Official Gundam-Only Event Marks Second Year with New Partners, Special Content, Franchise Reveals, and Guest Adam Savage
ANAHEIM, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Following its franchise history-making first year, the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO is confirmed to return to the U.S.A. with today’s announcement from BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles ( Bluefin ). This official, Gundam-only, digital event is presented by BANDAI NAMCO Group companies BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles, SUNRISE INC., and BANDAI SPIRITS. It offers 2021 attendees an expansive schedule of programming including workshops, panels, specially produced video content, and event exclusive collectibles. New features include the 2021 GUNPLA Builder’s Cup winners announcement ceremony and the GUNPLA Livestream Shopping Experience (akin to a cable TV shopping network show) co-hosted by a team at BANDAI NAMCO Collectible’s U.S. headquarters and well-known Japanese model/TV host RinRin at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment’s Miraiken Studio in Tokyo. In addition, for the first time, this year’s GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO will feature video content from current and future Gundam anime and live-action titles — including both screenings and event-only reveals — all made possible by 2021 partners Netflix and Crunchyroll. The GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO is free to attend and will kick off its 12-day program on Thursday, August 26, 2021 and close on Monday, September 6, 2021.
GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO EVENT EXCLUSIVES
This year’s GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO will showcase more than 100 different GUNPLA and feature a vast collection of exclusive model kits — including numerous GUNPLA from both the GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA and THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO that were previously only available in Asia. For 2021, the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO GUNPLA collection will be available during the GUNPLA Live Shopping Experience and on the Premium Bandai USA website at 6:00 pm Pacific time in four separate waves:
- August 26 (Thursday): Wave 1 – Release of 30 items
- August 27 (Friday): Live Shopping Experience – Release of 12 items
- August 28 (Saturday): Wave 2 – Release of 24 items
- August 30 (Monday): Wave 3 – Release of 25 items
- September 1 (Wednesday): Wave 4 – Release of 24 items
All website sales will end on Monday, September 6 at 11:59 pm Pacific time.
UNLEASH THE WORLD OF GUNPLA WITH ADAM SAVAGE
Tested is one of the largest content platforms and online communities for makers on YouTube, with more than 5.5 million subscribers. It is led by editor-in-chief Adam Savage, whose storied career began in special effects working on more than 100 TV commercials and a dozen feature films, followed by the role of co-host on the long-running Discovery Channel series MythBusters. For 2021, the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO is collaborating with Tested to produce a one-of-a-kind GUNPLA build video. The GUNPLA workshop video will premiere on the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO website via the Tested YouTube channel.
GUNDAM BASE TOKYO VIRTUAL REALITY TOUR
Attendees of the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO will have the opportunity to virtually visit THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO for a tour of the world’s largest and ever-changing GUNPLA exhibition. The tour will be available for the duration of the event via the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO official website.
SPECIALLY PRODUCED VIDEO CONTENT
In addition to the Adam Savage GUNPLA Workshop, the GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO will feature a variety of other specially produced video content including:
- “Bringing Gundam to Life” feature video
- Gundam.Info YouTube Channel Special Screening Series
For complete schedule details and the latest event information, visit the official GUNDAM ONLINE EXPO website here.
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About BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin)
BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin), a BANDAI NAMCO Group company, is a leading master and channel distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. The company’s extensive product line features a diverse and continually expanding catalog of high quality and popular collectibles from Asia. The company is the sole provider of BANDAI SPIRITS’ Tamashii Nations products in North America and is the official domestic distributor for BANDAI Hobby and BANDAI Shokugan as well as Storm Collectibles. Bluefin is also the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli and is the exclusive and official distributor for Mr. Hobby/GSI, Blitzway, Sentinel Toys and Flame Toys. For more information, visit bluefinbrands.com.
About Premium Bandai USA
PREMIUM BANDAI is BANDAI’s official online store. From figures and jewelry to items ripped straight out of anime you love, PREMIUM BANDAI has high-quality merchandise that will set your heart ablaze. Moreover, the majority of PREMIUM BANDAI items are limited-time, limited-run, and pre-order-only. You can’t get them anywhere else!
About BANDAI SPIRITS
BANDAI SPIRITS, a BANDAI NAMCO Group company, was established in 2018 to expand products and services among BANDAI’s mature fan base worldwide. In 2019, BANDAI SPIRITS and BANPRESTO merged, enabling the provision of a diverse range of products and services to mature fans and further accelerating the pace of business growth overseas. For more information, visit bandaispirits.co.jp.
About SUNRISE INC.
SUNRISE INC., a BANDAI NAMCO Group company, is an animation production studio which produces smash hit anime series like the original “Mobile Suit Gundam” and all of the subsequent series in the Gundam franchise as well as “Cowboy Bebop,” “Escaflowne,” “Code Geass,” “Tiger & Bunny” and many more. The company is located in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan and was established in 1972. For more information, visit sunrise-inc.co.jp.
Hi-res digital assets including event key art and logo are available for download here. Credit to BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Scott Barretto, scottbarretto@publicity-partners.com