Fantastic plastic

How strong is your otaku kung-fu?

If it can take a 350,000 yen licking and keep on ticking, then you're ready for Bandai's latest and greatest must-have plastic - the Hyper Hybrid Model 1/12 RX-78-2 Gundam.

The umpteenth incarnation of the uber-popular Mobile Suit Gundam series title robot is a giant cut above the rest, standing 1.5 meters tall and tipping the scales at a hefty 35 kilograms. Zealot fans of Yoshiyuki Tomino's ongoing space opera will no doubt tingle with excitement at the prospect of spending four hours assembling the roughly 260 parts in the kit, which is to go on sale in December. This ne plus ultra plastic model features sound effects and 14 movable body parts, including flashing eyes that can be operated via remote control.

No doubt perfect for entertaining houseguests.