Zeta movie 1 hits it big
Various box office sites in Japan (Eiga.com, Kogyo Tsushinsha, Goo Movies) are stating that Heirs To The Stars ranked #3 this weekend. This kind of ranking is respectable enough for an anime theatrical release in Japan but what makes the case of Zeta truly exceptional is that it managed to do it showing on only 83 screens nationwide. Typically, Japanese films will screen in anywhere from 150-300 theaters. In the case of big Hollywood films, 500+ theaters. Zeta raked in just under 161 million yen, nearly as much money as the #2 film, Million Dollar Baby, which had the benefits of publicity from its success at this year's Oscars, local visits from its stars promoting the movie, and being shown in 264 theaters. Eiga.com estimates that it has the momentum to exceed 1 billion yen by the end of its run, a figure approaching the box office gross of Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters In Space (a hit anime film in its day).

Apparently, the unexpected turnout for the Zeta movie is breaking records in theaters nationwide. Goo Movies reports that audiences were made up of the "core Gundam fan", males in the 20-34 demographic, as well as ages 35-49. Females in their teens and in the 20-34 demographic also turned up though the gender ratio is being given as 70% male, 30% female.

While no Miyazaki-sized hit, this can certainly be seen as some kind of vindication for director Yoshiyuki Tomino, whose last few works haven't been known for their commercial success. Heirs To The Stars made more money in its first weekend than some other high-profile anime films from the past year did in theirs, including Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence (141 million yen, 278 theaters, #5 for the weekend), Appleseed (65 million yen, 112 theaters, #6), and Steamboy (158 million yen, 261 theaters, #4). And, indeed, the official Zeta movies site now carries a thank-you message from Tomino.

In retrospect, the smartest move may have been associating the film with J-rock star Gackt as his tireless publicity efforts over the last few weeks seem to have garnered the most attention from the mainstream press there.

The Top 10 in Japan for the weekend of May 28-29:
1) Negotiator Masayoshi Mashita
2) Million Dollar Baby
3) Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam -Heirs To The Stars-
4) Kingdom Of Heaven
5) Memorial Of Flame (aka Ladder 49)
6) The Interpreter
7) Shall We Dance?
8) Closer
9) Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
10) The Mask 2 (aka Son Of The Mask)

 

Clear HGUC Gundam Mk II sold out
Sunrise stuck up a notice on their site saying that the limited edition, clear version of the HGUC Gundam MK II available at theaters showing the Zeta movie is sold out. They're already fetching several times their list price on Yahoo! Japan Auctions.

 

Bandai character sales 2000-2004
On their official site, one can see a chart showing the breakdown of proceeds made by each of Bandai's major character brand names (Gundam, Sentai series, Kamen Rider, Sailor Moon, One Piece, etc.) for every fiscal year starting from 2000. Gundam is the franchise listed in the first row. For every year shown, Gundam is #1 in sales by a fair margin (the larger number in the second-to-last row is for miscellaneous properties). This is true even before the huge success of Gundam SEED essentially created a new generation of Gundam fans in 2002-2003.

The figures for Gundam:
Fiscal 2000 (the year ending March 2001) - 16 billion yen
Fiscal 2001 (the year ending March 2002) - 20 billion yen
Fiscal 2002 (the year ending March 2003) - 27.2 billion yen
Fiscal 2003 (the year ending March 2004) - 32 billion yen
Fiscal 2004 (the year ending March 2005) - 25.1 billion yen

 

Metamorphoze #2
Oricon shows that Gackt's "Metamorphoze" ranked #2 for the week with 91,000 copies sold. This is Gackt's 22nd (!) top 10 hit and ties his personal best rank position on the singles charts.

 

Masterforce.org takes a look at Zeta I
An English review of the film can be read at Masterforce.org.

 

DESTINY DVD 7 cover
From Rakuten's LalaBit site.

 

Seiyuu for Z II
A close-up look at the poster for Zeta II, as shown at Gundam Imperfect Web, confirms some seiyuu rumors going around 2ch the last couple of days:
Four Murasame - Yukana (changed from Saeko Shimazu)
Sarah Zabiarov - Chizuru Ikewaki (changed from Yuuko Mizutani)
Haman Karn - Yoshiko Sakakibara (thankfully the same)

The release date for the third film is also said to be in February of 2006.

