A Look at the Latest GUNPLA News, From MGEX to THE WITCH FROM MERCURY! Report of GUNPLA Special Stage Vol. 3

GUNPLA Special Stage Vol. 3 was held at GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE TOKYO BASE, a special event for all Gundam fans that took place from Thursday, September 29th, to Sunday, October 2nd.

Mr. Naoki Saida from the BANDAI SPIRITS GUNPLA Planning Department spoke at the talk event. He presented the latest GUNPLA information and their focal points and introduced LINKL PLANET as special guests.

Find a report of the talk event below.

The latest GUNPLA were unveiled at GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE TOKYO BASE. The Planning staff explained the passion that went into creating the GUNPLA, especially those presented at the event, during GUNPLA Special Stage Vol. 3.

The first GUNPLA introduced was the MG Eclipse Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED ECLIPSE. The Raijin Striker Pack for the MG Eclipse Gundam was also added to all the types of Striker Packs that have appeared so far. Mr. Saida made sure to point out all the variations that can be enjoyed.

Next came the MGEX Strike Freedom Gundam, the second entry in the MGEX Series. Not only did the developers go for the most incredible metallic finish in the history of GUNPLA, but they also employed the biggest number of frame-moving gimmicks in the history of MG. Mr. Saida was very passionate in his explanation of all the technologies that went into creating this kit.
Ms. Nana Miyazaki of LINKL PLANET, who loves the Strike Freedom Gundam, was starry eyed at Mr. Saida’s explanation and commented, “I want to know more!”

People at the venue were especially keen on the MGSD Freedom Gundam, an item that was revealed at the event. It’s the first SD kit that boasts the MG title and was made with a focus on its internal frame. He promoted BANDAI SPIRITS’ incredibly meticulous technology, saying, “We care about putting our passion even into the parts you can’t see.

He went on to introduce the MG Zeta Gundam Ver.Ka, an item that was finally released to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Ver.Ka. Discussions on what to create for the anniversary led to aiming for “the ultimate Zeta Gundam,” and it was revealed that they went for an anime original. Additionally, they painstakingly calculated its proportions and transformation gimmicks, and they analyzed the weak spots in the previous kit to create a structure that can be enjoyed both in Mobile Suit and Mobile Armor forms.

When asked which of the items introduced she was curious about, Ms. Erika Ishikawa from LINKL PLANET chose the MGEX Strike Freedom Gundam, whose presentation was the most passionate. She commented that Mr. Saida’s explanation made her even more interested.

He explained In-mold decoration, a new technology that allows transferring patterns on parts surfaces, during his presentation of the HG Gundam Aerial that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam THE WITCH FROM MERCURY. He pointed out that whenever a new anime starts, new GUNPLA technologies are also developed, so you can enjoy both the show and GUNPLA.

Since this event took place right before the first episode of THE WITCH FROM MERCURY aired, the LINKL PLANET members expressed how excited they were, saying, “We can’t wait! We’re going to watch it all together!” “I cried during the PROLOGUE, so I think it’s going to be terrific (laugh)!”

Plenty of other items were introduced, such as several new items from SD Gundam World Heroes and GUNPLA from Mobile Suit Gundam Cucuruz Doan’s Island.

The show wrapped up with a mini live by LINKL PLANET, and it was a great success.

(Gundam Info Editorial Department)