Tomino-sama
Gunota Headlines
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
 
Bandai December merchandise
The Bandai Hobby site put up pics of products to be released in December.
 
 
HCM-Pro Z Gundam
AmiAmi reports that the HCM-Pro Zeta will be coming out in February for 2,520 yen.
 
 
Gundam news bite UPDATED
On Tuesday night, Fuji TV's "News Japan" aired a piece on "Gundam, going beyond a generation". The 5 minute long news clip includes:
- BGM from MSG, Zeta, and CCA.
- appearance by Bandai Prez/CGO Ueno, Nikkei Characters! editor Nakamura, Tomino, and yes a Char cosplayer too.
- Some of the Gundam Exhibit in Tokyo.
- Footage of Gundam fandom from 1982.

A net stream version of this clip is available here.

Edit: The Yahoo clip is down but Fuji News Network's site has a RealMedia version here.

Summary of the clip.
- Gundam Exhibition at Ueno Royal Museum has attracted over 36,000 visitors as of end of November, which is unprecedented for a modern art exhibit.
- Bandai Prez Ueno calling Gundam a 'fastball challenge' with the fans and hopes to continue Gundam for another 10 years.
- 370 million Gunplas have been sold.
- Overall Gundam sales within the Bandai Group have doubled compared to 6 years ago.
- 250,000 copies of Gundam Ace are issued each month.
- 5 million copies of The Origin have been sold.
- Nikkei Characters! editor Nakamura states Gundam is becoming a 100 billion yen market. Is also starting to see a trend of 2 generation fans (parent and kids) buying Gundam and it'll eventually become a 3 generation market.
- Tomino on the growing Gundam world. He's very thankful about the thought of even participating in this. He also states he did not create this situation as he only created the core of it.
- Tomino on the future of Gundam. According to Tomino, Gundam has ended for him. In recent years, he has come to a conclusion that he can leave it to others.
- What is Gundam to Tomino? "It is like a treasure that was obtained by chance."
 
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
 
Destiny DVD 13 cover
From Amazon Japan.
 
 
Destination hits the charts
Oricon lists FictionJunction Yuuka's first album, "Destination", as ranking #9 for the week, selling 36,000 copies.
 
 
Zeta II box office news
Z II: Lovers falls out of the top 10 in its 5th weekend after hitting theaters. As of its 4th weekend, info from 2ch had the film at 412 million yen. To date, it's averaging roughly 65% of the box office of the first movie and the final take should end up around 500 million yen.
 
Monday, November 28, 2005
 
Random MSiA stuff UPDATED
Tamashii Web put up a page for UC Arms Gallery Vol. 1 and a 3-minute video promoting their SEED Destiny MSiA in their streaming movies section.

Hobbynet is reporting that the MSiA Hambrabi is delayed until the end of December though they seem to be the only ones saying that so far.

Edit: TJ Grosnet lists the Hambrabi as having arrived today.
 
 
DESTINY tops 1 million DVD's shipped
Bandai Visual announced total DVD shipments for SEED DESTINY has gone over the 1 million mark with the release of Volume 10 a few days ago.
 
Sunday, November 27, 2005
 
R2 Zeta II DVD
Although the movie itself has been barely out for a month, a few DVD shops are already taking pre-orders for the DVD release. Those shops have the release date as Feb 24.
 
 
Bandai Pres/CGO Ueno interview

From Adult's Gundam 2 by Nikkei BP Mook:

Will the Gundam business change with the merger?
Ueno - The basic stance will not change. I will still remain as CGO. That was one of the conditions when I became the President of Bandai. The group company will change. Bandai will no longer be public, but in return the parent company will be. With the merger of Namco, I think the Gundam business will expand further. At the moment I can't reveal how, but I promise it will go beyond expectations. Up to this point, we have conducted collaborations with various companies. These will continue on based on each venture.

