Gunota Headlines
Monday, July 31, 2006
Bandai August merchandise
From Bandai's Hobby Site.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
News from 2ch is that a game entitled "Gundam Battle Royale" is coming to the PSP on October 26. Word is it'll be another entry in Capcom's Vs. Series, this one being a Universal Century compilation featuring over 80 MS from MSG, 08th MS Team, 0080, 0083, "First Gaiden series", Z, and ZZ. The basics will be the same as the other UC Vs. Series games but it uses the Alliance Vs. ZAFT arms system. The awakening system will be largely modified, with five different awakening types. The 7 modes of the game are given as: CPU Battle, Universal Century, Survival, Time Attack, Training, Ad Hoc versus, and Infrastructure versus. Three appearing units will be the Dendrobium, Blue Destiny, and Zudah. Price is reported to be 4,980 yen.
Nothing much to see yet but it's up.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Coming to Japanese theaters on September 2 is a live-action version of Akihabara@Deep, based on Ira Ishida's novel about a group of otaku in Akihabara who create an AI search engine called "Crook". This will be the 4th version of the story, with a manga edition and TV dramatization already out and a planned anime version getting a fair amount of hype recently as well.
If the promotional materials are any indication, Gundam references will abound: the theatrical adaption features a character named Izumu, a genius programmer who wears an Amuro Ray normal suit when he goes out due to a hereditary condition. See the Dom on the protagonist's desk. Catch the trailer and note the Char Custom laptop in the scene with the maid.
Bandai's Videogame Site has the August issue of Side-B･N available:
SD Gundam G Generation Portable
Quiz Mobile Suit Gundam Toi Senshi DX
Hobby Information
MiA!! High Dimension
Bandai Hobby will be opening a Master Grade Catalogue site on August 1st.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The official Evolve site put up a story page for Gundam Evolve 9, which includes pics of Grey Wolf's and White Unicorn's Zetas. Grey Wolf's seiyuu is revealed to be George Nakata.
SEED Destiny at GundamOfficial
GundamOfficial.com has content for the first 10 episodes of Gundam SEED Destiny up in the Cosmic Era section.
Game Watch reports that the MS Gundam 0079 Card Builder tactical card battle arcade game is getting an upgrade to Ver. 2.00 starting today. The update includes a new respawn system, a combat simulator, adjustments to the balance of the game, and the ability to unlock famous scenes from the anime.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
From Bandai Visual's site.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Another 36 units were added to the official site's MS list page.
GE Consumer Finance, home of Gundam and Zeta Visa/JCB credit cards, will now release a Char Custom JCB credit card. Like the Char's Zaku II, users will obtain 3 times more points for every 1000 yen they spend. Accumulated points can be later be redeemed for goods.
Additionally, the first 10,000 people who sign up will receive a limited HCM-Pro "Char Custom card original color version" Zaku II figure.
Before it closes its door at Matsudo, Bandai will release Limited Edition Memorial First Grade Set clear metallic version (Gundam, Char Zaku II, Zaku II) only at Bandai Museum. It comes out on Aug 12 priced at 1500 yen.
Monday, July 24, 2006
GA Graphic has been putting up its own extensive Tokyo Toy Show 2006 gallery over the last week. The latest update includes more pics of the EMSiA Nu Gundam & Sazabi.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Reports from hobby mags mention the following:
Gundam Evolve 9 - Grey Wolf's Zeta Gundam is gold-colored. White Unicorn's is in Green Divers colors (no surprise since White Unicorn's seiyuu is given as Toru Furuya).
Stargazer - A new, 3-headed BuCUE called the "Kerberos BuCUE Hound". Kenki Fujioka design.
