still going on, I may be able to do it finish quite "fast" (it will still take hours though). Okay... FIGHT-OH!

HG 1/144 00 Qan[T] Review – Part 2

This is the advent of the longest review I’ve ever done, especially for a HG. I thought that because this is the end of the 00 TV series and a movie Gundam, I felt it is necessary to review it as thoroughly as possible. And because the review is longer than usual, I will be continuing it on Wordpress to lessen the need to scroll and make it easier for you guys to read through what you want to read and what you might not want to read.

Okay, time to get my typing on. XP

The first part can be found HERE.

Read more!

"Brother Units" Beelzebub & Thunder

This is just a a quick put-together to check out my curiosity if it might be easy to make em' or not. They won't be as straight forward as the following put-together but it will be somewhat like what you're gonna see. :D

The original concept for Beelzebub Gundam. Basically its meant to have 00 Qan[T]'s GN Sword Bits and Reborn's GN Fangs. (The binders look oversized now since I just roughly drew it based on the early shots of the 00 Qan[T].)

A later rough on the backpack mechanism and enhanced the design a little.

Here's a quick bash on what can connect easily. If I were to go with this configuration, I just need to make one of the GN Fangs sit on the shield, however I think I better not and go with how I intended it by adding an extra connection. I think it is quite possible, just that I need to make sure it will be strong enough.

The shield becomes a bit limited in movement here (can be changed through actual modding work) and the body becomes rather wide so... this way is not happening. ^^;

Hm, maybe I can use the "wings" from the Reborns to use as a base for the Thunder Gundam's wings. Well, that's what I'm thinking for the time being.

For these two units, I feel I will be needing 3 00 Qan[T]s and 2 Reborns Gundams. Hopefully TT/GG will release some in the future for budget reasons or hopefully I can enough confidence yo go through at least 5 kits. ^^;

Okay, that's all for this side post. Better get going with the very long post coming up next. XP

GNT-0001 Thunder Gundam Concept Update

Time for a side post. XD

GNT-0001 Thunder Gundam is a custom Gundam I made a while back to succeed the 00 Raiser then later the 00 Qan[T] after the information of the movie was released.The conceptual design for this was quite hard but looking back at the original theme which was "sword wings that can detach to form bigger swords" which happens to be one of 00 Qan[T]'s gimmicks, I actually return back to the origin of the initial design. So, here it is.

This is the "mod friendly" redesign.

It will still be under the Twin Drive System but with an upgraded GN Drive that spews blueish particles instead. The color motive will be like the Hi-Nu Gundam thus it will be white and blue with silver and black.

Height: 17.5m

Weight: 3X~4Xt (lighter due to "new" materials)

Armaments: GN Sword V-II (2), GN Sword Bit (6), GN Palm Cannon (2), GN Railgun (2), Wings of Light

Mainly based on the Destiny Gundam in motive for the WoL and Palm Cannon. The wings aren't for show as they exhaust the excess GN Particles which can also cut enemies if the Gundam were to fly past them. Even though there are 2 GN Swords, only one of them can do the Buster Sword configuration at a time. It can go Trans-AM and use the Quantum Burst Mode as well.

Hopefully TT/GG will make the HG 00 Qan[T] since I'll need 2 of them for this one and I already sort-of thought of how I'm gonna mod it. ^^ But that will have to wait for a while. I will need to get 2 more for the "brother unit" also...

I would prefer to do something like this but it will be much harder to do the wings since it will have "2 layers" instead of the simplified "single layer" above. ^^;

Okay, that's all for now. Until the next post that will be so long I'll need to use Wordpress. XD

HG 1/144 00 Qan[T] Review - Part 1

Price: 1600 Yen

The second Gunpla to built this year with the Gao Gao HG Cherudim GNHW/R being the first. Ironically,t hat makes it the second year in a row to have a bootleg Gunpla review taking the first review slot.
I intended to build this right after the previous build but decided to wait to get my camera back. In fact, I could have gotten it back by the 10th of January but the message telling me that it is done did not arrive. Luckily, a quick phone call, albeit 5 days later, informed that I can go pick it up already and I did pick it up on Monday. WIth great joy that both my camera and internet back, I went on to build the HG 00 Qan[T].

~About the MS~

This is the Gundam type Mobile Suit that was created for Innovators but specifically meant for Setsuna F. Seiei. Not going into too much spoilers, it is a Gundam specifically to "carve a future of understanding".