Position of the Group companies
Ueno - For now, each Bandai Group company will remain under the private company Bandai. I have received questions regarding making some of the Bandai operations independent and subsidary of Bandai Namco Holdings. About that, if it is necessary, we will do it. For example, at this time, there's no merit in making Gunpla independent from the Hobby Division. If we need an extraordinary amount of funding for some kind of plan, then a strategy like that is possible. Right now, we have no need for it. Plus, there's a risk of being bought out if we make it public nowadays.

Subsidiary production companies
Ueno - I won't deny the prospect of buying more production companies and making them part of the family. However, I think we can be competitive the way things are now. In terms of production companies, we do have Sunrise and Bandai Visual, but I don't believe having a larger scale is the way to go. I think Sunrise's current size is sufficient.

Future Gundam merchandise
Ueno - With Bandai's Gundam business, the Hobby Division is the most rich in history and achievement. It'll continue to be the core. On the other hand, the merger with Namco will create new business opportunites besides software packages. We still have lots of stuff to do in shopping mall arcades and in the game software genre. We'll continue developing these areas. Right now, we have many ideas thanks to the merger.

Next generation console systems
Ueno - Up to this point, Bandai hasn't limited itself to a particular platform for games. This stance won't change and we'll continue with the multi-platform model. It's already been announced that we'll be releasing Gundam games for Xbox 360 and the PS3. Which gets released first will depend on the development circumstances. Hardware performance has greatly advanced when compared to the current models. In addition, the development hurdle is higher and we have to think about how to deal with it. One of the biggest merits in this area is the merger with Namco.

Cooperating with other companies after the merger
Ueno - In the past, we did several joint ventures like developing Gundam games with Capcom, Nintendo releasing a Char Custom GameCube, and Sony Computer Entertainment releasing a Hyaku Shiki Playstation 2. We haven't thought much about the effect of the merger. I'm sure others have thought about it. Thinking, "We probably can't work with Bandai anymore." For joint ventures, I don't think they should become nervous. This is the same stance for Bandai & Namco. If they propose a new idea, I think we can work together on Gundam-related projects. After the merger settles, I'm sure other companies will come to believe Bandai hasn't changed their stance at all.

America's Gundam Business
Ueno - Looking at overall Gundam sales, 95% is domestic (Japan). The other 5% is overseas. Around 1999, we started releasing Gundam in the US. The real kickoff was in 2000 with Cartoon Network's broadcast of Gundam Wing. This series was popular with American fans but it didn't lead to the creation of a consistent fanbase. The same thing happened with the kids-oriented show SD Gundam Force. The historical outlooks on war between Americans and Japanese are different. Since war themes are harsher, we thought cuter themes like SD Gundam would work. We probably needed one more twist.

Gundam merchandise is exported to North America. However, the majority of the consumers are Asian-Americans. Overall sales aren't huge either. Currently the Super Sentai series like Power Rangers is the biggest money maker. It might be correct that we have to start from scratch for Gundam merchandising strategy in the US. One idea could be seriously thinking about a Gundam series for the US market. Of course, that series would have to be done so it can be reimported back to Japan. Gundam has a marvelous worldview, but bringing a series created in Japan with little North American style is difficult to sell.

Of course, not all of Japanese anime fits this category. There are series like Pokemon becoming localized and being hits. The Dragonball series is one example for Bandai. We thought using the same strategy as Pokemon and Dragonball would work for Gundam. We've realized it doesn't quite work that way. This is why we started market research in the US. We believe we can eventually create a long term Gundam project focusing on the US market.

European Business
Ueno - The situation in Europe is similar to the US, with Gundam business yet to be established. Power Rangers is doing very well along with Dragonball games. Tamagotchi is doing well, beating our original forecasts. Looking at the overall sales, the European market has finally surpassed the US market. Currently, our European business is centered around France. We have yet to cover all countries. This means we have room to grow. We pulled out of Germany once, but we are going to enter the market again. Latin-related countries are showing more enthusiasm for Japanese character products.