Game Watch has an article up about the next update to UniversalCentury.net Gundam Online. In addition to the new space playfield and ships & MS, more events with characters from the anime are planned each month. Bright Noa appears in July and Kycilia Zabi in August.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
From The Gundam Base.Side 1:
HGUC Powered GM
MG Ball Shark Mouth version
HCM-Pro Re-GZ
HG 105 Slaughter Dagger
HCM-Pro Char's Gelgoog
Early info from hobby mags confirm the following new kits:
MG Crossbone Gundam X-1 (Ver. Ka) - September, 3,675 yen
HGUC Gundam Hazel II - September, 1,680 yen
HG GINN Type Insurgent - September, 1,260 yen
Plamoya-san's Useless Diary Ex-S writes that instead of being an limited edition event item, the HCM-Pro Quess Paraya Jagd Doga will go on sale in September.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
EMSiA Atmospheric Re-Entry set
MSiA Providence Gundam
MSiA Baund Doc (Gates Capa colors)
GFF Crossbone Gundam X-3/Crossbone Gundam X-1 Kai Kai
As usual, Bandai will be selling various Limited Edition Gunplas at couple events this summer.
Chara Hobby 2006 - Aug 19th-20th
1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L Extra Finish version - 6000 yen
MG Gyan Extra Finish version - 7000 yen
PG Aile Strike Gundam Clear Pearl Shift version- 40000 yen
Gunpla Expo - Aug 23rd-30th
pics
HGUC Gundam Gloss Injection version - 1000 yen
HGUC Zeta Gundam Gloss Injection version - 1600 yen
HGUC Char Custom Zaku II Clear Color version - 1000 yen
HG Destiny Gundam Clear Color version - 1600 yen
MG Gundam O.Y.W. Extra Finish version - 6500 yen
MG Freedom Gundam Clear Color version - 3800 yen
PG Char Custom Zaku II Full Color Metallic version - 25000 yen
PG Gundam + Weapons TV Color version 14000 yen
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
News stories from the past week have reported on the progress of prospective astronaut/entrepeneur/Gundam fan Daisuke Enomoto. Apparently green-lighted for his wish to cosplay as Char Aznable on the mission, he also reiterates his desire to build Gunpla in space. He takes off for the International Space Station in September.
The top 10 movies in Japan for the weekend of July 15-16 from Kogyo Tsushinsha:
1) Sinking Of Japan
2) Pokemon Ranger & Manaphy, The Prince Of The Sea
3) Mission: Impossible 3
4) Cars
5) Brave Story
6) Death Note
7) Love Con
8) The Da Vinci Code
9) Silent Hill
10) Bart No Gakuen
Shinji Higuchi's 2 billion yen disaster film Sinking Of Japan is an adaption of the early 70's novel of the same name, which had already been made into a movie once before. It features brief cameo appearances (click the 5th link from the right) by novelist Harutoshi Fukui, Hideaki & Moyoco Anno, and, as a Buddhist monk, Yoshiyuki Tomino. Higuchi's previous film, Lorelei, also had similar connections.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Aries' Boxroom has a report (7/16 entry) from a location test of Banpresto's latest arcade game, Mobile Suit Gundam: Spirits Of Zeon ~Dual Stars Of Carnage~. The 2-player gun shooting game puts players into the roles of Zaku II's fighting against Federation forces. The main trigger on the gun is for rapid fire, short range attacks with the heat hawk can be used by pressing the subtrigger with the main trigger, and long-range bazooka attacks are also possible. Pointing the machine gun away from the screen conceals yourself from enemies. While hidden, holding the subtrigger and then pressing the main one will launch crackers. Stages are broken up into subsections and different routes through each with varying levels of difficulty are selectable. 200 yen to play and 100 yen for continues.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Bandai Collectable Games will hold The Great Uprising Gundam War tournament at Gen Con Indy on August 12. Details, including prizes to be given, are listed at Gundam War's official site forums.
Friday, July 14, 2006
From Amiami & Happinet Online:
MSiA Atmospheric Re-Entry set
EMSiA Hyaku Shiki
MSiA Gaza C (Haman Karn custom)
GFF GM Sniper Custom/Real Type Gundam
MSiA Providence Gundam, 2
From Anime News Network. Some interesting material for mechaheads.
