Gunpla Pre-orders and New Releases for July-August 2016

Welcome back to our monthly series on all the latest Gunpla that’s on sale right now! This month’s post is a little late because we’ve been hard at work on our Otakon panel—37 Years of Gundam Anime. If you are at Otakon this year, come see us!

This month was characterized by a LOT of SD model releases. Have you built anything in the EX-Standard line yet? They’re pretty similar to regular SD kits, but for each one, their weapon can also be used by an HG model! Mario reviewed the RX-78-2 already if you’re curious.

New Releases for July 2016

MG Full Armor Gundam Ver.Ka (Gundam Thunderbolt Ver.)

This is the first Version Ka model for Gundam Thunderbolt. (If you’re unfamiliar with the term, read up on Ver. Ka here.) It’s a sturdy, blocky design with a lot of decals.

Gundam Kimaris Trooper 1/100

A larger version of the previous High Grade Kimaris from Iron-Blooded Orphans. The most distinctive part of this model is its feet, with pointed toes and looping fasteners.

HG Local Type Gundam

The Local Type was designed as the missing link between the Gundam Ground Type and GunDiver models that came before. It’s a simple, but versatile, High Grade.

Dimension Build Knuckles [Maru]

Need some new hand pieces to fit on your High Grade models? How about… nine? These expressive add-ons help Gunpla punch, pose, and hold extra weapons.

Petitgguy Milk White (pictured above)

I can’t find this on Amazon and I can already tell it’s gonna be a tough one to get my hands on. Petitgguys are more like collectibles now, with no variation here except a new color.

Petitgguy Cha-Cha-Cha Brown (pictured above)

Same goes for this one. Exactly like the yellow, pink, red, and blue Petitgguys that came before it, except now it’s brown. Collect them all?

SD Gundam EX-Standard RX-78-2 Gundam

Mario reviewed this one, and his article about its articulation, coloring, and ease of build says a lot more than I can summarize.

SD Gundam EX-Standard Aile Strike Gundam

A cute new take on the normally serious-looking Aile Strike. The price is definitely right, but early reviewers say there’s less color variation than in previous SD versions.

SD Gundam EX-Standard Gundam Exia

A tinier take on the Exia. I really like that the example build has dramatic black panel-lining, because it emphasizes the suit’s cartoonish feel.

SD Gundam EX-Standard Wing Gundam Zero EW

With fully-articulating wings, this kit might be the most detailed of the new EX-Standard line. A relaxing, three-inch build.

SD Gundam EX-Standard Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode)

I have the previous SD Unicorn, which can be manually switched back and forth between Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode, but it looks like this one stays in Destroy all the time. Not really a problem, since that’s the cooler-looking form.

SD Gundam EX-Standard Strike Freedom Gundam (pictured above)

Once again, a cute and tiny take on a normally imposing and complex suit. Here’s a good start for people intimidated by the Strike’s ordinarily detailed appearance.

SD Gundam EX-Standard Gundam Astray Red Frame

Of course fan-favorite Astray Red Frame gets its own SD EX-Standard! Keep in mind that this kit’s accessories (and all EX-Standard accessories) can also be used by High Grade models.

SD Gundam EX-Standard 00 Gundam

This shows how the EX-Standard line attempts to preserve the personality of each mobile suit better than previous SDs did. Earlier SDs show the 00 as being much bulkier, while this version places the emphasis squarely on its shoulders, just like for larger grades of the kit.