This is supposed to be the package-centric post, although I kind of did another before this. Anyway, Bandai Hobby went ahead of their usual Sunday morning box art schedule to reveal two new ones from Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe.
Let’s start with the HGUC 1/144 TX-ff104 Alyzeus, the main antagonist machine from the film. I’ve seen comments online describe this as a “cluster” of a design, a description usually heard from the Tokusatsu and Super Sentai spectrum of Japanese media. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the film so I’ve yet to appreciate the design or how it’s supposed to move on-screen. But I went ahead and placed pre-orders primarily due to the Mass Production Type Nu Gundam within this behemoth.
Which brings me to an interesting conundrum, whether I would want another copy just to have a standalone MP Nu Gundam I won’t need to disassemble when attaching all the Alyzeus components. But I’ll probably wait for reviews online before doing any purchases, especially if the disassembly isn’t as involved as it seems.
HGUC 1/144 Alyzeus
April 25, 2026 / ¥12,000
Order from HobbyLink Japan
And then there’s this guy.
The Xi Gundam revealing its “true” Gundam head was a pivotal moment in The Sorcery of Nymph Circe. But because Bandai Hobby needed to announce new Gunpla from the film, they had to spoil this moment just one weekend after the film’s premiere. For all intents and purposes, this is the exact same Xi Gundam kit just with a few new parts. More importantly, this is the only way you can get the “traditional” Gundam face plate.
It is for this exact reason I’ve placed a pre-order for this kit, and I am aware it’s going to be a waste of money (and plastic) just to get those new parts. But at the very least, you will be getting this gorgeous box art.
HGUC 1/144 Xi Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe)
April 25, 2026 / ¥7,000
Order from HobbyLink Japan
Besides the beautifully-drawn art for both kits, they now feature the new Bandai Hobby branding besides the blue Bandai Spirits logo on the bottom right. This is similar to how Tamashii Nations products have the same distinguishing logo on their products. This brings the total number of logos on the front to three: Bandai Namco, Bandai Spirits, and Bandai Hobby. I don’t think this will help prevent counterfeits, but at least the branding will now be consistent.