Tsukurikake Mokei Dojo has pics of upcoming figures and plamo up. The GFF Gundam X can be converted to both the GX Divider and G-Bit D.O.M.E. The Super Mecha Chronicle line is officially christened "Real Robot Revolution". The RRR 1/48 Layzner comes out in September for 4,200 yen.
Gundam Collection Shop has pics of the first offerings from the Gundam Mega Bloks line. Naturally, its the RX-78-2 and Char's Zaku II. According to Rakuten's Be-J Shop, these will be released in November and each will come with a hanger and 1 mini figure (Amuro with the Gundam, Char with the Zaku). Retail price is 8,925 yen.
A few more pics can be seen at Sproutoy.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Kit Introduction link on Bandai Hobby's special Stargazer site reveals the official name of the 105 Dagger + Aile Striker/Black Dagger is "105 Slaughter Dagger" and also introduces the previously unmentioned "GINN Type Insurgent".
From Rakuten Ichiba & Pam's Homepage & AmiAmi:
Oct
MSiA Gouf Ignited Yzak Joule Custom - 1575 yen
Cosmic Region #7006 Akatsuki - 4725 yen
Nov
Zeonography #3011 Kampher - 3864 yen
MSiA Methuss & Mega Bazooka Launcher - 2310 yen
MSiA Gaza C - 1575 yen
U.C. Arms Gallery Vol. 4
Dec
GFF #0033 Gundam X - 4179 yen,
EMSiA Nu Gundam - 3150 yen
EMSiA Sazabi - 3150 yen
MSiA GOUF Ignited Heine Custom - 1575 yen
Lord Of Byston Well Vol. 4: Leprechaun - 6825 yen
Edit: Pics of many of these can be seen at MIA Nado's (link gone...remember, folks, the webmaster of this site doesn't tolerate direct links to his galleries or unauthorized reproductions of his photos) and MS In Action Syndrome's Tokyo Toy Show 2006 galleries.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The Japan Times has an article about the growing sales of hentai outside Japan. Gundam SEED-derived material is cited in particular by Mandarake's president as a best-seller.
Monday, July 10, 2006
From The Gundam Base.Side1.
The official site for Mobile Suit Gundam gets the standard round of story, character, and mecha profiles.
MS IGLOO's official site has QTVR's of Herbert Von Kuspen and his Gelgoog.
Dunbine Web has more story, character, and aura battler profiles. Also shown are Sirbine and Zwauth T-shirts, limited editions of which are being sold from Gee!Store together with pairs of advance tickets for Chara Hobby 2006 while the rest will be on sale at the actual event in Cospa's booth.
Finally, there's a site pre-opening for Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto, the jidaigeki anime from executive director Ryousuke Takahashi. It starts in October on GyaO, a free video streaming service (Japan only).
UPDATED C.E.73 Stargazer updated its mechanic page with GSX-401 Stargazer and character page with Mudie Holcroft and Shams Couza.
GSX-401FW Stargazer
"The GSX-401FW Stargazer is a mobile suit developed independently by DSSD. Holding a neutral status with regards to both the Earth Alliance & PLANT, DSSD created the unit as a non-combat mobile suit with the objective of exploring space beyond Mars. It's most notable features are the interplanetary propulsion system known as the Voiture Lumiere and its ability to be used largely unmanned thanks to its high degree of autonomy. The machine itself as well as its operation support system are collectively designated as 'Guider UNmanned Deployment Autonomic Manipulation'. The abbreviation for this is 'GUNDAM'."
Mudie Holcroft
"18-year-old female. Natural. Phantom Pain mobile suit pilot. Rank: 2nd Lieutenant. Belongs to the same MS platoon as Sven. Orphaned when she was very young and underwent complete training as a soldier for anti-Coordinator warfare at an institution for children. Her make-up is as eccentric as her personality. Always tense and even though she appears frank with others, that's only on the surface. She's missing an essential human sentiment and that mentality prevents her from understanding everyone else and, perhaps, herself as well. When in combat, she exterminates her enemies completely without mercy. Piloting the GAT-X1022 Blu Duel, she excels in close-combat."
