Gundam SEED FREEDOM’s Exclusive Gyan Strom Gunpla Kit Gets Limited US Re-Release
Image by Charlotte DavisHilda Harken’s Gyan Strom from Gundam SEED FREEDOM is officially returning to the US, with Bandai opening a limited-time pre-order window for the exclusive High Grade Gunpla kit as part of a major promotional event.
The “HG 1/144 GYAN Strom (HILDA HAKEN CUSTOM)” 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 DavisGyan Strom originates from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, the 2024 animated movie that continues the Cosmic Era storyline following the events of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.
The movie follows Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne and their allies as part of COMPASS, a newly established peacekeeping organization tasked with responding to military conflicts across Earth and space.
Hilda Harken serves as one of COMPASS’s experienced Mobile Suit squad leaders, having previously appeared in Gundam SEED Destiny as one of the pilots of the DOM Trooper alongside Herbert von Reinhard and Mars Simeon.
Her Gyan Strom is a next-generation mass-produced Mobile Suit originally developed by ZAFT as a successor to the GOUF Ignited, combining a heavily armored design with specialized equipment for both atmospheric and space combat.
Bandai originally released the exclusive High Grade kit in August 2024, recreating Hilda’s machine in its standard-production blue, white, and orange coloring.
The model shares much of its construction with the earlier “HG 1/144 Gyan Strom (Agnes Giebenrath Custom),” which recreates the version piloted by Agnes Giebenrath in the movie, complete with a different color scheme and space-use backpack.
One of the biggest differences is the inclusion of an atmospheric-use backpack, replacing the space equipment found on Agnes’s standard retail kit.
The backpack features large movable wing sections that can be repositioned for different flight and combat poses, with mounted weapons that can also be brought forward into firing positions.
The kit incorporates Bandai’s SEED Action System, which uses a specialized joint structure to recreate the dynamic combat poses seen throughout Gundam SEED FREEDOM.
Its shoulder armor features sliding mechanisms that expand the arms’ range of movement, allowing the completed Mobile Suit to hold its larger weapons across different attack positions.
One of its main weapons is the Beam Axe, a large close-combat weapon that can be displayed in its deployed configuration or attached to the waist using interchangeable grip components.
Another key feature is the circular shield, which can be fitted with translucent pink effect parts to recreate its spinning beam attack.
Additional equipment includes a Beam Saber, Beam Rifle, and Heat Rod, with the latter attaching to the right arm for close-range combat poses.
The kit also includes two Beam Gatling weapons that can be installed beneath the opening chest armor, alongside interchangeable hands, weapon effects and a sheet of marking stickers.
Other Gundam SEED releases have also returned to the US during Premium Bandai Week, including Yzak Joule’s exclusive “MG 1/100 Slash Zaku Phantom (YZAK JULE CUSTOM)” from Gundam SEED Destiny.
Image by Charlotte DavisThat Master Grade kit recreates Yzak’s light blue and white Mobile Suit with its Slash Wizard backpack, twin Hydra Gatling Beam Cannons, and Falx G7 Beam Axe.
Bandai has also restocked the “RG 1/144 Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu” from Gundam SEED Astray, which features Rondo Gina Sahaku’s heavily modified black and gold Mobile Suit with equipment recovered from the Blitz Gundam.
Image by James RichardsonPremium 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 GYAN Strom (HILDA HAKEN CUSTOM),” priced at $38, officially reopened through Premium Bandai US on October 8 and are scheduled to close on October 14 at 2:59 AM EDT, giving builders less than a week to secure the exclusive kit.
Shipping is currently scheduled for February 2027.
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