Most Popular Gundam Design Gets The Metal Robot Damashii Toy Treatment
If you know anything about the Metal Robot Damashii toyline, it's a spin-off from the mainline Robot Damashii branding, and you guessed it, features toys with lots of diecast in their construction.
Moreover, this spin-off line tends to do lesser-known designs or non-animated variants, such as the Re-GZ Custom or the Gundam Hazel, with both of those toys being also entirely excellent.
This is because the sculpt and detailing on these toys is surprisingly high-end despite being quite compact. Personally, I love Metal Robot Damashii toys over their bigger and more expensive brethren, and have quite a few of them already.
The smaller size also means you can collect more of them and still have an impressive amount of articulation for all the cool poses you want them to do.
In this instance, what makes the choice of the Nu Gundam notable is that this is a mainline Gundam design penned by the very talented Yutaka Izubuchi and one that was voted the most popular amongst Japanese fans in a 2018 poll hosted by NHK.
The toy itself also looks superb (shown above), and the diecast elements are almost all internal, increasing the overall joint strength compared to a regular Robot Damashii release.
For the Nu Gundam, this is important, as the fin funnel configuration is equipped on the left side of the mobile suit. Often resulting in model kits and toys of this design getting a bit lopsided due to the weight distribution.
Available in January of next year, this will also be a general release and therefore more readily available to import from places like HobbyLink Japan.
The price point is also not too bad, coming in at 22,000 yen (or around $148 at the current exchange rate).
In any case, this is a classic and much-loved Gundam design, and this toy looks to do a genuine tribute to that.
Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
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