Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G (模型戦士 ガンプラ ビルダーズ ビギニングG) is an anime produced by Sunrise to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Gundam plastic model kits. It was directed by Kou Matsuo and written by Yousuke Kuroda, and features character designs by Kaichiro Terada. The show was originally broadcast on BS11 and streamed on the Internet from August 15, 2010 to December 19, 2010 with 3 15-minute episodes before being released on both DVD and Blu-ray on December 22, 2010. Unlike other Gundam titles, Gunpla Builders Beginning G takes place in a present-day timeline. Aside from the anime, two manga sequels were released in Dengeki Hobby Magazine.

Story

While attending the 1/1 RX-78-2 Gundam display event in Odaiba's Shiokaze Park, Haru Irei goes to the merchandise section to choose a Gunpla kit. When he fails to pick up the last available High Grade (HG) 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam kit, he discovers the HG 1/144 GPB-X80 Beginning Gundam and makes it his own. With his newly assembled kit, Haru participates in Gunpla Battle, a virtual simulation game where players have their Gunpla models scanned and battle each other with them. After his first encounter with the mysterious Boris Schauer and his HG 1/144 GPB-X38-30 Forever Gundam, Haru upgrades his Beginning Gundam before he and his friends Kenta Sakazaki and Rina Noyama enter the national Gunpla Battle tournament. The tournament ends with no clear winner, with Haru and Boris continuing to clash their beam sabers at each other. One year later, all of the main Gunpla kits of the series are on display at a hobby shop as Haru encourages younger kids to follow the same path he took.

Gunpla Battle

In a Gunpla Battle, participants enter simulation cockpits that resemble the linear seats of later-Universal Century mobile suits. They place their Gunpla models in a scanning device that resembles a Haro unit. Oversized Haro units are also available to scan larger kits such as the 1/144 RX-78 GP03 Dendrobium. From there, they pilot their mobile suits in a simulated battlefield such as Tokyo or A Baoa Qu. It is important to note that the mobile suit's statistics are relevant to the build quality of the Gunpla model. For example, a fully detailed Gunpla model with high quality paint and adhesive will perform better in a Gunpla Battle than one that is simply built straight out of the box. In addition, the scale of the Gunpla model is crucial in Gunpla Battle. For instance, a participant can pilot a Big Zam mobile armor, but if the Gunpla kit is 1/550 scale, then it is actually smaller in the battlefield than a 1/144 scale mobile suit.

Characters

Mecha

Original units

Customized units

Episodes

Each episodes is marked as "Parts" after a parts runner of a Gunpla kit.

Music

Ending Song

KAmiYU is a portmanteau of voice actors Hiroshi Kamiya and Miyu Irino. It is also the Japanese pronunciation of Kamille Bidan of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.

Home media

The three episodes were later compiled and released on both DVD and Blu-ray on December 22, 2010. Both versions include a 16-page liner note. The Blu-ray Collector's Edition includes an original CD featuring its theme "my Proud, my Play!", a sound drama, plus an original slipcase and special features such as audio commentary, music videos and Gunpla TV ads.