Gundam’s Exclusive New RX-78-2 Gashapon Collection Sells Out Within an Hour
Image by Charlotte DavisBandai’s latest Gundam collectible has sold out almost immediately after opening for reservations, with demand overwhelming an online release that had originally been scheduled to remain available for more than a week.
The new “EXCEED MODEL TRINITY RX-78-2 Gundam Cable + Light Unit Set” opened for orders through Gashapon Online at 11:00 AM JST on August 31 before displaying as sold out within around an hour, with the speed of the sellout quickly becoming a talking point on Japanese social media.
The release also introduces “EXCEED MODEL TRINITY,” a new generation of Bandai’s capsule-less model concept that traces its roots back to the “EXCEED MODEL ZAKU HEAD” first released in 2017.
The basic idea remains similar, with large model parts forming their own outer shell rather than being packed inside a conventional capsule, allowing Bandai to use considerably more space for the actual collectible.
This time, however, the finished model is much more ambitious, with three separate releases combining to create a detailed bust of the RX-78-2 Gundam standing around 20 cm tall.
The three parts are the “Exterior,” “Internal Structure” and “Core Fighter Cockpit,” with each able to be displayed independently before combining into the completed Gundam.
Once assembled, the bust can be shown with its exterior armor closed or opened to expose much of the mechanical structure underneath.
Sections around the head can also open individually, including panels surrounding the sensors and face, while the V-fin can move forward to reveal additional internal detailing around the Vulcan cannon area.
The Core Fighter cockpit adds another layer to the display, with the pilot seat able to move forward from inside the torso rather than remaining hidden behind the exterior armor.
What separated the immediately sold-out online version from the regular capsule release was the inclusion of extra lighting and cable parts.
The “Exterior” version includes a cable unit, the “Internal Structure” comes with the head light unit, and the “Core Fighter Cockpit” includes a separate cockpit light unit.
Collecting all three allows the completed Gundam to be fitted with visible cables running through the display while also illuminating the eyes, head sensors and cockpit.
Each randomly selected “EXCEED MODEL TRINITY RX-78-2 Gundam Cable + Light Unit Set” entry was priced at ¥1,850 (approx. $12 USD / £9 GBP), meaning a complete three-part set would cost at least ¥5,550 before accounting for any duplicate pulls.
That random format had raised questions over how difficult it might be to complete the full Gundam, but demand ultimately proved strong enough that stock disappeared before most buyers had much time to worry about duplicates.
The original online sales period had been scheduled to continue until September 10, with shipping planned for late October 2026, but the complete allocation was exhausted on the opening day.
There is still some hope for collectors who missed out, as the sold-out Gashapon Online page is now accepting restock requests, although Bandai has not confirmed another allocation at the time of writing.
Given just how quickly the first batch disappeared, a future restock or re-release now looks highly plausible, particularly for a product launching an entirely new EXCEED MODEL sub-series, although fans will still need to wait for an official announcement.
A standard version without the cable and lighting units is also due to appear through Premium Gashapon 90 mm machines in Japan from September, priced at ¥1,500 per pull (approx. $9 USD / £7 GBP), providing another route to the same three-part RX-78-2 Gundam bust for anyone less concerned about the illuminated display features.
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