Gundam's 2026 Gunpla Kit Fan Vote Winner Confirmed for US Re-Release

Bandai has confirmed that the winner of the “Premium Bandai Gunpla General Election 2026” is officially returning to the US, with pre-orders opening for a re-release of a popular kit based on Gundam Sentinel.

The return of the MG 1/100 Ex-S Gundam/S Gundam (Task Force Alpha Ver.) gives Gunpla builders another opportunity to add the versatile Gundam to their collections following its previous production runs.

The MG 1/100 Ex-S Gundam/S Gundam (Task Force Alpha Ver.) also won Bandai’s “Premium Bandai Gunpla General Election 2025,” making this year’s victory the second consecutive year that fans have voted for as the kit they would most like to see re-released out of approximately 750 Premium Bandai exclusives.

Originating from Gundam Sentinel, the Ex-S Gundam and its predecessor, the S Gundam, are among the most iconic mobile suits from the fan-favorite Universal Century side story.

Originally serialized as a photo novel in Model Graphix magazine during the late 1980s, Gundam Sentinel follows the Earth Federation Forces in their conflict against the rogue New Desides faction, with the advanced S Gundam and Ex-S Gundam serving as two of the story’s signature mobile suits.

This Master Grade model kit recreates the distinctive Task Force Alpha color scheme, reflecting the appearance of the elite Earth Federation unit that operated these cutting-edge machines during critical missions.

One of the kit’s biggest highlights is its modular design, allowing builders to assemble either the enhanced Ex-S Gundam or the standard S Gundam by selecting different components during construction.

The model can also be transformed into its G-Cruiser configuration through parts replacement, faithfully recreating the atmospheric flight mode seen in Gundam Sentinel.

The Ex-S Gundam’s extensive arsenal is fully represented, making it possible to recreate a wide variety of dynamic action poses.

Its Beam Smart Gun can be assembled in either its standard configuration or a rapid-fire version by selecting different barrel components during the build.

Two Beam Sabers are included and can be stored inside the Beam Saber boxes located within the knees, just as they appear in the source material.

The Beam Cannons mounted on the thighs feature articulated axis movement for flexible posing, while the backpack-mounted Beam Cannons can also be positioned to fire forward using their movable joints.

Also included are original water-slide decals, allowing builders to add detailed markings and further customize the finished model.

The MG 1/100 Ex-S Gundam/S Gundam (Task Force Alpha Ver.) is priced at $197, with pre-orders now open via Premium Bandai US.

Shipping for this re-release is currently scheduled for November 2026.

The second place kit in the “Premium Bandai Gunpla General Election 2026,” the MG 1/100 Gundam Heavyarms Custom EW has also been confirmed for re-release, though at the time of writing a US re-release has not been confirmed by Bandai.