Gunpla 101

Gunpla Pre-orders and New Releases for December-January 2023

Happy New Year! Did you see that famed Gundam mechanical designer Kunio Okawara created a lagomorphic Gundam design for the Year of the Rabbit?

We’re also excited to be starting 2023 with plenty of new Gundam anime to look forward to as Gundam: The Witch From Mercury pushes toward its season one finale. The final episode will air on January 8, 2023. What do you think will happen?

The end of the year also brought a return to Japan’s most famous otaku gathering: Winter Comiket! Anime News Network collected some cosplay highlights from the con, and you’ll want to see this Suletta, Elan, Lauda, and Guel group photo.

As for Gunpla 101, we’re getting ready to post our 2022 reflective article, and we’ve got some new guest features and reviews in the pipeline, too! As the youngest NewType in our family inches toward his first birthday, we also have more free time to build new kits. Here’s to a fun, Gunpla-filled 2023!

Gunpla New Releases for December 2022

1/144 HG Darilbalde (pictured at top)

Bright red and wielding a dual-pointed spear, Guel Jetturk’s preferred dueling mecha looks downright devilish. This kit’s clear neon parts enhance the beam javelin, while an included display base allows you to display it in mid-air combat poses.

1/144 HG Gundam Pharact (pictured above)

The mobile suit of the aloof Elan Ceres doesn’t share his withdrawn nature. Its Corax back binders imitate wings, while each of its unusually shaped Beak Feet house a beam cannon. Designed for space combat, the birdlike Pharact appears ready to take flight at any moment.

1/144 HG Demi Trainer

This basic mobile suit is designed for students, not combat, which means it has been getting a lot of screentime in The Witch From Mercury. Several episodes have focused on students of the Asticassia School of Technology competing in timed races using these grunt suits as transport.