Warm Melodies

 Usually when I'm working on a project, I'm listening to smooth jazz, pro-se court cases and most recently, police interrogations.  Mostly for background noise.  But I've just found lo-fi hip hop beats to be perfect for reading, having done more reading these past few days than I have in months.  The following material may not count because it's in another language, but I did look it over cover to cover.

DIME Magazine: September/October, 2025

Though not having studied Japanese since college, I've collected quite a few hobby magazines, mostly for the freebies thrown in.  And you pick up modelling tips from the pictures.  A variety magazine that usually covers upcoming TV/film projects, appliances and food products, this issue of DIME offers a crash course on Gunpla.  Covering a history of product advancements, sales data and special collaborations.  With 2 covers to choose from--the latter showing a Zaku--I picked up my copy from CDJapan when the Zaku cover sold out, cuz I just had to get my hands on one of the coolest freebies ever . . .

A USB-powered Dremel tool complete with sanding bits.

I already have a similar tool that hasn't seen much use, mostly cuz it had to be plugged into an outlet.  But this can plug into my USB power bank.

After testing on the plastic container holding the bits, then I used a wing from a 1/144 Epyon on which I've tried various techniques.  Even managed to drill a tiny hole in there.

Hobby Highlights: Vol. 21--March, 2025

Next up is a monthly publication from the staff of the Hobbylink Japan online store, which comes free with every shipment.  All about the products sold by HLJ, it covers modelling guides, upcoming products, staff picks and even recipes of food from such anime as Delicious in Dungeon.  Printed in both English and Japanese in an easy-to-follow format, I got more mileage out of this than just looking at the photos in DICE.  The highlight of the March issue is obviously Kaiyodo's Evangelion models from the company's ARTPLA Sculpture Works line; specifically the Mass Production type.  The included step-by-step guide covers everything from sanding to airbrushing to shading.  In addition, veteran hobbyists provide tips on touching up model tanks.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Ecole du Ciel--Vol. 2 by Harohiko Mikimoto

Localized and published by Tokyopop in the early 2000's, this 9-volume manga series is incomplete and has long since been out of print.  But that hasn't stopped me from hunting down the printed books, along with those of other Gundam series.  I could always save myself the trouble since everything's online, but I could also save myself the hassle of having to load and refresh page after page of loosely translated scans.

That said, Ecole du Ciel takes place 6 years after the original anime and follows the trial and tribulations of the students of the Earth Federation's military academy, specifically young underachiever Asuna Elmarit.  After a training almost turns deadly for Asuna, the students of Ecole du Ciel continue their training in space.  Behind the scenes, a shadow organization closely monitors Asuna, believing in her potential as a Newtype.  The story's really picking up in Vol. 2 and I can't wait to pick up Vol. 3.

Along with Ecole du Ciel, I'm also checking out a fully translated download of the one-shot manga  Turn A Gundam: Wind of the Moon by Akira Yasuda.  I'm also dusting off my Kindle app and reading the downloads and samples hoarded there.  But for now, join me next time as I continue making my way to the Top of the Heap.