 

Gundam Mk II terrorizes Akihabara
The Akiba Blog has an amusing photo report on a Titans Gundam Mk II cosplayer hanging around in front of a Kakuta Sofmap PC store in Akihabara today. The Mk II, using an umbrella as a beam saber, obligingly posed for photographs for passing shoppers. It appeared to have been a very popular temporary attraction.

 

Caged Gackt greets 1,600 fans
Yahoo! Japan News has a brief article about Gackt's appearance at a radio station in Tokyo the other day to promote the Zeta movie. During a live broadcast from Tokyo FM, 1,600 fanatic female fans were shuffled in and out to gawk at Gackt through a window. The singer was quoted as saying at one point, "I had the best of luck at the preview meeting (attended by Tomino and the main cast). When I closed my eyes, it was like I was drinking sake with Char and Amuro." A partial video of this can be seen at iiV Channel.

 

Z Gundam credit card
Following in the footsteps of their other character-based credit cards featuring Star Wars, Star Trek, Macross, and MS Gundam, GE is taking applications starting in June for a new card for Zeta Gundam's 20th anniversary.

 

Zeta - Heirs to the Stars recap
Basic Plot - Heirs to the Stars covers the first 14 episodes of the TV series.

Gryps 2 & Green Noah 1 - Char infiltrates Gryps 2 and encounters the Mk-II. Meanwhile Kamille is already under arrest at Green Noah 1. Jerid crashes the 3rd Mk-II unit. All 3 Rick Diases (Char, Apolly, and Roberto) infiltrate Green Noah 1 to steal the Mk-IIs. Kamille helps out.

Near Gryps 2 - Emma (in a Mk-II) along with Franklin Bidan (in a Hizack) bring the personal letter from Bask. Kamille finds out his mom is held hostage and takes off. Jerid shoots the capsule killing Kamille's mom. There's a duel between Kamille and Jerid. Meanwhile, Franklin steals Char's Rick Dias. A fight involving Kamille, Franklin, and Lila takes place with Franklin dying. After the Titans retreat, Emma defects to AEUG.

Around Earth orbit - Char, Reccoa, and Emma try to comfort Kamille after losing both of his parents. Emma asks Kamille if he knows about Char Aznable (*note* different from TV series where Char himself asks if Camille knows about him). Later, Reccoa shows Emma what happened during the Colony 30 Incident and its aftermath. Reccoa goes to Jaburo.

AEUG's fleet is receiving supplies from the Moon to prepare for the Jaburo attack. Here, they receive the Flying Armor, Hyaku Shiki, and the Mega Bazooka Launcher. Haro somehow was in this resupply as well. During this, the Argama receives an SOS signal from the Temptation, which is under attack by Scirocco's Messala. Kamille and Char rescue the Temptation and its crew/passengers. Bright officially joins AEUG and commands the Argama. Blex and Henken go back to the Moon. Kamille is reunited with Fa.

Above Jaburo & Re-entry - AEUG launches their MS force and the Titans launch theirs (Lila, Jerid, and Kackricon). Scirocco attacks AEUG's rear. Emma/Kamille fight Scirocco with Emma's Rick Dias losing its arm. Kamille engages Lila with Lila KIA. Kacricon dies during re-entry. Jerid reaches Jaburo without knowing whether Lila died or not.

Jaburo - AEUG notices Jaburo is empty. The Titans moved their headquarters to space and placed nukes deep below Jaburo as a trap. Kai and Reccoa are held prisoner but rescued by Kamille. AEUG escapes Jaburo with the Audhumla and Sudori. During this, Amuro meets Fraw, Katz, Letz, and Kikka at his mansion.

To Hickory - Hayato meets with Char and informs him that splitting the force up would be a good idea after the Titans annexed the Augusta NT lab. Before going to the Sudori, Kai talks with Hayato telling him Quattro is Char, asking him if he is going to fight alongside Char. Kamille overhears their conversation and starts to wonder if Quattro is Char. The Sudori heads to New Kennedy to take the remaining pilots back to space (Roberto, Apolly, and Reccoa). The Audhumla heads to Hickory where Amuro and Katz are suppose to meet them after they hijack a shuttle. Nonstop action with Kamille/Char vs Rosamia (Gaplant) followed by Kamille/Char vs Buran (Asshimar) until Amuro rams the shuttle into the Asshimar. The movie ends as Amuro and Char see each other with Kamille saying "He's not Quattro Bajeena! And that person is...Amuro Ray! Rival of Char Aznable during the One Year War!"

