Lehao Toy Shop

By Will Wu, October 11, 2013

Fans of TV series are often willing to shell out a pretty penny when it comes to collectibles, and one of the most popular crazes in China at the moment is Gundam. A Japanese animation series which first aired on April 1, 1979, it features giant robots engaged in a space war, with seven parallel, interrelated timelines. In each, mecha, more commonly called mobile suits (MS), are used to protect or occupy land. Usually, the MS used by the main character in each timeline carries the name ‘Gundam.’ Since the show’s release, it has won mainstream popularity at home and abroad, and the anime-related products, particularly plastic models of the characters, have become sought after worldwide.

There are quite a number of locations selling Gundam items in Guangzhou. Hidden in a quiet neighborhood in Jiangnanxi, Lehao Toy Shop is one of the most popular. Entering this 20-square-meter spot feels like walking into a miniature warehouse rather than a regular toy store: boxes with Gundam figures ready for assembly (building is part of the appeal) are piled high on the shelves; tools for making them are hung from every available space.

According to the owner, Ms. Gao, the shop sells almost every Gundam model available, all imported from Japan. MG RX-78-2 Gundam (RMB270), one of the very first mobile suits to appear in the series, is the best-seller; a colorful mixture of white, red, yellow and blue, equipped with the relatively simple combo of a gun and shield. If you’re looking for something more heavily armed, look no further than the MG FA UNICOM KA (RMB480), distinguishable by its double bazooka and six Gatling guns. Stemming from Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, this mecha has a destroy mode which is unique, making it a desirable purchase.

One tip for those who are just starting to collect is to look out for the word ‘Bandai,’ the Japanese company that makes the Gundam models, on the box, normally on the lower-right side of the packaging. It’s common for Chinese-made imitations to have the word ‘Bandi’ written instead. These ‘shanzhai’ (imitations) aren’t the real deal, even if they still look swell on your shelves.

// Lehao Toy Shop, Rm 104, 2 Qingfeng Dajie, Jiangnan Xi Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区江南西路青凤大街2号104

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