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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 18 – Conspirators’ Medley

As I predicted last time, Kudelia’s speech was effective enough to halt the WDoJ/Arianrhod’s impending assault. Mika’s reaction was also shown, and while still maintaining his usual stoic self, continues to be impressed by Kudelia’s resolve.

I was initially wary of this episode thanks to Daisuki’s rather unpromising preview synopsis:

“Tekkadan’s members attempt to leave the colonies behind and descend to Earth at last, but they miss their chance due to one last item of business in the colonies. They are contacted by someone who claims to be their supporter.” (emphasis mine) read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
Mechanicore – Tief Stürmer/Deep Striker Kit Review Part 2: Head and Torso (Steps 1 through 5)
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Mechanicore – Tief Stürmer/Deep Striker Kit Review Part 2: Head and Torso (Steps 1 through 5)

Welcome back to my multi-part review of the of Mechanicore’s 1/100 scale Tief Stürmer. In this section I’m going to review the head and primary torso components, sections 1 through 5.

Review Menu:

Common Issues

This is a quick list of the common issues on the build. They apply pretty much across the board and pop up so much that I’d probably go crazy trying to specifically mention each time it occurs throughout the build.

  • Beware pegs and holes with fitment issues. Whenever inserting pegs watch to make sure that the peg actually fit. Quite often they’re too large for the hole they’re supposed to go into. This can be resolved by a properly sized drill bit (use an hand held driver instead of an electric one, or be very careful, to avoid going through the other side of the piece) or with a fine round metal file to widen it from the inside out.
  • Beware pieces who’s sprue connection often coexists with an important piece. In other words, runners have been connected to the pieces themselves in areas that are also happen to be connection points to other parts of the kit. Never cut flush with the plastic to get it off the runner (which you shouldn’t be doing anyway. For the second cut, make sure you check out the part and how it’s going used to make sure you don’t lop off something important.
  • Beware pieces with subtle flashing around the connection points. Connection points may have subtle flashing issues that result in a poor fit. If something doesn’t quite work like it should, make sure this is not the case before proceeding. Use of a hobby knife is recommended to clean these areas up.

Build Notes

  • There are quite a few piece that really should be glued into place. Since I intend to go back and paint I’m holding things together with masking tape.
  • Because I’m going back and repainting I’m not applying any of the metal detail parts at this point. When I finish the build, and add them, I’ll add any additional thoughts regarding their application to this review.

The Head (Steps 1.1 – 1.3)

The head is the first part of the Tief Stürmer you build and it will quickly make you hate everything about the project. read more

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Batman & Robin Eternal #17 Review

“Shit, I knew I dropped the Batmobile’s keys somewhere around here.”

Mother is cuffed, Batman is roughed, Orphan is tough, and Harp’s in a huff in the seventeenth episode of DC’s weekly Batman escapade. We get more of the flashback to the past than ever with Batman’s bluff being exposed and a fight breaking out with Orphan that takes them into the nearby theater. Batman gives a speech that neither of his foes appreciate. And when we flash forward again, Harper inflitrate St. Hadren’s to personally interrogate David Cain, but he’s licking his chops to tell Harper of Cassandra’s dirty past deed. Oh, and Tim Drake and Jason Todd were in a panel somewhere in there, but who cares? The less of them the better, because we’re finally crawling out of the sewer with a far better issue than the past two. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
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Rebuild of Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo Review

“You Can (Not) Redo”
 

(Spoiler-Free) Synopsis: The end of the world has begun! Shinji Ikari finds himself catapulted fourteen years from the last thing he remembers, triggering the Third Impact! Waking to a world that despises him, Shinji is torn in his loyalties, confused about his environment, and guilt-ridden by revelations.  In the depths of despair, he meets a young man named Kaworu Nagisa, who may be his salvation, or just lead to more tragedy! Will Shinji ever pilot an Eva unit again? Should he? The next phase of Instrumentality is set in motion and our hero will find that practice may not make perfect! read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Mechanicore – Tief Stürmer/Deep Striker Kit Review Part 1: Kit Introduction
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Mechanicore – Tief Stürmer/Deep Striker Kit Review Part 1: Kit Introduction

Welcome to my multi-part review of Mechanicore’s latest release, the 1/100 scale Tief Stürmer.

