See how Gundam kits are made as BANDAI releases video showing inside their new factory museum

A new promotional video shows a glimpse of what overseas model kit fans will be missing out on when the new BHCPDII MUSEUM opens in September.

A ticket lottery began earlier this week for BANDAI SPIRITS new Shizuoka based factory museum, which allows fans to learn more about the creation of their popular model kits, but limitations on who can apply have resulted in most foreign fans being excluded from the initial ticket allocations.

In case you missed the news earlier this week, applications for the first wave of tickets for the new museum have begun, with fans needing to enter a lottery system to win the chance to purchase tickets.

The terms and conditions of application included specific statements advising that only residents of Japan can apply – a term which can apply to anyone who holds a valid Japanese government ID that proves temporary or permanent residency that proves their address in Japan.

This measure effectively excludes anyone visiting on a temporary tourist visa, meaning that many fans based overseas will have to hope that this particular restriction is lifted in the future to plan their visit.

Now, BANDAI have offered a glimpse into the construction of the new facility, which includes both a new production facility for their model kits, and the adjacent BHCPDII MUSEUM.

Fans will be able to view inside the factory from dedicated viewing points inside the museum, and those lucky enough to visit will also take part in creating their very own model kit as part of the tour experience.

You can view the new promotional video on the official BANDAI YouTube channel below:

If you’re based overseas and think that you may be able to bypass the restrictions in place via a proxy service, friend, or relative, that could purchase a ticket on your behalf, you may want to think that choice through, as you’ll likely be denied entry due to the steps put in place by BANDAI to verify ticket purchases.

Firstly, you must have a valid Japanese Premium Bandai account to apply – which as the Japan P-Bandai platform has region restricted access, rules out applying if you’re located outside of Japan.

Even if you do manage to bypass the region restriction and register a Japanese P-Bandai account, the application terms currently explicitly state that applications are only accepted from Japanese residents and that ID, including proof of address, will be required to enter the museum.

This means that anyone visiting Japan as a tourist will not be able to apply at this time, as it won’t be possible to provide ID that proves residency.

It’s highly likely that these restrictions are only being implemented to reduce the initial volume of applications for tickets, as many fans will be eager to visit immediately after the museum’s opening.

With Gundam and Gunpla being so popular, it’s likely that the demand far outweighs the supply of tickets so these restrictions will likely stay in place for the first few rounds of ticket application lotteries.

This restriction does come at a time when perceived “overtourism” has led to tiered pricing for certain attractions – a system which is set to make residents prove their status by presenting ID to avoid being charged an additional fee anywhere that implements such a policy.

Set to open this September, the new BHCPDII MUSEUM museum is integrated within the new “BANDAI HOBBY CENTER PLAMO DESIGN INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE” factory in Shizuoka, which will primarily allow BANDAI to expand production of their popular Gunpla model kits, based on the Gundam series.

For years, BANDAI has focused on providing enjoyable experiences through its plastic models, constantly adapting to evolving consumer interests.

This new “showcase factory” concept and its accompanying museum signify a further step in this evolution, inviting visitors to delve into the world of plastic model design and manufacturing.

The BHCPDII MUSEUM offers an interactive journey for fans, allowing them to gain insights into the evolution and ongoing developments of BANDAI SPIRITS’ plastic models.

Visitors will have the opportunity to metaphorically step into the shoes of a plastic model designer, giving them a newfound respect for the creative minds behind the hobby.

The museum will be structured into several key areas, each of which offers a fun and informative insight into the processes involved in the creation process of BANDAI’s model kits:

Study Area

This section serves as an introduction to the essence of plastic models. It includes the PLAMO Theater, where visitors can learn about the manufacturing process of plastic models and discover the BHCPDII’s vision.

The Study Room delves into the creation process of the BHCPDII and its plastic models, emphasizing the dedication to craftsmanship.

The Study Road highlights the technological capabilities of the BANDAI HOBBY CENTER, its contributions to the plastic model world, historical advancements, and the depth of its commitment.

This area also provides views directly into the factory floor, offering a glimpse into real-time production.

Laboratory Area

Here, visitors can experience the plastic model design process firsthand by taking on the role of a designer. 

Visitors will be given a “Designer ID”, which acts as a pass to a variety of terminals that allow you to go through the process of designing your very own model kit.

The first phase is MODELING DESIGN, whereby you’ll select the shape and concept of your model, which can be anything from a humanoid or animal form to your very own Gundam like mech.

Next, you’ll head to COLORING DESIGN and set the colors you’ll use to create your kit.

After choosing your color scheme, head over to MOLD DESIGN and finalise the “runner” which, for those unfamiliar with model kits, is a plastic grid on which the parts are placed ready to be snapped off for assembly.

Next, you’ll observe how runners are molded in a real molding machine.

Finally, the PACKAGING DESIGN phase allows you to create the packaging for your own unique model kit.

As souvenirs, visitors can receive their original package design and a runner plate.

Intended to be a fun and interactive experience, some fans may want to take the design process seriously, as you could win an award for your creation.

Each visitor will automatically be entered into the “MODEL AWARDS”, where every month BHCPDII MUSEUM staff will select the three best designs from among the designs made by visitors at BHCPDII MUSEUM.

The winning designs will likely feature on social media and potentially, the official museum website – an accolade that will give fans of the hobby bragging rights over their fellow enthusiasts.

PLAMO Gallery

In this final section of the museum, visitors can view plastic model designs created during the designer test and explore various other aspects of plastic models.

There is no indication from Bandai as to when they may remove the restrictions and accept applications from overseas fans looking to visit the museum at this time, but should this change we’ll bring you the latest info as it becomes available.

Location Details:

• Address: 500-15 Nagamuma, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, 420-0813, Japan.
• Access: The museum is conveniently located a 3-minute walk from Nagamuma Station (Shizuoka Railway) and an 8-minute walk from Higashi-Shizuoka Station (JR Tokaido Line).

Operating Hours:

• The museum operates from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
• It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, public holidays, during the New Year’s holiday period, and on other days designated by the company.

Source: Official Website

©︎ Sotsu, Sunrise

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