Animation - Telling apart what was new and old was easy. The old animation came from 12 different TV episodes. In some of the sequences, they went back and forth where you can obviously tell the difference. At times, those scenes felt weird as characters looked different. The new mecha animation sequences were superb, especially the last part of the movie (last 10+ min) where 95+% was new. As for the new character animation, it was better than what I expected. If the movie was 100% new animation, then we might not be talking about if Onda's styling fits Kitazume's at all.

Seiyuu (VA) - Most of the original seiyuu from the TV series reprised their same role in the movie. Several characters like Fa, Hayato, Lila, Rosamia, and Roberto got new voices. For the most part, the new voices did not bother as they sounded familiar to the original. However, the new voice of Hayato by Nobuyuki Hiyama (Shiro Amada from 08th Team and Muruta Azrael from SEED) bothered me. Images of Shiro or Azrael would come up every time he spoke a dialog.

Music/SFX/BGM - The movie uses the same BGM from the TV series. As for the SFX, it uses updated traditional anime sounds (not like the MSG Trilogy DVD version), which was a big plus. Both of Gackt's songs (played at OP and ED credits) were ok.

 

Zeta II screenshots
Following are screenshots of Zeta II - Lovers from the official Zeta I movie pamphlet book.
Poster
Amuro in space(?)
Buran
Char
Four
Hambrabi
Jerid & Maua
Kamille
Mega Bazooka Launcher
Psyco Gundam
Sara
Scirocco
Yazan
Zeta Gundam pic 1 and pic 2

 

Upcoming MSiA pics
From Hobbynet and Gundamer.com:
MSiA Strike Freedom Gundam
MSiA GuAIZ
MSiA Windam (mass-production version)
MSiA Destiny Gundam, 2

 

Gundam: True Odyssey site update UPDATED
The official site has three more promo movies ("Mobile Suit", "Battle", and "World" versions). Areas featured in the World vid include Angelia, harbor village Port Mare, military state Izengrad, desert village Eldosamnia, and Eastern country Touhai.

Another new link up is for Unicorn Tsuushin, an official True Odyssey news blog.

Finally, just announced is the Gundam True Odyssey Capture Guide, a Famitsu-supervised, 48-page book featuring info on the world, story, and characters and comments from Akira Yasuda on his imageboards and character designs that comes with the game.

Edit: There's also another 3 movies not linked to the main site yet: one emphasizing the characters in the game, one for customization, and one showing off some powerful MS/MA.

 

G Gen DS site update
The official site's Secret File updated with a new wallpaper. The passwords for these to date are:
Type A (Gundam-only version): Found in the site's news link 4/07 update
Type B (One Year War UC version): g-gene
Type C (Alternate Universe version): 0526
Type D (Cosmic Era version): ggenerationds
Type E (post-One Year War UC version): thankyou

 

Monthly Gundam Power Rankings
The monthly Gundam power rankings in Gundam Ace (some how Nu Gundam was forgotten)

Top 30 Male Characters
1) Kira Yamato - SEED DESTINY
2) Char Aznable - MSG/The Origin
3) Athrun Zala - SEED DESTINY
4) Amuro Ray - MSG/The Origin
5) Kamille Bidan - Zeta Gundam
6) Quattro Bageena - Zeta Gundam
7) Shinn Asuka - SEED DESTINY
8) Anavel Gato - 0083
9) Heero Yuy - Wing
10) Heine Westenfluss - SEED DESTINY
11) Yzak Joule - SEED DESTINY
12) Shiro Amada - 08th MS Team
13) Auel Neider - SEED DESTINY
14) Mu La Flaga - SEED
15) Dearka Elthman - SEED DESTINY
16) Kai Shiden - MSG/The Origin
17) Ramba Ral - MSG/The Origin
18) Neo Lorrnoke - SEED DESTINY
19) Colonel Todaka - SEED DESTINY
20) Rey Za Burrel - SEED DESTINY
21) Bright Noa - MSG/The Origin
22) Uso Evin - V Gundam
23) Jerid Mesa - Zeta Gundam
24) Garrod Ran - Gundam X
25) Duo Maxwell - Wing
26) Yazan Gable - Zeta Gundam
27) Miguel Aiman - SEED
28) Loran Cehak - Turn A Gundam
29) Domon Kasshu - G Gundam
30) Henken Benker - Zeta Gundam

