![Gundam Plastic models, Gundam Plamo, or Gunpla (ガンプラ, Ganpura)[1] are model kits depicting the mecha machinery and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse by Bandai Spirits.](https://thesun.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_4130-1068x580.jpg)
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From plastic model kits to enduring figures
FOR decades, the Gundam franchise has extended beyond its anime roots into something more tactile, with Gundam plastic models (Gunpla) emerging as a hobby that turns iconic mobile suits into physical builds shaped by time and precision.
In Kuala Lumpur, that hobby has found a steady following, attracting both longtime fans and returning builders who are drawn to a process that is slower, more deliberate and hands-on, as seen during the recent launch of The Gundam Base Malaysia.
Built on focus and time
For Nurul Eeman Mansor, Gunpla has been part of her life since childhood, introduced through her older brothers before becoming something she explored on her own.
She moved from watching the Gundam series into building kits and eventually taking part in competitions during her school years, including junior-level events that gave her the chance to represent Malaysia abroad.
Her involvement slowed after school, but the connection to the hobby never fully left. Now, with more independence, she is considering picking it up again.
“It helps me stay focused, especially when working through the details of a build,” she told theSun.
That focus is not incidental. Gunpla requires attention at every stage, from cutting parts to assembling them in sequence. Each step depends on the one before it.
The process also reshapes how time is used.
“A single build can take hours, days or even weeks, depending on how much time you invest,” she said.
Beyond following instructions, she highlighted the creative aspect of the hobby. Builders are not limited to the manual. They can mix parts, adjust designs and customise kits to reflect their own ideas.
That flexibility allows Gunpla to shift between a structured activity and a creative outlet, depending on how it is approached.
From collecting to custom
For Muhammad Izwan Izham who goes by Troylee on the social media, Gunpla began in a similar way but developed into something more technical over time.
He started building in 2016, initially focusing on collecting and assembling kits before moving into customisation after learning techniques through online resources.
That shift changed how he engaged with the hobby. Instead of completing models as they came, he began modifying them, repainting parts and refining details to create something distinct.
“Once you start entering competitions, you feel motivated to improve and push your builds further,” Izwan said.
Competitions such as the Gundam Builders World Cup became a benchmark, pushing him to experiment and develop his skills.
The process is not quick.
“A single custom build can take three to four months to complete,” he said.
That extended timeline reflects the level of detail involved. Custom work often requires repainting, part modification and repeated adjustments before a model is considered finished.
For Izwan, the value of the hobby lies in that attention to detail.
“It trains you to pay attention to small details and treat them as important,” he said.
What began as a personal interest has also taken on a more social dimension, with the hobby connecting him to a wider community of builders both online and offline.
Hobby for families
While individual experiences vary, the structure of Gunpla remains consistent. It is a step-by-step process that demands patience, regardless of whether someone is building casually or working on advanced customisation.
For Tan Ee Chian, executive director of local toy company Litt Tak, that structure is what makes the hobby particularly relevant for children and families.
“To sustain the hobby, young children need to develop an interest in collecting from an early age,” Tan said.
He added the experience becomes especially more meaningful when it is shared.
“When adults build together with their children, the experience becomes more meaningful,” he said.
Beyond collecting, Gunpla introduces a different way of engaging with tasks.
“It encourages structured thinking because each step needs to be completed in order,” Tan said.
That structure also changes expectations around reward.
“Unlike mobile games that offer instant results, Gunpla requires patience and the satisfaction comes later,” he said.
For younger builders, that delay can shape how they approach focus and interaction.
“It helps children stay focused for longer periods and improves how they communicate with others.”
Built to last
Across different experiences, a clear pattern emerges – Gunpla is not defined by speed or convenience. Instead, it holds attention by slowing things down and requiring effort at each stage.
For some, it becomes a way to reconnect with a childhood interest. For others, it develops into a technical craft that can take months to complete. In both cases, the appeal lies in the process itself.
The new flagship store may have brought these perspectives together, but the hobby exists beyond any single space.
It continues to draw people in through its structure, its flexibility and the simple act of building something piece by piece.
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