We’re just a month or so until 2020 ends (thank goodness!) but that doesn’t mean that Bandai Spirits can’t reveal more upcoming kits. In fact, the stuff they revealed today is more exciting than those they made earlier this year, looking at you MG Wing Gundam Zero EW Ver.Ka. So let’s dive in to check what they have in store.
Jump to: HGUC Xi Gundam / HGAC Gundam Deathscythe / HG Gundam Gremory / HGUC Pale Rider Cavalry / HGAC Gundam Geminass 02 “Ground Warfare Heavy Equipment” Expansion Parts
HGUC Xi Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway)
2019 saw the release of the HGUC Penelope, the main antagonist mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway. I haven’t built one myself but many consider it to be a great kit, and got everyone excited for the eventual HGUC Xi Gundam kit. That excitement is worth it as Bandai Spirits finally announced the Xi Gundam and it looks amazing! That said, it does look a little different from the design most are familiar with. That’s because we’re more familiar with the SD Gundam G Generation redesign. If you don’t see it based on the profile shots above then here’s a direct comparison between two designs.
The overall look is more or less the same and the changes are mostly in the color scheme. You could see in the comparison above that the anime version (left) has ditched the blue torso unit colors in favor of more whites. There are also fins on the cockpit hatch area, making it look like another Gundam head, especially with that red trim at the bottom and the side vents. The usual vents seen on most Gundam-type designs are also not present. Fun fact, the anime version is actually more faithful to the original novel design. The dominantly white color scheme is also based on a colored illustration for the novels made by its original designer Yasuhiro Moriki. The SD Gundam G Generation redesign was made by Kazumi Fujita which was also the basis for Hajime Katoki’s redesign for the Gundam Fix Figuration and The Robot Spirits (Ka Signature) releases. The different designs also justifies keeping the figure version, not that I’m planning on getting rid of it.
HGUC 1/144 Xi Gundam
April 2021 / ¥6,000
Alternatively, if you haven’t picked up the HGUC Penelope, then you can both that kit and the upcoming HGUC Xi Gundam in the HGUC Xi Gundam VS Penelope Funnel Effect Set. It doesn’t appear any different from the single releases except that it will include funnel effect parts, allowing you to recreate the funnel missile battle which we’ll likely see in the movie.
HGUC 1/144 Xi Gundam VS Penelope Funnel Effect Set
April 2021 / ¥15,800
Lastly, and this is just me being picky with the packaging. You will notice that in the original HGUC Penelope release, the box art contains the placeholder logo for Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway. The HGUC Messer Type-F packaging uses the actual logo and I assume that they’ll update the HGUC Penelope packaging with it as well. So either hold out for a new batch of HGUC Penelope kits for the new logo or get one with the old logo as the latter would likely be a packaging variant that won’t get reissued.
HGAC Gundam Deathscythe
Those who wanted to complete the original 5 Gundams from Gundam Wing were initially slated to wait for a couple more years as Bandai Spirits appeared to have a yearly release schedule for these kits. Especially with HGAC Gundam Heavyarms just released recently, a year after HGUC Gundam Sandrock. Well, it looks like the wait will be shorter as they now revealed the next kit to be HGAC Gundam Deathscyhe, a fan-favorite from the service. Which also confirms that Wufei is again getting the short stick in the release schedule. In any case, you won’t have to wait long for this guy as it’s slated for a Spring 2021 release.
HGAC 1/144 Gundam Deathscythe
Spring 2021
HG Gundam Gremory
Speaking of Gundams with scythes, here’s another one. This time, it’s Gundam Gremory from the side story Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS Gekko. Technically it’s weapon is an anchor but with one edge damaged, it looks like a God of Death-esque scythe, not to mention how its head is covered by a hood-like piece. The hood can be removed to reveal the Gundam head inside. Those who wanted to collect more Gundams from the Calamity War should definitely get this kit.
HG 1/144 Gundam Gremory
Summer 2021
HGUC Pale Rider Cavalry
Now we go to the Premium Bandai stuff, first being the HGUC Pale Rider Cavalry which is a mass production test mobile suit based on the Pale Rider and also appearing from Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Missing Link. It looks similar to the original Pale Rider, which is expected, but there are definitely some changes here and there. It also sports a more traditional Gundam tri-color scheme. It also comes with the “Shekinah” composite weapon mounted on its right arm. If you purchased the two HGUC Pale Rider kits, and the HGUC Todesritter, then you might as well get this guy to complete the whole set.
HGUC 1/144 Pale Rider Cavalry
TBD
HGAC Gundam Geminass 02 “Ground Warfare Heavy Equipment” Expansion Parts
Continuing the Premium Bandai “G-Unit Re:OPERATION” project is the “Ground Warfare Heavy Equipment” expansion set for the HGAC Gundam Geminass 02. It basically adds a lot of armor and firepower to Geminass 02. I’m not familiar with the storylines of the original Gundam Wing Dual Story: G-UNIT or the its continuation manga, Gundam Wing G-UNIT: Operation Galliarest. I do know that Geminass 02 is eventually upgraded to the Gundam Aesculapius, the latter of which hasn’t appeared in the new manga. Regardless, if you plan to complete the G-UNIT Re:OPERATION kits, then getting this kit is a must.
HGAC 1/144 Gundam Geminass 02 “Ground Warfare Heavy Equipment” Expansion Parts
TBD
These aren’t all the High Grades revealed on the show, there’s the new “Revive” HGUC Zaku II, HGCE (?) Dagger L, and the HGUC Nighingale. Yes, we are getting an Nightingale kit in 144 scale as counterpart for the upcoming RG Hi-Nu Gundam kit. Yes, we are getting– more on that on the Real Grade reveals post. To check out all kits revealed, head on to the Gunpla Expo Tokyo 2020 website under the new items section.
