2 months short of the 5th anniversary of the blog, I am sad to announce this entry will be the last for Gunota Headlines. Before it even had a name, it was a dumping ground for the then persistent Zeta Gundam trilogy rumors. A few days later, my blogging partner Neo-Era came on board and it transformed into what everyone has known it as. Coincidently, my current job and Gunota started around the same time. As the years went by, I became the typical busy salary-man resulting in less time devoted to helping run the site.

The ride has been great. I never imagined it would last this long. In the past 5 years, we have seen many evolutions in Gundam: an all-CG series called MS IGLOO and its follow-up installment, a series shown first over the Internet in Stargazer, and finally a Hi-Def series in Gundam 00. The digital age has allowed the exploration of different media and the quick spread of news /information.

The end of Gunota as we know it does not mean I have grown tired of Gundam. As Gundam turns 30 years old, I look forward to the next TV series and any new promising reference books on the Universal Century. Maybe you will see me lurking in forums or on whatever future project I take on. And lastly, I would personally like to thank Neo-Era and say “otsukaresama”. It was a pleasure working with you and good luck.

-- RGZ

.-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..

This is something I would’ve liked to have written under different circumstances but I’m sure many people will appreciate things don’t often go exactly as planned. For a number of reasons, I feel the time has come to close Gunota Headlines. After co-running the site for nearly 5 years, it was a decision I came to only after much consideration so apologies to anyone who may feel put off by the abruptness of this announcement. The big issue is time. Several months ago, I sustained some injuries from which I’m still slowly recovering (and, in fact, this was the main catalyst for the situation as it stands). That coupled with the demands of finishing up my computer studies have left me without the free time & energy to continue with the blog as it presently exists. I also feel one of the principle merits of Gunota has been our ability to deliver news items in a timely manner, something I don’t believe is possible anymore with things the way they are now.

But I also don’t think we’re leaving our regular readers in the lurch. Anime fandom today is more Japan-savvy than it was 5 years ago. Imageboards, largely unknown to English-speaking fandom then, pick up on news pretty quickly. The latest rumors & magazine scans can be seen on other fine sites and are passed around message boards every day. Most of the sources we use for news we’ve linked to at one time or another and many are worth visiting on a regular basis in their own right. In short, Gunota Headlines is not so much the necessary entity it may once have been and that fact makes it a little easier to let go of even as the 30th anniversary of Gundam approaches.

One of the cooler things about running Gunota was seeing something you wrote up being translated into French, Italian, Thai, etc. by people in other countries following the blog. I sincerely hope these sites can keep at the Gundam news game without our continued presence. I’ve always loved how much smaller the world seems in the Internet age and hope to contribute something to that spirit in the future. In that vein, a very special thanks goes to my overseas pal RGZ, who especially held the site together in its formative years and prevented me with my slowly progressing Japanese skills from making more horrible mistakes than I otherwise did.

-- Neo-Era

.-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..-'``'-..

Finally, we sincerely thank everyone who visited us, the many sites who linked to us as a reliable source of news, and the numerous people who gave assistance along the way.

 

Famitsu.com Gundam Vs. Gundam PSP article

Famitsu.com has a look at the PSP port.

 

Upcoming Bandai hobby merchandise

As listed at Amazon Japan:
MG Infinite Justice
MG Gundam Mk-II (black) EXF
MG Gundam Mk-II (white) EXF
1/100 00 Gundam
HGUC Geara Doga
HG GN-XIII
HG Cherudim Gundam
BB Senshi 00 Gundam
BB Senshi Sangokuden Shuuyu Hyaku Shiki
BB Senshi Sangokuden Shuusou Doven Wolf
SDX Knight Gundam (Retsuden Edition)

 

Chara Hobbys

Akiba Hobby 2 (Ecopla FG RX-78)
Hinatachiki
Mainichi.jp
Post Channel Blog

 

Gundam Vs. Gundam Next

Dengeki Online and Game Watch have coverage of the announcement at Chara Hobby of Gundam Vs. Gundam Next, the arcade follow-up to Gundam Vs. Gundam. The latest in the Vs. series will come out next year and feature some of the suits in the current GvsG, but it'll have an entirely different feel. The game will be playable at the 46th Amusement Machine Show on September 20.

