It’s a big week in Gunpla.
The Shizuoka Hobby Show 2016 is graced by the reveals of the next Real Grade Sinanju and the next Master Grade Full Armor Gundam Ver Ka (Gundam Thunderbolt).
The RG Sinanju looks like a big leap in terms of Gunpla technology. Significantly bigger than the previous offerings (Unicorn mobile suits are bigger anyway), it also features gold parts and Sinanju hands (as much as it could be done in the scale anyway). The Real Grade is fast becoming the premium Gunpla and the RG Sinanju is expected to be the next big RG seller.
While the Master Grade offerings are still few and far between, they are still worth checking out: the just released Freedom Gundam ver 2.0, and the upcoming Full Armor Gundam Ver Ka from Gundam Thunderbolt. Displayed in the hobby show in all its glory, this kit – which I earlier dismissed as a mere re-tooling of the ancient RX 78-2 Gundam Ver Ka – actually has a lot of cool features. It has a complete armored and unarmored mode, multiple missile pods, a new core-fighter design, vinyl covers for the joints (as seen in the anime)and a ton of parts.
While I’ve never been a fan of Thunderbolt’s story, this kit made me think twice about my current “figures first” policy. Let’s see what happens when this guy comes around.
And speaking of Thunderbolt and MGs….
There’s also a teaser for the next RE/100…
It’s from ZZ Gundam and people are already taking sides between Doven Wolf and Psyco Gundam Mark II.
Also, not in the Hobby Show but announced just yesterday are two P-Bandai Online Exclusives. The RG 1/144 Astray Gold Frame (another one of those never-ending Astray frames), and the Master Grade Hyaku-Shiki Kai.
The Astray Gold Frame looks just like the previous RG Astrays that came out, except, you know, they’re “gold”.
The MG Hyaku Shiki Kai however, looks to combine parts from the Hyaku-Shiki ver 2.0 and the Hyaku-Shiki Mass Production version. That backpack looks neat too and you can also have the Ballute System installed on it.
If you happen to like them all, I suggest you prepare your wallets.
All pictures courtesy of Gundam Guy.