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 officially announced that its latest product, "Kämpfer," from "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket," will reveal its full product details on October 2, 2023, with pre-orders commencing on October 3rd of the same month at Bandai's official online store, PREMIUM BANDAI.
In the late stages of the One Year War, facing the Federation's deployment of numerous mass-produced mobile suits, the Principality of Zeon, at a disadvantage, attempted to develop various new mobile suits, constantly exploring ways to counter them. One such unit was the "MS-18E Kämpfer," the last assault-type prototype mobile suit completed by the Zeon Principality Army before the end of the war. Although this machine was developed by strengthening the Zaku's frame, generator, and propulsion system, its overall design heavily specialized in close-quarters combat performance. It was equipped with high-thrust thrusters and attitude control nozzles throughout its body, allowing it to lean forward and glide at high speed, performing hit-and-run assault missions with extremely high mobility and firepower. However, the trade-off was its extremely thin, lightweight armor, which was easily riddled like a beehive by the Gundam NT-1's 90mm Gatling gun.
From the officially released preview images, it can be seen that the overall design of "METAL BUILD Kämpfer" is based on the styling drawn by mechanical designer Yutaka Izubuchi, giving it more precise mechanical structures that could not be fully expressed in the anime's settings. The internal frame features intricate details such as precise joints, power conduits, and thruster nozzles. The exterior armor has been updated with numerous new part separations and armor line engravings, and painted with blue sections of various saturations, significantly enhancing the detail density and layering. The armament accessories are also quite luxurious, with two Sturm Fausts, two shotguns, and two Giant Bazookas visible. The newly designed backpack on its back not only allows for the attachment of the Mine Whip storage rack but also utilizes auxiliary mechanical arms to bring the bazookas forward, and even features two original heat axe weapons.
METAL BUILD Kämpfer
Reference price, release date: Not yet announced
©Sotsu・Sunrise
via： 魂ウェブ