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reservations for goods featuring CD jacket illustrations · 2026-08-11

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4h ago

FREEing Reopens Pre-Orders for Figma Venus de Milo

FREEing is accepting pre-orders on Amazon.co.jp for the figma Venus de Milo, a re-release from the Table Museum series. The painted PVC and ABS figure stands about 15.5 cm and is scheduled for release on August 30, 2027, priced at 8,250 yen including tax. Sculpting is by Tatsuya Ishibashi of M.I.C., with production cooperation from Max Factory.

4d ago

Gundam SEED Fans React to FREEDOM ZERO Prequel Timeline

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO is a prequel to the 2024 film, set after SEED DESTINY. It is the first SEED series past arc, centering on the Freedom hijacking incident. Released footage shows everyday scenes with Shin Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke, sparking fan speculation and mixed feelings.

Sep 2

Gundam SEED FREEDOM Lacus Clyne Prize Figure Returns in Pearl Color

BANDAI SPIRITS will release a pearl color version of the Lacus Clyne prize figure from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM starting September 3. The figure is part of the GLITTER&GLAMOURS series and reuses the mold of the figure that appeared in February 2025. The pilot suit is recolored in pearl and the hair uses clear parts. It stands about 22cm tall and shows Lacus holding her helmet with a fleeting expression.

Aug 31

neko punch Details Generative AI Ad Workflow Behind 130 Monthly Creatives for FREECASH

neko punch Inc. published a production case study for FREECASH advertising creatives covering 26 projects over 7 months from January 2026. The workflow combines video and static image banners to deliver over 130 pieces per month, built as an integrated generative AI pipeline from planning to delivery, including handling ad review rejections.

Aug 29

GUNDAM-Con2027 Ticket Lottery Opens With SEED FREEDOM ZERO Stage Set

The Gundam series 50th anniversary celebration event GUNDAM-Con2027 SIDE MAKUHARI runs January 9 to 11, 2027, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. First lottery ticket sales are now open until September 6. The event features work stages including Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO, plus Gunpla, card, and game competitions.

Aug 28

STRICT-G Launches Athrun Zala Apparel and Goods From Gundam SEED FREEDOM

STRICT-G, the Gundam apparel shop operated by Bandai, has introduced a new apparel and goods collection modeled after Athrun Zala from the film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM. The lineup consists of four items: a dry T-shirt, dry half pants, a dry hoodie, and a clear bottle, all featuring designs inspired by the character. The three apparel items are made with functional materials that offer contact cooling, UV-cut, and water-absorbing quick-drying properties, making them suitable for spring and summer wear. The clear bottle includes an original logo and comes with a carabiner that can be attached to bags, designed for everyday use as well as outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and mountaineering. Pre-orders for the collection begin on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM JST through the Premium Bandai online store, with general sales starting at STRICT-G stores on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The T-shirt is priced at 4,950 yen, the half pants at 6,050 yen, the hoodie at 6,600 yen, and the clear bottle at 2,200 yen, all tax included. The apparel comes in sizes M through XXL, with the T-shirt available in burgundy and the half pants and hoodie in navy.

Aug 27

Gundam, Strike, Wing Get Ukiyo-e Package Gunpla

Bandai Spirits Hobby Division released package images for three limited ENTRY GRADE Gunpla kits styled after ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The lineup covers the RX-78-2 Gundam, the Strike Gundam, and the Wing Gundam, each in a 1/144 scale with box art that renders the mobile suits in a traditional Japanese aesthetic. The kits also include new Japanese-pattern stickers featuring Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and big waves, letting builders decorate the finished units. All three are scheduled for release on August 29, 2026. The RX-78-2 Gundam and Strike Gundam each carry a price of 1,430 yen, while the Wing Gundam is priced at 1,760 yen. The kits retain the ENTRY GRADE series' touch gate specification, which lets parts be removed by hand without nippers. The announcement follows a separate limited release of the ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Nu Gundam in a ukiyo-e package, which is priced at 1,760 yen and also launches on August 29. That kit is compatible with the armaments of the HGUC 1/144 RX-93 Nu Gundam.

