Gundam's Best Ever HG Gunpla Kit Gets Official US Re-Release This October

HG 1144 GUNDAM BASE Limited Moon Gundam [Long Rifle Equipped] 0

There are plenty of excellent High Grade Gunpla kits, but few have built the same reputation as the HG Moon Gundam, and its upgraded Gundam Base Limited Long Rifle Equipped version has now returned for an official US release through Premium Bandai.

The Moon Gundam has been treated as something of a benchmark for the HG line since the original kit arrived in 2018, earning particular praise for its unusually detailed construction, extensive articulation, strong color separation, lack of traditional polycaps, and engineering that pushed well beyond what builders had come to expect from a standard High Grade kit.

HG 1144 GUNDAM BASE Limited Moon Gundam [Long Rifle Equipped] 2

Now, Premium Bandai US has officially re-opened pre-orders for the slightly more elaborate “HG 1/144 The Gundam Base Limited Moon Gundam (Long Rifle Equipped),” which was last seen in the US back in August 2025.

Originally released through The Gundam Base in Japan in June 2023, this version takes the already impressive HG Moon Gundam and gives it exclusive molding colors alongside the additional Long Rifle, making it one of the most complete versions of the design available in 1/144 scale.

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The Moon Gundam itself stands out through its dense armor detailing and unusual construction, with features such as a partially developed internal leg structure, layered knee movement, individually molded facial details, and extensive mechanical elements that helped the original kit feel closer to a more expensive grade in several areas.

Its most recognizable feature remains the huge Psycho Plate mounted across the back, which is formed from eight separate sections that can be detached, rearranged, or deployed using the articulated backpack arms for a wide variety of poses.

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The Long Rifle is the defining addition to this Gundam Base Limited release, featuring an extendable stock, movable grip, and dedicated holding hand that give the Moon Gundam a considerably heavier long-range weapon than the standard kit normally carries.

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Bandai has retained the rest of the Moon Gundam’s substantial weapon selection as well, including the Beam Rifle, Beam Tomahawk, and pair of Butterfly Edges, with clear effect parts used for the various beam weapons.

The combination of the revised colors, enormous Psycho Plate and additional Long Rifle means this release does more than simply bring the celebrated HG Moon Gundam back, offering a visually distinct version of a kit that remains one of the strongest examples of what Bandai can achieve within the High Grade format.

HG 1144 GUNDAM BASE Limited Moon Gundam [Long Rifle Equipped] 3

Normally a Gundam Base Limited release rather than a regular retail kit, this latest re-release comes as part of Bandai’s “Gundam Summer Fest 2026” which has made a large number of Gundam Base exclusives available online for a limited time, providing US builders who can’t visit a store directly with another official opportunity to secure the kit without relying on imported stock or third-party resellers.

HG 1144 GUNDAM BASE Limited Moon Gundam [Long Rifle Equipped] 1

Pre-orders are open now through Premium Bandai US and are scheduled to close on August 24, 2026, with the “HG 1/144 The Gundam Base Limited Moon Gundam (Long Rifle Equipped)” priced at $50.00 and shipping planned for October 2026.