Char Aznable’s Sazabi Confirmed for Bandai’s METAL ROBOT Spirits Line
Bandai Spirits has officially announced the development of the MSN-04 Sazabi for its high-quality “METAL ROBOT Spirits <SIDE MS>” figure line, originating from the classic animated film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack.
Released in theaters in 1988, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack serves as the dramatic conclusion to the fourteen-year rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, a conflict that began in the original Mobile Suit Gundam series.
The film covers Char’s attempt to force humanity to migrate into space by dropping the asteroid Axis onto Earth, precipitating a final duel between his Sazabi and Amuro’s RX-93 Nu Gundam.
The Sazabi itself is a technological marvel within the Universal Century timeline, designed as a dedicated machine for Newtypes and equipped with a psycho-frame cockpit that allows the pilot’s brainwaves to directly control the mobile suit’s movements and its remote “funnel” weapons.
The “METAL ROBOT Spirits” brand is renowned among collectors for utilizing die-cast metal parts in the joints and frame, providing a sense of weight and durability that standard plastic models often lack.
This construction method allows for high stability when posing the figure, which is essential for recreating the dynamic aerial combat scenes depicted in the movie.
The announcement was accompanied by a teaser image revealing the rear view of the formidable mobile suit, confirming the inclusion of its characteristic armaments.
Distinctive features visible in the teaser include the massive propellant tanks, the intricate thruster arrays, and the signature funnel pods mounted on the backpack.
The Beam Shot Rifle and the Sazabi’s large shield are also clearly attached to the figure, showing that fans can expect a comprehensive reproduction of the Neo Zeon Supreme Commander’s final machine.
The timing of this reveal is particularly significant for fans, as it coincides with the market debut of the METAL ROBOT Spirits Nu Gundam.
With Amuro Ray’s final mobile suit arriving in stores on January 24, the confirmation of its rival unit allows collectors to look forward to eventually displaying the two legendary machines side-by-side.
Detailed specifications, pricing, and the release window for the METAL ROBOT Spirits Sazabi have not yet been disclosed, though Bandai Spirits has promised that further information will be released in the near future.
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