 

Chara Hobby 2008

MG MS-06R-2 Shin Matsunaga's Zaku Ver. 2.0 - currently planned
1/100 00 Gundam - November, 2,730 yen
HG Ahead - November, 1,050 yen
HG GN-XIII - October
Robot Damashii Turn X - Winter
Robot Damashii Seravee Gundam - Winter
Robot Damashii Gundam Unit 01 Full Vernian - 2009
S.H. Figuarts Tohofuhai
BB Senshi 00 Gundam - November, 630 yen
SDX Knight Gundam (Retsuden Edition) - December (pre-orders begin Sept. 1)

Hobbystock's Shimazou Report 1 (Robot Damashii, MSiA, etc.)
Mimibukuro Diary
Hobbystock's Shimazou Report 2 (Gunpla)
GA Graphic
Danny Choo
Akiba Hobby

 

Famitsu.com Gundam Musou 2 article

Famitsu.com posted a few screenshots from the recently announced Gundam Musou 2.

Edit: Dengeki Online has coverage of the stage event held at Chara Hobby featuring Toru Furuya.

Edit 2: Many more at Gpara. This article says Gundam 00 will not be in the game.

 

HGUC Geara Doga

A pic from the latest Bandai Hobby Sales Manual circulating around confirms an HGUC Geara Doga for November at a price of 1,800 yen. Anime snapshots shown indicate the uncolored prototype will be the mass-production green color and it'll come with standard and commander-type heads.

 

More Chara Hobby merchandise

GA Graphic has pics of Wave's resin 1/144 garage kits of the Rick Dias and Sturm Dias, both on sale at Chara Hobby 2008 for 18,000 and 25,000 yen, respectively.

The event's official site says a limited edition First Grade RX-78-2 Ecopla will be given to the first visitors to the Chara Hobby Plamodel Museum, which was put together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the plastic model as a domestic product.

 

Gundam Musou 2, GvsG pre-site openings

Gundam Musou 2
Gundam Vs. Gundam

 

Gundam Action Models

Coming in November are Mobile Suit Gundam Action Models (previously seen at Gundam Expo), a line of 450 yen candy toy/ABS plastic kits featuring the 4 second season Gundam 00 Gundams plus one secret figure. According to Amiami, the line was designed and manufactured by Bandai's Hobby Division, giving them the feel of low-priced plamodels of Gunpla quality.

 

Chara Hobby 2008 limited merchandise update

The GFF RX-78-2 Ver. Ka Clear Edition figure that was on sale at Comic Con and scheduled for sale on the Tamashii Web Shop starting in September will also be available at Chara Hobby 2008. Further pics at GA Graphic.

 

Gundam 00 Voice Actor singles #3 & #4

Rakuten's Guruguru Kingdom site lists Hiroshi Kamiya come across Tieria Erde coming out October 22 with an untitled song.

The same site has Hiroyuki Yoshino come across Allelujah Haptism with a release date of November 19 containing a song tentatively titled "Sun".

 

Chara Hobby 2008 Delta Gundam resin kit

GA Graphic posted a gallery of studio Reckless' 1/144 Delta Gundam resin kit. A limited edition item available at Chara Hobby 2008, it'll go for 15,000 yen.

 

Gundam Musou 2, GvG announced

This week's Famitsu announced both Gundam Musou 2 (PS2/PS3/Xbox 360) and Gundam Vs. Gundam (PSP). More details as they become available.

Edit: Gundam Musou 2 will hit all three systems on December 4. Char's Counterattack will be added to the series roster as will mecha that didn't appear in the previous version, such as mobile armors. Other series will be represented (as shown by the Strike Freedom's appearance) but it's not clear how many.

The Gundam Exia is included in the roster of Gundam Vs. Gundam MS. Additionally, the Exia will be enabled as a playable unit in the arcade version on September 1.

 

King Of Modelers 2008 Tokyo pics

Dengeki Online has a gallery of photos from the King Of Modelers 2008 competition held in Akihabara over the weekend.

 

Upcoming merchandise pics

From Amiami:
MSiA Gundam Nadleeh

 

Ichiban Kuji Red Comet merchandise

Gundam.Info has pics of the Ichiban Kuji Mobile Suit Gundam: Red Comet merchandise going on sale at the end of October at convenience stores nationwide. Following up on their first First Gundam and Gundam 00 lines, the items featured in the Red Comet edition are a Char bust bank, a vibrating Char's Zaku antenna, a Gau-shaped tape measure, an Artesia cushion, Char's Zaku and Z'Gok memo stands, adult-sized Char & Amuro rival masks, and Char-themed towels.

 

MS IGLOO 2 site update

dot anime's MS IGLOO 2 site has the second MS IGLOO 2 promo video up as well as a new promo flyer. The flyer states that the manga version will begin serialization in Gundam Ace September 26.

