Mecha Model Guide for Beginners

I bought this book before building my brand new MG Gundam. I am not totally new to this hobby as 10 years ago I had more than 10 Gundam models and now getting into it again. Before, I just assembled it no painting, no brushing, no filing. But now I'm into new level and want to get better result than before.I didn't know anything about the paint/ink and coating, that's the reason why I bought this book. This book will save you some money from destroying your precious plastic model through proper use of paint, coating and from buying excessive stuffs that in the end you can't use it all. You will have a better idea which one to buy.I read it thoroughly and they explained almost every detail for every topic provided (cutting, filing, sanding, paneling, weathering, and shading). This will save you time from searching every forum and video for your questions. They also show photos of their work even common HG model went really good after doing such detailing and spraying which you will also get after following the instructions. Very helpful for newbies or people plan to enter this hobby who have no idea where to start or people want to improve their work.You might ask why I gave 3 stars instead of 5 from every positive aspect (content) I talked about. I gave 3 because for the price $25 + shipping and tax I find this book a little bit expensive to what you will get.First fillers, there are total of 92 pages almost 15 pages are Gunpla history (even stock exchange wow) and at least 4 pages of Gundam box (useless and unattractive) photos. Introduction is there which is good but 15 pages of history is likely to be skipped.Second, the paper quality is like a hardened news paper a little bit cheap feeling for a $25 price. I have plenty of books and guides that cost about $19.99 but the quality is top-notch and hey they exceed 92 pages for about 200 - 1100 pages. Even a cook guide that costs $14.99 has better paper quality than this. If you want you can buy the digital book also available here for cheaper price.Will I recommend this book to other people? Yes, for absolute newbies.I bought this for the information I need and they provided it very well. Things you don't even have a slight of idea will be tackled on this book. Simple, easy to read, and on the spot! Of course this will get better the soon they published an updated version.Thanks.

This book does a good job talking about the history of gundam and gunpla, and a descent job talking about the different steps, products, and chemistry. The major downside on this is that I feel like it is a little bit assumed that the modeler understands these terminology and have a general concept before reading this book. I would think that this book is between beginners and intermediate. Some of the steps are somewhat jumped a little too fast to conclude a certain process that should be explained a little further. There are about 4-5 gundam builds if I remember correctly, and it shows the steps of different model builders. This leaves the learner a bit confused as to which process he/she should do. I think that if there was one build of one gundam, and each step is discussed a lot more thoroughly, then the learner will feel a lot more comfortable. I just feel like each modeler here tried to pitch in to this book and show their works to be recognized.If there is another book, I don't know if I would buy it and if I do, I hope it makes an improvement in not rushing. Don't get me wrong, I had a descent fun time reading it and it is somewhat informative (i'm probably around advanced level) but I didn't feel like the book was complete.

I loved it, it gave great detail on how to paint, what kind of tools would be best, even getting rid of seams and sinks (I didn't even know that could happen). I even learned new ways to make basic weathering and battle damage. Though, I have to say a few things about it. First: There are around 15 pages or so of Gundam/Gunpla history in Japan and around the world. While it was fascinating to read, I felt like it could have been in a different book, rather than a book I was paying $25 for to learn how to make good Gunpla rather than learn about Gunpla. Also, the book deals only in High Grade kits, whereas a all of my kits right now are Master Grade. This isn't necessarily the book's fault mind you, just a forewarning to anyone wanting to buy it.

Content and information is fantastic in this book. However, I do have one complaint and unfortunately, it is a bit of a deal breaker. Since this is my first and only Kindle book, I don't know if it's the quality of the images that were submitted by the authors or if it is just that the Kindle reader sucks but I can't zoom in on anything without it becoming pixelated and blurry. This definitely poses a problem when you're trying to use the images to get a good view point of what the book is trying to convey. I wish it was in PDF format, actually. I'm probably going to try to return this one and wait for the ability to get a print edition. I would rather not at this point though, so maybe somebody (Amazon or Mono Eye) can help with a solution. Thanks for your hard work gentlemen.12/6/13 Edit:Looking forward to the revisions. Changed my review from 3 to 5 star! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!

I have been doing this kind of modeling for over 10 years now and it is awesome to see a book out there that will teach you everything you need to know to get started. Sure there are tutorials online but nothing compares to having a book to skim through.I do have a issue I would like to address but it is minor. I understand this book was printed using amazon's services to keep initial costs down. but I do think in a volume 2 or reprint that you go with something different. I just feel the print quality, although ok, could be better. I know that means you have to order 1000s upfront but I think it is something to consider. Also I feel glossy pages will be better for this kind of book.But over all it is a great thing to have in a world where this kind of book does not exist in english form.

This book came out in 2013 and covers most of the Gundam world but like all things the hobby and series are contently being updated and new kits are coming out all the time.I have a number of 'Beginners Guides' for a various modelling subjects but this book is certainly one of the best.It has an unofficial history of Gundam and how it has developed.It clearly explains the various modelling tools, paints and other bits and bobs you need to build the kits.It has well photographed and easy to follow step by step ways of dealing with building the kits.It has ways you can very simply or going more into depth ways of improving and detailing your kits.Yes lots of the info in this book can be found across the web but at least here it is all in one place and easy to access. Also a lot of things in this book can also be used across other modelling types like aircraft or even military vehicles.

The info in the book is pretty solid and I imagine the in print version is easily a 4/5 star product but the kindle version has every page as an image and is a pain to read on an actual kindle, I've not tried it using a kindle app on a tablet/phone so that may well be better but I don't know from personal experience.

Great information, but a bit random how it is placed out. Pictures range greatly in quality too. Feels very disjointed, however there is some great knowledge to be had. Just needed to be more logically set out, feels a bit rushed.

I build scale models and been around guide books so I know a good guide book when I see one. This is a real must have for beginners who just started the hobby as well as veteran and advanced alike to touch up on their knowledge. Any and every gunpla modeller should have this book

Nice handy book for people starting out.