In recent years, Japan has been battling the rampant problem of "scalpers" snatching up popular items and reselling them at exorbitant prices. A joint effort by both government and private sectors is now tackling this issue from multiple angles, with secondary market platforms tightening listing rules, manufacturers adjusting supply methods, and even local governments joining the fight.
And now, Japanese media reports that Bandai Spirits is set to shake things up for popular items on its official online store, Premium Bandai. The word on the street is they're switching from the current "lottery system" for rereleases to "unlimited made-to-order production." While Bandai hasn't officially confirmed it yet, this news has already sent waves of excitement through the Gundam model kit community!
The scoop comes from Japanese sports daily Sports Hochi, which highlighted how LY Corporation is implementing temporary listing restrictions on specific popular model kits across its "Yahoo! Flea Market" and "Yahoo! Auctions" platforms. For example, new Gunpla releases that are unopened, recently launched, and priced significantly above retail cannot be listed for resale within approximately three months of their release. This move is a direct jab at those looking to flip products for profit.
Meanwhile, manufacturers are also making significant changes to their supply methods. Model kit maker Bandai is reportedly changing the rerelease system for popular items on Premium Bandai from a lottery draw to a made-to-order system. While consumers might have to wait a while to get their hands on these items, the huge upside is there's no production limit. Essentially, "everyone who wants to buy can get it at the original price." This fundamentally undercuts the motivation for the resale market to inflate prices.
This rumored change by Bandai for Premium Bandai has been met with widespread praise from netizens. Simply put, if you want it, you can pretty much get it at retail price without having to gamble on a lottery. The catch? You'll have to play the waiting game, with shipping times expected to range anywhere from three months to a year.
The Gundam model kit community, in particular, is buzzing with excitement. Many feel that "finally, we can buy directly without being driven crazy by scalpers." However, some more cautious voices point out that the current news doesn't explicitly mention Gunpla, so whether this policy will apply across the board remains to be seen. It's probably safer to wait for official confirmation.
For now, Bandai's official channels haven't formally announced this policy. Details on how it will be implemented, its exact scope, or even if it will be implemented at all, are still pending official announcements.