More Zeon mechanics were also added to the Data page's Equipment section:

-Principality Of Zeon Armament-
All-purpose medium motorcycle "B.M.C. Z78/2"

Mobile floating unit "PVN.4/3 Wappa"

Light mobile vehicle "PVN.3/2 Sauropelta"

 

Robot Damashii pics & info

The Robot Damashii diary page updated with a new entry featuring new pics of the 4 second season Gundam 00 Gundams. The stand pictured is the Tamashii Stage Act 2 Action Support Type (End of September, 1,365 yen), recommended for MSiA, S.H. Figuarts, and the like.

 

Robot Anime Expo

A few photo reports of the nearly over Robot Anime Expo:
Tree Frog & Spicy Orange
Tamulin's Tedious Word
HiQparts
Gucchi's Dokidoki Production Chronicle

 

Gundam 00 site update

The Gundam 00 official site now has pilot suit pics for the Meisters on its Character page and added the Ptolemaios 2, Ahead, and GN-XIII as well as the Arios Gundam's flight mode and the rear views of all the Gundams to the MS page. There's also a small pic of the boxart for Saachez's AEU Enact Custom (Moralia Development Experiment Type) in the Product section's Plamodel page.

 

Chiaki Ishikawa for 00 ED

The latest commercial for Gundam 00 airing during today's broadcast of Code Geass uses Chiaki Ishikawa's "Prototype" as BGM, which would seem to confirm it as the new ending song for the second season.

 

PS2 Gundam 00: Gundam Meisters cover

From Amiami.

 

More Gundam 00 cast announcements

More from the official English site:

Sumeragi Lee Noriega - Lisa Ann Beley
Wang Liu Mei - Maryke Hendrikse
Lasse Aeon - Andrew Francis
Christina Sierra - Shannon Chan-Kent
Feldt Grace - Chantal Strand
Lichtendahl Tsery - David A. Kaye

 

This month's hobby mag news

HG Ahead
HG GN-XIII
GFF Metal Composite Zeta Plus (red & blue versions)


Ptolemaios 2
"Celestial Being's new mothership. Though the previous Ptolemaios was basically unarmed, the Ptolemaios 2 seems to be equipped with weapons everywhere."

GNX-704T Ahead
"Arrows' latest main model mobile suit. It's form and armament are derived from the GN-X, a characteristic that can be seen in the drive on its back."

GNX-609T GN-XIII
"A unit deployed as the main MS of the Earth Federation army that includes improvements to the model brought about 4 years prior by the guardians."
Armament: GN Lance (a lance with a built-in rifle used for shooting and assault)

In an 00P tie-in, Dengeki Hobby's January issue (on sale Nov. 25) will come with a 1/144 GN-XXX Gundam Rasiel plamodel and February's (on sale Dec. 25) will have a GN Sefer (prototype GN Arms). The Rasiel's design can be seen at Dengeki Hobby's site. Kouryaku No Kan elaborates that the Rasiel is a 3rd generation Gundam tested alongside the 0 Gundam, with which it shares a GN drive. It's Meister is Grave Violento. The GN Sefer's model number is GNR-000 and its name means "book" in Hebrew. When the two are combined, they're called the Sefer Rasiel.

Dengeki Hobby's site (last month's update, now offline) lists Mobile Suit Gundam 00P -Episode 2302- starting in this month's issue. The original staff will continue onward with this new chapter, which depicts the pasts of the 3rd generation Meisters from the TV series.

 

Gundam Vs. Gundam for PSP?

Retail site i-Gamer.com.hk has a listing for Gundam Vs. Gundam for the PSP for November 20. One of the pics on the site is seemingly of an official list of upcoming PSP titles. Additionally, a Namco Bandai presentation PDF from May shows an unnamed Gundam-related PSP title will be released in Japan in the second half of the fiscal year with a sales target of 400,000 copies.

 

Zaku portable ashtrays

Mainichi.jp reports Banpresto will be releasing Zaku-themed portable ashtrays in convenience stores nationwide at the beginning of October. The 7.7 cm items go for 830 yen and come in mass-produced and Char Custom versions.

 

Road To 2307 cover and track list

Dengeki Online has the cover of the upcoming CD drama. The writeup says it takes place before the first episode of the TV series. The "Angels Descend" half depicts Setsuna meeting the other Meisters while the "Union Flag" half is about a younger Graham.

animate has the track list:
-Angels Descend-
1) Meeting
2) Meisters
3) Tieria's Defiance
4) Exia Vs. Virtue
5) 2 Years Later
-Union Flag-
6) Graham Maneuver
7) The Notice From Howard
8) Slature's Motive
9) Mock Battle
10) The Sky Waits For You
11) Ending

 

HG Gundam Astraea Type F parts

Dengeki Hobby Web's page on the 10th Dengeki King Of Gundam Modelers 2008 says participants get a Type F color version of the HG Gundam Astraea mod parts that came with the February issue of Dengeki Hobby this past year. The first of these events was already held in Osaka on the 9-10 and the second will take place in Tokyo on the 23-24.

