Gundam SEED FREEDOM’s Exclusive Black Knight Squad Gunpla Set Returns for Limited-Time US Re-Release
Image by Charlotte DavisBandai has officially reopened US pre-orders for an exclusive three-kit Gunpla set from Gundam SEED FREEDOM, giving fans another chance to build three of the Black Knight Squad’s customized Mobile Suits as part of a major promotional event.
The “HG 1/144 BLACK KNIGHT SQUAD Rud-ro.A REDELARD CUSTOM&DANIEL CUSTOM&LIU CUSTOM SET” joins a large selection of exclusive Gunpla kits, figures, and other collectibles returning for Premium Bandai Week 2026, which also offers a temporary reduction to the usual free-shipping threshold.
Image by Charlotte DavisThe Black Knight Squad appears in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, the 2024 animated movie that continues the Cosmic Era storyline following the events of Gundam SEED Destiny.
The group serves as the elite military force of the Kingdom of Foundation, a newly established nation that becomes involved in the conflict surrounding Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne, and the COMPASS peacekeeping organization.
Its members operate a selection of advanced Mobile Suits equipped with powerful weapons and specialized armor, including the Rud-ro.A models used by several of the group’s pilots.
The three machines included in this collection belong to Redelard Tradoll, Daniel Harper, and Liu Shenqiang, each featuring a different color scheme associated with a particular gemstone.
Bandai originally released the exclusive High Grade set in July 2024, providing three complete 1/144 scale models with their respective armor colors and equipment.
The collection is based on the earlier “HG 1/144 BLACK KNIGHT SQUAD Rud-ro.A (GRIFFIN ARBALEST CUSTOM),” which was released in March 2024 and recreates the machine piloted by fellow Black Knight Squad member Griffin Arbalest.
All three models share the same fundamental construction and weapons, with their individual appearances recreated through separately molded armor colors and dedicated foil stickers.
The set includes the following Mobile Suits:
- Redelard Tradoll’s Rud-ro.A (Garnet) features orange armor accents against the machine’s predominantly black exterior, recreating the version piloted by Ingrid Tradoll’s younger sister.
- Daniel Harper’s Rud-ro.A (Sapphire) uses blue highlights across its armor, reproducing the distinctive coloring of Daniel’s personal machine.
- Liu Shenqiang’s Rud-ro.A (Spinel) features pink sections that distinguish his Mobile Suit from the other members of the Black Knight Squad.
Each model incorporates Bandai’s SEED Action System, which uses a specialized joint structure to recreate the dynamic combat poses seen throughout Gundam SEED FREEDOM.
The Rud-ro.A’s heavily armored design includes broad shoulders, angular leg armor and a distinctive head unit, with movable joints allowing the completed models to adopt different sword-fighting and ranged combat stances.
One of their most impressive weapons is the Anti-Mobile Suit Heavy Sword, a large close-combat blade that can be held in the hands or mounted on an articulated support arm attached to the backpack.
The support mechanism allows the sword to be positioned over the shoulder or behind the Mobile Suit, giving builders additional options for recreating the Black Knight Squad’s attacks.
Each machine also carries a High-Energy Beam Rifle and shield, with the rifle capable of being attached to the waist when not in use.
The distinctive beam capes worn by the Black Knight Squad are reproduced using flexible clear sheets with printed color gradients, allowing the completed Mobile Suits to display their signature flowing energy effects.
With all three machines included, builders can recreate the group’s formation from the movie or display the customized Rud-ro.A units alongside Griffin Arbalest’s separately sold High Grade model.
The Black Knight Squad has also received a major new collectible reveal, with Bandai recently unveiling the “METAL ROBOT SPIRITS Black Knight Squad Cal-re.A,” based on the powerful final enemy Mobile Suit piloted by Orphee Lam Tao and Ingrid Tradoll.
Image by Charlotte DavisThe premium figure recreates Cal-re.A’s elaborate white and gold armor, deployable DRAGOON equipment, and extensive weaponry, with a separately sold Effect Parts Set adding its fiery red Wings of Light.
Other Gundam SEED FREEDOM Gunpla kits have also returned to the US during Premium Bandai Week, including the exclusive “HG 1/144 GYAN Strom (HILDA HAKEN CUSTOM),” which recreates Hilda Harken’s blue and white Mobile Suit with its atmospheric-use backpack and extensive weapon selection.
Premium Bandai Week 2026 runs from October 8 at 10:00 AM EDT until October 13 at 11:59 PM EDT, with registered Premium Bandai US members able to qualify for free shipping on eligible orders of $50 or more instead of the usual $100 minimum when using the no-signature-required shipping option.
Pre-orders for the “HG 1/144 BLACK KNIGHT SQUAD Rud-ro.A REDELARD CUSTOM&DANIEL CUSTOM&LIU CUSTOM SET” reopened through Premium Bandai US on October 8, with the three-kit collection priced at $101 and the ordering period scheduled to close on October 14 at 2:59 AM EDT, leaving only hours remaining to secure the exclusive release.
Shipping is currently scheduled for February 2027.
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