~MS Specs~

GNT-0000 00 Qan[T] (pronounced "Quanta")
Pilot: Setsuna F. Seiei + *SPOILER*
Height: 18.3m
Weight: 63.5t
Armaments: GN Sword V, GN Sword Bit (6), GN Shield
Even though the armaments seems light, it actually isn't. The new 7 Swords System still can pack a punch. Okay, fine, I want the Full Saber add-on from Hobby Japan too.

Note: This part covers the box, box open and building process.

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After One Evening...

I might actually send this pose in but its too unoriginal since it is just the box-art pose. I'm aiming for something moving, like the bits are coming out from the 00 Qan[T] as it proceeds towards the enemies.

Should be easy to distinguish which is the Robot Damashii and the HG right?

ELS: "WE'RE SCREWED!!!"

If you guys didn't notice, I got some additional lights for night time shots (and more light sources when the sun comes into play) although it may not be the usual thing you'd get for extra lighting. Hopefully I can do a quick post on that tomorrow since now it's late already. ^^;

Until the next post~

Internet & Camera are BACK! Yay! :D

Rarely Mondays are so joyous and wonderful and this was an exception. Yeah, his post is coming after midnight so it's Tuesday already but did a lot of stuff today including clearing out my room to make more space and make it easier to clean and whatnot.

Internet was down since Thursday night after a heck of a slowdown since Wednesday night. It seem to be an international problem, a usual excuse by TM but looks like my line totally went to nigh-unusable due to the weather as my phone line was affected severely as well. Luckily, all problems were solved today.

My camera was sent off near the end of December last year. I just got it back today and it is spot free one again! Thanks goodness to Canon's great warranty service!

Before I end this quick posting which will lead to bigger posts soon-ish, here's a photo with my new "set-up" and cleaned camera. :D More on that in the next post.

Onwards to tomorrow! Hopefully I can finish this guy tomorrow since I want to use the HG 00 Qan[T] for the G-Shot contest... (I planned to since the beginning) and now I can take the other one as well for the best customized/paint job category(since camera is back). Can anyone guess how am I gonna pose it later? >.>

Wish me luck!

Thinking of Entering the Mega Man Tribute

More info on that HERE.

I actually thought of it a while back but well, I felt like I couldn't. Right now, however, I feel like I just want to at least try entering using a certain distinctive style of mine.

This one is quite messy with the lines but I'll be doing that watercolor effect once I'm done and see how it goes from there. Else, either just enter it or do a "proper" one. ^^;

Note: X isn't colored completely just yet.

Thoughts on the color? Too dark? Gold trims? White trims?

Prelude of the Storm Gundam

Anyone who has me on FB will already have seen two of the photos of my slowly ongoing plans which gets a thumbs up this year. Oh my, I really need to plan my tools, equipment and accessories budget already. Anyways, here's what I've done so far but it is merely a shape test using the excess plastic from the runners.

Before that, a quick look back at the latest sketched design of the GND-003 Storm Gundam.
There's still a lot to do except for the GN Shield Rifle Bits since I'll be going with the GN Sniper Rifle Bits for the time being. I'll do them later on, hopefully, since I really want to do that double funnel Nu Gundam action. XD
There will, unavoidably, some design changes as I go along with the mod to make my life easier. Else there will be a lot of SBs all around and I'm not too sure if I can do that much just yet so I'll make it simpler for me to do. As I go along, I might do more, just not anytime so soon.

Some of you may be wondering, what is Storm Gundam? A simple explanation would be - Neo Celestial Being's 4th Mobile Suit built 20 years after the end of the ELS confrontation. It is closer to Gundam Zabanya in use since there is no Virtue unit this time, for a certain reason. It also has a Core Fighter which has the GN Drive within it similar to Gundam Plutone.
More in this older post here.

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TT Hongli/Gao Gao HG 1/144 Cherudim "Fighter" GNHW/R Review - Part 2

This is a continuation of part 1!

Nothing much to say to intro the second part but it shall feature, action and more action! There's also a beam spam-full omake at the end. Enjoy~

Note: All photos were taken with a Samsung Champ(ion) phone camera @ 1.3MP since my camera is away for servicing. My old camera is a pain to work with since it has a few aging problems (main reason why I bought the new camera). ^^;

EDIT (11/1/11): Added more comments in the conclusion.

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D-Arts Rockman X!

Was going through guNjap just now and saw this!

Price: 3300 Yen (?)