Late last year I finished the Elyn Hobby 1/100 scale Kshatriya. It was a mighty big challenge in part because there were only a few English reviews of the kit out there and just a handful of galleries with photos suitable as a build reference. None of them really went into detail about trouble areas so I knew something was headed my way, just not sure what. My hope for this mega review is to provide that aspect for folks looking to pick up and build the Tief Stürmer. In photos of the built, from the first folks to build the Stürmer, I noticed fitment issues and resulting cracks. With any luck I’ll run into issues like that so folks building their own will be better prepared. read more

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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 17 – Gjallarhorn Confirmed For Top-Tier Troll

 

I wonder if the true head of Earth and the main director of Gjallarhorn operations is a Lelouch-type figure, because what happens early in this episode is one big troll to nascent revolutionaries. You have these revolting union workers arming themselves with mobile suits, ready to take on the WDoJ (White Dick of Justice/Arianrhod), but it turns out all their weapons and systems, despite being shown the contrary, are inoperative. Thus it gives any and all WDoJ Mobile Suits suitable grounds for destroying them without hesitation. Shame we don’t have a Yazan-like madman pilot in the show (and the closest one, Kudel Kadel is dead), since he’d be kekking til he’s breathless. read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
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Lupin III (2015) Episode JP 16 (Italy 17) Review

“Lupin’s Day Off”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Lupin’s been recruited by Fujiko to escort a dog to her obnoxious wealthy owner, and our blue jacket bandit turns courier, dragging Jigen and Goemon along. The travelling trio take a trip through the Italian countryside to meet their client on a cruiseship. However, the pooch is more trouble than they expected and all the while Zenigata’s on their trail! Can they get their pet passenger to its destination to keep Lupin’s promise to Fujiko? It’s a show about (basically) nothing in this shaggy dog tale! read more

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Lupin III (2015) Episode JP 15 (Italy 16) Review

“High School Undercover”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: School’s in session when Lupin is forced to pose as a high school teacher when a diamond he stole ends up in the backpack of a budding juvenile deliquent in a school full of attitude problems. The teachers themselves are up to no good, looking to use a bomb to take out criminals who’ve been threatening them, and when they get their hands on the stolen jewel, Lupin has to restrain himself in handling them. Does this ragtag bunch of scholastic schemers have what it takes to match wits with the world’s greatest thief? By the end, somebody will certainly have to be saved by the bell when Lupin teaches an important lesson! read more

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Batman & Robin Eternal #16 Review

“I told you we’d all fit in the picture.” 

A righteous sword burns, a villain heel-face turns, and yet I yearn for this plot thread to adjourn, in this sixteenth issue of DC’s weekly Batman disappointment. Still more of Tim & Jason’s Awesome Show Great Job, which is just as dreadfully uninteresting as it has been for what seems like forever. To think I was looking forward to seeing their team-up adventures some time ago. Now I just want them both to be erased from continuity. But hey, at least we get some cool flashback material. read more

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Lupin III (2015) Episode JP 14 (Italy 15) Review

“Don’t Move The Mona Lisa”


 

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Lupin III, the world’s greatest thief, is broke! After a dry spell, Lupin targets the most famous painting of all time, the Mona Lisa. Of course, stealing it is no small feat with Zenigata eager to capture Lupin again, and it seems at first to be too much for the famed bandit to handle. However, there’s much more than meets the eye when it turns out there’s a fake painting as well as a real one… as well as another fake one! But which one is Lupin making money off selling? The Mona Lisa is smiling at the farce as Lupin tries to restore his treasury! read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•