Gunpla 101

Gunpla Pre-orders and New Releases for August-September 2023

Not content to be a buzzword in the tech world, the Metaverse has entered the Gundam multiverse as well. Gundam Build Metaverse will be a three-episode series to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Gundam Build series—wait, has it already been ten years?? No need to subscribe to any streaming service to watch it; it’ll be available for free on Gundam.info and Gundam.info’s official YouTube channel.

As the hype builds for the Gundam metaverse, the sun appears to be setting on the Gundam Breaker Battlogue sub-franchise. Fans were rightfully skeptical of a Kickstarter to fund Gundam Breaker Battlogue: New Build, a graphic novel that would continue the OVA’s story. Why would a huge company like Bandai Namco need funding for any IP… unless it wasn’t willing to devote resources to the project? Legendary Comics shut down the Kickstarter after it became clear that it wasn’t going to reach its goal. I am always for new Gundam stuff, but it’s probably for the best.

That’s all the Gundam news I found for August and September, which matches the single new kit and pre-order I found this month. (We’ll just have to hang tight for later this fall, when all the Metaverse kits start dropping!) Check it out below:

Gunpla New Releases for August 2023

FM 1/100 Forbidden Gundam (pictured at top)

This Mobile Suit Gundam SEED kit is the latest to join the Full Mechanics line. It’s an extra-detailed iteration that can transform into “High-Speed Assault Form” by flipping over its enormous backpack—just like on the show. I’m also crazy about that giant scythe, Nidhoggr. It comes with an action base joint (but not a full action base) so you can set it in mid-air poses.