Gundam 00’s Exclusive Gundam Zabanya Gunpla Kit Gets Official US Restock
Image by James RichardsonAn exclusive Gunpla kit based on Gundam 00’s heavily armed Gundam Zabanya has officially returned to the US, offering builders another chance to add it to their collection.
The “HG 1/144 GUNDAM ZABANYA (FINAL BATTLE Ver.)” recreates the mobile suit’s upgraded appearance from the final confrontation in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer.
Originally released in 2010, A Wakening of the Trailblazer serves as the theatrical sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam 00, continuing the story of Celestial Being as its Gundam pilots confront a new threat from the extraterrestrial ELS.
Gundam Zabanya is piloted by Lyle Dylandy, the second Lockon Stratos, and serves as the successor to his earlier Cherudim Gundam.
Unlike the precision-sniping approach associated with Cherudim and the original Gundam Dynames, Zabanya was developed for overwhelming ranged attacks, using numerous remote-controlled weapons to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
The mobile suit’s Final Battle configuration takes this approach even further, equipping Zabanya with additional GN Holster Bits and GN Rifle Bits to maximize its offensive and defensive capabilities during the battle against the ELS.
Bandai originally released a standard HG 1/144 Gundam Zabanya in August 2010, followed by the expanded Final Battle version as a Premium Bandai exclusive in December 2021.
This upgraded kit builds on the original model with newly molded backpack components and additional suspension arms designed to accommodate the extra weaponry.
The suspension arms can move and have their angles adjusted, allowing builders to reposition the expanded equipment around Zabanya’s shoulders and back.
Four additional GN Holster Bits are included, increasing the total to 14 and recreating the large shield-like units arranged around the mobile suit during its final battle.
These remote-controlled units serve as defensive shields and weapon storage containers, with the kit allowing them to be mounted around Zabanya or separated for individual display.
The Final Battle version also adds four GN Rifle Bit II weapons, increasing the total to six, with the newly included weapons reproduced in their detached bit form.
Unlike the two original GN Rifle Bit II weapons, these additional parts don’t transform into handheld rifles, but they can be stored in the GN Holster Bits or displayed separately to recreate Zabanya’s simultaneous attacks from multiple directions.
The expanded equipment gives the completed model a much wider silhouette, with its dark green weapon units surrounding the familiar white and green mobile suit.
Builders looking to recreate scenes with the weapons suspended around Zabanya will need separately sold display stands, as these aren’t included with the kit.
The restock follows several other Gundam 00 Gunpla re-releases in the US, including the return of the exclusive HG Gundam Plutone Black during Premium Bandai Week earlier in October.
Image by Charlotte DavisThat kit recreates the black-armored version of Gundam Plutone from Mobile Suit Gundam 00F, a manga spin-off exploring Celestial Being’s earlier development programs and the activities of its support organization, Fereshte.
Bandai also recently brought the PG 1/60 Trans-Am Raiser back to the US, giving collectors another opportunity to build Setsuna F. Seiei’s powerful combined mobile suit in its activated Trans-Am colors.
Image by Charlotte DavisThe exclusive “HG 1/144 GUNDAM ZABANYA (FINAL BATTLE Ver.)”, priced at $37, is currently available through the Premium Bandai US online store whilst stocks last.
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