I always tend to step back on the hobby around July to August because this is usually the time when the weather is being a prick. But that’s not saying I’m not keeping tabs on the month’s releases.
On the top of my list is the Premium Bandai exclusive HG Gundam Zirius from the Gundam Ace manga Mobile Suit Gundam Eight. The story is set in an entirely new timeline/continuity, the “S.C.” timeline where the last 258 survivors, and the last Gundam, Gundam Zirius, navigate what was once the cradle of humanity.
As for the packaging, it follows the same design as the expanded HGUC line and uses teal as the series indicator. Although unlike other alternate universe series that uses silver on the front trim and side bars, this one also uses teal. And if you didn’t notice, it has a full color package despite being a Premium Bandai exclusive.
HG 1/144 Gundam Zirius
July 2025 / ¥2,700
Premium Bandai Exclusive
Next is something that has my interest, but not in a rush to pick up, unless I see one at a local shop.
The 30 Minutes Label kicked off back in 2019 with the first 30 Minutes Missions release, the Alto. It’s the generic grunt unit of the protagonist faction and serves as the baseline of what the line can offer. Six years pass along with several other brands and the Alto is now due for a replacement, with a unit that can best represent the brand and all the engineering know-how it gained from the last several years. Presenting the 30MM Iglight 01.
This kit primarily serves as the new entry point for folks who want to experience building 30 Minutes Label kits. There are actually two variants of this kit, though I’m only interested with Iglight 01 here. It now features “Touch Gate” technology commonly seen in Entry Grade kits, eliminating the need for tools to provide a faster build service, like you are really build this one in 30 minutes.
This kit also comes with two Roy-Roy support units that can also be attached to the main body as additional weapons.
30MM 1/144 Iglight 01
July 2025 / ¥1,200
Order from HobbyLink Japan
The Macross Official YouTube Channel recently uploaded the pilot episodes for several series, including the most recent entry in the franchise, Macross Delta. I decided to watch episode one before going to sleep one evening in the hopes of seeing the Siegfried as the next HG 1/100 kit. But alas, it didn’t appear.
As such, I’m not the most familiar with the VF-31 Siegfried but it is several steps down the lineage from the VF-24 Messiah from Macross Frontier. Unfortunately, both look really similar to me, so getting this kit would help me differentiate these designs. As the primary feature of the HG 1/100 Macross line, these come with the Shortcut Change feature, allowing for quick conversion between Fighter, to Gerwalk, to Battroid modes via replacement parts. This allows better stability, proportions, and articulation that can otherwise be compromised when a full transformation is implemented.
HG 1/100 VF-31J Siegfried [Hayate Immelman Use]
July 2025 / ¥5,000
Order from HobbyLink Japan
They are also selling a deluxe version of the kit which includes an acrylic stand of Freyja Wion along with custom decals you can place on the kit.
HG 1/100 VF-31J Siegfried [Hayate Immelman Use] (Deluxe Set)
July 2025 / ¥7,500
Order from HobbyLink Japan
While this is technically an early August release, I will include the HG 1/144 GFreD here. I initially had this on pre-order, but given the very similar build experience with the GQuuuuuuX apart from some obvious different parts, I chose to pass and will instead pickup the HG GQuuuuuuX [Endymion Unit Activated], whenever pre-orders will go up. I also noticed how the packaging design of the GQuuuuuuX appears to be similar to the HGUC line with the letterboxed with some illustration at the middle. Except that the GQuuuuuuX ones appear to be glitching and all, which I guess is how they represent the whole multiverse shenanigans of the series.
Switching gears over to Good Smile Company / Good Mecha Smile, we have MODEROID Orgun, one of the kits that I really wanted to buy as alternative to the more expensive RIOBOT version. That said, I ultimately cancelled my pre-order since I don’t really have the urgency to secure a pre-order. There have been a couple of instances I regretted such decision, looking at your MODEROID Black Sarena, but I think I won’t need to go that deep just to secure a copy on the secondary market.
MODEROID Orgun
July 2025 / ¥7,500
The last entry in this list is more of a curiosity piece for me, hailing from a series I have zero knowledge on, 1994’s Yamato Takeru. If you’re familiar with Japanese mythology, then you would know Yamato Takeru as the name of a prince. It’s also the name of the titular main character who finds the lost Maku-Senjin (e.g., robot) Susanoo, thrusting him to a battle that changes his life forever.
As mentioned, I don’t know anything about this series, but it does give the same Isekai vibes as Wataru or Granzort ableit with non-SD mecha. I don’t really plan on religiously hunting this kit, though I might consider getting one when I visit Japan in November.
MODEROID Maku-Senjin Susanoo, Second Stage
July 2025 / ¥7,900
Order from HobbyLink Japan