Top 30 Female Characters:
1) Lacus Clyne - SEED DESTINY
2) Lunamaria Hawke - SEED DESTINY
3) Stellar Loussier - SEED DESTINY
4) Cagalli Yula Athha - SEED DESTINY
5) Sayla Mass - MSG/The Origin
6) Emma Sheen - Zeta Gundam
7) Four Murasame - Zeta Gundam
8) Haman Karn - Zeta Gundam/Portrait Of A Young Comet
9) Aina Sahalin - 08th MS Team
10) Cima Garahau - 0083
11) Murrue Ramias - SEED DESTINY
12) Meer Campbell - SEED DESTINY
13) Elpeo Ple - Gundam ZZ
14) Miriallia Haw - SEED DESTINY
15) Sara Zabiarov - Zeta Gundam
16) Meyrin Hawke - SEED DESTINY
17) Ple Two - Gundam ZZ
18) Tiffa Adill - Gundam X
19) Roux Louka - Gundam ZZ
20) Setona Winters - SEED DESTINY ASTRAY
21) Matilda Ajan - MSG/The Origin
22) Christina Mackenzie - 0080
23) Fa Yuiri - Zeta Gundam
24) Talia Gladys - SEED DESTINY
25) Relena Peacecraft - Wing
26) Shakti Kareen - V Gundam
27) Rosamia Badam - Zeta Gundam
28) Natarle Badgiruel - SEED
29) Lalah Sune - MSG
30) Lila Milla Rira - Zeta Gundam

Top 30 MS:
1) Freedom Gundam - SEED DESTINY
2) Saviour Gundam - SEED DESTINY
3) Zeta Gundam - Zeta Gundam
4) Hyaku Shiki - Zeta Gundam
5) GOUF Ignited - SEED DESTINY
6) Justice Gundam - SEED
7) Gundam - MSG/The Origin
8) Gundam Mk-II - Zeta Gundam
9) Infinite Justice - SEED DESTINY
10) Justice Gundam - SEED DESTINY (no clue what's the difference between the SEED ver and DESTINY ver...)
11) Strike Rouge - SEED
12) Destiny Gundam - SEED DESTINY
13) Gouf Ignited - SEED DESTINY (ya, that's right. it's listed twice...)
14) Zaku II - MSG/The Origin
15) Sazabi - CCA
16) Wing Gundam Zero - Wing: Endless Waltz
17) Gaia Gundam - SEED DESTINY
18) Gouf - MSG/The Origin
19) Qubeley - Zeta Gundam
20) Asshimar - Zeta Gundam
21) Gundam F91 - F91
22) Kampher - 0080
23) ZZ Gundam - Gundam ZZ
24) Gelgoog - MSG
25) ZAKU Warrior - SEED DESTINY
26) Abyss Gundam - SEED DESTINY
27) Slash ZAKU Phantom - SEED DESTINY
28) Buster Gundam - SEED DESTINY
29) Strike Gundam - SEED DESTINY
30) Gunner ZAKU Warrior - SEED DESTINY

 

Metamorphoze hits the charts
Gackt's theme song for the first Zeta movie is #2 in its first day of release, according to Oricon's daily singles charts.

Oricon's site also has a streaming clip from the music video for Metamorphoze, featuring Gackt as an MS pilot.

 

DESTINY official site update
Legend Gundam - "A mecha that brings to mind the MS Providence that fought in the final days of the previous war. Controlling it is difficult and it has more than one DRAGOON equipped, which makes remote attacks possible. It's the kind of machine that chooses its pilot."

 

Gundam: True Odyssey update
The official site put up a prologue movie explaining the Glory System and The Great Destruction (the game looks to take place 60 years following that event), 2 promo movies, and new images in the imageboard section.

 

Gundam book news
Kodansha opened a site for Zeta Gundam Historica. Here, you can look at the release dates, cover arts, and titles of each issues.

Kodansha will be releasing Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam - Heirs to the Stars - Official Guidebook on June 24th. Price is unknown.

Tokuma Shoten will be releasing Roman Album Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY - Impulse Phase on June 30th priced at 1400 yen.

