Gunpla 101

Gunpla Pre-orders and New Releases for April-May 2018

How was your April? John and I had an especially good one because we went to Gundam Base Tokyo, the new redesign of Gundam Front Tokyo in Odaiba. I wrote about it for Forbes and I can tell you the highlight was getting to see the light show with the new Unicorn Gundam.

While we were there, I spent too much money in a Char clone vending machine hoping to get a Quattro Bajeena or at least a Full Frontal. Unfortunately, I only got Mr. Bushido. And when I tried again I got… another Mr. Bushido. I felt like this was the worst outcome, but apparently, a lot of Gundam fans feel differently. In the NHK’s Ultimate Gundam Poll, Graham Aker AKA Mr. Bushido was ranked #5 of all characters in the Gundam multiverse! I was shocked.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is on everyone’s minds right now if Gundam Build Divers is any indication. We’ve been seeing plenty of references to that early ‘00s show. Check out the latest Deep Dive to see which other references Tom Aznable has spotted in the show, too.

It’s clear from this month’s Gunpla releases that Build Divers model kits are coming out in earnest now. Take a look at April’s releases and May’s pre-orders below:

RG OZ-00MS Tallgeese EW (pictured above)

The latest entry into the Real Grade series is a Gundam Wing favorite. EW Tallgeese’s massive Dober Gun attaches firmly so the suit can pose with it one-handed.

HGBD Grimoire Red Beret

I hope you’re enjoying Gundam Build Divers because you’re going to be seeing a lot of it in this year’s monthly Gunpla Buying Guide. This custom take on the Gundam Reconguista in G mobile suit belongs to Rommel the Weasel, yes that’s a character.

HGPG Petitgguy Divers Blue & Placard

I do not need another Petitgguy but I like this guy’s swimming pool blue coloring. Also, you can make that sign say anything, so start thinking up your Gundam witticisms now.

HGBD GM III Beam Master

I didn’t realize that in Japanese, the GM is pronounced “Jim” until Build Divers. This suit belongs to Riku’s sidekick Yukki and is inspired by the GM III that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ and once again in Char’s Counterattack (though this is the first time it appears in orange).

HGBC Changeling Rifle

You can get a Changeling Rifle as part of the GM III Beam Master kit, but if you want a second one, there’s always this add-on kit so the Beam Master can dual-wield.

HGUC Gundam Ground Type (pictured above)

The asymmetry on the chest gives this suit away as one of the most iconic grunt types in Gundam. It gets down on one knee to recreate its pose as seen in the 08th MS Team intro.

HG Gundam FSD

This suit comes from the manga Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin MSD: Cucuruz Doan’s Island. Its Gatling Gun is made out of softer plastic so it’s flexible. Here FSD stands for “Full-Scale Development” and refers to its additional armaments over the North American Type.

HGBD Gundam 00 Diver (pictured at top)

And here’s the star of the show, at least until Riku builds a new one in episode 7: the Gundam Build Divers main model! It’s a very clear homage to 00 Gundam and moves like it, too—don’t expect to get too much articulation from those shoulders, early reviewers are saying.

HGBC Diver Gear

To get the most out of Gundam 00 Diver, there’s this add-on kit with a cool-looking backpack and four additional swords. I wish they were just included in the model kit.

Pre-Orders for May 2018