 

Upcoming merchandise pics

From The Gundam Base:
MG MS-06R2 Johnny Ridden's Zaku Ver. 2.0
Keroro Gunsou Plamo Collection Foot Soldier Tamama Robo
HG 00 Gundam
HCM-Pro 00 Gundam

 

More limited-edition Gundam wafer chocolate

Similar to what they did at last year's Chara Hobby (and in 2006 and 2005), confectionery maker Morinaga announces this year's event will have a Gundam 00 Wafer Choco & Card File Set on sale aimed at male Gundam fans in their 30's. Limited to 500 sets, each comes with 20 wafer chocolates, a trading card, an original card, and a special card file folder and goes for 7,000 yen.

 

Dengeki Online PS2 Gundam 00 article

Dengeki Online has plenty of new screenshots of Gundam 00: Gundam Meisters, featuring the game's rival characters.

 

The space tourist who wasn't

Wired has a profile of the millionaire Daisuke Enomoto, who in 2006 was nearly the 4th man to become a tourist in space before his trip was canceled due to a kidney stone he contracted. Longtime Gundam fans will readily recognize the extent of Enomoto's otakuness from his very first quote in the article.

 

Gundam Expo Tokyo: A New Beginning

Insider Gunpla Intelligence Agency 2 (HG GN Arms Type D, 1/100 00 Gundam, HG Saachez Enact Moralia Type, etc.)

 

Ask Rie Tanaka a question

MediumAtLarge.net is once again asking fans for their questions to use in an interview, this time for Rie Tanaka. 10 questions will be selected and they must be posted in that article's comments section before 11:59 PM EST August 24.

 

Upcoming merchandise pics

From Hobbyist Inc.:
MG MS-06R2 Johnny Ridden's Zaku Ver. 2.0
BB Senshi Sangokuden Chouryou Gelgoog

 

Gundam 00 Voice Actor Single #2 cover

From animate.

 

Go! Go! 5 Fes '08 in Budokan

Famitsu.com and Dengeki Online both have articles up about this past weekend's Gundam 00 x Code Geass Go! Go! 5 Fes '08 in Budokan. 12,000 fans reportedly filled the arena for the special event.

 

Legendary anime directors talk Tezuka & Atom

Asahi.com covers an August 10th live discussion about Osamu Tezuka and Tetsuwan Atom at the 12th International Animation Festival by various animation directors who worked on the original 1963 anime. The participants were Gisaburo Sugii, Rintaro, Osamu Dezaki, Ryosuke Takahashi, and Yoshiyuki Tomino.

 

Gundam Expo: Endgame

Akiba Hobby (Gundam 00)
Akiba Hobby (Gunpla)
Akiba Hobby (trading figures & prize items)
Akiba Hobby (dioramas)
Ascii.jp 2
MSN Video News (IE only)
Insider Gunpla Intelligence Agency
Gundam.Info

 

MS IGLOO 2 Original Soundtrack

Sunrise says the MS IGLOO 2 Original Soundtrack will come out on October 24 in a 2-disc Specially Equipped version containing both it and the soundtrack for the first MS IGLOO. The MS IGLOO 2 soundtrack will also be sold separately on November 19.

 

MSiA, Offshoot to continue

The Robot Damashii official site has a new staff diary page with a FAQ.

Regarding the Mobile Suit In Action line, the staff says it will in fact continue on as they consider Robot Damashii a separate concept from MSiA. They cite the Operation Star One line-up going on sale in October as well as the mail-order Hazel Kai recolor, which both come out during or after the Robot Damashii line begins. The Offshoot line will only be partially transferred over to Robot Damashii with the Gawain, but they'll also have the Burai going on sale as an Offshoot in October/November as well as more Sutherland and Burai variants planned for later.

 

Trans-Am Campaign details

Gundam.Info's information regarding the Trans-Am Campaign, which begins towards the end of September, says that people who reserve Gundam 00 Blu-ray Discs & DVDs or the Gundam 00: Gundam Meisters PS2 game or who buy more than 3,000 yens worth of Gundam 00-related Gunpla & HCM-Pros will receive a Trans-Am DVD.

