Japanese model company BellFine (株式会社ベルファイン) has announced the first product in collaboration with the "TANKHEAD" series, the "TYPE 33 HEIKEGANI" 1/48 scale plastic model kit, priced at 6,820 JPY (tax included) and slated for release in April 2027!
"TANKHEAD" is an original sci-fi mecha world created by concept artist Emerson Tung. The story unfolds on a planet called "Earde," where three major powers—the Greater Kyzerian Empire, the Yamaichi Dominion, and the Britonica Alliance—have been locked in the decades-long "Neverwar" (also known as the Neverending War), battling for resources and territory. The discovery of lost technology from ancient ruins led to the deployment of large, walking armored combat vehicles, the "TANKHEADs," which fundamentally reshaped warfare.
The "TYPE 33 HEIKEGANI" is a signature unit developed by the Yamaichi Dominion. Its design combines elements of the Japanese Heike crab and samurai aesthetics, with its shell resembling a samurai's face. Operated by six pilots, its six legs allow it to traverse diverse and rugged terrain, while its flat body provides excellent stealth capabilities, enabling lightning-fast surprise attacks against enemy forces. Armed with a formidable arsenal including a 120mm main cannon, 20mm rotary autocannons, and 7.7mm machine guns, it delivers devastating blows to its adversaries.
The "TYPE 33 HEIKEGANI" 1/48 scale plastic model kit measures approximately 27 cm long and 10.3 cm tall, comprising around 450 parts. It faithfully recreates the HEIKEGANI's hardcore military aesthetic, meticulously detailing exposed piping and the layered, samurai-like exterior armor. The legs feature multiple articulated joints, the main cannon can move up and down, and the upper torso boasts a swivel mechanism. Missile bay doors are openable, and the forearms, equipped with pincers and autocannons, are freely rotatable, allowing this elusive, crab-shaped mobile artillery platform to showcase its rugged military beauty!
▼Official design sketches released online
▼Purchases made through the official online store will receive a special bonus: the "Multi-functional Large Claw Arm & Rotary Cannon Arm."
TANKHEAD Series 1/48 Scale Plastic Model TYPE 33 HEIKEGANI
Suggested Retail Price: 6,820 JPY (tax included)
Expected Release Date: April 2027
Product Specifications: PS, ABS 1/48 scale articulated plastic model kit, approximately 270mm long, 103mm tall
Design: MDT (Mizuho-machi Design Team)
© Emerson Tung.
via： TANKHEAD