Updated May 25, 2023.
Following the last Hasbro Transformers Fanstream, they’ve now put the Transformers Studio Series (Buzzworthy Bumblebee) Voyager class Optimus Prime on pre-order. Buzzworthy Bumblebee was previously, as the name suggests, a Bumblebee-centric sub-brand. Now, it seems to be a catch all for Target-exclusive releases in the U.S. and there’s no rhyme or reason on what gets the yellow packaging. In any case, here’s how it looks.
Many speculate that this figure will eventually get the regular Studio Series packaging, but I do want to get this version as I really don’t have any Buzzworthy Bumblebee figures in the collection. They also provided a 360-degree view as seen below.
Transformers Studio Series (Buzzworthy Bumblebee) – Optimus Prime (Rise of the Beasts)
July 2023 / $33.99
Original post follows
I can’t remember the last time these posts were meant for kits released in the actual months the box arts were released. But regardless, we have more of them for this month.
First is the HG Guncannon (Cururuz Doan’s Island), a kit that was just released a day before this post. The box art design is still based on the HG Gundam THE ORIGIN kits we got previously, but it doesn’t have the same branding and is listed as an unnumbered High Grade release. I am curious if we would get more of these “floating” HG kits that don’t belong to a specific line.
HG 1/144 Guncannon (Cucuruz Doan’s Island)
May 20, 2023 / ¥2,300
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Next up is the Gundvölva, the remotely controlled mobile suits used by Dawn of Fold in that one episode earlier in season 2. We haven’t seen them since and I was curious on why they decided to release the box art of this kit. Then I got to watch the latest episode of The Witch from Mercury where they revealed yet another mass production (and possibly remote controlled) mobile suits as part of Quiet Zero, the Gundnode.
Spoilers for Gundam the Witch from Mercury episode 18 ahead.
As speculated, the Gundnode is a mobile suit-type GUND-Bit that uses the data storm network established by the Aerial once it reaches Permet Score 8. It’s basically a support unit for the Aerial once it becomes sort of autonomous. And I’m inclined to think this is the evolved form of the Gundvölva. We’ve yet to get a model kit announcement for this mobile suit, but if you want to get the Gundvölva, then it should be available in June.
HG 1/144 Gundvölva
June 10, 2023 / ¥1,400
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Lastly, we have the two Aestivalis variations getting MODEROID kits: The Aestivalis Ground and Aerial Battle Frames. Both kits come from Martian Successor Nadesico, a franchise I don’t have much attachments with. But I am curious of these kits, or rather just a kit, as I cancelled my pre-order for the Aerial Battle Frame version. I remember being close to ordering the old Bandai HG kits prior to the announcement of these two so I’m glad I waited.
MODEROID Aestivalis Ground Battle Frame
May 2023 / ¥4,800
Order via HobbyLink Japan
MODEROID Aestivalis Aerial Battle Frame
May 2023 / ¥4,800
Order via HobbyLink Japan
