Around last week, Bandai Spirits’ Hobby Division announced that they’ll do a drop of announcements for their Q1 2026 line up on Aug. 27. As expected, everyone started speculating. But all the speculations were subsequently quenched when Bandai themselves basically revealed in advance the kits they will announce, at least the Gunpla ones. I’m inclined to believe this is to prevent leaks which has spoiled previous announcements, so most of these weren’t much of a surprise.
As always, I’ll just cover my personal kits of interest.
Several months ago, Bandai Spirits also announced that they’ll do renewals of several kits from Gundam SEED DESTINY, and the new HGCE Legend Gundam is hopefully the first of these modern versions.
Compared to the original, which is still in my backlog, the HGCE version sports darker grays, updated proportions, and better color separation. I particularly appreciate the last improvement as Gundam SEED designs tend to have color placements that would otherwise be relegated to color-correcting stickers. Case and point the white regions in the collar section, the original relied on stickers and didn’t have panel lines to properly separate the areas needing paint. I do plan to scribe the panel lines myself when I get to building that kit.
Regardless, more colors out-of-the-box are always appreciated.
Like the Gundam SEED FREEDOM High Grades, this new Legend Gundam will also employ the “SEED Action System” to provide better articulation for all those dynamic poses.
You may also display the DRAGOON units being deployed with the use of their upcoming Weapons Display Base 01 set, which is now a general purpose display base for remote weapons. Likewise, the GDU-X5 Mobile Beam Cannons can be hinged to the front when not in use as remote weapons.
Now that they’re releasing the HGCE Legend Gundam, I’m pretty sure Bandai Spirits is going to be aware of the demand for a modern Providence Gundam as well. I will be waiting, but I won’t hold my breath for it.
HGCE 1/144 Legend Gundam
January 2026 / ¥2,800
Order from <a href="http://<strong>HGCE 1/144 Legend GundamHobbyLink Japan
Next is HG GQuuuuuuX [Endymion Unit Awakened] from Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, and a kit we’ve known for quite a while after it was announced basically right after the last episode.
If you’ve already built the HG GQuuuuuuX when it was released in January, then this kit would definitely fall in familiar territory as it is mostly the same with some new parts. Most notable being the new head unit with an opening mouth feature to reveal the Endymion Unit, and the effect parts that serve as mini-Zeknovas, a manifestation of the Omega Psycommu limiters being disengaged.
Given how this version would totally pass as the vanilla HG GQuuuuuuX, those who were unable to purchase the first release can just pick this one and you’re good. Unfortunately for those who already built the first release as you will need to build the same kit again, or you can just take the new head unit and effect parts.
Speaking of which, the mini-Zeknovas are made from clear translucent plastic with a smaller black piece inside, making it look like a mini-black hole. In addition, PET sheets are also used for the halo/accretion disk of the mini-Zeknovas. These are attached to the shoulders and legs and I do hope these won’t posing this kit a hassle.
Other than that, the accessories included are basically the same, which means I will need to do all those masking once more.
Personally, I will build this as the Principality of Zeon-operated unit seen in the last few episodes as I did the first version as the Pomeranians-operated unit.
HG 1/144 GQuuuuuuX [Endymion Unit Awakened]
January 2026 / ¥2,600
Order from HobbyLink Japan
The last kit I pre-ordered for this wave is Option Parts Set – Gunpla 19 (Fin Funnel), meant to complete the Entry Grade Nu Gundam. Although I do intend to use this with the HGUC, depending on its compatibility.
The main advantage this set has over the Fin Funnels that came with the HGUC are the inclusion of 3mm holes that can be used with the Weapons Display Base, similar to the HGCE Legend Gundam’s DRAGOONS. It would’ve been much better if the set also included effect parts for the Fin Funnels, but at least they can now be displayed as deployed.
Some are also saying how the New Hyper Bazooka would still need painting, and might even be inferior to the HGUC version, but that’s just nitpicking.
Option Parts Set – Gunpla 19 (Fin Funnel)
January 2026 / ¥1,500
Order from HobbyLink Japan
Outside of these three, there are other notable Gunpla reveals outside of my interest, including the MG Full Armor ZZ Gundam (Ver.Ka), MGSD Destiny Gundam, and Figure-rise Standard Tiffa Adil. I do want to point out that this release slate is rather sparse and there’s definitely room for more releases in February or March so let’s see what they have in store. Like how they pulled a surprise new Gundam series reveal in December 2024.
