I typically care less about Tamashii Nations releases nowadays compared to before, with my preference more on model kit versions of designs, for various reasons. But the Bandai Spirits display from the All Japan Model & Hobby Show 2026 this weekend is a combination of both Bandai Hobby and Tamashii Nations. And if the image above is any indication, I might dip my toes a little again on these figures.
Vertex Force has premiered over the weekend, and while I’ve yet to watch the pilot episode, I am already looking forward to the 30MP Enia announced some moons ago. It is a bit larger compared to other 30MP releases and the image above explains why.
30MP Enia
November 2026 / ¥4,000
Order from HobbyLink Japan
Revealed during the hobby show is the S.H.Figuarts Haruka Todo & Graviton Engine set, and they are meant to scale with 30MP Enia. I would’ve preferred building a kit of the Graviton Engine, but the set does make sense, especially with Haruka Todo in it. No release dates have been scheduled for the S.H.Figuarts set, though I would expect it around or near the time of the anime broadcast.
Another series I was hoping to watch, though I just for the pilot episode, is The Ghost in the Shell from Science Saru. I do prefer the bubblier, and apparently more manga-accurate, adaptation. It also features the Fuchikoma, which is also getting a 30MP kit in December. Still a couple of months away, official solicitations only have a silhouette as promotional image. That is until the recent hobby show as we finally got to see a full color sample of the model kit.
Accurate to the source material, the 30MP Fuchikoma comes in vibrant red with all the details and rounded appendages. It appears to include clear parts as well for the front camera and sensor units. I also believe the rear hatch can open, though whether the 30MP Motoko Kusagani can fit inside is another question.
30MP Fuchikoma (The Ghost in the Shell)
December 2026 / ¥2,500
Order from HobbyLink Japan
We’re just 3 months away before 2026 ends, but it’s still the 30th Anniversary of After War Gundam X. We are already getting the five main Gundams as model kits, and they also announced the long-overdue MG Gundam X Divider. But what interested me, though not enough to buy one, is the HGAW GX Bit. I assume it’s implementing the Fine Build System engineering, allowing modern features with lesser parts count. All for army building this guy and finally completing how the Gundam X was deployed during the 7th Space War.
And yes, you can army build this guy because it’s a regular retail release!
HGAW 1/144 GX Bit
January 2027 / ¥2,000
Bandai Hobby has been steadily releasing HG 1/100 Macross kits, and I do appreciate how they didn’t go the Gundam route and started the line up with the Valkyries from Super Dimensional Fortress Macross. It did build up anticipation on when these designs will be getting modern HG 1/100 kits with the Shortcut Change feature. Well, it looks like getting closer thanks to this obscured gray protype on the show floor.
Shown here is a prototype of the HG 1/100 VF-1J Valkyrie or the first machine piloted by Hikaru Ichijo. The details aren’t exactly the clearest thanks to the clear cylindrical enclosure, but knowing the previous releases, this kit should be top notch. Besides this enclosed display, no other details were provided for this kit. But given the original Macross is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2027, then having this kit at the same time is perfect timing.
Going to Premium Bandai, we have a follow up years in the making. The RG GaoGaiGar was released in 2022, followed by the RG Goldymarg, and several HG kits of the Symmetrical Docking pairs. Goldymarg was released as a Premium Bandai exclusive, but if there’s a kit in this ecosystem that fits the Premium Bandai release model, that would be Star GaoGaiGar.
And it looks like we are finally getting one. To those unaware, Star GaoGaiGar is formed by replacing Stealth Gao with the aptly-named Stealth Gao II, with the fusion becoming a space-use configuration. It also gains the Gatling Driver, the space-use upgrade of the Dividing Driver. I am curious if this will just come as a complete set, or there would be options to just get Stealth Gao II plus the Gatling Driver for those who already have the RG GaoGaiGar.
There’s one last thing I found notable in the Bandai Hobby booth, check out this particular display.
Bandai Hobby has been investing in mold production technologies that allow them to produce better kits compared to their industry peers. One of these technologies is their multi-color injection molding process dubbed “Iropla.” Most Gunpla builders nowadays take this for granted, but there’s apparently a limitation to the number of distinct colors that can be injected to a single runner. And based on this display, they have now broken that limitation, brining the number of distinct colors to six.
They are going to pilot this technology with the upcoming HG Gundam ZERO from Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO, slated for an April 2027 release.
HG 1/144 Gundam ZERO
April 2027 / ¥2,500
Overall, this year’s reveals were generally okay. I am looking forward to both RG Star GaoGaiGar and HG VF-1J Valkyrie, whenever the latter gets released. Then of course, there are the upcoming kits from Gundam RG XARX-ZERO. Which also means I need to finish my one remaining backlog from Gundam GQuuuuuuX.