The limited-run DVD will feature several 00 promo videos "and more" and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

 

Escape From The Planet Of The Gundam Expo

Ascii.jp
Akiba Hobby
Gpara.com

 

Upcoming limited edition merchandise pics

The Gundam Base has a gallery of pics of Chara Hobby 2008 limited edition merchandise.

 

Gundam.Info SD Gundam Force all night screening report

Gundam.Info has a report covering the all night screening of SD Gundam Force that took place over the weekend to commemorate the sale of the DVD box set next month.

 

Gundam Expo Tokyo 2008 Weeks Later

During the opening ceremony, Bandai president Kazunori Ueno noted the date April 7 (the broadcast of the first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam) is approaching and unveiled the logo for the 30th anniversary of Gundam.

Mainichi.jp
Gpara.com (opening ceremony)
Dengeki Playstation Online
DengekiOnline.com
Gundamer.com

 

Zeta Gundam Blu-ray Memorial Box sets

Bandai Visual's site lists the first of two Zeta Gundam Blu-ray Disc Memorial Boxes coming out December 19 on the Honneamise label. It'll be a limited edition item available until January 22 (2010), comes with a 60-page booklet and a box with brand new art, and features an HD master from a new print.

Edit: AV Watch says the second box will come out January 23.

 

MS IGLOO 2 Vol. 1 DVD cover

From Amazon Japan.

 

Gundam Expo Tokyo 2008

MG Infinite Justice Gundam - October
HG Cherudim Gundam - October, 1,260 yen
HG Seravee Gundam - October, 1,890 yen
HG Arios Gundam - December, 1,575 yen
GFF RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. Ka Clear Edition - Tamashii Web Shop limited edition, October, 3,000 yen

GA Graphic (dioramas/displays)
GA Graphic (merchandise)
ITmedia +D Games
Game Watch
Mycom Journal

 

Dengeki Hobby limited edition MSiA Gundam Hazel Kai

Tamashii Web posted photos of a limited edition mail order MSiA Gundam Hazel Kai "seishiki saiyou color" (something like "full use" or "fully adopted"). Price is 2,940 yen and the order period is from July 25 through September 1, with the figures being sent out in the middle of December.

 

Go! Go! 5 Fes limited edition merchandise

The Go! Go! 5 Fes '08 site added a page for the limited edition goods going on sale. Most of the merchandise comes in either Gundam 00 or Code Geass versions.

Official pamphlet - 2,000 yen
Staff T-shirt (w/ shopping bag) - 3,000 yen
Special Pack (T-shirt, pamphlet, eco-totebag, penlight) - 5,500 yen
Microfiber towel - 2,500 yen
Eco-totebag - 600 yen
Trans-Am Mode wristbang (brilliant rose) - 1,050 yen
Penlight - 1,000 yen
Strap - 1,000 yen
HG Gundam Exia Clear Color (Go! Go! 5 Fes '08 Special Package Ver.) - 1,500 yen
Mechanic Collection Lancelot (Go! Go! 5 Fes '08 Special Package Ver.) - 1,500 yen

 

PS2 Gundam Meisters official site opens

The official site opened today. The reservation bonus is the Trans-Am DVD mentioned not long ago, featuring a first season "Mission 4" video, a second season "Mission 0" vid, and a second season commercial.

 

Technodream I video

The University Of Tokyo's Todai.TV site has RealMedia video of Technodream I, at which Yoshiyuki Tomino gave a lecture for an audience of 500.

 

Famitsu.com Gundam Meisters article

Famitsu.com has another article on the PS2 game detailing various features.

The 00 Mode, invoked when you fill up and activate your 0 Gauge, seems to be a renamed version of the previously described Action Movie system. You continue raising your level until the 00 Mode ends when a mistake is made in button input. When the Mode ends, if you've reached beyond a certain level, an Action Movie can be triggered. If you reach the maximum level, a two-unit Formation Attack is carried out.

There are 4 kinds of Action Movies: Single Hit Certain Kill (push the button when a moving cursor reaches the center point of a vertical gauge), Timing (push the button in time to an extending, rounded bar on screen), Barrage (press the button as fast as you can in a certain amount of time), and Multiple Button Fast Push (press the indicated sequence of buttons as fast as possible).

The game will also feature an original opening animation sequence set to music by the brilliant green though it's not clear if the song will be "Ash Like Snow" or something new.

 

Gundam 00 site update

The official site updated its Character roster.

Saji Crossroad
"His old appearance left behind to youth, he is now a young man through and through. Fulfilling his promise to Louise, he becomes a space engineer working at colony construction sites."

