Earlier in July, BANDAI SPIRITS HOBBY Division launched its new Gundam wargame, GUNDAM ASSEMBLE. This game combines miniature assembly models with a tabletop wargame concept, and its mini-diorama-style designs have already won over plenty of Gundam fans.
Now, an overseas model YouTuber, Boylei Hobby Time, got his hands on the game and completely transformed the models with custom paint jobs and intricate dioramas. His video showcasing these high-quality creations has been racking up views on YouTube!
Boylei Hobby Time, known for sharing his Star Wars and original diorama build processes, decided to tackle the challenge of elevating the quality of these small Gundam tabletop game figures.
GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is a tabletop game featuring Gundam models that stand at approximately 5 cm tall. A collaborative version with "GUNDAM CARD GAME" was released first in July. Boylei imported the full set of 12 mobile suits directly from Japan to kick off his ambitious customization project.
After assembling all 12 Gundams, he was impressed with the models themselves but felt the plain, uninspired bases were a major letdown. That's when he decided to go all-out, using his diorama-building skills for a massive overhaul.
He pieced together plastic sheets to create colony wreckage, used cork board scraps for terrain, and added plastic and spare parts for structural details. Suddenly, those bland bases were bursting with immersive atmosphere!
The painting process in his video is truly a highlight. He started with an airbrush for primer and base coats, then meticulously layered colors with fine brushes. Even the chest vents, mere millimeters in size, received precise color separation. And for complex color schemes like the original Gundam, he painstakingly painted every detail to perfection.
He even designed unique bases for each model, giving every finished piece its own distinct flair. Imagine how much more fun playing the tabletop game would be with these!
He uploaded the full build video to YouTube, and countless viewers have praised how his painting significantly elevates the overall quality, with the enhanced dioramas being particularly exceptional. If you're curious about his work, be sure to check out his channel for more amazing creations!
▼ Full build video