The main task is to enter more European markets. It's become more stable compared to the US, but the numbers differ depending on the series. Another problem is whether each country's TV stations will air them. Bandai is carrying a lot of series ready to be aired and have reached the point of releasing them. But we can't do it in Europe. We are thinking about DVD releases or net-streaming in order to get them out.

Right now, we're prioritizing the US market for Gundam at the moment. We have yet to perform market research in Europe.

The favorable Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korean markets
Ueno - Gundam is very popular in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea. We hold Gunpla contests in Taiwan and Hong Kong with lots of fans participating. When we created a showroom called "Gundam Base" in Taiwan, I had the privilege of holding a lecture there. When we look at these success stories outside of Japan, we strongly believe Gundam has potential in the US and Europe. All there is left is to make it happen.

Compared to Taiwan and Hong Kong, mainland China has a ways to go. Recently, we showcased our booth in China. The reactions were positive. At the same time, the booth next to us was displaying pirated Gundam merchandise. It looks like the local people know the difference between the real and fake products. Official products are sold, but at 10 times the price of counterfeits.

Both the governments of Japan and China are working to eliminate pirated merchandise. However, this is going to take a long time. Rather than go after the counterfeiters, we have to release more official products and surround the fans with them.

Q - What you would like to do in the future as CGO
Ueno - I believe the Gundam business is a straightforward challenge. If we could introduce the worldview of First Gundam and Zeta in a new form... like a new anime series or merchandise... As the CGO, I think about merchandise first though I would like to take the same approach with series and movie productions.

Gundam SEED is a wonderful series. I don't deny SEED's success, but I would like others to know about the origin more. Doing First with today's technology could be one way. Personally, I would like to dig deeper and express that worldview. If we can do that, more Gunpla and merchandise will follow.
 
 
ACE 2 official site update
The official site updated with screenshots from the opening movie, pics of the original units & characters as well as the Re-GZ, and revealed that the theme song, "Glorious", and the untitled ending theme will be done by Rina Aiuchi.
 
Friday, November 25, 2005
 
Monthly Gundam Power Rankings
The post-Zeta II monthly Gundam power rankings in Gundam Ace.

Top 30 Male Characters
1) Kira Yamato - SEED DESTINY
2) Char Aznable - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
3) Amuro Ray - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
4) Athrun Zala - SEED DESTINY
5) Kamille Bidan - Zeta Gundam
6) Quattro Bageena - Zeta Gundam
7) Anavel Gato - 0083
8) Ramba Ral - MSG/The Origin
9) Mu La Flaga - SEED DESTINY
10) Yzak Joule - SEED DESTINY
11) Seabook Arno - F91
12) Kai Shiden - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
13) Judau Ashta - Gundam ZZ
14) Shinn Asuka - SEED DESTINY
15) Shiro Amada - 08th MS Team
16) Yazan Gable - Zeta Gundam
17) Rau Le Creuset - SEED
18) Jerid Mesa - Zeta Gundam
19) Garrod Ran - Gundam X
20) Rey Za Burrel - SEED DESTINY
21) Kou Uraki - 0083
22) Lowe Guile - SEED DESTINY Astray
23) Heero Yuy - Wing
24) Auel Neider - SEED DESTINY
25) Uso Evin - V Gundam
26) Heine Westenfluss - SEED DESTINY
27) Andrew Waltfeld - SEED DESTINY
28) Dearka Elsman - SEED DESTINY
29) Duo Maxwell - Wing
30) South Burning - 0083

