The new TV series "Gundam Build Fighters" is announced! We report from the press conference!

The newest Gundam TV series, Gundam Build Fighters, has been announced! The reveal took place July 2nd during a press conference at Gundam Front Tokyo.
Gundam Build Fighters will premiere this October on the TV Tokyo network.

▲ Bandai President, CEO, and Chief Gundam Officer Kazunori Ueno

First appearing before the crowd of reporters and staff awaiting a new Gundam announcement was Mr. Kazunori Ueno, Bandai's President, CEO, and Chief Gundam Officer.
Noting that Mobile Suit Gundam would mark its 35th anniversary in 2014, and Gunpla its in 2013, he announced the October 2013 premiere of Gundam Build Fighters as the first celebration.
Commenting: "It will be a Gundam like you've never seen before, yet at the same a Gundam like you remember. You'll be able to see your favorite Gundams thrust into all-new battles."

▲ Sunrise Executive Vice President Yasuo Miyagawa

▲ The trailer shows the new cast of characters, plus a variety of mobile suits from past Gundams in action.

Sunrise Executive Vice President Mr. Yasuo Miyagawa took the podium to unveil the Gundam Build Fighters trailer for the first time.
The trailer showed not only the heroes' "Build Strike Gundam", but also fan favorites from "Gyan" to "Gold SUMO", "Beargguy" to "Knight Gundam", and more.
Naming "All Gundam" and "moving Gunpla" at the two themes of the show, he mentioned the appeal of Gundams from different series fighting against and alongside each other, as well as the dream of "piloting the Gunpla you built yourself".

Mr. Miyagawa also announced other Gundam and Gunpla 35th Anniversary projects to follow: the premiere of Mobile Suit Gundam UC episode 7, the conclusion to the series; a new work by Director Yoshiyuki Tomino; and the debut of Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin, all planned for the 2014-2015 window.

▲ Sunrise Producer Masakazu Ogawa

Next to appear was Sunrise Producer Masakazu Ogawa, who introduced the details and setting of Gundam Build Fighters, including the core concept of "Plavsky particles" and the "I build! / I fight!" dynamic shared between the two heroes.
You can see all the details on Gundam Build Fighters, including art, in this article! Don't miss it!

Mr. Kunio Okawara, designer of Gundam Build Fighters' lead mobile suit the "Build Strike Gundam", was asked to comment. "I think the series holds great potential. I'd love to see the battles of first Gundam animated with modern techniques."

Next were a series of trailers for Gundam Build Fighters-related Gunpla, announcing the Build Strike Gundam, Zaku Amazing, Gundam X Maoh, and more.
The HG All Gundam Project, bringing suits from across all Gundam series to HG, was a sure pleaser for longtime fans.

And a Gundam TryAge trailer announced the October addition of Gundam Build Fighters to the game, along with new game systems based on the show.
Last but not least, a trailer for the just-released PS3 title Gundam Breaker was shown, including the shocking announcement that your own creations from Gunpla, Gundam TryAge, and Gundam Breaker could be featured in Gundam Build Fighters! More info is coming soon!


Finally, after the Gundam Build Fighters announcement was completed, special guest Rena Matsui of SKE48 took the stage.
Speaking about Gundam, she mentioned SEED and SEED DESTINY as her favorite series, with the Strike Rouge (with its cute pink paint) and Buster Gundam (piloted by Dearka, her favorite character) as her favorite mobile suits.

When asked to comment on the new Gundam Build Fighters series, she mentioned an interest in its "All Gundam" crossover potential, and hoped to see a gathering of different Zakus from different timelines fighting alongside one another.
She was also interested to see how the new series' drama would unfold, as it (a first for Gundam) doesn't take place on the battlefield.

Next, she was presented with a surprise gift of an "HG 1/144 Build Strike Gundam ver. Rena Matsui" (the color scheme of which she designed) and a special "MG 1/100 Special Strike Rough ver. Rena Matsui Image" (specially designed to suit her) by Bandai's Master Kawaguchi.

Ms. Matsui then closed the conference with the following:

"The show doesn't premiere until October, but that means I'll have time to build plenty of Gunpla to get ready!" (SKE48's Rena Matsui)


Also on display at Gundam Front Tokyo's Gunpla Tokyo section were a range of newly-announced Gunpla. We've got both shots and release details!

■ HG 1/144 Build Strike Gundam Full Package　early October 2013 / ¥1,470

■ HG 1/144 Zaku Amazing　early October 2013 / ¥1,890

■ HG 1/144 Gundam X Maoh　November 2013 / price TBD

(left) ■ HG BUILD CUSTOM 1/144 Amazing Booster　early October 2013 / price TBD
(right) ■ HG BUILD CUSTOM 1/144 Build Booster　early October 2013 / ¥525

Suits from historical Gundam series will also reappear in the "HG All Gundam Project".

■ HGAC 1/144 Wing Gundam September 2013 / ¥1,575

■ HGAW 1/144 Gundam Double X October 2013 / ¥1,785

■ HGUC 1/144 Victory Gundam November 2013 / ¥1,260

The newest Gundam TV series, Gundam Build Fighters, has been announced for October 2013! Stay tuned on GUNDAM.INFO for the latest details!