The popular die-cast toy series “METAL BUILD”, released by TAMASHII NATIONS, the collector's toy division of Japan's BANDAI SPIRITS Co., Ltd., has announced its latest product from “Mobile Suit Gundam 00”, the “GN ARMS TYPE-E”, scheduled for release in June 2023.
GN ARMS are large support machines developed by the private armed organization Celestial Being specifically for Gundams. In the series, two specifications appeared: TYPE-E, used by Gundam Exia, and TYPE-D, used by Gundam Dynames. Normally, they can be mounted on the exterior of Celestial Being's transport ship “Ptolemaios” as armament or used independently as space fighters. However, their maximum combat power is unleashed only when combined with a Gundam unit. Not only do they significantly enhance the Gundam's maneuverability in space with large thrusters, but they also feature powerful armaments such as GN Fields and large GN Cannons. Depending on the supported Gundam unit, TYPE-E is equipped with a large GN Sword, while TYPE-D features a twin large GN Rifle and GN Missile Pods.
For this METAL BUILD productization project, mechanical designer Kanetake Ebikawa was invited to redesign the exterior styling and new mechanisms of the GN ARMS TYPE-E. Incorporating multiple features from the Gundam Astraea Type F's Proto GN High-Mega Launcher, which is the predecessor of GN ARMS, the design significantly enhances the detail density of the exterior armor. The wings and large GN Swords are also enlarged and sharpened. It can separate into a “Support Form” and “GN Proto Unit” reminiscent of the Proto GN High-Mega Launcher, creating a new specification unique to METAL BUILD.
The “METAL BUILD GN ARMS TYPE-E” boasts a massive size of approximately 55 cm in length. It can combine with the separately sold “METAL BUILD Gundam Exia” to form the GN Armor configuration, reaching an impressive 57x30x33cm, making it the largest volume product in METAL BUILD history. True to the original design, it features deployable mechanisms for the large GN Cannon, large GN Solid Swords, and a pair of claws on the underside of the unit. The two large GN Swords on the sides also have original deployment mechanisms, allowing for the “Full Armament Deployment Form” with deployed beam swords, or the “Ultra-High-Speed Cruise Form” where the large GN Swords are rotated backward to reduce drag.
Furthermore, the METAL BUILD version includes even more abundant original mechanisms. Parts such as the core unit, large GN Cannon, large GN Swords, wings, and bottom claw units can all be detached and separated. By attaching the aforementioned “GN Proto Unit” to the back of Gundam Exia, various original forms can be freely combined by linking different parts, such as the “Heavy Firepower Bombardment Form” with only the large GN Cannon mounted, the “Melee Form” with only the large GN Swords mounted, or the “GN Armor Simple Mount Form” which is lighter by omitting the core unit.
TAMASHII NATIONS also announced that productization plans are underway for the large enhanced armament METAL BUILD GN ARMS TYPE-D, to be used with “METAL BUILD Gundam Dynames”, and for Gundam Astraea II, which appeared in “Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Revealed Chronicle”. Further details are expected to be released at a later date.
METAL BUILD GN ARMS TYPE-E
Reference Price: 58,300 JPY (tax included)
Scheduled Release Date: 2023/06
Product Specifications: ABS/die-cast pre-painted finished product, total length approx. 550mm
Product Contents: GN ARMS TYPE-E main unit, display stand set, support pillar set, beam saber effect x2, connection parts set
(C)Sotsu・Sunrise
via： 魂ウェブ