Top 30 Female Characters:
1) Lacus Clyne - SEED DESTINY
2) Sayla Mass - MSG/The Origin
3) Lunamaria Hawke - SEED DESTINY
4) Haman Karn - Zeta Gundam/Portrait Of A Young Comet
5) Emma Sheen - Zeta Gundam
6) Cagalli Yula Athha - SEED DESTINY
7) Four Murasame - Zeta Gundam
8) Lalah Sune - MSG
9) Meyrin Hawke - SEED DESTINY
10) Murrue Ramius - SEED DESTINY
11) Stellar Loussier - SEED DESTINY
12) Fa Yuiri - Zeta Gundam
13) Aina Sahalin - 08th MS Team
14) Elpeo Ple - Gundam ZZ
15) Tifa Adill - Gundam X
16) Mirai Yashima - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
17) Shiho Hahnenfuss - SEED DESTINY
18) Miriallia Haw - SEED DESTINY
19) Meer Campbell - SEED DESTINY
20) Cima Garahau - 0083
21) Cecily Fairchild - F91
22) Chan Agi - CCA
23) Flay Allster - SEED
24) Asuna Elmarit - Ecole du Ciel
25) Fraw Bow - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
26) Lila Milla Rira - Zeta Gundam
27) Mouar Pharaoh - Zeta Gundam
28) Matilda Ajan - MSG
29) Reccoa Londe - Zeta Gundam
30) Nina Purpleton - 0083

Top 30 MS:
1) Strike Freedom Gundam - SEED DESTINY
2) Zeta Gundam - Zeta Gundam
3) Hyaku Shiki - Zeta Gundam
4) Freedom Gundam - SEED DESTINY
5) Infinite Justice - SEED DESTINY
6) Akatsuki - SEED DESTINY
7) Nu Gundam - CCA
8) Zaku II - MSG/The Origin
9) Qubeley - Zeta Gundam
10) Gundam Mk-II - Zeta Gundam
11) Gundam - MSG/The Origin
12) Wing Gundam Zero - Wing: Endless Waltz
13) Sazabi - CCA
14) Destiny Gundam - SEED DESTINY
15) Acguy - MSG/The Origin
16) Rick Dias - Zeta Gundam
17) Gundam F91 - F91
18) Gouf - MSG/The Origin
19) Z'gok - MSG/The Origin
20) Legend Gundam - SEED DESTINY
21) Guncannon - MSG/The Origin
22) Kämpfer - 0080
23) The O - Zeta gundam
24) Strike Rouge - SEED
25) Saviour Gundam - SEED DESTINY
26) Dom - MSG/The Origin
27) Hambrabi - Zeta Gundam
28) Asshimar - Zeta Gundam
29) GOUF Ignited - SEED DESTINY
30) Wing Gundam - Wing
 
 
Side B December issue
From Bandai's Videogame Site:
SD Gundam Gashapon Wars
Alliance Vs. ZAFT
Keroro Gunsou Meromero Battle Royale Z
Hobby info
 
 
MSG 0083 Stardust Memory - OST Box
From Sunrise news: In conjuction with 5.1ch DVD release, Victor Entertainment will release the original 2 CD OST from 1992 as "Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Stardust Memory - Original Soundtrack Box" on Jan 25th priced at 3570 yen. Besides containing the original 37 tracks, it will include "The Winner" & "Men of Destiny" video edit version and a secret bonus track. The release will include the original Imanishi booklet notes and new cover jacket by Kawamoto.

On a related note, Bandai Visual now has the Katoki boxart on their site.
 
 
Wings of Rean Ep1 net screening
The important announcement was Ep 1 "Invited One" will be availabe for free on Dec 10 9pm until Dec 11 9am (for total of 12 hours) through the internet. The official site will post more information on where you can access the stream.
 
Thursday, November 24, 2005
 
Alliance Vs. ZAFT tops the sales charts
Media Create's ranking of games sold in Japan last week has Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Alliance Vs. ZAFT for the PS2 as the #1 game with sales of 298,364 copies. DengekiOnline.com's estimate is 312,000 copies. Either way, the numbers are pretty close to AEUG Vs. Titans, the last original entry in the Vs. series, and roughly double the first week sales of the next closest SEED game. In fact, with these initial sales, Alliance Vs. ZAFT has already sold more than any other single Gundam SEED game to date did. A nice comeback for the franchise in the videogames realm after Generation Of C.E., which managed to just edge out Gundam: True Odyssey for the honor of lowest selling original PS2 Gundam title. Depending on how things hold up, DengekiOnline estimates final sales between 480,000 to 600,000 copies.
 
