US Pre-Orders Open as Gundam SEED ECLIPSE’s Transforming Boost Raider Gunpla Kit Returns for Limited Time
Image by Charlotte DavisBandai is giving US builders another chance to pick up one of Gundam SEED’s most heavily armed Gunpla kits, with the transforming Boost Raider Gundam receiving a limited-time re-release as part of a major promotional event.
The “FULL MECHANICS 1/100 BOOST RAIDER GUNDAM” joins a large selection of exclusive Gunpla kits, figures, and other collectibles returning for Premium Bandai Week 2026, which also offers a temporary reduction to the usual free-shipping threshold.
Image by Charlotte DavisBoost Raider Gundam originates from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Eclipse, a manga series set within the Cosmic Era timeline between the events of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.
Developed by the Atlantic Federation, the experimental Mobile Suit combines technology from three of the Earth Alliance’s most powerful Gundams, bringing together the Raider Gundam, Calamity Gundam, and Forbidden Gundam into a single machine.
Its design incorporates the Raider’s transformation capabilities alongside heavy beam weaponry from Calamity and the defensive technology used by Forbidden, creating a heavily equipped Mobile Suit capable of both close-range and long-distance combat.
Bandai originally released the exclusive Full Mechanics kit in Japan in December 2024, adapting the design created by mecha designer Junichi Akutsu into a detailed 1/100 scale model.
The kit builds upon the existing “FULL MECHANICS 1/100 Raider Gundam” from 2022, introducing newly molded components to recreate Boost Raider’s enlarged backpack, additional armor, and extensive weapon systems.
One of the biggest additions is the pair of 125 mm Schlag high-energy beam cannons inherited from Calamity Gundam, which sit alongside Forbidden Gundam’s 88 mm Eckzahn railguns across the enlarged backpack.
The head has also received a new Mimir optical weapon unit, complete with a deployable amplifier that connects to the Zorn energy cannon mounted in the Mobile Suit’s mouth.
Another major feature is the pair of Sarastro arm claws, which combine large defensive shields with articulated claw weapons mounted on both forearms.
Each claw can open and close, with additional grips allowing the weapons to be held directly in the Mobile Suit’s hands.
The kit also recreates the Forbidden Gundam’s energy-deflection equipment, which is used by the Boost Raider Gundam, through newly molded components mounted around the waist, with movable arms allowing the defensive units to deploy in front of the machine.
Additional weapons include a pair of 52 mm hyper-velocity cannons mounted on the legs, alongside smaller machine guns incorporated into the shoulders and transformation equipment.
Like the original Raider Gundam, Boost Raider can transform from its humanoid Mobile Suit configuration into a bird-of-prey-inspired Mobile Armor mode.
The transformation can be completed without replacing parts, with the shoulders, legs, and wings folding into a large aircraft-like silhouette featuring adjustable main wings and deployable weapon barrels.
Some of the other Gunpla kits returning to P-Bandai US as part of Premium Bandai Week include the exclusive “RG 1/144 Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu” from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray, which recreates Rondo Gina Sahaku’s heavily modified machine with its distinctive black and gold armor and equipment recovered from the Blitz Gundam.
Image by James RichardsonBandai has also restocked the “MG 1/100 V2 Assault Buster Gundam Ver.Ka” from Mobile Suit V Gundam, which combines the V2 Gundam’s Assault and Buster equipment into a single heavily armed Master Grade kit.
Premium Bandai Week 2026 runs from October 8 at 10:00 AM EDT until October 13 at 11:59 PM EDT, with registered Premium Bandai US members able to qualify for free shipping on eligible orders of $50 or more instead of the usual $100 minimum when using the no-signature-required shipping option.
Pre-orders for the “FULL MECHANICS 1/100 BOOST RAIDER GUNDAM,” priced at $82, officially reopened through Premium Bandai US on October 8 and are scheduled to close on October 14 at 2:59 AM EDT, giving builders less than a week to secure the exclusive kit.
Shipping is currently scheduled for May 2027.
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