Ver. Ka Narrative Gundam C-Packs vs. Ver. Ka Sinanju Stein
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:
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.
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.”
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!
1/144 HG Gyan Strom (Agnes Giebenrath Custom)
A cool custom riff on the classic Gyan, made especially for a new character in the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom movie. It feels a bit incongruous to have a Gyan in a Cosmic Era property, but I guess Zaft has been using Zakus since forever.
MG 1/100 Narrative Gundam Ver. Ka C-Packs (pictured above)
How long has it been since we got a new Version Ka kit? (Refresh yourself on the line with our Version Ka explainer.) The latest addition to the line is the The Psycho Frame test machine Narrative Gundam C-Packs: a lean, limber take on the canon suit.
1/144 HG Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam (pictured above)
A brand new high grade based on the Gundam SEED Freedom movie, just in time for those of us in the US to finally watch it! (At the time of this writing, I’m seeing the movie next week and I’m excited!) This kit uses a metallic gold injection and 3D metallic stickers for its shiny parts.
Gundam Option Parts Set Gunpla 01 (Aile Striker)
Every couple of years, Bandai comes out with a set of cheap, convenient option parts that offer customization tweaks for an entire line. This one includes everything you need to convert your Entry Grade 1/144 Strike Gundam into the Aile Strike Gundam, which you might want to do since there is no EG Aile Strike Gundam kit.
MG 1/100 Sinanju Stein (Narrative Ver.) Ver. Ka (pictured above)
This mecha from Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative proved so popular that it’s now joining the Version Ka line. This kit is so detailed that each finger on the hands can move independently, the better to grip its impressive armory of beam weapons. Also comes with two different versions of Zoltan Akkanen, the suit’s canon pilot.
SD Gundam Cross Silhouette Gundam Caliburn
The coolest part of this Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury suit is the way it acquires a rainbow sheen when the pilot’s Permet score rises. This kit comes with both a rainbow and smoky gray version of the V-fin to customize your kit, on top of the usual customization choice you usually get: will your build be super-deformed or cross-silhouette?
Gundam Option Parts Set Gunpla 02 (Launcher Striker & Sword Striker)
This set offers everything you need to convert your Entry Grade 1/144 Strike Gundam into Launcher Strike Gundam or Sword Strike Gundam—something you might want to do since those mecha aren’t aren’t part of the EG line.
Gundam Option Parts Set Gunpla 03 (Build Hands Square Shape)
This set is compatible with most modern kits. It allows you to increase your Gunpla’s expressiveness with square-shaped hands in small, medium, and large sizes.
Gundam Option Parts Set Gunpla 04 (Build Hands Round Shape)
Similar to the set above, this variety of small, medium, and large hands is compatible with most modern kits, and allows you to increase the number of hand gestures your Gunpla can create—only this time, the design of the hands is more rounded.
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