Aug 27

ABSOLUTE ACT Strike Freedom Gundam Debuts at TOKYO Toy Show 2026

Bandai Spirits is launching a new Gundam figure brand called ABSOLUTE ACT, built around the ABSOLUTE ACTION SYSTEM for articulation. The first entry is the Strike Freedom Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY, which received its world first display at TOKYO Toy Show 2026, running from August 27 to August 30, 2026. The approximately 185mm tall ABS/PVC figure features movable mechanisms in the neck, shoulders, and waist, plus a waist rail mechanism and shoulder pull-out mechanism for dynamic posing. It includes a high-energy beam rifle, two beam sabers, a connected saber handle, two beam shields, interchangeable wrist parts, and a base with a bendable support rod. Reservations begin August 27, 2026, at general retail stores, with release scheduled for March 2027 at 16,500 yen including tax. TOKYO Toy Show 2026's first two days are trade-only, with public access on August 29 and 30. The show also featured other Gundam items at the Bandai Spirits booth, including Gundam Miximize Gundam Zero and HG 1/144 Gundam Zero.

Aug 27

Gundam SEED Destiny's Destiny Gundam Gets G-FRAME FA Figure

Bandai Spirits is releasing a G-FRAME FA figure of the Destiny Gundam (ZGMF-X42S), the mobile suit piloted by Shin Asuka in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. The figure is a Premium Bandai exclusive, priced at 6,545 yen including tax, with shipping scheduled for March 2027. It stands about 110mm tall and includes the anti-ship sword MMI-714 Arondight Beam Sword, the long-range beam cannon M2000GX High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon, and the Voiture Lumiere system that reproduces the Wings of Light. The set includes one colored figure, partially assembled, and one piece of soda-flavored gum. The Destiny Gundam was developed by ZAFT under orders from Gilbert Durandal, chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council, and features the Hyper-Deuterion Engine and high mobility from the interplanetary propulsion system. Orders are also open simultaneously for the Destiny Gundam SpecII, the modified version that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, in a final battle image color scheme with metallic red frame parts. Both figures are part of the G-FRAME FA line, which emphasizes sharp modeling and articulation.

Aug 23

Yen Press Reveals 9 New Licenses at Anime NYC Panel

Yen Press announced nine new licenses at its main industry panel at Anime NYC on Saturday, split between two light novel series and seven manga series. The company did not give a release window. The light novels are The Witch's Conviction, The Beast's Redemption and 'Cause I'm Freedom! The manga slate includes Seal My Lips With a Kiss, Übel Blatt II: Knights of the Fallen King, and The Gray Exorcist.

Aug 20

Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO Special Program Set for October 9 Stream

The official X account for the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series announced on August 20 that a special program revealing the latest information on the theatrical anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO will stream on the Gundam Channel YouTube channel starting at 4:45 a.m. JST on October 9. The program will deliver the same content unveiled at the New York Comic Con 2026 panel event held the same day. The panel, titled Gundam Showcase 2026 @ NYC - Feat. SEED FREEDOM ZERO Panel, takes place on October 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT at the convention's Main Stage. A worldwide stream on GUNDAM CHANNEL INTL is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. EDT on October 8, but it will not be a live broadcast or recording of the panel; it will deliver key updates separately. SEED FREEDOM ZERO is a prequel to the 2024 theatrical film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, based on a scenario written by Chiaki Morosawa, Shigeru Morita, and director Mitsuo Fukuda during that film's planning. The theatrical release was announced at Gundam Conference SPRING 2026 in May 2026.

Aug 18

Freezing Fan Games End Steam Sales on August 31

Two fan games based on the manga Freezing, the strategy simulation Freezing WHAT IF... and the adult deck-building roguelite Battle Heroine Crisis, will end Steam distribution on August 31 due to IP license contract expiration. Already purchased copies remain downloadable.

Aug 13

Destiny Gundam SpecII Final Battle Ver. Figure Opens Lottery on Premium Bandai

Bandai Spirits will hold a lottery sale for the METAL ROBOT魂 <SIDE MS> Destiny Gundam SpecII Final Battle Ver. figure on Premium Bandai starting August 24, 2026 at 12:00. The figure commemorates TAMASHII NATION 2026 and is priced at 25,300 yen including tax, with shipping scheduled for November 11, 2026. The coloring is based on the final battle scene from the film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, with the elbow and knee joints appearing to glow red through plating applied to die-cast parts. The main body's exterior parts have a reddish tint to reflect that glow. The set includes Wings of Light effect parts, a high-energy beam rifle, a prototype 35-type modified railgun, a shield, beam shield effect parts, an Arondight beam sword, beam boomerang effect parts, and a dedicated stand. The figure stands about 140mm tall with a wingspan of about 400mm. Applications are limited to one per person and are open to CLUB TAMASHII MEMBERS Sky Stage or higher. The product is handled via lottery, not first-come, first-served.

