BANDAI reveals best look yet at new RG Shining Gundam Gunpla kit

BANDAI SPIRITS has released a new set of images for the upcoming Shining Gundam Gunpla kit.

The images showcase the kit’s impressive articulation, detailed appearance, and its ability to transform seamlessly into its powerful “Super Mode” without the need for parts swapping.

The Shining Gundam is a central mobile suit from “Mobile Fighter G Gundam” an anime series that debuted in 1994.

Breaking away from the traditional “Universal Century” timeline, “G Gundam” introduced a unique “Future Century” setting where international disputes are settled through a quadrennial “Gundam Fight”, a martial arts tournament featuring giant humanoid mobile suits.

g gundam key art — G Gundam was the first series not to take place in the Universal Century timeline

The Shining Gundam serves as the primary mobile suit for the protagonist, Domon Kasshu, during the first half of the series, before being succeeded by the God/Burning Gundam.

It is particularly known for its powerful “Shining Finger” attack, where the Gundam’s hand glows with energy for a devastating melee strike.

As a Real Grade (RG) Gunpla, the “RG 1/144 Shining Gundam” is designed to offer a highly detailed and articulated model kit in the popular 1/144 scale.

The RG line is renowned for incorporating elements typically found in larger scale 1/100 Master Grade (MG) kits, such as intricate inner frames and advanced color separation, all within a more compact size.

The core concept behind RG kits is to recreate mobile suits with fine details and a wealth of movable parts, providing a satisfying and challenging build experience that results in a highly realistic miniature.

The “RG 1/144 Shining Gundam” aims to translate the dynamic martial arts action of “G Gundam” into a plastic model.

This focus on articulation allows for a wider range of flexible and dynamic poses, enabling builders to recreate iconic combat stances and special moves.

A standout feature is the complete transformation into “Super Mode” without the need for any replacement parts, a significant engineering feat for an RG kit.

In “Super Mode,” the Shining Gundam’s performance is significantly boosted, and its appearance changes dramatically.

The kit’s transformation mechanism is elaborate, with various parts equipped with deployment and extension gimmicks.

These include the shoulder covers, arm covers, and leg covers, which extend and shift to expose internal details, replicating the suit’s transformation as seen in the anime.

As this model is expect to be displayed in dynamic martial arts poses, the feet have been designed with enhanced stability, allowing the toes to extend forward while the ankle covers rotate backward which allows it to maintain its balance when posed.

For armament, the “RG 1/144 Shining Gundam” includes two types of beam swords, a set of expressive hand parts, including those specifically designed to recreate the “Shining Finger” attack.

The kit will also come with realistic decals, allowing builders to add fine details and markings to their completed model.

The “RG 1/144 Shining Gundam” is scheduled to go on sale in retail and hobby stores on June 28th, 2025, with a price of 3,850 yen (approx. $26.08 USD / £19.48 GBP).