12/12/2012

FAQ 「Frequently Asked Questions」


What is G-LIMITED?
G-LIMITED 「G-リミテッド」 is an online resource for information on limited edition Gundam model kits (GUNPLA), figures (ROBOT魂, G.F.F., METAL BUILD, etc.) and other Gundam related collectibles. The goal of this website is to create the most complete online resource for collectors to use to help them keep track of limited releases.


What can I find on this site?
This website is mainly an archive of limited edition Gundam model kits and figures, but you'll also find the latest news on new limited releases and upcoming events where you can buy event limited items.


Only limited editions? So this site doesn't cover regular releases?
No. There are already tons of websites out there that cover that. It's all about the limited plastic here!


Does G-LIMITED sell limited edition kits or figures?
No. We don't sell anything on this website.


I found an error on the site. How do I report it?
If you believe you have found an error, please contact us at: memorialclear@gmail.com


Where can I buy limited edition kits or figures?
If you are not in Japan, try international auction sites such as eBay. If you are looking for rare kits, try Yahoo! Japan Auctions, Rakuten or Mandarake.


How can I recognize limited edition model kits?
The box arts look different: they often come in monochrome colors (see below) and sometimes look much simpler than those of the regular releases. However, that is not always the case.

↑ Left: regular release, right: limited edition.

↑ Left: regular release, right: limited edition.

The easiest way to recognize a limited edition kit is to take a look at the numbers above the barcode on the box (check the image above). There are 3 sequences of numbers with the 3rd sequence being the price in Japanese Yen. For example: "000000-0000000-15000", the price is ¥15,000 here. In the case of limited editions, the last sequence is missing and you'll only see "000000-0000000". Campaign prizes and 'trophy kits' don't have barcodes and often have the label 'NOT FOR SALE' or "非売品" printed on the box (check the image below).

↑ "NOT FOR SALE" kit.


What are P-Bandai exclusives?
P-Bandai/Premium Bandai 「プレミアムバンダイ」 exclusives are items that are exclusively sold through Bandai's premium online shop (only available in Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore). These kits are often different variations/recolors of normal releases, expansion sets or popular mobile suits from side stories, etc. They are made in fewer quantities than regular releases, thus making them more expensive in the market. Some of the more popular 'event exclusives' (check below) were also re-released as P-Bandai items.


What are 'event exclusives'?
Event exclusives are items that are exclusively sold at (hobby) events such as Gundam Expo, C3 x Hobby, special movie screenings, etc. They usually come in clear plastic, gloss-finish, pearl-finish, metallic-plated, titanium-finish, or any combination of these. Prices are higher than their regular-release counterparts. Because these kits are limited in availability, they are often in high demand and sell out very quickly, making them more expensive but relatively easy to find on the second-hand market and on auction sites.


What are Gundam Front Tokyo & Gundam Base Tokyo exclusives?
Gundam Front Tokyo 「ガンダムフロント東京」 (Ver.GFT) and Gundam Base Tokyo 「ガンダムベース東京」 exclusives are items that are exclusively sold at the Gundam Front Tokyo & Gundam Base Tokyo shop in Odaiba, Tokyo, and are only available for a limited time, while stock lasts.


What are campaign prize items?
Campaign limited items, also known as 'lucky draws' and 'Not for Sale'-kits, are extremely limited-run versions of mass-release kits, given to winners of contests, usually hosted by Bandai but sometimes also in collaboration with other commercial parties, magazines or artists to celebrate a certain event or release. The extreme rarity and unique look of these kits makes them desirable to high-end Gunpla collectors. They are very limited in nature: most are said to be limited to under 1000 kits, some under 500 and a few even under 100 or 50 kits. These kits have no actual value, since they were given away for free, so prices are pretty much market driven. Factors such as number of kits, grade and popularity of the serie/mobile suit play an important role in the 'value' of these kits. However, due to their rarity, these kits are usually very expensive: you'll be easily paying PG money for a simple 1/144 High Grade kit.


What are modelers awards/trophy kits?
These are prizes awarded to modelers for passing through a certain round in a modeling competition or for winning a contest. The best known competitions are the annual Dengeki King of Gunpla, All Japan "Ora-Zaku" and ofcourse, the Gunpla Builders World Cup (GBWC). The GBWC — consisting of 2 categories — is a yearly contest held amongst modelers to show off their completed Gunpla model kits. Highly limited 'trophy kits' are awarded to the top 3 winners of both categories: 1st place/champion gets a gold-plated model kit, 2nd place receives a silver-plated version of the same kit and 3rd place gets a bronze-plated version. These kits are limited to only 2 pieces each: 1 for the open course and 1 for the junior course. These kits are not for sale and should really never find their way onto the collectors market. One of the more 'common' trophy kits were the Modeler's Cup kits.


What are 'store exclusives'?
'Store exclusives' are items that are exclusively sold at specific stores/places in Japan. Such as the 'Museum exclusives' which were only sold at the old Bandai Museum Gundam store 'G-BASE' in Matsudo, the 'Ver.GFT' kits, only available for a limited time at Gundam Front Tokyo, and 'Pro-Shop exclusives', only available at Bandai-recognized "Pro-Shop" model retailers. Bandai also have been collaborating with many commercial parties, such as 7-Eleven, ANA Airlines, Nissin Cup Noodles, Mastermind Japan and Porter, to make special Gunpla kits. These special edition kits often come in the corporate colors of the partnering brands and are sold exclusively at the brands' stores. For example, the 7-Eleven coloured versions, which come in the trademarked 7-Eleven colour schemes, are only available at 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan.


Tips/Suggestions
We are always looking for ways to improve this website so that you will gain the most from it. If you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve our content and posts, don't hesitate to drop us a line at memorialclear@gmail.com


Useful links
Gundam Official
P-Bandai Japan
P-Bandai Hong Kong
P-Bandai China
P-Bandai Taiwan
P-Bandai Singapore
Gundam Front Tokyo
Gundam Base Tokyo
Gundam Museum
Bandai Hobby
Gunpla Builders World Cup
Gunpla Expo
Chara Hobby

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