Timothy Blake Donohoo is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he majored in communications and creative writing. A professional freelance writer and marketing expert, he has written marketing copy and retail listings for companies such as Viatek. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, watching documentaries, and keeping up with the latest Vaporwave and Electro-Swing music releases.
The future looks bright for Gundam Mobile Suitwith several new plastic model kits to be released by Bandai. Along with many fan favorites, one of these new versions is based on what was easily one of the strangest mobile suits in the mecha franchise.
Derived from the eccentric Mobile Fighter G GundamThe HG 1/144 Mandala Gundam is a particularly unique kit figure. Representing the stereotypical anime aesthetic, it certainly rings a bell that no other kit in the series does. Boasting a familiar transformation, it’s set to release next month, adding a praying Gunpla to fans’ collections.
One of G Gundam’s Strangest Models Finally Gets a New High-Quality Model Kit
Planned to be a Premium Bandai Online release, the HG 1/144 Mandala Gundam is a high quality recreation of the respective mobile suit for Neo-Nepal in Mobile Fighter G Gundam. This anime was the first main alternate universe Gundam entry, and it swapped the usual military nature of the franchise for essentially a glorified martial arts tournament. Each country had its own mobile suit that was at many times almost offensively stereotypical, with the Mandala Gundam being perhaps the first Buddhist mecha. This is reflected in the High Grade model kit’s depiction, with the lower half of the Mandala Gundam resembling a gigantic Buddhist monastery bell. Likewise, its “spine” and arms resemble rosary beads, with this slender appearance actually providing the kit’s upper body with a good degree of articulation.
Like most G Gundam mecha, Mandala Gundam eschews guns and other traditional weapons in favor of a more unique weapon. This is the khakkhara staff, which is also based on Buddhist religious artifacts. Besides the special effects parts for the weapon, the Mandala Gundam (like in the anime) can transform into Defense mode, surrounding itself with its bell. It’s not the most typical design for a Gundam, but it protects against enemy attacks. Scheduled to ship in November 2025, this High Grade model kit is priced at 2,915 yen (~$20 USD). This is one of several Gundam plastic model kits announced by Bandai, with others including new versions for the Barbatos Gundam and some much more obscure mobile suits.