I was supposed to post this last Friday, but I caught a good case of sniffles, so I wasn’t able to. Fortunately, that means I’m able to include several exclusive kits that have packaging art revealed late last week.
Let’s first go through the string of exclusives announced late last week, starting with something I won’t collect but has generated quite the discourse. I’m talking about the HGUC Hobby Hi-Zack (A.O.Z. Reboot) kit that’s limited to Gundam Side-F in Fukuoka. The original HGUC Hi-Zack kit is an old release dating back to 2000 and so, many would expect this to be a simple recolor. But that’s not the case for this one as it features improved torso and hip articulation. I’m also inclined to believe that to get this mostly color accurate outside the box, a good chunk of kit would have to be new molds. Whether it’s a 1.5 or a 2.0, many got excited by this kit, but not of its exclusive release.
HGUC 1/144 Hobby Hi-Zack (A.O.Z. Reboot)
July 22, 2023 / ¥2,800
Gundam Side-F Exclusive
The next one is another exclusive, this time to The Gundam Base. This was revealed during Shizuoka Hobby Show last May and it is the HGUC TOLRO-800 “Torohachi” which is a petit mobile suit that appeared in the opening episode of Gundam UC. What makes this unique is that this is the first HGUC non-scale kit, as far as I know. Would this be a telltale sign that we’ll start getting kits of auxiliary units like this one, or the mobile workers from IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS?
HGUC TOLRO-800 “Torohachi”
July 5, 2023 / ¥2,000
The Gundam Base Exclusive
Rounding up the exclusive kits is the 1/144 RX-78F00 HMT Gundam High Mobility Type (G-3 Image Color), a straight recolor of the Gundam High Mobility Type released last year. The main difference, as the name suggests, is the main color that’s based on the G-3 Gundam. Personally, I think it doesn’t have the same novelty as the Prototype Gundam with the original release. But hey, if you missed the original kit, then you might want to pick this up, though they are re-releasing the original kit at the same time. Options, I guess?
1/144 Gundam High Mobility Type (G-3 Image Color)
July 15, 2023 / ¥2,300
Gundam Factory Yokohama Exclusive
SYNDUALITY Noir started last week, and it presents an interesting sci-fi concept, coupled with these equally interesting machines called Cradle Coffins — which are apparently monikers for All-Weather Bipedal Patrol Units. HG Daisy Ogre is the first of these kits and an aspect unique to these designs is the inherent abundance of markings that this kit, and likely the rest in the line, will implement via stickers. I would prefer waterslide decals like those that come with the HG Macross kits, but I guess that’s much to ask for a new property like SYNDUALITY.
HG Daisy Ogre
July 8, 2023 / ¥3,700
Order from HobbyLink Japan
Lastly is a kit that represents something I really wanted the Hobby Division of Bandai Spirits do, a proper line of Wataru kits. The first two were Premium Bandai exclusives, which got regular retail release locally, but we’re finally getting the regular HG Ryujinmaru. As much as I appreciate their effort in creating a unique building experience with the HG Amplified IMGN version, I’m not entirely sure how well it sold. I also noticed that the HG Ryujinmaru is being manufactured in China, in contrast to both HG Ryuseimaru and HG Cho Mashin Ryujinmaru that are both manufactured in Japan. They usually do this with the SD Gundam Sangokuden kits, and I do hope it’s not a sign of the same quality being applied to this kit.
HG Ryujinmaru
July 15, 2023 / ¥2,600
Order from HobbyLink Japan
