Gunpla 101

Gunpla Pre-orders and New Releases for February-March 2022

Did you see the news about Sunrise Animation, the film company that has produced Gundam anime ever since 1979? As of February, they’re now being consolidated into Bandai Namco Filmworks, the first major restructuring of the anime company since it was purchased.

This doesn’t mean anything bad for Gundam, and The Witch From Mercury is still in production, but several Sunrise anime directors have weighed in on the change. For anime director Shinji Takamatsu, the change brought to mind an anecdote about Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino back when Sunrise executives sold the company to Bandai in the ‘90s.

“[Tomino] thought about killing the old management team. (But never did it,)” he said. Since this is Tomino we are talking about, it’s unclear if Takamatsu is being literal or figurative!

As the restructuring happens, Gunpla production is continuing as usual, with several new kits to build now and look forward to as we move into March. Here’s the full list:

Gunpla New Releases for February 2022

1/100 MG Dom (pictured at top)

This isn’t the first Master Grade version of the Dom, but this 2022 edition has been upgraded with new molds that make it more poseable and realistic-looking. For example, it features an updated internal ankle frame so you can reproduce the Dom’s characteristic crouched pose. Plus, new arm joints mean it won’t topple over while holding its Giant Buzz.

Mobile Suit Gundam G Frame FA EX 01 Kampfer & Gundam NT-1 Alex Chobham Armor Exclusive Set (pictured above)

This is the first entry in the renewed version of the “Gundam G Frame” series of kits. Basically you get a kit plus the armor for another kit, the Alex (which is not included here). I don’t really get it! But if you buy the Alex separately, you have everything you need for some interesting dioramas to recreate scenes from War in the Pocket.