I’m not one-hundred percent certain what this is, but given the builder’s (62778grenouille) history of creating other gorgeous models from Miyazaki’s films, I’m guessing this is the giant horsefly, or ushiabu, from Miyazaki’s 1984 masterpiece, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. In any case, it’s a fantastic and slightly terrifying creature, with some really interesting building techniques.
I watched My Neighbour Totoro for the first time just after Christmas. I wish I had seen it years ago, because it was absolutely wonderful. So seeing legorobo:waka’s model of the iconic Catbus was right up my alley! I love the somewhat simplified/blocky style…and that smile is just spot on!
But the coolest feature is definitely the movement:
Check out the full photoset for all the views.
Flickr user OliveSeon has built some of the most impressive large town dioramas I’ve seen. There are lots of people building cityscapes using official sets mixed in with their own creations and landscaping, but rarely are the official sets so well integrated. Additionally, he’s packed them both chock full of terrific details of his own, like a giant gazebo, full depth swimming pool and surf pool, a large factory, and lots of other fantastic stuff.
Here’s the first:
But just building a placid town wasn’t cool enough. No, on his second diorama, OliveSeon has gone for full-out apocalyptic anarchy, old-school style, with Godzilla battling a Gundam across the seaside city, turning what was already a stunning diorama into pure awesomeness. The flame effects are particularly awesome, and very reminiscent of their on-screen special effects counterparts.
Be sure to check out both of OliveSeon’s other dioramas as well, each of which are worthy of their own posts: though untitled, I believe they are Disneyland and San Francisco. A thorough perusal of all the photos will be rewarded, as there are brilliant details to be discovered in every picture.
When it comes to catching someone’s eye with a LEGO model, the initial WOW-factor of the presentation obvioulsy has a lot to do with it. With Victor Vercesi’s (Bricksbeard) M299 Utility Vehicle, the first impression is most certainly WOW! The bright colours and contrasting background makes this model jump right out at you.
Based on the M299 Utility Vehicle from the anime series Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Victor took some creative liberty with the design to make it his own. At first glance it seems quite straight-forward, but you really can see lots of great techniques and efficient use of pieces and detailing.
It is also cool to see some models based on the unsung heroes of anime series…so often it is the fancey spacecraft and mechas that get all the limelight ;)
I sadly have not had the time to neither participate in Ma.Ktoberfest as I had hoped, nor to blog the awesome creations from everyone else. So over the final week of the festivities I will try and make more of an effort to at least rectify the latter by featuring some of my favourites.
First up is LEGOLIZE IT MAN, who has been churning out some absolutely brilliant designs for the build challenge. Both the quality of the models, and the style of presentation have put a huge smile on my face everytime he posts something new.
His latest, the AZ ULF – Moon Bull is wonderfully hulking creation that bristles with a glorious combination of smooth curves and mechanical detail! Delicious stuff!
His Svend Repair Mech is a perfectly haphazard design with some great angles going on.
And lastly, his Moon-Squito has to be one of my favourite models posted this year. It just captures the Maschinen Krieger aesthetic so perfectly!
Please be sure to click through his Ma.Ktoberfest 2012 set to see his other great creations, and alternate views
I was looking through flickr user’s Sydag’s new aircraft models earlier, and was shocked to discover that we’ve never featured any of his stunning airplanes here before. Sydag has been building some of the best small aircraft to be found, including this latest pair of Hawker Sea Furies, decked out for the Reno Air Races. Be sure to check out the other photos of them, as Sydag’s included lots of terrific details like folding wings and a de-cowled version.
While I’d love to highlight all of his planes, this lovely version of Porco Rosso’s plane from Miyazaki’s film grabbed my attention in particular. It looks spot on, and the display is wonderful.
Dane E (Mechanekton) has just posted two, large, distinctive, and absolutely rockin’ mechas. Both are a very unique style and shape, and totally full of awesome details. WOW!
Ostrogoth
Svarog
I am familiar with the mecha designs from Armored Trooper VOTOMS despite having never seen the anime. It is on my “to watch” list…but in the meantime I will just swoon over this brilliant LEGO model of the Scopedog by Brickshelf user tattun.
You simply have to check out the full photo gallery!!! There is a staggering amount of detail and additional equipment that tattun has integrated into this. Absolutely brilliant work!!!
Huge thanks to FateHeart for the link. I tend not to visit Brickshelf very often, so would have surely missed this had you not sent it to me!!
EDIT: There are just so many brilliant photos of the model, that I just had to add a few more :)
My friend Marin Stipkovic is finally building again. It’s always a treat to look at his creations and all the witty techniques he comes up with to build them. This Gundam was completed in just 2 days. Visit his MOCpages to see this mecha in all the different poses with selection of weapons. All the joints are movable, so he can even make some funny dance moves. (Gundam, not Marin – his movable joints doesn’t help a lot with dancing, only building)
Without a doubt Astro Boy was one of my favourite cartoons as a kid. So as soon as I saw Fredoichi’s lastest creation I knew I had to post it here :D
Both the build and the editing perfectly capture this iconic character!
Although I’ve been behind in my blogging lately, it seems like practically everything I add to my “to-blog” list is some form of think tank (tachikoma, fuchikoma, etc.). Crawling out from under my rock, I discover that there’s a contest going on, called Marchikoma. There are some pretty nice entries floating around, and here are some of my favorites.
