Fujimi Kits

[meechum68]

So I am venturing into more Import vehicles and I see that Fujimi are really cheap on Amazon, and has anyone built the brand? And if so are they as pain in the neck as some of the old MPC kits, or they decent enough and lastly, are they split for curbside and open hood style? 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Fujimi kits are some of the best in the business, but they tend to be complex and highly detailed.

Some less experienced modelers find them to be "difficult" and "fiddly", but competent builders can produce world-class results with care and patience.

Their "Enthusiast Series" kits are among my personal favorites, but they're not for beginners.

 

Edited July 10 by Ace-Garageguy

[peteski]

I would say that they are similar in quality to Tamiya kits.  Like Tamiya, many are curbside kits, but in majority of cases, they much better fitting than any of the older domestic brands (MPC, AMT, Monogram, Revell).  The "enthusiast series" kits are much more detailed than Tamiya kits, but that means they are also much more complex to build.

[Exotics_Builder]

The only clarification I would make on the previous replies is that there are some ranges, predominantly curbside that do fit together but have inaccuracies. For example, their Fiat 695 Tribute Ferrari has inaccuracies in the interior.  

The EM series variants are very good, though some may have finicky build steps.  For example, the Ferrari 206/246 Dino EM versions have individual exhaust pipes for the six cylinder transverse engine.  You need to be very careful in assembly to avoid possible fitment issues.  

Several of the Fujimi kits (EM series) were reboxed and marketed by Testors.

[sidcharles]

never a bad idea to research the particular kit; guys love to produce "unboxing" videos.

one of my most enjoyable channels, i picked one at random:

 

[Matt Bacon]

Definitely worth doing some research. You can find unboxing videos, and 1999.co.jp (Google “name of kit 1999.co.jp”) has viewable instructions for most kits. Fujimi kits in my experience are a mixed bag. As mentioned, the Enthusiast Model kits are complex and amazingly detailed. They are also often boxed without the Enthusiast branding (often as Manga tie-ins) or as regular “Red box” kits, sometimes without detail parts trees (eg no engine). Check instructions for particular boxings to see what you’re going to get.

There are regular curb side kits. Many newer ones are well shaped and have accurate if simplified detail. Older ones are often over-simplified and sometimes compromised by having been designed to be battery powered back in the day. But they are often the only game in town. Some kits are not strictly 1/24 scale: the accurate Tamiya 240Z body fits neatly inside the Fujimi one, for example.

Fujimi often plays fast and loose with versions of the basic car. The box may call it one thing, with accurate, well done box art, but it’s writing checks the plastic can’t cash. What you get inside is the same in three boxes, perhaps with an extra parts tree (say, seats and steering wheel). The FIAT mentioned above is one example. The RX-7 Spirit R is another: you get a few different decals and some Recaro seats, but the nose/front clip is not modified at all into the distinctively different Spirit R version with more aggressive aero.

Your best bet is to tell us what cars you want to build, and the collective wisdom of the MC tribe will chime in on which kits/boxes to get, and which to avoid. Plus you might get a chorus of “Buy the Aoshima/Tamiya kit instead”…

best,

M.

[Papaof2]

I built this from a Fujimi kit. Bought on Amazon.  Took 3 weeks to arrive from Japan. 

[Mark]

Some of the kits previously available as Enthusiast Series have also been released minus engines, and with a much lower parts count.  Finding a parts count will indicate which version is being offered (lack of a parts count will probably point to the simpler version).  Same exterior details (separate door handles, windshield wipers, and so on), just an engine dummy instead of an actual engine.

[Dragline]

Some of my favorite subjects rendered in complex plastic. What is not to love? I started a thread many moons ago called "Enthusiast Series kits. The rabbit to chase". In it I spoke about my adoration of them and possibly when I first saw them in the 80s. I have several in various states of completion as well as probably 10 or so completed over the intervening years. Here is a Countach almost ready to be married.

They are simply marvels of engineering and while "fiddly" is a term I reserve for 60s and 70s Revell, I wouldn't call it inaccurate. Perhaps "challenging" is more appropriate.

[Greasefinger]

Here’s my take on Fujimi kits.

 

 

[meechum68]

Oh thank you for the info! I will do more digging on what I want to build from them and then share here! 

[Dragline]

I just realized Ace was directly linking my Fujimi thread.

Thank you Sir.

[Ace-Garageguy]

29 minutes ago, Dragline said:

I just realized Ace was directly linking my Fujimi thread.

It's a good thread, covers most of what needs to be said. 

