On the 15th of May 2014, the 53rd Shizuoka Hobby Show was held at the Shizuoka Twin Messe at Shizuoka, the World Capital of Plastic Models! At this event, the latest in plastic model technology is displayed in the form of new plastic models. The first two days are open to the members of the Industry and press and already we have great news from the Gunpla section at the Bandai booth!
Here’s a sneak peek of the Bandai booth.
The first big news we got is the announcement of a new grade of Gunpla: REBORN-ONE HUNDRED!
This new line pursues more refined model kits parts and a highly detailed appearance. It is similar to the old NG and HG 1/100 scaled model kits with improved details. The first in the line is the very long awaited Nightingale from Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack – Beltorchika’s Children ! You can see it here in all of its majestic glory!
It is set to retail September 2014.
Future releases are already planned. The next two would be Gundam Mk-III (December 2014) from  Zeta Gundam Mobile Suit Variations and the GP04 Gerbera (March 2015)  from Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space!Â
For the Master Grade announcement, the legendary rival of the Nightingale, the Hi-v Gundam, gets a Version Ka upgrade! I really like how the design inspiration for this version of the Hi-v Gundam seems to be taken from its original illustration! The MG Hi-v Gundam Ver Ka. is set to retail August 2014.
The Turn X from Turn A Gundam was also properly unveiled at the event for the first time. It has all the gimmicks you would expect it to have like in the show, with stand parts to display it doing its Bloody Seige attack and effect parts for its right hand manipulator.
It retails on June 14 2014.
There is a huge display featuring Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn as it reaches its conclusion on May 17th 2014. All model kilts of series, old and new were displayed at the event. The first of them is the monstrous HGUC Neo Zeong, which will retail June 28 2014!
I got mine pre-ordered so definitely keep a lookout for the review!
Other upcoming model kits debuting in Episode 7 were shown with their full colors at the event such as the Zssa (June 21 2014) , Zeta Plus, Sturm Gallus (July 2014) and a updated version of the Rozen Zulu (August 2014)!
At the RG section, the recently released Gundam Exia from Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and the upcoming Char Z’Gok from Mobile Suit Gundam were displayed. The very first amphibious mobile suit in the RG line, it is recreated with lots of  attention to details like existing submarine and torpedo designs.
This high quality ultra-realistic design is only available in the RG line and its retailing in July 2014.
The next display is the Gundam Build Fighters section! All the model kits from the series are displayed as well as the new ones releasing in the upcoming months. During the next few months, the Gouf R35 (June 7 2014), Gundam Amazing Exia (August 2014), Gundam Fenice Rinascita (September 2014) and the 1/144 Variable Pod to create the Gyan Vulcan (July 2014)!
It was also announced that planning for the new Build Fighters series has begun, rejoice! While we probably won’t see much for the time being, we’ll probably get new information of the new series next year!
At the BB Senshi booth, the 9th LEGEND BB was unveiled and it is none other than the Full Armor Knight Gundam (July 2014) equipped with all three relics. As for the regular SD BB Senshi line, we get the cute giant Neo Zeong (June 7 2014) and the Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (September 2014) from the Gundam Front Tokyo G-Dom Movie!
Here are the rest of the upcoming High Grade model kits, Gundam Airmaster (July 2014) from After War Gundam X and Zaku I (June 21 2014) from Mobile Suit Gundam Thundebolt!  Hopefully we’ll see more non-main mobile suit from subsequent series if the Airmaster is anything to show!
And that’s it for the upcoming Gunpla products for the upcoming quarter of the year. The next article will be the non-Gunpla Bandai plastic models and the last will be  the P-Bandai exclusives and the add-on parts! Stay tuned for the latest in Bandai’s plastic models showcase!
Which of these Gunpla are you excited to get? Share your thoughts below!