Aug 11

Free! CD Jacket Art Goods Open Reservations at Animate

Animate has started taking reservations for goods featuring CD jacket illustrations from the Free! series, commemorating the Free! Series ORCHESTRA CONCERT 2026. The lineup spans seven categories, including keychains, stickers, acrylic blocks, photo cards, and magnets, with designs drawn from previously released character songs, duet series, and album jackets.

Aug 9

Strike Freedom Gundam Renewal Joins Gundam Universe Line

Bandai Spirits will release the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam Renewal in December 2026. The figure uses the new Universal Reaction Frame to expand articulation and enable more dynamic poses. It includes beam rifles, beam sabers, and a waist rail gun that can deploy without part swapping. Preorders open August 3.

Aug 8

Wonder Festival 2026 Summer DenHobi Breaking News Reaction Ranking

Dengeki Hobby Web ranked its Wonder Festival 2026 Summer breaking news reports by reposts, tallying 43 posts with 50 or more RPs as of July 27, 2026. Colored samples of 'Super Kaguya-hime!' figures led the list, with first reveals of 'Gundam SEED FREEDOM' and 'Patlabor' items drawing attention.

Aug 7

FREELY TOMORROW Celebrates 15 Years Since Its Nico Nico Douga Posting

FREELY TOMORROW, the Hatsune Miku song by Mitchie M posted on Nico Nico Douga on July 31, 2011, reached its 15th anniversary on the same date in 2026. The dance-pop track, with lyrics co-written by yIRE, hit VOCALOID legend status, 1 million views, about 20 days after posting, then the fastest record. Its vocal tuning quality, which the self-praising title 'Tuning Is Amazing' seemed to justify, drew both praise and criticism.

Aug 6

Obakeidoro 2 Nintendo Switch Version Launches Today With Custom Rules Update

Free Style Inc. announced on August 6 that the Nintendo Switch version of the asymmetric tag battle game Obakeidoro 2 will begin distribution today at 10 PM JST. The price is 1,980 yen including tax. Alongside the release, a large update adding Custom Rules and a new DLC pack will also be distributed, including for the previously released Nintendo Switch 2 version. Obakeidoro 2 is an asymmetric competitive game where players split into Humans and Ghosts to play Keidoro, a tag game. It supports local and online multiplayer for up to 8 players, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version also supports local wireless play. A solo play mode against CPUs is included. Matches have a 3-minute time limit. The Human side wins if at least one player escapes the Ghosts. Caught players go to jail but can be rescued by teammates. Lanterns can be used once to scare off Ghosts. The Ghost side aims to catch all Humans, with characters having unique traits such as speed or wall-passing. The game is a sequel to Obakeidoro!, with the Nintendo Switch 2 version released in October 2025. Save data from the Switch version can transfer to Switch 2, but not the other way. The Custom Rules update allows players to set rules like the number of Ghosts and Humans and movement speed in Room Match and Minna de Keidoro modes. The DLC Additional Character Pack 1, priced at 980 yen, includes the Human character Ponkichi (Ninja), the new Ghost Gasha, and the Substitute Lantern. The roadmap reveals a limited-time event from August 13 to August 30, and September and October events.

Aug 1

Free Fire Daybreak Anime Sets Spring 2027 Premiere With Trailer

Kadokawa and Garena Online Private Limited revealed the first trailer and key visual for Free Fire Daybreak, the television anime adaptation of the Garena Free Fire battle royale game, on Saturday. The anime is scheduled to premiere worldwide, including in Japan, in spring 2027. The story is set in the near-future city of New Dawn, controlled by the Horizon Corporation. The protagonist is Kelly, a 16-year-old girl who loses her memory and awakens an ability called "Limit Break" through an experimental program called "Project Bloom." The key visual features Kelly alongside the game characters Hayato and Moco. Ken Takahashi, known for Ragna Crimson and Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, directs the anime. Japanese studio Candy Box, which produced Blue Archive The Animation and Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!, handles animation production. Sus4 Inc. is producing the music. Kadokawa and Garena are co-producing the anime, with Kadokawa's Kadokawa Qingyu subsidiary serving as production manager. The anime was first announced in May 2024, with a teaser arriving in July 2025. Garena Free Fire originally launched in December 2017 and has been the most downloaded mobile battle royale game for seven consecutive years since 2019, according to Garena.

