Gundam’s 08th MS Team’s 30th Anniversary Gunpla Guide Gets Official English Language Release
Image by Charlotte DavisJapanese publisher Hobby Japan has officially released an English-language Gundam modeling book celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, giving international fans access to professional Gunpla building guides and detailed model showcases.
“GUNDAM FORWARD – Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team” is an English digital edition of Gundam Forward Vol. 22, focusing on realistic modeling techniques inspired by the conditions mobile suits would face during military operations.
Originally released in Japan in 1996, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team takes place during the One Year War and follows Earth Federation officer Shiro Amada as he leads a small mobile suit unit fighting against Zeon forces in Southeast Asia.
The series also explores Shiro’s complicated relationship with Zeon pilot Aina Sahalin, whose loyalties place her on the opposing side of the conflict.
Its battles across jungles, cities, and other challenging terrain place a strong emphasis on ground combat and the practical difficulties faced by soldiers operating mobile suits in the field.
The anime has also received renewed attention from Bandai throughout its anniversary year, including the announcement of the first RG 1/144 Ground Type Gundam and a confirmed US re-release of the HG Ground Type Gundam (Parachute Pack).
Image by Charlotte DavisFor the new English publication, Hobby Japan has put together a special feature titled “Next-Level Gunpla Realism”, examining how the environments encountered by mobile suits could affect their appearance and mechanical condition.
The guide draws inspiration from real-world military vehicles and equipment, using professionally assembled models to demonstrate weathering techniques, surface finishes, field repairs, and other modifications that help recreate the effects of battlefield operations.
One section examines the challenges of space combat through detailed builds of the Ball Type K and High Mobility Prototype Zaku, exploring how the conditions experienced during deployment might affect their equipment and exterior surfaces.
Another focuses on rainforest environments, using the Ground Type Gundam, GM Ground Type, and Zaku II to demonstrate the wear that prolonged operations in humid, heavily vegetated terrain could have on mobile suits.
The magazine also examines the effects of desert conditions through a specially finished Ground Type Gundam, alongside an underwater-themed Acguy build that explores how prolonged exposure to water could affect a machine’s appearance.
Further modeling features explore battlefield repairs and modifications through the Gundam Ez8 and Gouf Custom, with additional Ground Type Gundam and Zaku II examples drawing inspiration from the mechanical details found on modern military tanks.
Each project is accompanied by professional modeling work that demonstrates how relatively small changes to paint, surface detailing, and equipment can make Gunpla look more realistic.
Alongside the extensive modeling coverage, the publication includes a retrospective on The 08th MS Team, introducing its main characters and mobile suits before exploring the anime’s approach to the Universal Century setting.
The opening section also covers the Gundam 50th Anniversary Project, including the “A Boy with Gundam” prologue film and Bandai’s wider plans for celebrating the franchise’s milestone anniversary in 2029.
Additional content includes regular Gundam figure reviews, modeling columns and a closer look at the “GGG Aina Sahalin (Snow Night Ver.)” figure inspired by the anime.
The original Japanese edition of Gundam Forward Vol. 22 was released on July 31, 2026, with the English digital version following on October 7, 2026.
Hobby Japan has also provided a free PDF preview of the English publication, allowing readers to see sample pages from the magazine before purchasing the complete edition.
The English e-book is now available through Amazon in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, with the US edition priced at $10.13.
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