Bandai Reveals Gundam SEED FREEDOM’s New and Exclusive Black Knight Squad Cal-re.A Premium Figure
Image by Charlotte DavisBandai Spirits has officially unveiled a new premium figure based on the Black Knight Squad Cal-re.A, bringing one of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM’s most powerful enemy machines into the METAL ROBOT SPIRITS line.
The “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM continued the Cosmic Era storyline in 2024, reuniting Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala, Lacus Clyne and other returning characters more than 20 years after the original Gundam SEED anime began.
The movie introduces the Kingdom of Foundation and its Black Knight Squad as major new opponents, with the NOG-M2D1/E Black Knight Squad Cal-re.A emerging as the most advanced machine developed by the group.
Cal-re.A is jointly operated by Foundation chancellor Orphee Lam Tao and Ingrid Tradoll, using a two-seat cockpit that places Orphee in control of the Mobile Suit while Ingrid handles its extensive weapons systems.
Its construction incorporates technology originating from P.L.A.N.T. alongside Foundation’s own development work, including the beam-resistant Femto Technology Armor used across the wider Black Knight series.
The machine’s arsenal goes considerably further than the other Black Knight units, with eight Sahasrabuja DRAGOON wings mounted across its back.
Each wing contains eight beam cannons for a total of 64, while Cal-re.A can also control three enormous Ziggurat DRAGOON units that operate more like miniature warships during the movie’s final battle.
Bandai’s new figure has been made slightly larger than the existing METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Strike Freedom Gundam Type II to accurately reflect the difference between the two Mobile Suits.
Its predominantly white armor is broken up by extensive gold sections, with plated parts used around the exposed frame and engraved armor details to recreate the highly decorative appearance seen on screen.
Bandai has also used different matte and metallic finishes throughout the figure alongside several shades of white and gold, with original METAL ROBOT SPIRITS markings printed across the body.
The armor covering Cal-re.A’s chest can open to expose its OCW-Z199 Adur Onzi Super High-Impulse Cannon, with plating also used around the weapon’s muzzle.
Replacement backpack units allow the eight Sahasrabuja wings to be displayed in their expanded configuration, while interchangeable face parts provide three different positions for the Mobile Suit’s single-eye sensor.
Its handheld weapons include a high-energy beam rifle that can be attached to the rear skirt and two OWC-QZ18 anti-Mobile Suit reinforced swords, with dedicated effects included for both blades.
The figure also comes with three pairs of interchangeable hands, joint parts, and a dedicated display stand.
Bandai is taking the Cal-re.A’s display options considerably further through a separately sold effect set designed around the machine’s appearance during the climactic battle.
The “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS
When fully installed, those effects expand the display to approximately 41 cm across, making the completed wing span almost three times the height of the Cal-re.A figure itself.
The translucent parts use orange plastic with clear red gradient paint, while additional particle-filled red pieces are included for the Sahasrabuja DRAGOONs.
Sixteen effect parts and a complete set of support arms allow the DRAGOON wings to be removed from Cal-re.A and suspended around the figure in their launched state.
Bandai has already recreated the other side of SEED FREEDOM’s final confrontation through the “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam Final Battle Ver.,” which adds newly sculpted damage and specialized paintwork to Kira Yamato’s final machine.
The wider SEED FREEDOM METAL ROBOT SPIRITS lineup has also expanded during 2026 with releases including Athrun Zala’s disguised Z’Gok and the heavily armed Cavalier Aifrid support unit.
More recently, Bandai revealed the “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Rising Freedom Gundam Radiance Grandeur,” the first premium figure created for the revived Gundam SEED FREEDOM MSV project and an alternate configuration showing Kira’s earlier Mobile Suit equipped with the Proud Defender.
Pre-orders for the “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS
The separately sold Cal-re.A Effect Parts Set will open for pre-orders in Japan at the same time for ¥6,050 and is also scheduled to ship in April 2027.
US pre-orders for both releases will open through Premium Bandai US on October 9, 2026 at 4:00 AM EDT, with the Black Knight Squad Cal-re.A
priced at $240, and the separately sold Effect Parts Set
priced at $50, ahead of scheduled shipping in May 2027.
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