Gundam SEED’s Massive HG Meteor Unit Gunpla Kit Returns for Premium Bandai Week 2026
Image by Charlotte DavisGundam SEED’s massive Meteor support unit is getting another US release, with Bandai reopening pre-orders for the exclusive High Grade Gunpla kit as part of a major limited-time promotional event.
The “HG 1/144 METEOR UNIT” 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.
Meteor originates from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, where the enormous weapons platform is used by Kira Yamato’s Freedom Gundam and Athrun Zala’s Justice Gundam during the climactic battles of the original anime.
Developed by ZAFT, the Meteor system was designed to dramatically increase a Mobile Suit’s firepower and mobility by combining it with an extensive arsenal of high-energy beam cannons, missile launchers, and powerful beam swords.
The units are carried aboard the support ship Eternal, allowing Freedom and Justice to deploy with their additional equipment before separating from it when necessary.
Bandai originally introduced the Meteor Unit as a 1/144 scale High Grade model in May 2004, packaged together with a Freedom Gundam kit.
A standalone version followed in October 2012 to celebrate the anime’s 10th anniversary, updating the original release with revised molded colors, additional markings, and compatibility with Bandai’s Real Grade Gunpla range.
The exclusive kit recreates the Meteor’s elongated body and enormous forward-mounted weapon assemblies, with detailed panel lines and mechanical components covering its substantial frame.
One of its biggest features is the ability to combine with compatible 1/144 scale Gundam models, including the “RG 1/144 Freedom Gundam” and “RG 1/144 Justice Gundam,” as well as selected High Grade releases.
The system also supports other compatible Mobile Suits from the Gundam SEED series, including the Real Grade Strike Freedom Gundam, giving builders several options for recreating different combinations.
The kit reproduces the Meteor’s enormous beam cannons with opening and deployment mechanisms that allow the weapons to be positioned for different combat displays.
Its missile launchers also feature movable hatches that can be opened to reveal the individual missiles stored inside, recreating the system’s devastating long-range attacks.
The forward weapon assemblies can be displayed in their beam sword configuration using large translucent effect parts, reproducing the oversized energy blades used by Freedom and Justice during close-range combat.
A dedicated display stand is included to support the completed model, allowing builders to present the equipment on its own or combined with a compatible Gundam.
Additional finishing details include color-correcting foil stickers and a sheet of Realistic Decals designed to match the mechanical styling of Bandai’s Real Grade kits.
The Meteor has also received renewed attention through Bandai’s premium collectibles range, with the “METAL BUILD METEOR Unit” officially revealed in July 2026 as the largest product ever developed for the die-cast figure line.
Image by Charlotte DavisThat fully assembled version measures approximately 70.5 cm long and features intricate painted details, die-cast components, and compatibility with several existing METAL BUILD Gundam figures, including Freedom, Justice, and Strike Freedom.
Bandai’s Real Grade Gundam SEED lineup has also received several recent re-releases, including exclusive Deactive Mode versions of the Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam, which recreate their gray coloring when their Phase Shift Armor systems are powered down.
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.
Image by Charlotte DavisPre-orders for the “HG 1/144 METEOR UNIT,” priced at $96, officially reopened through Premium Bandai US on October 8 and are scheduled to close on October 14 at 2:59 AM EDT, giving builders just a matter of days to secure the re-release.
Shipping is currently scheduled for February 2027.
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