Do want! *_* Now... where's Zero? >.>

TT Hongli/Gao Gao HG 1/144 Cherudim "Fighter" GNHW/R Review - Part 1

Note1: TT Hongli is known as Gao Gao or Kao Kao/Cao Cao, depending on how you read the new brand name.

It has been a while since I've did a bootleg review especially since that incident which plagued anyone who made reviews on them. I still hope that anyone who comments will REFRAIN from commenting anything that's "prejudice" and hurtful. It's just unsightly and has caused problems for many people. There are many ways to justify oneself and buying decisions but just be nice okay?

Anyways, enough with the disclaimer, onwards with part 1 of the review.

Price: RM2X

This one is quite new in production and I was very curious as to how much TT Hongli has improved ever since they decided to change their name. It was said that the quality is better now so let's find out.

~About the MS~

During the final battle in season 2 of Gundam 00, all the Gundams were equipped with their final load-outs, GN Heavy Weapons, and Cherudim got 6 GN Rifle Bits. More beam spam FTW!

You may also refer to my previous review on the Bandai HG 1/144 Cherudim Gundam I did last year.

~MS Specs~

Pilot: Lockon Stratos AKA Lyle Dylandy & Haro

GN-006GNHW/R Cherudim Gundam GNHW/R

Armaments: GN Sniper Rifle II, GN Pistol II (4), GN Shield Bit (9), GN Rifle Bit (6)

Lots of remote weapons there!

*I just noticed I don't put this in for Robot Damashii reviews... maybe I should, later.*

Note 2: This part will only cover the manual scans, runners and building process with some notes while building. Enjoy the manual scans~

Note 3: All photos were taken with a Samsung Champ(ion) phone camera @ 1.3MP since my camera is away for servicing. My old camera is a pain to work with since it has a few aging problems (main reason why I bought the new camera). ^^;

EDIT: Forgot to state some spots I painted.

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Dengeki Hobby September 2010 White Base MS Hangar Review

Price: RM20+/- for Hong Kong Issue, RM 50++ for Japan Issue
*HGUC RX78-2 not included.*

I initially thought I wouldn't get this but just like with the Gundam Rasiel before, I managed to get two copies as greedy as that sounds. After getting it, an idea came to me. Won't be doing it so soon but it will involve weathering for this very model kit and another which may go into that group build by rockleelotus, if I ever actually do it that is.

On with the short review~

Note: All photos were taken with a Samsung Champ(ion) phone camera @ 1.3MP since my camera is away for servicing. My old camera is a pain to work with since it has a few aging problems (main reason why I bought the new camera). ^^;

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More Quantum Gets

Plus Gundam Marker Gray which I have run out of. ^^

This will be my last get for a while since I'm very flat right now. Totally. Anyways, I've finally gotten the HG 00 Qan[T]! 2 more 00 Qan[T]s to go! X3

I bought these from a different shop this time - Heng Kim Trading which is located in the BDC Everise building on the first floor IIRC. The prices seems reasonable enough and they stock TT Hongli/Gao Gao/Kao Kao too! Lots of them, at reasonable prices too! They even have putty (YES!) but no pla-plates but it seems like I can order them if I'd like (YES!). For now, that have to wait. ^^;

Diorama plan can be a go now too. Oh shiz, will I be making something that big for my first time? I need to find a Legend Gundam somewhere since I'm sure there wasn't a bootleg NG 1/100 Legend Gundam from TT except maybe Model GD... (Required "material"; MG Force Impulse, MG Strike Freedom, MG Infinite Justice, MG Destiny EBM and NG Legend.)

Next post very soon - White Base MS Hangar Review. Wait for it ya~

White Base MS Hangar GET!

While I was at the usual bookstore I regularly go to (3rd Mile Life Bookstore), I went to the Chinese/HK magazine section and spotted...

This!

There was only 2 so I bought them both for RM20 each. Not as "cheap" as the usual price but way cheaper than me buying the Japanese version. This is the HK version BTW which is obviously much cheaper for us. ;)
More on this later? Even though there isn't much to review. I got an idea what to do with the base but... not now.

Other than that, a rather annoying thing happened...

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300th Post - Entertainment Center as of January 2011

I actually didn't plan to get the PS3 this early this year but I did plan to get it later this year after a bit more savings in the pocket. However, I was browsing the garage sales board over at Lowyat forums once again and an offer I can't refuse was there. The price, condition and seller location was simply perfect! It is as if the world/universe was telling me to do it and I did.

Thus, I present you, the now Blu-Ray capable entertainment center!