Marina Ismail
"The Azadistan princess at the mercy of the wave of revolution sweeping the world. Without the advice or support of the absent Shirin, she nonetheless works hard to rebuild her fallen country."

Ian Vashti
"Longtime mechanic serving on board the Ptolemaios. Also in command of the development of new units, the foremost of which is the 00."

Feldt Grace
"In contrast to the past, her gentle voice and facial expressions are gone and she's become more like a woman. Did she have Christina somewhere in mind when she tied together her once parted hair?"

Lasse Aeon
"Alive after somehow surviving injuries from the previous battle, he comes on board the Ptolemaios as a long-serving crewmember. To make up for the deceased Lichtendahl, he shoulders the burden of being not only the gunner but also the helmsman on the bridge."

Mileina Vashti
"14-year-old daughter of Ian who joins the crew of the Ptolemaios. Normally at the operator's chair but also a mechanic with the inherited knowledge and skill of her father. She brightens up her surroundings with her airheaded expressions and behavior."

 

Gundam Unicorn site update

The official site has an update in its Story section for "At The Depths Of The Well Of Gravity 2" and another MS update.

AMS-129M Zee-Zulu
Head height: 20.3 m
Base weight: 28.9 t
"An amphibious MS developed by the remnants of the Neo Zeon forces. It was given to Zeon sympathizers on Earth after having been developed in space. Sharing its basic frame with the Geara Zulu, it's additionally equipped with a vest-shaped diving apparatus, a blast tank around the neck, hydrojet propellers, and underwater fins. Both arms have heat knives made of ceramic-polymers coupled with forearm-mounted melee claws, giving it the outward appearance of an amphibious MS with crustacean pincers."

 

Another Story "Road To 2307" cast

animate has a cast list for the second Gundam 00 CD drama.

"Angels Descend"
Setsuna F. Seiei
Lockon Stratos
Allelujah Haptism
Tieria Erde
Sumeragi Lee Noriega

"Union Flag"
Graham Aker
Billy Katagiri
Reife Eifman
Howard Mason
Sleg Slature - Hiroshi Ito
Setsuna F. Seiei

The description at Liondo says that in contrast to the first CD drama, this one will have a serious tone with stories that link to the TV series.

 

Second season Gundam 00 OP update

Sports Hochi reports on UVERworld's opening song for Gundam 00, giving the title as "Hakanaku Mo Eikyuu No Kanashi" (the "Eikyuu" portion of the title could also be read as "Towa" or "Tokoshie"). The single goes on sale in November.

Edit: The Info page on UVERworld's official site clarifies it as "Hakanaku Mo Towa No Kanashi".

 

Robot Damashii official site opens

Tamashii Web's official Robot Damashii site is up with sections about the line, the lineup itself, and an event report from the recent announcement.

 

Gundam Battle Universe site update

The official site has passwords for 3 missions in its News section.

Gundam.Info also posted passwords for stages in their 7/24 and 8/7 GBU articles.

 

Upcoming merchandise pics

From Hobbyist Inc.:
HG 00 Gundam

From Amazon Japan:
HG 00 Gundam

 

Toru Furuya for Casshern

Sponichi Annex reports Toru Furuya has been cast as the title character in the upcoming TV anime remake of Casshern by Madhouse, titled "Casshern Sins". This 21st century Casshern series is planned to air on MBS in October as well as in four countries overseas, including America and France.

 

UVERworld for Gundam 00 OP

Kouryaku No Kan says this month's anime magazines reveal the new opening song is UVERworld's "Hakanaku Mo Kanashi" (tentative name). The band will participate in the upcoming Go! Go! 5 Fes Code Geass/Gundam 00 event on August 16-17.

 

Gundam 00 Trans-Am Campaign

Gundam.Info announces the Trans-Am Campaign: Commemorating the broadcast of the second season of Gundam 00, which begins October 5th, reserving or purchasing specific video media, plamodels, or games will get shoppers a Trans-Am DVD with special 00-related content. The merchandise in question will be revealed soon on Gundam.Info.

 

Gundam Expo Tokyo 2008 limited edition merchandise

Gundam.Info has pics of the limited edition Gunpla to be sold at Gundam Expo Tokyo 2008 mentioned a couple of weeks ago.