 

Gundam: True Odyssey OP
The official site now has a page with a streaming version of the opening movie for the game, featuring the theme song by Savage Genius. Having been done by Sunrise, it's very much like an anime series opening in feel.

 

This month's hobby magazine news UPDATED
Hobby Japan
ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam
Head machine guns x 2: MMI-GAU27D 31mm CIWS, fire-linked x 2
Abdomen large beam cannon: MGX-2235 Callidus multi-phase beam cannon
Hip beam sabers x 2: M02G Super Lacerta (Speel Lacerta?)
Hip railguns x 2: MMI-M15E Xiphias 3 railcannon
Arm beam shield: MX2200 beam shield
Beam rifle: MA-M21KF high-energy beam rifle

ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam
Head gatling machine guns x 2: MMI-GAU26 17.5mm CIWS
Wrist beam shield generator x 2: MX2351 Solidus Fulgor
Back DRAGOON (beam spike equipment type) x 2: GDU-X7 assault beam machine gun
Back & waist DRAGOON (general type) x 8: GDU-X5 assault beam machine gun
Beam javelin x 2: MA-M80S Defiant Kai beam javelin
Beam rifle: MA-BAR78F high-energy rifle

SEED-MSV:
ZGMF-X56S/θ Destiny Impulse - A version of the Impulse with Destiny wings attached. A weapon test type mobile suit. Greek letter θ represents the 8th silhoutte.


Dengeki Hobby Magazine
Zeta movie related Limited Edition HGUC
- Bandai is planning more limited edition kits (Zeta and Hyaku Shiki) for 2nd and 3rd Zeta movie.

AoZ stuff
- HGUC Hazel Kai is set for Fall 2005 release.
- Starting with the next issue, DengekiHobby Magazine will be including AoZ-related stuff in each issue (Official Data book, decals, prizes).
- Dengeki Hobby Magazine commercial featuring AoZ MS will appear at selected movie theatres showing Zeta I

DESTINY spoilers
Ep34 - "Nightmare" - The world is shocked at Dullindal's statement. In the middle of the confusion, Archangel decides to return to Orb. However, Archangel is run down by ZAFT's forces. Minerva is also given order to attack Archangel.

Ep35 - "In the Light of Chaos" (*note* Hobby Japan has the title listed as "Ahead of Chaos")- Having lost Freedom, the badly damaged Archangel heads to Orb. Accompanying Dullindal, Meer goes to Earth. Minerva enters the port of Gibraltar and receives two new MS, Destiny and Legend.

Ep36 - Athrun Escapes

Finally, the official name of the Cosmic Era Dom is "Dom Trooper".

 

Zeonography update
Pics shown at Tsukurikake Mokei Dojo confirm that the Zeonography Gouf Custom does indeed turn into an Efreet and not any kind of Gouf Flight-Type despite previous reports.

 

Zeta Gundam II: Lovers promo images
The first promotional material for the 2nd upcoming Zeta Gundam film can be seen at Tsurin Guwagon.

 

GFF RX-78 ver. Ka info
Rakuten's Atmart says the GFF RX-78 ver. Ka will convert to an RGM-79. Meanwhile, HobbyLink Japan has some pics of the figure up from the Shizuoka Hobby Show.

 

Z Gundam II title revealed
In exactly the same way the first movie's subtitle was revealed, 2ch posters pointed out the profile for one of the voiceover artists on Troubadour, which now has two listings for the Zeta movies: One is "Hoshi O Tsugu Mono" ("Heirs To The Stars") while the other is "Koibitotachi" ("Lovers").

 

UC.net for US follow-up
Kai Baku sent in the following picture confirming plans for an American release. Looks like there'll also be calls for beta testers as well soon.

 

True Odyssey site update UPDATED
The official site's mobile suit & character sections were put up, and the imageboard section was updated. The stats of the MS shown look to be lifted from their UC counterparts. Official spelling for one of the new characters is Tremie and the masked man is revealed to be Neyarl.

Tremie - Female pilot who uses a deep-crimson GM Command. 18-years-old. Has fierce emotions, a determined spirit, and never gives up. Even if she surrenders, she holds on to her childlike side that doesn't quit and her cheerfulness energizes the comrades in her tribe. Holds a secret vow within her heart. She continues her tribe's search for her older brother, from whom she's been separated from her entire life.

