Background:

Sometimes I like to build just build a basic ordinary Japanese car. The Isuzu Gemini is very much one.

Kit review:

Pros:

Very well moulded - little cleanup needed, few visible seam lines. Everything fits together very easily. Decals are good, include some duplicates/spares and there's a big decal for the rear window heating elements too. Transparent parts and rubber tyres all good too. A tidy modern release from Hasegawa.

Cons:

The door cards are entire flat with just a few etched lines to suggest what should be 3D detail. On the outside of the doors, the black rubber rubbing strips/detail are seperate items which sounds good in theory but is fiddly and glue-y to get into place onto an already painted and clearcoated body. With hindsight I might've put them on first and gone for traditional painting/masking.

Verdict:

A good easy-to-build modern kit.

Build notes:

Completed over about 3 weeks in June 2026. The only additions to the base kit are the carpets inside the interior and the number plates. Painted in BMW liquid blue. I am mostly happy with this build - it's all very clean and tidy except for the door rubbing strips, a messy application and one of which fell off right before photography and had to be re-glued.

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