Book and media retailer Barnes & Nobles has just announced that starting in April that they will be selling Gunpla models. It’s been quite a while since Gundam kits were sold in major retailers, but they are finally making a return and we got the how and why!
Beginning in April 2014, over 400 Barnes & Noble retailers in the U.S. will begin selling a variety of Gundam Plastic Models, also known as “GunPla,” of various grades and scales from the vast Gundam franchise like Gundam Wing, Mobile Suit Gundam, Gundam Build Fighters and more. The Gundam franchise, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year has been known for its famous line of snap together models that require no glue for assembly and nearly no paint application. Barnes and Noble tested selling Gundam models in 2013 at a small number of select stores and will now expand this offering across the U.S. Also, a number of thestores will feature displays showcasing built samples of the various Gundam models being sold. Supplied by Bluefin Distribution, the official U.S. Distributor of Bandai Hobby products, these Gundam models are guaranteed and authentically licensed by Bandai. No changes have been made to either the packaging or the product so buyers can be assured they are getting the quality Gunpla as sold in Japanese stores.
For a show that features a wide variety of Gunpla that could be potentially released check out the hit anime Gundam Build Fighters. Below is a trailer of the series.
Source: Gupla USA Facebook
March 10, 2014 @ 10:15 pm
This brings up the question if the instructions that tell you how to put the pieces together will be in english
March 10, 2014 @ 10:27 pm
honestly it’s not an issue (at least it wasn’t in the old days) the writing is in japanese but the diagrams are VERY clear on what to do think like IKEA directions
March 14, 2014 @ 4:00 pm
The written instructions are Japanese but the diagrams are very clear, simply labeled and easy to understand. Plus everything comes apart pretty easy in the event you missed a part or messed something up.
March 10, 2014 @ 10:26 pm
there is an official gundam youtube channel Gundaminfo that airs legal streams of build fighter with and without subs
March 11, 2014 @ 2:44 am
The Barnes & Noble in Wilmington, NC, has already had these for sell since at least January of this year. They had a double sided display featuring HGUC Unicorn kits, Assault Kingdom figures, and the not-quite-SD-SD gashapon line whose name escapes me right now. They also had a second display featuring a fairly large selection of S.H. Figuarts, including some Kamen Rider, Sentai/Power Rangers, Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball.
Still though, nice to see that this is being rolled out everywhere. Hopefully the one here in Jacksonville will also get these, and give the model kit store across the street a little price competition.