 
Anaheim Electronics PC
LalahBit Market announced the second Gundam-themed notebook PC from Bandai Networks. Orders are being accepted for an Anaheim Electronics version to ship in March. The PC's base is the Toshiba Dynabook Satellite and it comes with AE-themed wallpaper, icons, and other contents installed. Like the Quattro sunglasses, they're only producing the item if the demand is sufficient. In this case, if they receive more than 500 orders. Price is 241,500 yen (264,600 yen with Microsoft Office Personal Edition 2003). The first Gundam notebook PC was the Char Custom model offered in December 2002.
 
 
HGUC Triple Dom set
HobbyShop Kasare lists an HGUC Triple Dom set coming in January for 4,200 yen.
 
 
First look at MG Nemo
Hobby Shop Noda-Ya has a prototype pic of MG Nemo.
 
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
 
HCM-Pro SEED DESTINY ZAKU set
Hobbynet reports that this set consisting of Rei's Blaze ZAKU Phantom and Lunamaria's Gunner ZAKU Warrior will go on sale in January for 3,990 yen.
 
 
Bandai Musuem news
ITmedia is reporting that starting this winter V Project Cockpit Reproduction will add 2 more scenarios which users can choose from. One is where the Gouf will appear and other will have Char Zaku appearing.

Also starting on Dec 17th, fans with paid admission will receive 35mm film from Mobile Suit Gundam II Soldiers of Sorrow.

Bandai Museum limited edition goods during the winter holidays:
- Keroro & Tamama (gold & silver plating set) - Dec 29, 2500 yen
- BB Senshi RX-78-2 Gundam & Zaku II S Type (silver & gold plating set) - Dec 29, 2200 yen
- Harocolle Bandai Museum Limited Edition Winter '06 version - Jan 1, 750 yen
 
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
 
ACE 2 release month, more details
Mokona Blog reports ACE 2 will come out in March. According to Gameya Tenin No Gigen, people who reserve the game will get a Premium ACE Disc DVD with promos, commercials, and other video.

Further info from Japanese mags is that original characters designed by Takuya Saito (Macross Zero, Advance Of Zeta) and original mecha designed by Junya Ishigaki appear. Tak Kepford will be the game's protagonist and his partner is Marina Carson. The units they fly are the transforming Gunarcs.
 
 
Quattro sunglass
Animage's 27th anniversary Quattro Bageena sunglass, designed by Yutaka Izubuchi and modeled by Tomino, is now available through Bandai's online shop, LalaBit Market. The sunglass comes with a red Axis case. Reservation ends Jan 5th and the product will be delievered late Feb. The sunglass will only be produced if the minimum requirement of 100 orders is met.
 
 
Wings of Rean promo
The official site now has a promo available. Also an important announcement will be made on the next update, Nov 25th.
 
Monday, November 21, 2005
 
SEED DESTINY Final Plus UPDATED
Also being reported on 2ch is that the hobby mags announced a special program consisting of a compilation of all 50 episodes of SEED DESTINY plus a new "after episode", "Erabareta Mirai" ("The Chosen Future"), that will be broadcast on Christmas.

UPDATED: It will air past midnight on Christmas. The new after episode will reveal the path of Shinn, Kira and Athrun after the battle.
TBS 1:50am-2:45am Christmas
MBS 12:30am-1:25am
 
 
This month's new plamo news
MG Nemo (end of January, 2,940 yen) - Wide range of mobility using feedback received from the MG Mk II Ver. 2.0. With shield, beam saber, and beam rifle.
HGUC Dom/Rick Dom (end of January, 1,785 yen) - With heat saber, giant bazooka & beam bazooka.
HG Akatsuki (January, 2,520 yen) - Shiranui type. With gold plating.
BB Senshi Strike Freedom Gundam (January, 630 yen)
 
 
Gunpla Academy videos
The Bandai Hobby Site hosts streaming Gunpla Academy vids, in which Tomoe Ogoshi answers questions about Gunpla techniques.
 