Jul 27

Free Fire Daybreak Anime Sets Spring 2027 Debut, Reveals Visual

The television anime adaptation of Garena's battle royale game Free Fire is titled Free Fire Daybreak and will premiere in spring 2027. A new visual was released. Ken Takahashi directs at studio Candy Box, with music by Sus4 Inc. Kadokawa and Garena co-produce the series, which is planned for worldwide broadcast and streaming.

Jul 17

Obakeidoro 2 Nintendo Switch Version Launches August 6, Major Update Adds Custom Rules

Freestyle announced on July 17 that the Nintendo Switch version of Obakeidoro 2 will launch on the Nintendo eShop on August 6 at 22:00 JST. The asymmetric tag game, in which up to eight players split into ghosts and humans, is already available on Nintendo Switch 2, and the Switch version supports cross-play with Switch 2 players. A large update releasing the same day adds custom rules to Room Match and Minna de Keidoro modes, allowing players to adjust the number of ghosts and humans, movement speed, and other parameters. Recommended settings are provided for common configurations. For a limited time, the character Guri from the original Obakeidoro! becomes selectable during local wireless play and shared play. Pre-orders are open now. The download version costs 1,980 yen (tax included). Owners of the Switch download version of Obakeidoro! can purchase Obakeidoro 2 at a 10 percent discount. The packaged version of the original game is not eligible for the discount.

Jul 13

Flow Free+ Fits Apple Arcade's No-Frills Puzzle Niche

4Gamer's latest Apple Arcade recommendation highlights Flow Free+, a line-connecting puzzle game with over 9,000 levels. The rules are simple: connect same-colored pipes without crossing. Levels range from 5x5 grids to complex hex and irregular shapes. A time attack mode and daily puzzles add variety. The minimalist presentation keeps the focus on the puzzles, with no ads or in-app purchases. Each level can be cleared in seconds to minutes, and perfect clears earn a star.

Jul 13

Cumberbatch and Freeman Wimbledon Reunion Sparks SHERLOCK Season 5 Talk

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, stars of the BBC series SHERLOCK, were spotted together at the Wimbledon Championships on July 13, 2026. The sighting in the Royal Box, with Cumberbatch's wife Sophie Hunter between them, sent fans into a frenzy, with many speculating about a possible fifth season. Co-creator Steven Moffat recently said on a podcast that he would want to do more SHERLOCK if possible, noting that the actors have aged to match the original characters.

Jul 6

Gundam Seed Freedom Nebuta Floats to Parade at Aomori Nebuta Festival

Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on July 6 that two mobile suits from the film "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM" will appear as giant nebuta floats at the 2026 Aomori Nebuta Festival. The Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam and the Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, crafted by nebuta master Hiroo Fukushi, will serve as the front nebuta leading a parade group. The exhibition is the first installment of the Gundam Festival Project, an initiative that places Gundam IP into locally cherished festivals as a form of regional revitalization. A newly drawn event key visual shows characters Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne, Athrun Zala, and Cagalli Yula Athha dressed in haneto dancer costumes. The parade will also distribute collaboration fans featuring that visual. The festival runs from August 2 to August 7, with a pre-festival display on August 1. A pop-up shop opens July 18 at the To-O Nippo Shinmachi Building, selling limited goods and tie-up products with local Aomori items like Stamina Gen Tare sauce, Gachirin apple juice, and Nanbu Senbei crackers. Additional collaborations include chocolate banana flavored English Toast bread and Polo Chocolat cake in limited packaging.

Jul 1

Three Clear Color Gunpla Including MGSD Wing Gundam Zero EW Launch in July

Bandai Spirits will release three clear color Gunpla kits at The Gundam Base in July 2026. The HG 1/144 Z'Gok (SEED FREEDOM Ver.) [Clear Color] arrives on July 11, priced at 3,630 yen. The kit uses clear outer armor parts that reveal the inner frame modeled after the Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, with metallic molding on joints and backpack. It can reproduce a damaged head armor state and includes red-hot claw parts. On July 18, two more kits launch: the FULL MECHANICS 1/100 Gundam Base Limited Gundam Aerial [Clear Color] for 4,730 yen, featuring clear blue and white armor with metallic joints and a slide mechanism in the legs for kneeling poses; and the MGSD Gundam Base Limited Wing Gundam Zero EW [Clear Color] for 5,280 yen, with clear armor over a metallic inner frame and the ability to reproduce Neo Bird Mode in two forms. The MGSD kit uses a "reflection cut" on internal silver parts visible through the clear outer shell. All three are Gundam Base limited items.