Shams Couza
"19-year-old male. Natural. Phantom Pain mobile suit pilot. Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade. Belongs to the same MS platoon as Sven. As with his comrades, orphaned when he was very young and underwent training as a soldier for anti-Coordinator warfare at an institution for children. A cynic who consistently views everything from a defiant standpoint. Flies the long-range artillery mobile suit GAT-X103AP Verde Buster but is an all-rounder who can also skillfully handle close combat. Wears glasses but these are just plano lenses for show as his eyesight seems to be fine."
Minor note: Bandai Channel's Stargazer page gives different dates for when the episodes will be made available than the ones announced last month.
Stage 1 - July 14 to August 18
Stage 2 - August 18 to September 22
Stage 3 - September 22 to October 10
Confirming last month's info, both Bones and MBS formally announce that "Tenpou Ibun Ayakashiayashi" will be taking over the Saturday 6 pm TBS timeslot in October. Staff listed are:
Original work - Shou Aikawa, Bones
Director - Hiroshi Nishikiori
Character design - Toshihiro Kawamoto
Concept design - Atsushi Yamagata, Takuhito Kusanagi
Saturday, July 08, 2006
DVD jacket is up at Bandai Visual's site.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Gundamer.com presented the first of a three-part interview with Matsuoka-san, in charge of the HCM-Pro line within Bandai's Hobby Division. As this section of the interview is entitled "The Birth Of HCM-Pro", most of the discussion is about how the line came to be and what goes into making them. One interesting portion follows:
Q: "They had character merchandise for L-Gaim and others in the High Complete Model days so why not expand the HCM-Pro line like that?"
A: "Basically, I really want to. That possibility exists down the road. Since I put ideas about scale toys first, when I talk about extremes, I want to create not only robots but also things that are detailed but bring an element of play. To apply a detailed feel to, for example, a character's bike or his plane or something. I've been thinking it'd be nice if we can expand the merchandise."
Part 2 of the interview will be "Secrets Of The HCM-Pro Line-Up".
4 pics from the newly-launched Happinet Online.
Info being posted on 2ch from early issues of this month's Newtype magazine:
GSX-401FW Stargazer - A space exploration MS developed by DSSD. Equipped with "Voiture Lumiere", a new kind of propulsion system that uses light.
From The Gundam Base.Side1:
HGUC Zaku I Black Tri-Stars version
HG Verde Buster
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Sunrise confirms earlier info that lisa's "tears" will be the ED theme of the second Destiny Special Edition. The single comes with 6 different versions of the song and goes on sale August 23.
According to Dengeki Hobby's site, the September issue (on sale late August) will come with a UC Arms Gallery Hazel beam rifle.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Destiny to air in Canada
Bandai Entertainment AX panel reports from both Anime News Network and Anime On DVD say that SEED Destiny will be shown on YTV in Canada and reconfirmed that there are no plans to broadcast it in America.
Monday, July 03, 2006
As reported by Anime On DVD, Bandai Entertainment said at their panel today that they are in negotiations for the Zeta movies.
Useless Plamoya-san's Diary and T.J. GrosNet give us the additional release:
HG 105 Dagger + Aile Strike 1575 yen
MG Ball Shark Mouth version (MS IGLOO) 2310 yen
HGUC Zaku I Black Tristar version 1050 yen
Edit: Pics at Hobby Shop Midori.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
A Fan's View posted panel reports for Yutaka Izubuchi and Toru Furuya.
Reports from Bandai Visual USA's Anime Expo panel say that Wings Of Rean is in the works along with Gunbuster.
UniversalCentury.net announced a new upgrade to the game for July 26 which finally implements the outer space setting. Included with this, the third major update to the game since it debuted, will be new MS, ships, and quests.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Tamashii Web has a page with details and pics of a limited edition Lord Of Byston Well Todd Guiness color version Dunbine. The figure is being sold for 3,800 yen + 700 yen shipping with applications found in the August & September issues of Dengeki Hobby. The cutoff date for applying is August 31st, with delivery of the merchandise at the end of November.