Before this, this PS3 belong to the Lowyat user greyshadow who seems to be more of an Xbox 360 gamer. His PS3 had less attention to the point that it is still shiny to this day! This is one of the earlier units and it is 2 years plus already. If it was a very used unit, I might have not bought it second hand in the first place but considering the condition and everything, it wasn't a bad deal.
FYI, this is the 40GB Japan model. It was bought from Penang initially which was imported from Hong Kong before PS3 became official in Malaysia.

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2010 in Review

Since many are doing it, I might as well. I can't do it like a Wordpress blog but I can at least do it manually.

At for stats, I can't really show you a nice bar or an accurate number since the counter I'm using is fairly simple. However, I'd like to thank all of you who visited, read and commented on my blog. It has been on a slow, yet steady, climb upwards and I've reached the 50, 000th milestone just last month.

In terms of reviews, in is undeniable that the TT Hongli PG 1/60 Wing Zero Custom top the charts. Technically speaking, the bootleg reviews are pretty popular on this blog, as far as these statistics shows. Interestingly, I build the WZC during the New Year of 2010 while I'm not building anything for New Year this year since I have other matters to do. I was thinking of building the recent SDs but since Momotoys might bring in hobby tools and accessories later this year, I better wait so that I'll have better stuff to use and in a way "
evolve".

That year, I bought my first Robot Damashii - Unicorn Gundam Destroy Mode. I was pretty impressed with the line of figures as they are very pose-able and playable, something that will definitely get me interested. As much as I like building things, I like playing with them too. I also bought many other RDs later on such as the Turn A Gundam, Gundam Crossbone X3, Strike Freedom Gundam, 00 Qan[T] and Gundam Exia.

Looking back, I also have started painting my kits with the NG 1/100 Gale Strike Gundam being the first "victim". It is later used as a test for the use of industrial spray paint, something not normally used for plastic model kits. After a successful attempt, I went out of my way to make the Black Ice, HG 1/144 1.5 Gundam which comes with a cool flat black and dark metallic blue color scheme.

Of course, I still did my straight builds which were upgraded when I bought the Tamiya Side Cutter although my Gundam Marker Gray is finished now... I managed to upgrade my hardware - digital camera - early that year during the PC Fair but unfortunately it needs to go away to be serviced until sometime this month. ^^;

I also indulge myself with omakes and after effects using Photoscape and even Photoshop thanks to chubbybots and bd respectively.I can say that the omake with the best effect goes to this one. Can't beat God. XD

If I didn't count wrong (including bootlegs), I did 1PG review, 4 MG reviews, 1 NG review, 13 HG reviews, 1 SD review, 5 Robot Damashii reviews and 1 SIC Kiwami Tamashii review, plus 1 PG preview. Its pretty obvious I'm a 1/144 person with that. Haha. Even more HGs and other non-Gunpla stuff coming up... after my camera returns that is.

Besides that, I also went to AFAX (Anime Festival Asia 2010) in Singapore this year and met up with chubbybots and Marzz. ^^ I miss Singapore's atmospshere and choice of goods... although that pains my wallet in more ways than one. I then went to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah last month and managed to get some loots as well as went to the one and only maid cafe there thus far. Too bad I didn't manage to meet Evaritus Lau there.

Are you in the top 30 referrers? XD

Okay, that's it for this, I don't think I need to say more except when I post on the Wordpress side... later.

Wrapping Up 2010

Just a quick post with some thoughts on 2010.

Last year has been another year forward for me. Not only I've gained more freedom in my actions, I'm experiencing more things than I ever did before entering university. So many things happened and so much money spent but if 2012 can be believed to be our final year, it is best to enjoy life to the fullest. Otherwise, always try to enjoy life as much as you can while trying your best to go through any struggles and assignment. :)

Looking back at it, last year wasn't a complete smooth ride, no year ever is, but it was truly fun. I finally go to my friends houses (during non-special days) and bought 2 game consoles I've been aching to get for a good while already. I've also expanded my collection, pains to my wallet though, with SIC Kiwami, Robot Damashii and even Nendroid now. Hopefully this won't paved a future filled with too much spending... as hard as it is to avoid.

I've noticed that I need to improve some of my certain skills some more. I can't leave them as it is so maybe I should make that my New Year 2011 resolution to improve my skill in arts in more than just drawing and coloring, modding and painting as well!

Thus, I close 2010 with this.

FINAL GET-OH!

Happy New Year! 2011 Edition

A quick shout out to everyone who reads this blog. Enjoy your new year and may you enjoy the day. :)