Jul 1

Apex Legends Gunpla Collaboration Launches at Gundam Base Stores July 25

Bandai Spirits announced a collaboration between the online shooter Apex Legends and three Real Grade Gunpla kits, which will be sold exclusively at Gundam Base stores and GUNDAM SIDE-F starting July 25. The lineup includes the RG 1/144 Freedom Gundam -Apex Legends Crypto Ver.-, priced at 4,400 yen; the RG 1/144 Wing Gundam Zero EW -Apex Legends Valkyrie Ver.-, also 4,400 yen; and the RG 1/144 Gundam Epion -Apex Legends Alter Ver.-, priced at 5,500 yen. Each kit features a color scheme inspired by an Apex Legends character: the Freedom Gundam uses white, yellow-green, and black for Crypto; the Wing Gundam Zero uses black and orange for Valkyrie; and the Gundam Epion uses light blue and black for Alter. All three kits include original Apex Legends marking stickers and come in full-color packaging. The collaboration was announced on July 1 and the kits will be available at physical Gundam Base locations and GUNDAM SIDE-F.

Jun 30

Shueisha Games Cancels Release of Indie Title Ukiyo

Shueisha Games announced on June 30 that it will cancel the release of the PC adventure game Ukiyo, which was in development by Free Key Design. The game, set in a cyberspace world with a Japanese-style aesthetic, follows a samurai cat named Kai trapped in a virtual space called UKIYO. It had been shown at events like BitSummit and Tokyo Game Show in 2022, but updates on its official X account had stopped. Shueisha Games apologized to those waiting for the release and said future information will come from the developer. According to Game Spark and GameBusiness.jp, the publisher and developer on the Steam store page have been changed to FREAKY DESIGN, which was previously handling the design aspect. The game was originally part of Shueisha's Game Creators CAMP support project. Seaknot Studios, which handled game system production, has not commented on the change.

Jun 27

METAL BUILD Strike Freedom Gundam Revival Edition Releases June 27

Bandai Spirits released the METAL BUILD Strike Freedom Gundam <Revival Edition> on June 27, 2026. The figure is a reissue of the November 2015 original, with updated packaging and an added auxiliary support rod. It stands approximately 195mm tall and uses ABS, die-cast, and PVC materials. The design follows the "Paladin" concept arrangement supervised by chief mechanical animation director Satoshi Shigeta, giving it proportioned parts. The eight DRAGOONs on the wings are detachable and can be displayed radially using dedicated base parts. The two high-energy beam rifles combine into a single weapon roughly 270mm long, and the waist rail gun Xiphias 3 has an original barrel deployment gimmick. The set includes the main body, backpack, beam rifles, beam sabers, beam shields, interchangeable hands, DRAGOON fixing arms, joint parts, auxiliary support stand, and a dedicated base. The price is 38,500 yen including tax. The figure is a general retail product for ages 15 and up, available in Japan.

Jun 24

Gundam SEED FREEDOM Characters Join Nokkarun desu ♪ Figure Series

Bandai will release the second wave of its capsule deformed figure series Nokkarun desu ♪ on June 25, 2026, featuring characters from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM. The lineup includes four types: Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne, Athrun Zala, and Cagalli Yula Athha. Each figure stands approximately 4 cm tall and comes with a base that has a Gundam head design on the back. The figures are priced at 500 yen each (tax included) and will be sold on Gashapon Online from June 25 at 11:00 AM to July 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Delivery is expected around late November 2026. The series may also appear in capsule vending machines nationwide before delivery. Orders close when the planned quantity is reached.

Jun 19

Gundam Base Gets Mighty Strike Freedom and Xi Gundam Special Color Gunpla on June 26

Bandai Spirits will release two special color Gunpla kits at Gundam Base on June 26, 2026: the HG 1/144 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam in a ReCirculation Color variant and the HG 1/144 Xi Gundam in a clear color theater release commemorative package. The Mighty Strike Freedom kit uses the SEED Action System and costs 3,300 yen. The Xi Gundam kit, priced at 6,930 yen, comes in a special package featuring the key visual from Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash - The Witch of Kirke.