 
0083 DVD audio commentary update
The latest staff column has a pic of Ryo Horikawa (Kou Uraki), Rei Sakuma (Nina Purpleton), and Akio Otsuka (Anavel Gato) recording the audio commentary for episode 1.
 
 
Haro Ichiza Gundam Mahjong promo movie
A promo movie is now available on the official website.
 
 
Vifam.net opens
The official website for Round Vernian Vifam opened to promote the DVD Box going on sale in Japan on February 24th. The 15 DVD set collects the 46-episode TV series from 1983, the 26-episode Vifam 13 TV series from 1998, the two compilation OVA's ("A Letter From Katue" & "The Gathered 13"), and the two original OVA's ("The 12 Who Disappeared" & "Kate's Memory"). It'll come with 5 CD's (three devoted to BGM, a drama on CD for the first time, and a tribute album, "Corabolation"), a 48-page project handbook, a 32-page illustration collection, textless OP's & ED's, and promotion videos. The box will have art by Toyoo Ashida and the inner jackets will be done by Kunio Okawara, Toyoo Ashida, and Kenichi Chikanaga.

The original TV series is said to be a sci-fi version of Jules Verne's "Two Years Holiday", directed by the late Takeyuki Kanda (Dragonar, 08th MS Team) from a plan by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino. Though Vifam 13 was made 15 years afterwards, it takes place between episodes 22 and 26 of the first TV series.
 
 
Hyaku Shiki head display
HobbyNet has an image of the upcoming Hyaku Shiki head display by unifive.
 
 
DESTINY DVD 13
Bandai Visual put up official details regarding the last DVD for DESTINY. It it scheduled to be 112 minutes long containing episode 49 & 50, collection OP/ED, summarized footage of SEED DESTINY Festival at Tokyo International Forum, and others. It looks like it won't contain any special episode.
 
 
Gashapon song CM
The official site now has streaming version of Amuro and Char singing the 15 second long SD Gashapon Wars TV CM song.
 
 
Zeta II week 4 box office
Once again from Movie.nifty.com, Zeta II remained in the Top 10 for the fourth straight weekend at the box office. It moved up one spot at #9.
 
Sunday, November 20, 2005
 
MS IGLOO special airing
Sunrise announced episode 1, 2, and a 5 minute promo will be featured at onedotzero_shizuoka event. onedotzero_shizuoka takes place on Nov 26th 8pm-9:30pm at Shizuoka city.
 
Saturday, November 19, 2005
 
Bandai Layzner game survey
Akiba Blog put up a post with photos about the in-shop showing of a demo of an SPT Layzner game being planned by Bandai. A survey being handed out at the same store asked questions like "If a Layzner game were to be sold on the PS2, do you think you'd want to buy it?", "Do you own Banpresto's Another Century's Episode?", "Other than Gundam, tell us your favorite anime in that game", and "If there's robot anime you want to be made into a game, please tell us" (followed by the choices of Layzner, Dragonar, L-Gaim, Dunbine, Ideon, VOTOMS, and a fill-in-the-blank "other").
 
Friday, November 18, 2005
 
Haro Ichiza Gundam Mahjong DS official site
The game's official site opened. Release date is December 29th. People who reserve it get a Gundam Mahjong New Year's grab bag, which includes an original Gundam card mahjong set (136 cards), a Haro Ichiza New Year's card, and a character profile list.
 
Thursday, November 17, 2005
 
More SD Gundam Capsule Fighter details
4Gamer.net has more screenshots of the upcoming game from Bandai Korea & Softmax's presentation in the Landcinema movie theater in Seoul's Yongsan Electronics Market (something like Akihabara Electric Town in Japan). When the service starts up, 110 units from the following shows will be in the game:

Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters In Space
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War In The Pocket
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Gundam 08th MS Team
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Double Zeta Gundam
Mobile Fighter G Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Closed & open beta tests will start in January and continue through June. The service starts up officially in July with foreign expansion beginning in 2007.
 