Other non-plamodel merchandise available:
3D Depth Type 3D Gundam poster - 10,000 yen
2-sided 3D Zaku poster - 10,000 yen
Celestial Being muffler towel - 1,500 yen
Trans-Am Mode muffler towel - 1,500 yen
Celestial Being wrist band - 1,000 yen
Trans-Am Mode wrist band - 1,000 yen

 

Chara Hobby 2008 limited edition merchandise

Bandai Hobby's site has a list with snapshots of Chara Hobby 2008 limited edition merchandise. The items shown:

1/60 Gundam Exia Clear Color (Trans Am Mode) - 4,500 yen
PG Zaku II + Weapons (Animation Color Version) - 14,000 yen
MG G3 Gundam Ver. One Year War 0079 - 3,200 yen
BB Senshi DX Versal Knight Gundam (Full Color Plated Version) - 8,000 yen
1/35 Mechanic Collection Guren Mk-II (Full Color Plated Version) - 3,800 yen

 

Namco Bandai first quarter profits down

Forbes reports Namco Bandai Holdings Inc. said its operating profits for the first quarter of the fiscal year were down 66% from the same time last year. A dropoff in game arcade business due to oil prices, sluggish content business, and weak toy sales were singled out for blame.

 

This month's Newtype magazine news

Saji Crossroad - Saji, who was affected the most by the resulting strife caused by the Gundams, overcame various hardships in his grieving youth to become an adult. He works in space development, continuing to wait for another meeting with Louise. When will he achieve his dreams?

Feldt Grace - Escaping in an assault container with Sumeragi and Ian, she concentrates the life saved by Chris into the resurrection of Celestial Being. Though she was rarely emotional as a young person associating with people before, the 4 years span of time has largely matured her human nature.

Ian Vashti - Boarded an assault container in the decisive battle with the UN Forces and narrowly escaped. Afterwards, he began development of a new Gundam, the 00, at the request of Wang Liu Mei. Serves as an engineer in the resurrection of Celestial Being.

Mileina Vashti - Ian's daughter. A 14-year-old girl with innocence to spare but who participates in the reborn Celestial Being. She is an operator but as she exhibits her father's genius, she is also active as a mechanic.

Lasse Aeon - Went missing with the downed GN Arms during the decisive battle with Alejandro. But he miraculously turned up alive and returned to the reborn Celestial Being. After Lichtendahl's death, he is in charge on the bridge of not only the gunning but as the helmsman as well.

 

MS IGLOO 2 preview screening

Sunrise writes that a preview screening of the first episode of MS IGLOO 2 will take place on September 5 at Akihabara's UDX Theater, nearly 2 months before it hits DVD & Blu-ray. Staff members will also appear for a discussion. The event is open to people who apply for a seat through the latest issues of Hobby Japan, Dengeki Hobby, Gundam Ace, Weekly Ascii, or .dot anime's MS IGLOO 2 site. As usual, lucky attendees are selected at random.

 

Gundam 00 second season OP to be announced

Dengeki Online says the formal announcement of the new Gundam 00 opening theme song will take place during Gundam Expo Tokyo 2008 (August 12-17).

 

New plamodel news

Hobby Search posted info about a MG Strike Freedom Gundam Extra Finish Version coming in September for 9,975 yen.

 

Bandai announces Robot Damashii

GA Graphic posted a brief report giving minor details about the new Bandai robot line: Robot Damashii (Robot Spirits). This new toyline will feature 12 cm ABS/PVC figures with POM joints. The lineup will include mecha from Gundam 00's second season, Macross F, Code Geass, and Eureka Seven. According to Hobbystock's blog, it seems that Robot Damashii will take up the mantle of the MSiA and Offshoot In Action figure lines from here on. One of the things that differentiates it from the previous iterations is the use of 3D data modeling in the design. The new brand's name is said to come from a phrase uttered by Hajime Katoki, who tells people when things "need more robot spirit" (GA Graphic's report says it was "I don't talk to people who don't have robot spirit"). Tamashii Web has a small Robot Damashii page up. Guests included Bandai president & Chief Gundam Officer Kazunori Ueno, Gundam 00 mecha designers Kanetake Ebikawa and Takayuki Yanase, Bandai Collectors Division's Planning & Development Team Leader Hiroaki Tanaka, and Gundam UC author Harutoshi Fukui.

Further details:
Bandai plans to have 40 different Robot Damashii figures out in 2009, with the 00 release schedule showing 2 more figures in December, 3 in January, 4 in February, and 3 in March. Elaborating on the 3D data bit, one of the selling points is the synthesis between the 3D modeling and the prototype models, referred to as "hybrid modeling" (Bandai's Tanaka is quoted by ITmedia as saying "Mobile inspection is done with 3D CAD but we're also using handmade prototypes made by craftsmen to recreate the delicate features like the arms and wrists"). Another point is that the mold production is done using the same method as the Soul Of Chogokin line. One of the promotional displays promises the lineup won't just focus on the lead mecha.