Jun 19

Dystopian Sauce Shop Game 'Future Sauce Dispenser' Announced for PC

Publisher FreeMind and developer Wrong Timeline Games announced 'Future Sauce Dispenser', a sauce shop management game for PC via Steam. Set in 2145, players run a sauce stand where customers bring non-food items-broken phones, bricks, shoes-and the player must choose and pour the right sauce to make them edible. The developer deliberately uses generative AI for visuals, text, and the trailer as a satirical statement on dependence on technology and convenience. Release date is undecided.

Jun 18

Metal Build Strike Freedom Gundam Revival Version Releases June 27

Bandai will release the METAL BUILD Strike Freedom Gundam <Revival Version> on June 27, 2026, for 38,500 yen. The figure is a repackaged version of the 2015 release with added auxiliary supports, supervised by mechanical animation director Satoshi Shigeta. The eight DRAGOONs are detachable and can be displayed radially on dedicated base parts.

Jun 4

MegaHouse Opens Pre-Orders for Athrun Zala Pilot Suit Figure From Gundam SEED FREEDOM

MegaHouse began accepting pre-orders on June 4 for the Lucrea Light Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM Athrun Zala Pilot Suit Ver. figure. The 210mm tall figure shows Athrun in his pilot suit holding a helmet, designed to display alongside the previously announced Kira Yamato Pilot Suit Ver. figure. It costs 8,800 yen and ships in January 2027.

May 28

New Gundam SEED Movie FREEDOM ZERO Theatrical Release Announced

At a recent Gundam Conference, Sunrise announced that a new theatrical anime, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO, will be released. The film is a prequel to the 2024 movie Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, and is expected to depict the 'Freedom Hijacking Incident' that was only referenced in dialogue in the previous film. The project was first teased in November 2024 during a stage greeting for FREEDOM, with a teaser video released at that time. After roughly a year and a half of silence, the theatrical release was confirmed. While no specific release date has been set, speculation among fans points to a January 2027 release, following a pattern of recent Gundam theatrical releases: FREEDOM in January 2024, GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- in January 2025, and Hathaway's Flash - The Witch of Kirke in January 2026. The announcement footage also included a glimpse of an unfamiliar character, which is expected to be a key element of the story. The film is described as a prequel that will fill in details of the hijacking incident, and production appears to be progressing smoothly.

May 18

Gundam SEED FREEDOM's Haumea's Protection Stone Recreated as Necklace

Bandai and jewelry brand THE KISS have released the third collaboration item tied to the anime film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM: a necklace that reproduces the Haumea's Protection Stone, a key prop that character Cagalli Yula Athha gives to Athrun Zala in the movie. The pendant features a glass top, a silver end charm, and a slide ball with the letter "S" for SEED FREEDOM. It comes with an original box and a scene photo postcard. The necklace costs 16,500 yen including tax and will be sold at STRICT-G stores starting October 24, 2026. Pre-orders opened on May 18, 2026, via Premium Bandai, and will open on THE KISS-operated shop FANFUNMARKET on May 25. Alongside the necklace, the previously sold Cagalli silver ring is being re-released online exclusively, with pre-orders running from May 18 to June 29 and shipment planned for October 2026.

May 16

Gundam Seed Freedom Zero Prequel Will Get a Theatrical Release

Bandai Namco Filmworks board director and producer Naohiro Ogata announced on Friday that Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom Zero will screen in theaters. The announcement came during the Gundam Conference Spring 2026 livestream. Freedom Zero is a prequel to the 2024 film Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom. Director Mitsuo Fukuda, producer Hisakazu Naka, and voice actor Sōichirō Hoshi first revealed the project at a stage greeting in November 2024, when a teaser video played during special edition screenings of the main film. Fukuda stated at that time that the script was completed 20 years ago, that storyboards were nearly half finished, and that dialogue recording was already done. The prequel was originally planned as an original video anime two decades ago. The new theatrical path was not yet decided when the project was first teased. A fresh teaser trailer accompanied the Friday announcement. The 2024 Freedom film opened at number one in Japan, sold over 634,000 tickets in its first three days, and became the highest-earning Gundam film in the country.