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Gundamania Continues To Spread
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 Gundams, Gundams everywhere. Or, at least they were everywhere! Now, it seems that Gundamania is really taking a foothold. Online retailer Hobby Link Japan recently updated their front page to inform customers that they are currently out of stock on Gundam Wing-based model kits, and aren't sure when they are going to get more in.Gundam Wing, the series, airs on the Cartoon Network and has been amazingly successful, creating a run on any Gundam-related products. The series ended it's first run of 49 episodes last night, and will be starting over from the beginning again tonight (however, there are reports that the 3 Endless Waltz episodes may air first before the Wing episodes begin reruns). The few domestic retailers carrying Gundam kits have enjoyed brisk sales, and import dealers especially are being deluged with requests for anything Gundam. Last week RTM showed you images of the upcoming Gundam Wing-based Mobile Suits in Action 4.5" action figures that are coming to stores everywhere this summer (click here to view them) which are sure to be just as big a hit as the various model kit figures have proven to be. But, while you are anxiously passing the time waiting for the new product to hit stores you should know that there is plenty (and we mean plenty) of Gundam merchandise available in import stores and online to keep you immersed fully in the Gundam Saga. The VHS and DVD of Gundam Wing will hit stores this coming Tuesday, May 16th. The VHS contains the first 4 edited episodes of the series, while the DVD contains the first 5 unedited episodes. For videogame enthusiasts Gundam 0079 Sidestory, by Bandai, came out earlier this month for the Sega Dreamcast platform. Viz Communications recently published the first trade paperback volume of Mobile Suit Gundam, which chronicles the story from the original Mobile Suit Gundam storyline from 1979. A second trade paperback volume will be released in August. A regularly monthly comic is available as well. Also in August Viz will start publishing a Gundam Wing comic. Mixx Entertainment (now known as Tokyo Pop) published a Mobile Suit Gundam: Blue Destiny comic, which has also been collected in a trade paperback.
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Super Deformed Model Kits |  | Gundam model kits come in a wide selection of styles and scales. Most of the model kits, once assembled are more like action figures loaded with tons of articulation. Kits are available in 1/144 scale (roughly 5" tall), 1/100 scale (approximately 7- 8" tall). For the serious model builder there are also Master Grade and Perfect Grade kits, each with more detail and parts to be assembled. These kits are also much more expensive. Also, because everybody loves their giant butt-kicking robots to be adorable as well, there are dozens of Super Deformed kits available as well. Super Deformed, with a big ol' noggin and teeny tiny body, is a very popular style in Japan and these kits are proving to be just as popular in the good ol' US of A. Still looking for more Gundam merchandise (still got money left?), well we haven't even touched on items such as wall scrolls (such as the kneeling Wing Zero image at the beginning of this article), Candy toys, claw catcher toys, die cast toys and much, much more. If you are looking for Gundam merchandise online, we can recommend a few places that we have used ourselves to feed our own growing Gundam-fever: [Posted 5/12/2000]
  
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