 
Hyaku Shiki Head Display set
Following the Zeta and Gundam Mk II editions, AmiAmi lists two Hyaku Shiki Head Displays coming out in March: one "anime color" and one "real color".
 
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
 
Ultimate Mark update
Ultimate Mark's Gundam Unofficial section receives a large update with a 50% expansion of Mark's UC timeline, including events from Char's Deleted Affair & Advance Of Zeta. Also available is his After War timeline.
 
 
PS2 Alliance Vs. ZAFT review
ITmedia+ D Games put up a review of the game released in Japan today.
 
 
Z II week 3 box office figures
kosyu's Box Office Watch Site reports that Zeta II has made 351 million yen in the 16 days since opening.
 
 
Amuro & Char sing
The Gashapon Wars official site posted news saying that Toru Furuya and Shuuichi Ikeda will be singing a song in the second commercial promoting the game. According to the site, this will be the first time the two have sang together as Amuro & Char. The commercial hits the airwaves on the 21st.
 
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
 
SD Gundam Capsule Fighter info
Gpara.com posted new screencaps of SD Gundam Capsule Fighter, the new official name for the Korean online Gundam game formerly known as SD Gundam Online (it's not known if that will also be the title for the Japanese release, details of which still have yet to be announced).

Details on gameplay mentioned: 8 players (to be upgraded to 12) can fight it out on various stages. You receive random mobile suits using gashapon. Two battle modes can be chosen: situation mode and mission mode. The first uses scenarios based on the anime while the second features missions with various goals. Stages modelled on real world places in Korea appear. Each MS will have characteristic features (eg., the Launcher Strike is a powerful long-distance attack unit, the Sword Strike specializes in close combat, etc.). Before battle starts, items like land mines and Minovsky particles can be bought for later use. It's possible to destroy objects like buildings and gas tanks. Every MS has its own special move.

As mentioned before, you can upgrade, trade, and customize units. With upgrading, it's possible to receive higher grade MS through using multiple MS of the same class. There are secret units that can only be obtained this way. MS, game money, and other resources are tradeable amongst players. Color schemes can be changed and original markings can be designed and stuck onto MS.

Another article at Gpara.com talks about the Pilot Room, where you manage your MS collection, and shows off a customized Gundam.
 
 
Symphonic Suite MS Gundam SEED 2 ~ Destiny
e+ shopping lists "Symphonic Suite Mobile Suit Gundam SEED 2 ~ Destiny" coming out on December 16th. The album features music from Gundam SEED DESTINY performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Animate Web says the first pressing will come with a special box, a report from the London recording & Toshihiko Sahashi interview, and a booklet.
 
 
Gundam exhibit articles
More pics of the Gundam exhibit in Tokyo can be seen in two articles at Livedoor: one covering the main event and another specifically devoted to the "crash Sayla Mass" work, which includes pics of the usually-unseen cockpit.

Infoseek also put up an article regarding the rise in popularity of idol Chinami Ishizaka amongst Gundam fans. She is known as the model in the photo "a girl in the room with acguy" and had later appeared on the TBS program "Rank Kingdom" cosplaying as a Gundam character.
 
Monday, November 14, 2005
 
ACE 2 official site update
The content on the ACE 2 official site now includes a fair number of pics of the Black Selena, high mobility Black Selena, and Akito custom Aestivalis from Nadesico: The Prince Of Darkness and the God Gundam from G Gundam. A second promo movie is also up.
 
 
Zeta II week 3 box office
Again from Movie.nifty.com, Zeta II came in at #10 this past weekend.
 
Sunday, November 13, 2005
 
More upcoming figure info
Noda-Ya has a page for Bandai's January-March merchandise. The info for the EMSiA RX-78 clarifies that the bonus parts will allow you to recreate the post-atmospheric re-entry free fall, the struggle against Ramba Ral's Gouf, and the first Gundam-Zaku battle. The MSiA Baund Doc will be in Rosamia unit colors.
 
Friday, November 11, 2005
 
Wings of Rean DVD
The official blog put up a notice saying DVD 1 will come out April 2006.
 
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