Robot Damashii No. 0001 00 Gundam - October, 2,625 yen
Robot Damashii No. 0002 Arios Gundam - October, 2,625 yen
Robot Damashii No. 0003 Graham's Union Flag Custom II - November, 2,310 yen
Robot Damashii No. 0004 Cherudim Gundam - November, 2,940 yen

Seravee Gundam - price and date not set
Turn X - exhibit only
Shinkiro - exhibit only
Guren Mk-II Flight Enabled Type - Winter
Zangetsu - exhibit only
Gawain - Winter
Nirvash Type Zero - exhibit only
VF-25 Messiah - exhibit only

Galleries & coverage:
Hobbystock's Shimazou Report blog
Akiba Hobby
Moe Yo! Akibajin
GA Graphic (formal report)
Anime! Anime!
Mainichi.jp
Digitamin Blog (00 Gundam promo shots)
ITmedia +D Lifestyle (release schedule pic)
Post Channel Blog
Mycom Journal

 

Upcoming merchandise pics

From The Gundam Base:
Mechanical Complete Model Lancelot Conquestor
HY2M Air Shock Battle 1/12 Beam Saber
HCM-Pro E.F.F. 08 Team Vs. Zeon Set
HCM-Pro Shenlong Gundam
MG Zaku Cannon
BB Senshi Gundam Exia
Action Base 1 Sparkle Clear Green

 

Tamashii Nations new robot toyline update

As stated a few weeks back, Bandai plans to announce a new robot toyline later this evening. The silhouette of the 00 Gundam with the mention of the impending news on today's Tamashii Web staff diary indicates it could be the new Mobile Suit In Action line first hinted at during Tokyo Toy Show.

 

Gundam Vs. Gundam hidden element #5

Alpha Station says the latest addition is yet another course, known as "Another Course", for CPU battles.

According to posts on 2ch, the Gundam Exia also appears as a computer-controlled unit with Lockon as an assist and two types of Gundam Meister G Crossover specials.

 

UVERworld for Gundam 00 OP?

The latest commercial for Gundam 00, aired during the most recent broadcast of Code Geass in Japan, featured a song believed by posters on 2ch to be done by the band UVERworld.

 

Tamashii Nations In Yodobashi Akiba

Akiba Hobby

 

SD Gundam Chiibii Senshi to be reissued

Hobby Shop Midori mentions SD Gundam Chiibii Senshi, a BB Senshi spinoff line that was originally released between 1992 and 1994, will be reissued in September.

The lineup:
Gunfire Jr.
Burning Knight F91 Jr.
Captain Gundam FF Jr.
Knight Gundam GP01 Jr.
Star Gundam GP01 Jr.
Knight Gundam GP03 Jr.
Super Dragon Guardian Formulander Jr.
Captain Formula F91 Jr.
Captain Neo Gundam Jr.
Feudal Lord Gundam EX Jr.
Holy Dragon Knight Zero Gundam Jr.
Crystal Senshi Gundam Knights
Crystal Senshi Gundam Formulas
Crystal Senshi Gundam Commanders

 

Hobby No Machi Shizuoka In Summer

Gentei Ichiba 1 (1/100 00 Gundam)
Gentei Ichiba 2 (HG, HCM-Pro 00 Gundam)
Gentei Ichiba 3 (Non-00 Gundam merchandise)
Yoshimu No Blog

 

Bandai's future merchandising plans for US

Collection DX covers Bandai's upcoming plans stateside for their high-target toylines in their Comic Con reports for Toynami and Bandai/Tamashii.

 

Kyoshiro Maniax Red Warrior release date

Happinet Online lists the GFF x Kyoshiro Maniax Red Warrior/Casval's RX-78 Gundam coming in November for 5,775 yen. It'll come with a bazooka, shield, beam saber, and beam rifle.

 

BB Senshi Sangokuden site update

Bandai Hobby gave their Sangokuden official site a makeover, separating it into sections for Info, Merchandise, and Characters.

 

Upcoming merchandise pics

From Hobby Search:
MG Johnny Ridden's Zaku Ver. 2.0 - September, 4,725 yen
HG Saachez's AEU Enact Custom (Moralia Type) - September, 1,050 yen
HG GN-Arms Type D + Gundam Dynames - with Lockon Stratos figure, September, 6,300 yen
BB Senshi Sangokuden Chouryou Gelgoog - September, 630 yen

Scans can also be seen at Hobby Shop Midori.