Neyarl - Very clever and talented. A soldier-like individual who hates ambiguousness. When things aren't clearly black & white, he feels regret. An officer of the proud Izengrad army who very much depends on the trust of his subordinates. During a growing battle with the Dark Mobile Alliance, he encounters the protagonist. Is it treachery hidden behind his mask? Or...

 

0079 Card Builder update
Game Watch has more up on MS Gundam 0079: Card Builder. To play, one buys either a Federation or a Zeon starter pack and builds units with up to a maximum number of 5 cards using 4 different varieties (character, mechanic, up to 2 weapon, and customize cards). 8 tables are grouped together with the main monitor, which keeps track of the overall military balance of the war and displays original event animations done by Sunrise.

 

UC.net confirmed for US?
The following was sent in by Kai Baku:
"I am a frequent visitor to your blog and wanted to contribute a little bit. I went to E3 earlier on Wednesday and visited the Bandai booth. They have the release date for the U.S. Version of Universal Century set at Spring 2006 (according to the little sign above the demo station). The English version client is being developed and they demoed the client and the game." Price is yet to be determined.

Some may recall that the MMORPG has had a shifty history with regards to a possible American release date. It was previously reported in 2002 that the game had an expected stateside release date and then retracted a couple years later on UC.net's defunct English page. It was also mentioned offhand (though not necessarily confirmed) during a Bandai panel Q&A at Sakuracon this year.

 

DESTINY 4th ED info
Victor Entertainment Animation Network announces that See-Saw will return to do the 4th ending theme for SEED DESTINY, "Kimi Wa Boku Ni Niteiru" ("You Look Like Me"). It goes on sale August 3rd and will begin airing from July.

 

SEED Special Edition for PSP
Bandai Visual announced all 3 SEED Special Edition will be coming out for PSP UMD-Video on July 14. Each one is priced at 3990 yen. The same press release mentions Eureka7 will be released for PSP UMD-Video as well on July 22.

 

More MBS Anime Festival '05 guests
Mentioned a week and half ago here, Sunrise and MBS announced following music artist will appear as well;
T.M. Revolution (OP artist for SEED & DESTINY)
Nami Tamaki (OP/ED artist for SEED & DESTINY)
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR (OP artist for DESTINY)
Hitomi Takahashi (OP artist for DESTINY)
YeLLOW Generation (ED artist for FMA)
Kozue Takada (ED artist for Eureka7)

 

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam II
Sunrise has announced advanced tickets for the 2nd Zeta movie will go on sale May 28th. Bonus giveaways are bookmarkers, a red character version or a blue mobile suits version. Zeta II is coming out on October.

 

Gundam: True Odyssey update
Info from Bandai's merchandise catalog:
Trush - 16-years-old
Flitz - 14-years-old
Ithi - ?-years-old
"The Enigmatic Man" - A masked man who appears in front of Trush and company. What is the true nature of this man who holds the key to the story...
Gabenjar - He has a rough outward apperance but is a scholarly individual with extensive knowledge. He joins in with Trush and his team with the intent to investigate something.
Tolemy - 18-years-old. One person the group comes across midway through their journey. Is beautiful but rude. Surprisingly childish.

Characters in screens but not profiled:
Takkar
Lenzar

The world map - You venture out into the huge world with a maximum party of 6. Get a vehicle and cross over the sea!
Dungeon areas - Formidable enemy mobile suits await. Various items are concealed in boxes.
Battle scenes - 3 people participate in battles. Command choices include "fight", "boost skill", "technique", & "item". Deep gameplay through simple operations.
Battle system - A variety of attacks use energy. Boost attacks can be used as well as energy-consuming critical hit feats. Certain techniques are unique skills that carry points which can be used for recovery and special attacks.
Customize mobile suits - Start out with a normal MS, rapidly swap parts & change colors.
Equipment block system - Bring out the utmost from your MS by equipping it with various forms of weaponry through placing them in grid block slots.

MS shown: RX-78, Zaku II, Guncannon, Byg Zam, Gouf, GM, GM Sniper?, Gelgoog, Psyco Gundam, Hyaku Shiki, R-Jarja, Shining Gundam, Master Gundam, Altron Gundam (EW version), & Gundam Deathscythe Hell (EW version). Customized parts & weaponry of other MS are shown, making it likely that they are in the game: Z'Gok, Elmeth, Bawoo, HiZack, Super Gundam/G-Defensor?

