We’re two months into 2023 and it’s relatively quiet on the Gunpla front with a couple of anticipated kits getting releases while some are being delayed. Regardless, we’re still getting new packaging illustrations for previously announced kits across lines and companies, so here we go.
HG Ryuseimaru
February 2023 / ¥4,000
Let’s put all the Gunpla boxes in the end as I wanted to focus on the second ‘vanilla’ High Grade from the Wataru franchise (because that HG Amplified IMGN kit is quite different) — HG Ryuseimaru from Wataru 2. As far as I remember this is a Premium Bandai exclusive and this is another one of those online exclusives getting fully illustrated and colored packaging. I’m inclined to think this kit will get retail releases outside of Japan, just like HG Cho Mashin Ryujinmaru.
It seems like we’re getting one Wataru HG kit per year and I’m hoping Bandai Spirits continues releasing them as I don’t have any plans of getting Tamashii Nations’ NX Edge Style figures. And these would scale better with the SD fantasy mecha kits from Good Smile Company.
MODEROID Combined Rune God Rayearth
February 2023 / ¥6,800
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Speaking of Good Smile Company, here’s MODEROID Combined Rune God Rayearth which, as the name suggests, is the combination of Rayearth, Ceres, and Windom. A feature I recently discovered thanks to a blog post from Good Smile Company themselves, is that the kit apparently includes two sets of wings. First is a pair of mechanical-looking wings during the debut of this combination and its battle with Emeraude. Second is a pair of more feather-looking wings from the latter half of the anime. The latter pair are made from three segments each, and the total wingspan extends to more than 400mm, 50mm more than the default pair of wings.
HG 1/144 Gundam Lfrith Ur
March 2023 / ¥1,900
Order via HobbyLink Japan
HG 1/144 Gundam Lfrith Thorn
March 2023 / ¥1,600
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Of course, the list won’t be complete without some Gunpla package reveals. Though contrary to the post title, these two won’t be available until March, presumably along with HG Gundam Aerial Rebuild. But they decided to show anyway to build more hype for Gundam the Witch from Mercury. As of season one’s conclusion, we’ve still yet to find where these mobile suits came from and how are they related to the original Gundam Lfrith from the PROLOGUE.
In any case, I’ll be passing on these but they do look good, especially after seeing what they’re capable of during the season one finale.
