RG Zeta Gundam and more on show! Chara-Hobby 2012 event report (part 1)

Japan's biggest character and hobby event, Chara-Hobby 2012, was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba this August 25th and 26th.

Among the exhibitors was Bandai, whose booth had the newest merch, event-exclusive sales, early chances to pick up the fall's hottest items, and even live appearances.

Let's take a look at the Gundam items on show!
First, the Bandai, Banpresto, and Namco Bandai Games booths.


＜Bandai＞

■ MG Gundam AGE-2 Dark Hound / November / ¥4,410
Captain Ash's popular AGE-2 Dark Hound is now an MG!

■ HG Gundam Legilis / October / ¥1,575

■ HG Clanche / September / ¥1,365

■ AG Gundam AGE-FX Super Clear ver.
A super-clear AGE-FX for Gage-ing Battle Master Challenge #6 qualifiers!

■ HGUC Byarlant Custom / November / ¥2,730

■ MG Aegis Gundam / October / ¥5,040

■ RG Zeta Gundam / November / ¥3,150
The newest RG kit is the Zeta Gundam! Keep an eye out for a Gundam Ace tie-in!

■ MG Nu Gundam Ver. Ka / December / ¥7,350
The design for Gundam Front Tokyo's Dome-G screening was announced for an MG this December.

■ HG GM Sniper II / September / ¥1,575

■ (left) BB Senshi 374 Gundam Legilis / 9/8 / ¥1,050
■ (right) BB Senshi 376 Gundam AGE-FX / 11/10 / ¥1,050

■ BB Senshi 375 Legend BB Commando Gundam / 10/6 / ¥1,050

Also on display were items currently up for order on Premium Bandai. Of the lineup, the HG 1/144 METEOR Unit caught the most eyes! A range of goods ready for order in late Septermber were announced too.

Gunpla Expo Japan 2012 was confirmed for November 22nd - 26th at Akihabara UDX.

■ MG 1/100 Blitz Gundam Mirage Colloid (Clear ver.) / Event-only / ¥4,000

(left) AG Gundam AGE-3 (Super Clear ver.) / Event-only / ¥630
■ (center) HGUC 1/144 Delta Plus (Metallic ver.) / ¥4,000
■ (right) HG 1/144 Gundam AGE-2 Normal (Full Color Plating ver.) / Event-only / ¥2,800

Posters were up for Tamashii Nation 2012, this October 26th - 28th!

■ Robot Spirits Wing Gundam Zero (Pearl coat ver.)
Tamashii Nations-exclusive / ¥4,500

■ Gundam Converge SP03 / TBA / TBA
The third Gundam Converge SP set is Gundam and Zeong!

■ Gundam Converge 9 / Late December / ¥368

■ Gundam Converge 8 / Early October / ¥368

Famous Gashapon Senshi NEXT were arrayed! Included in the lineup was October's Gashapon Senshi NEXT 10!

■ Gashapon Senshi NEXT Premiere / For order on Premium Bandai / ¥3,980

Attendees could also pick up the Gundam face T-shirt, Gundam UC T-shirt, and SEED Club pack charm currently up for order on Premium Bandai Bandai Fashion Net in advance.

＜Banpresto＞

■ Ichiban Kuji Mobile Suit Gundam: Amuro History (working title) sample
A series all about Amuro hits Ichiban Kuji!

■ Ichiban Kuji Mobile Suit Gundam UC (working title) sample

■ (left) Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Kyungurumi sample
■ (right) Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY Kyungurumi sample

■ (upper) Gundam Series DXF Figure 1 (working title) sample
■ (left/center) Gundam Series DXF Figure 2 (working title) sample
■ (right) Gundam Series DXF Figure 3 (working title) sample

■ (left) Gundam Series World Collectable Figure vol. 1 (set of 8) / October
■ (right) Gundam Series World Collectable Figure vol. 2 (set of 8) / November

■ (left) Gundam Series World Collectable Figure vol. 3 (set of 8) / sample
■ (right) Gundam Series World Collectable Figure vol. 4 (set of 8) / sample

■ (left) Gundam Series World Collectable Figure vol. 5 (set of 8) / sample
■ (right) Gundam Series World Collectable Figure vol. 6 (set of 8) / sample

＜Namco Bandai Games＞

Namco Bandai Games held a one-day Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Full Boost tournament, demoed Mobile Suit Gundam AGE for PSP, and more.

■ Robot Spirits Side MS Extreme Gundam / sample
The Robot Spirits Extreme Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam EXVS Full Boost was also on display!

More info to follow in part 2 of our feature, which looks at the Gunpla Builders Base booth sponsored by the two bug hobby magazines.
⇒ Chara-Hobby 2012 event report (part 2)