 

Shizuoka In The Hood
Pesu Kari HP
Gundam Collection Shop
Rakuten Be-J Web Shop

 

Zeta Gundam Historica pics
Cover pics for issue 00, 01, and binder are available at Amazon Japan now. Issue 00 comes out week from today (May 25).

 

Upcoming PSP, PS2 Gundam games
This week's Famitsu magazine indicates PSP "Mobile Suit Gundam Gihren's Greed - Blood of Zeon", and PS2 "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY Generation of C.E." are coming out on August 11.

PSP MSG Gihren's Greed - Blood of Zeon
- 85% complete
- Apparently this will be the same as the Playstation version released in 2000. It will include the bonus feature (the Strategy Guide which later came out) and a faster AI.

PS2 MSG SEED DESTINY Generation of C.E.
- 7140 yen
- 80% complete
- SEED, Astray, MSV units and characters are included
- developed by Tom Create (developers of the G Generation series games)

 

One more Zeta movie premiere stream
Cinema Topics Online has perhaps the complete premeire vid held 2 nights ago. The links to the vid are at the bottom.

 

New Dunbine figure line
Hobbynet put up a listing for a new figure line from Bandai called Lord Of Byston Well. The series will be overseen by Takeya Takayuki, known for his work on the Super Imaginative Chogokin line. The first figure will be the Dunbine in September for 3,940 yen.

 

Zeta charity auctions
The Yahoo! Japan auctions for the Tomino-signed Zeta movie I poster and press sheet are up. Both items started at 1 yen and are currently at 50,000+ yen with another 5 days to go until the end of bidding. Proceeds go to Make A Wish Of Japan.

 

Citizen Toxie: The Shizuoka Hobby Show IV
http://f14a.at.infoseek.co.jp/ (Yes, the HGUC Hazel is still alive)
Japan K.K.S. Association

 

MS Gundam for the PS3
Gamespot has streaming vids from Sony Computer Entertainment's pre-E3 press conference. One of the game demos shown for the upcoming system was a 30-second OYW Gundam demo from Bandai (can be seen at approximately 1:45 in Gamespot's video).

IGN is referring to this game as "Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam World" though the trailer simply says "Mobile Suit Gundam".

 

Zeta premiere vid UPDATED
Yahoo! Japan News has a 5-minute video from the special premiere of the Zeta Gundam movie in Japan today. Yoshiyuki Tomino, Nobuo Tobita, Shuuichi Ikeda, Toru Furuya, and Gackt all get some cameratime in front of the reporters.

UPDATED
A different stream focusing on Gackt courtesy of goo. The end includes part of Metamorphoze's music video, in which he sings from a 360 degree panoramic cockpit.

 

Shizuoka 33 1/3: The Final Insult
HobbyLink Japan
modelfplus (Modeller's Club Exhibition)
Nageyari Tengoku (5/16 update)
Toycan

 

Tamaki Makes Progress
Oricon announces that Nami Tamaki's 2nd album, "Make Progress", was the #1 album in Japan this past week with 92,000 copies sold. Her first album, "Greeting", had sold 83,000 copies to begin with and reached #5 on the charts.

 

Figure tidbits
Pam's Homepage clarifies that the release date of the Infinite Justice MSiA is in September and that the 3rd in the Cosmic Region line will in fact be the Strike Freedom Gundam.

On the other hand, Hobbynet strangely says that the Zeonography Gouf Custom will turn into an Efreet, which contradicts previous listings elsewhere.

 

Gundam-inspired robot developed
This has been making the rounds in various places the last few weeks but as this article is in English and it plays up the Gundam-relevant side of the story, I might as well post it. The official site for the Land Walker is over here.

 

Zeta movie Apple trailer
Apple Japan's Quicktime trailers site now has a large version of the Heirs To The Stars trailer.

 

Zion: the Gundam shot bar
Slashdot Japan writes of the existence of a Gundam-themed bar in Sendai called "Zion". Naturally, the food and drinks are all UC Gundam-related, like the Z Gundam (their name for a Heineken), ZZ Gundam (Corona), Black Tri-Stars (three colas respectively mixed with vodka, gin, and tequila), A Baoa Qu-styled Octopus Dumplings, Bigro Claws (crab claws), etc. The interior is decorated with Gunpla and a large screen plays the anime inside.

Pics can be seen at:
Algolium
Costa del Sol
Ace Attacker