Lately, bonus items included with weekly magazines and other publications have been plagued by card flipping and reselling issues. For instance, the "Weekly Shonen Jump" Issue 33, released on July 13, saw its exclusive "ONE PIECE Card Game" Luffy card bonus become a target for scalpers and resellers , prompting publishers to reconsider whether to continue offering such freebies.
Recently, the official "GUNDAM ACE" monthly magazine announced that the bonus card originally slated for the November 2026 issue will no longer be included with the magazine. The publisher is currently exploring and preparing alternative ways to release and sell the cards, aiming to make them more accessible to a wider audience.
The "GUNDAM CARD GAME" Amuro & Char newly illustrated cards, originally planned as bonuses for the "GUNDAM ACE" October and November 2026 issues, were announced back in July, building anticipation among fans.
However, "GUNDAM ACE" officially posted on August 25 that due to magazines selling out rapidly upon release, many players never even had a chance to purchase the cards. To ensure fairer access for readers and players, the decision was made to discontinue the magazine bonus approach. Instead, they are researching and preparing other methods to release and sell the cards, making them available to more people.
Furthermore, the official team is also considering alternative release or sales methods for the cards originally intended for the "GUNDAM ACE" September and October issues. This means that in addition to the confirmed cancellation of the November issue's bonus card, the September and October issue bonus cards might also be re-released or sold through other channels.
▼ The "GUNDAM ACE" September 2026 issue also included a bonus card, which instantly led to widespread scalping, with many fans complaining they couldn't get their hands on it.
While the official announcement didn't specify future distribution methods, many netizens believe this approach will prevent the magazine itself from being targeted by resellers, and they hope similar publications adopt such strategies.
The main reason for this official adjustment is to prevent magazines from being snapped up immediately upon release, ensuring that genuine collectors and players can actually acquire the bonus cards. The specific sales methods they will adopt in the future are still awaiting official announcements.