This year, we’re doing things a little differently at Gunpla 101. For the last 10 years, I have written a monthly update of Gunpla pre-orders and new releases. In that time, we’ve seen the Gunpla Year in Review go from 2016’s 100+ Gunpla kits released in a calendar year, to 2023’s all time low of 32 new model kits.
There are several reasons for this decline. For one thing, the global pandemic delayed production and shipping schedules, and they have yet to recover. One of the biggest factors is that Bandai Hobby has shifted how it produces Gunpla kits. Half or more of all Gunpla available are in the Premium Bandai line, which means they are limited edition, only available in certain locations, or only available on Bandai’s website. I’ve never listed P-Bandai kits, and I’m not about to start now, since Bandai does a good job listing them all in one place already.
These guides were great for SEO, but I don’t serve Google; I serve Gunpla 101 readers. So beginning in 2024, the Gunpla Year in Review will begin with a living document—a single blog post I update throughout the year until everything has been released. I’ve never done it like this before, so there may be a few hiccups along the way. For now, check out what I have so far:
Gunpla New Releases for January 2024
HG 1/144 Gundam Perfect Strike Freedom Rouge (pictured above)
I’ll level with you: I didn’t enjoy Gundam Build Metaverse. But I’m happy it exists because it led to a lot of cool kits like this one. I’ve always liked the Strike Rouge, and this customized MS adds the best parts of that to the best parts of Perfect Strike Gundam for a great mashup.
HGCE 1/144 Rising Freedom Gundam
One of the Cosmic Era’s most extra suits made even more extra with shimmer and shine. This is a new Gundam SEED universe kit introduced in the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom movie, which premiered in the US on March 31 (if you were close to NYC or LA, at least).
HGCE 1/144 Immortal Justice Gundam
Also first seen in the Gundam SEED Freedom movie, this riff on the Justice Gundam is a simplified return to form. My guess is that since the suit is canonically battery-powered unlike previous Justice Gundams, it needs to be lean and light.
SD Ex-Standard Rising Freedom Gundam
The new Rising Freedom Gundam also comes in a cute lil chibi form, too. Since it’s an SD Ex-Standard, its head is one-fourth of its body instead of the SD line’s historic one-third. It can also transform into a Mobile Armor form.
Gunpla New Releases for February 2024
RG 1/144 Force Impulse Gundam Spec II
Making its debut in the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom movie, this is the amped-up Impulse Gundam that retains the original’s color scheme and versatility. Unlike the other new kits from the movie, this one is a slightly more complex Real Grade, which increases its flexibility and posing range.
HG 1/144 Beargguy Ohana & Aloharo Set (pictured above)
I was so excited for these cuties that I pre-ordered them back in November! Gundam Build Metaverse is set in Hawaii, so it only makes sense to have a tropical-themed set of the Gundam Build universe’s cutest mascots. The Beargguys can hold hands!
HG 1/144 Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A
I almost forgot to mention what all the new kits from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom movie have in common: a new internal system called the Seed Action System, which is tailored to make these slim, elegant, but unwieldy suits more poseable. This antagonist suit also comes with a shiny flame-like “beam cloak.”
Gunpla New Releases for March 2024
HGCE 1/144 Destroy Gundam (pictured at top)
At 39cm (about 15 inches), this Gunpla is HUGE! A huge number of included beam effects give the Destroy Gundam a wholly unique—and modular—look. Set the beams in varying configurations (like a halo around the shield, or shooting out of each finger) for dramatic effects.
HG 1/144 Gelgoog Menace (Lunamaria Hawke Custom) (pictured above)
I’m still listing out all the new kits from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom movie! This custom MS is bulkier than your average Gundam SEED kit, but the promotional images show it in a kneeling pose, which suggests a greater-than-expected range of movement.
HG 1/144 Black Knight Squad Rud-ro.A (Griffin Arbalest Custom)
This custom Rud-ro.A has forest green trim while retaining the MS’s iconic flaming beam cloak and extra-long sword. I haven’t seen Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom yet so I know nothing about this character, but judging by his mobile suit, I bet he’s not very nice!
