Gundam AGE: Memory of Eden announced

While Gundam AGE anime series ended last September, a new project called Memory of Eden is announced recently that will recompile and expand more on the 2nd generation of the first anime series.


Memory of Eden will focus on the arc featuring 2nd generation characters, namely the protagonist Asemu Asuno, along with his friend and enemy Zeheart Galette . Akihiro Hino, the storywriter for the series, did mention on his twitter account how he felt the early parts in the arc, mainly with the school life, felt a little missed out and could have been expanded more. That said, Memory of Eden is likely to expand on that aspect.

In the picture above, it looks like that Gundam AGE-1 Swordia will make appearance in Memory of Eden. This variant of Gundam AGE-1 only made appearance in the PSP game before.

Memory of Eden will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray formats on 26th July. The OVA will be 150 minutes long.

Hm... The announcement of Gundam AGE was at first a little unexpected for me, as Sunrise still has Gundam Unicorn OVA to finish in 2014, as well as those announced but not started yet, such as Gundam SEED Destiny HD Remaster, and GUNDAM THE ORIGIN which was announced way back in 2011. Gundam AGE's reception was at best "mixed", to put it least negatively, though the 2nd generation is perceived to be the better one among the 3 generations for overall story, settings, and characters.

Say, there has been very little news of anime adaptation of GUNDAM THE ORIGIN. Sure there was a rumour back in January stating that it to air in 2014, but it was only a rumour. I wonder whether we will hear more of it soon...?


Pictures from Gundam AGE twitter account

Website:
http://www.gundam-age.net/memory_of_eden/index.html
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Sedov in Hong Kong

Russian sailing ship Sedov visited Hong Kong over the weekend. Unlike the USS Boxer which I unfortunately missed, I did manage to pay a visit to this ship on Sunday~

Originally a German sailing ship called Magdalene Vinnen II, the Sedov was first launched in 1921, and was given to then Soviet Union as a war reparation. First used as a cargo ship and now a training ship, the Russian ship celebrated its 90th anniversary 2 years ago, and is on a world tour since last year.


Sedov docked near Ocean Terminal, with two cruise ships docked behind it.


Sedov viewed from the starboard (right) side. The picture was taken from the Central-Tsim Sha Tsui ferry as it was about to dock nearby.


Sedov with a private boat paying a brief visit to the venerable ship.







We went to the roof of the Ocean Terminal to took a few pictures from the top. It is possible to board the ship if you get a ticket early in the day, but they're usually gone in a matter of hours. But getting to see the ship at such distance is very satisfying for me already!


A quick shot from the ground level before leaving.


My friend stepswalker visited the day before, and the weather was much better with more vibrant colour for the day (not least to say a better camera too!). Too bad I couldn't get up early to go with him.


A monochrome filter to give it a vintage view to finish it off. It definitely won't look out of place given its age and look!


Official site:
http://www.sts-sedov.info/
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GM Cannon Conversion for HGUC 1/144 GM II

While I am quite fond of grunt machines in Gundam franchise, especially those of Earth Federation ones, there are several relatively obscure ones that don't get model releases yet (unless you count those that were made in the 1980s). Luckily, a local Hong Kong magazine has released a GM Cannon conversion kit for GM II a few months ago, and I finally got it completely pretty recently.


The conversion kit comes as a bonus from December issue of local Hong Kong hobby magazine "機動世界" (literally "Mobile World"), which covers mostly on Gundam and other mecha models. It is worth noting that the conversion kit is for HGUC 1/144 GM II rather than the original GM (although GM III is also compatible with it to some degree, but it won't resemble the GM Cannon as much as that with GM II).


Runner


Assembly instructions on the first page of the magazine.


The GM II assembled with the GM Cannon conversion parts (sans the shoulders, which seem to be directly copied from HGUC 1/44 GM Sniper II).

Overall, the GM Cannon has thicker lower legs, different front and back skirt armour, new backpack, as well as different parts for the head with two antennas.

It took me some time to decide what colours the grey conversion parts should be, but as I've decided that the colour of the torso to be that of GM III's, I tried to have the leg parts to best match that teal colour. I think I have sort of done it, albeit a little mediocre with the finish:


Front


Back


The backpack looks pretty faithful to the original design. It overall is pretty easy to assemble, though the thrusters can pop off a little easily, so a bit of glue would help to keep them in place.

The back of the head with two antennas is also new, but not for the front half which is still the same from the original kit.


The cannon sits on top of a mount which goes over the right side of the upper chest.



Comparison with GM II





A few poses to finish the post before conclusion.


GM Cannon is a relatively obscure design from Mobile Suit Variation, which serves as variations of the existing designs that made appearance in the anime. It did make brief cameo appearance in Zeta Gundam, as well as in several video games as a playable unit.

The conversion parts for the top half of the kit, including the head, backpack, and cannon, are pretty easy to assemble, whereas parts for the bottom half legs need a bit of sanding on the pegs before assembly.

The only problem I have with this converted GM Cannon is how the lower legs are bulky and obstructs the articulation on the knees to some degree.

Otherwise I am quite happy with the GM Cannon, which is something nice to complement my GM II. With the MS-06R-1A Zaku High Mobility Type announced for several ace machines recently, perhaps we will see more HGUC 1/144 scale Gunpla releases for MSV soon or later! ^^
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Happy Chinese New Year

Image of Hatsune Miku Suigyoku (翠玉, i.e. Jadeite) and Megurine Luka Kougyoku (紅玉, i.e. Ruby) Chinese dresses by jonejung, via e-shuushuu

A couple of days late, but Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate it!

2013 is the Year of the Snake. Apparently the Snake symbolises wisdom. Perhaps this year will be a year our wisdom is put to a test?

One way or the other, let us hope that this year will be a good year for us and to our hobbies!
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ALTER 1/7 Fate T Harlaown -Summer holiday-

I haven't bought PVC figures for some time, and I only have a handful of them compared to my other toys. This time it's ALTER's 1/7 scale Fate T Harlaown -Summer holiday- version, featuring Fate T Harlaown from Magical Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS in swimwear.

February does not seem like an ideal time of the year to wear swimsuit... Oh well, let's imagine she's near the tropical regions, or even somewhere in South hemisphere where's it's summer right now. ^^;


Front


From the left


From the right


And back view


Closer look on the face with sunglasses. The sunglasses are indeed made of transparent material.


Fate's coat tucked hanging on the left hand.


The base is a simple circular clear one with the name of the figure printed on one side.


One final picture to finish the post. I may put a few more comments later on :o
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Hatsune Miku Collaboration Glasses

Sega's Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F rhythm game for PS3 is collaborating with Japanese glasses maker Washin to create original Hatsune Miku theme glasses. :o




Full rim glasses, with black arms (sides) and clear blue accents, mimicking Miku's sleeves.
Lens diameter is 55mm.




Under rim glasses, with greater emphasis on the clear blue, as well as a twist on the sides and a hint of pink near the joints.
Lens diameter is 52mm.



The two pairs worn. I somehow feel that the half rim pair would go better on the girl, and vice versa ^^;


Both pairs will be available for pre-order on Washin web shop for 13900 Yen (14595 Yen with sales tax). The web shop, which is known as Washin-palette, has a website but is not available for order at the moment; pre-order should be available in mid-March, with release date to occur sometime in April.

There does appear to be more and more Miku merchandise or collaboration project these days! Anyone interested in these Miku glasses? I don't wear glasses these days, but if you ask me to choose, it can be hard for me to decide... I think I prefer the more conservative look on the full rim glasses.


Official website:
http://washin-palette.jp/

Pictures from Netorabo and Hachima Kikou
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