If you're an avid model kit building, chances are good you're familiar with Bandai. Best known for their Gundam model kits, Bandai has revolutionized what model kits can exist.

With a Gundam kit, the entire process has been streamlined so that the focus is firmly on the fun of actual model building. Tools such every bit Xacto blades are non required every bit parts come off their sprue trees effortlessly. Glue is not required equally everything smoothly snaps together. Pigment is not required as parts are molded in the right colors.  Best of all, Bandai'due south Gundam kits can MOVE.With the improver of ingenious ball socket joints incorporated in the building procedure, Gundam model kits are much more akin to action figures than their static brethren.

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Now Bandai is taking their model kit technical know-how to a galaxy far, far away. Distributed exclusively in Northward America via Bluefin, Bandai Hobby's new model kits capture the global pop culture phenomenon known equally Star Wars.

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Spaceships are the kickoff thing to pop into your mind when it comes to Star Wars model kits, and sure plenty, Bandai Hobby launched this new licensing endeavour with them. However, Star Wars ships are really nothing new in the model kit earth. While arguably not as detailed equally Bandai Hobby's Star Wars kits,  the fact that model ships accept already been produced makes Bandai'south new releases anticipated, but not exactly groundbreaking.

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That all changes with Bandai Hobby's new line of Star Wars 1/12 calibration graphic symbol model kits. Certain, model kits of Star Wars characters accept been done before, but not ones that Motion. Remember Bandai America's mass market model kit line called Sprukits? Bandai Hobby's new Star Wars character kits are similar to those, but far more sophisticated. These are action figures… that you lot build.

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To help convey that point, Bluefin was kind enough to send along three samples to share with you. I got to select the characters, so I apologize (not really) for the group skewing towards the Dark Side: my primary manBoba Fett, Beginning Social club caput honcho Kylo Ren, and my favorite new Stormtrooper design, the Shoretrooper as seen in Rogue I: A Star Wars Story. Each ane/12 scale model, once fully congenital, stands approximately 6-inches alpine.

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I have some pretty good model kit edifice skills, so keep that in mind with my difficulty level rating on these. I started with Boba Fett considering he'southward my favorite character, simply he is actually the near difficult kit of the agglomeration. He took me about 3 hours to build at a slow, methodical footstep. He was likewise a slightly higher learning bend as I was just getting familiar with the building procedure. I will say that the instructions are extremely clear. Think advanced LEGO.

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Shoretrooper was side by side, and believe it or not, he was the second most circuitous grapheme (about two hours to build). It'south all almost the intricate armor details. Kylo Ren was the easiest, taking me about an hour.

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However, since I built Kylo last, I was already pretty familiar with the procedure on building these kits by the time I got to him. By that I hateful assembling the artillery and legs, the most fourth dimension consuming build on each kit. The process is about identical on all iii – challenging at first, but easier equally you get. For example: the instructions tell you how to build one limb at a fourth dimension, a v footstep process of foot, lower leg, genu, upper leg and thigh (or hand, forearm, elbow, upper arm, and shoulder). In one case you become the technique down, you tin skip to building both correct and left limbs at the aforementioned time as each limb's parts are in close proximity on the sprue tree. I don't recommend doing this right off the bat as you practice demand to pay very close attention to how these pieces become together.

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Speaking of limbs, that'southward the big standout feature on these kits. Just check out the Shoretrooper leg connection above. That joint organisation, combined with rotating thigh,double jointed kneesand feet is the same equally a high-quality pre-assembled activeness figure.

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There'southward even rocker ab move on these! Ball-jointed heads! Truly amazing and information technology is all joint that you build.

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Another highlight on these kits: the attention to item. Like I mentioned earlier, these kits are very sophisticated. For example, one step of building Boba Fett fabricated my jaw drop. You accept to insert his knee darts – each smaller than a grain of rice – into their corresponding holes.

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The process was smooth, but here (and a few other steps with tiny parts), I Exercise recommend using a pair of tweezers. While I ain a pair (y'all know, splinters and stray hairs), Bluefin was prissy enough provided me with a Mr. Hobby Bones Tool Prepare (effectually $xx). In addition to the much nicer hobby tweezers, I found the nippers to be particularly useful, even though the model parts do to come off their sprue trees cleanly without them. They actually only make the whole process that much easier (a quick snip, snip every bit opposed to stopping what you are doing and bending the part off). I didn't bother with the file (though more obsessive model builders will disagree), but I'm sure I'll employ both it and the marker in the future. Overall, a very handy tool gear up and money well spent if you plan on dong more than than one of these model kits.

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Other impressive details include the inclusion of a real cloth waist greatcoat for the Shoretrooper (alternating helm look) and real rubber robes for Kylo Ren. The latter adds a very overnice textured layer to the plastic figure. I was also wowed at the way the robes assembled on the figure assuasive for full body articulation underneath.

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Like an activeness figure, you also become multiple weapons (two blasters per figure, lit and unlit sabers for Ren) and hands (fisted, splayed open and weapon grasping), as well as a display base. The base is surprisingly complex, allowing for a flat, clean brandish, or with the optional foot support (not a peg, but more molded to grip a foot). You lot also get a piece that allows y'all to connect the bases should y'all adopt them all lined up in a row. Oh, while not included, there's an optional flight rod Bandai offers that can exist used with these figures, such as Boba Fett and his jet pack.

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Last, but not to the lowest degree, Bandai Hobby provides ii decal sheets – h2o transfer and stickers. For the sake of time in getting this review out I skipped this procedure, but yous can imagine how much nicer these figures will look when all is applied. Once again, painting is entirely optional as all pieces are cast in the correct colors. I can see some weathering used on Boba Fett and the Shoretrooper's armor, but other than that, these wait quite nice every bit is.

DSCN8408And so you're probably asking yourself: Why do I need a Star Wars character model kit if I already have the 6-inch Black Serial action figures? That really depends on the individual. If you're a model kit builder, the opposite is more true: yous're more likely to be interested in these kits rather the toys. If you're an activeness figure collector, the process of really Edifice an action figure seriously expands your horizons. You really go to know your favorite characters then much more intimately as you lot slice them together – layer upon layer of individual armor pieces. Edifice Boba Fett, for example, was an centre-opener. I thought I knew his outfit rather well, but the model kit building process lead to me to discovering little things I wasn't aware of, or merely fabricated me appreciate what was at that place so much more. I know I'll never forget those knee darts.

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The engineering backside these kits is admittedly mind blowing. Construction is straightforward, clever, challenging and rewarding to complete. If you're already into model kits, new to the scene, or simply looking to aggrandize your hobby and collection, give a Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/12 character model kit a whirl. I guarantee you lot'll walk away impressed.

DSCN8382In add-on to Boba Fett, Kylo Ren and Shoretrooper, other Star Wars characters currently bachelor for club include Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, First Lodge Stormtrooper, Clone Trooper, BB-viii, R2-D2 & R4-D5, K-2SO, C-3PO, Full general Grievous, and Luke Skywalker and Han Solo disguised as Stormtroopers. Originally available only for the Asian market, these official U.S. releases include English language instructions and also have product support from Bluefin. Boosted grapheme releases will be announced throughout 2018. Each kit retails in the MSRP price range of $28.00 – $50.00.

Review and Photos past Jeff Saylor

Review Samples Courtesy of Bluefin

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