[Matt Bacon]

The 250 GTO is one of Fujimi's gems, for sure. It's a much later kit than the Enthusiast Model series, but has engine detail, and you can pick up a box with a fabulous set of metal wire wheels in it, though the regular plastic ones are pretty darn good.

best,

M.

Edited July 10 by Matt Bacon

[Dragline]

8 minutes ago, Matt Bacon said:

The 250 GTO is one of Fujimi's gems, for sure. It's a much later kit than the Enthusiast Model series, but has engine detail, and you can pick up a box with a fabulous set of metal wire wheels in it, though the regular plastic ones are pretty darn good.

best,

M.

That kit benefits from Replica and Miniatures engine kit. I was a MAMA member and at a meeting asked Norm to make me one. Next meeting he had it ready for me. I think I still have it around here somewhere.

[meechum68]

17 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Fujimi kits are some of the best in the business, but they tend to be complex and highly detailed.

Some less experienced modelers find them to be "difficult" and "fiddly", but competent builders can produce world-class results with care and patience.

Their "Enthusiast Series" kits are among my personal favorites, but they're not for beginners.

 

 

10 hours ago, Dragline said:

Some of my favorite subjects rendered in complex plastic. What is not to love? I started a thread many moons ago called "Enthusiast Series kits. The rabbit to chase". In it I spoke about my adoration of them and possibly when I first saw them in the 80s. I have several in various states of completion as well as probably 10 or so completed over the intervening years. Here is a Countach almost ready to be married.

They are simply marvels of engineering and while "fiddly" is a term I reserve for 60s and 70s Revell, I wouldn't call it inaccurate. Perhaps "challenging" is more appropriate.

I like the quality of kits, and they build so nicely! I also like the complexity as well. They will definitely help me become a better builder. 

[Dragline]

You cannot help but become better. Build a bum kit that cost 45.00 and you'll definitely step up your game for the next one.

[SpeedAndViolence]

9 hours ago, Dragline said:

That kit benefits from Replica and Miniatures engine kit. I was a MAMA member and at a meeting asked Norm to make me one. Next meeting he had it ready for me. I think I still have it around here somewhere.

I believe Norm is no longer making the Ferrari engine. I inquired about purchasing one via an email exchange about 6(?) months ago. I can't seem to find his response stating that it's no longer available however, so maybe I'm imagining it? 

Edited July 10 by SpeedAndViolence

[meechum68]

4 minutes ago, Dragline said:

You cannot help but become better. Build a bum kit that cost 45.00 and you'll definitely step up your game for the next one.

The GTO I built was a bum of a kit for sure.  And I have on the 34 Ford Pickup I have in progress. 

 

[Radretireddad]

The Fujimi Porsche 356 series kits are staggering in their level of detail and attention to accuracy. The Fujimi Ferraris are not quite at the same level but are still extremely excellent. I’d love to see all the Porsche 911 series kits reissued.

[stitchdup]

5 hours ago, Radretireddad said:

The Fujimi Porsche 356 series kits are staggering in their level of detail and attention to accuracy. The Fujimi Ferraris are not quite at the same level but are still extremely excellent. I’d love to see all the Porsche 911 series kits reissued.

there was one out last year in another box. it is the enthusiast kit but the box is a manga or similar version. same kit with all the parts but has a normal curbside price. if your unsure what kit it is the japanese stores usually have the instructions pictured

[sidcharles]

sort of off topic:   the Gunze Sangyo kits were the ones with the rubber pieces.  if Kenji is struggling, think of what us mere mortals would be subjected.

 

 

[Dragline]

15 hours ago, SpeedAndViolence said:

I believe Norm is no longer making the Ferrari engine. I inquired about purchasing one via an email exchange about 6(?) months ago. I can't seem to find his response stating that it's no longer available however, so maybe I'm imagining it? 

Under the right circumstance, Norm could possibly be talked into putting one together. He told me that when he was initially making them he would do batches of 5 I believe. I think only a face to face with someone he has at least passing friendliness with could possibly get him to put one together. But then again, he might just say no.

[SpeedAndViolence]

6 minutes ago, Dragline said:

Under the right circumstance, Norm could possibly be talked into putting one together. He told me that when he was initially making them he would do batches of 5 I believe. I think only a face to face with someone he has at least passing friendliness with could possibly get him to put one together. But then again, he might just say no.

Once again, burned by my cavalier 'I'll buy a couple of those next time' attitude.... 😩

Edited July 11 by SpeedAndViolence