Monday, January 14, 2013

Shuichi Ikeda and Numacchi appear at the Zeonic Toyota press conference!

Char Aznable x Toyota: MS-186H-CH "Auris Char Aznable" Toyota -
On Display @ Toyota Showroom (Tokyo, Japan)
Zeonic Toyota: A collaboration between the Toyota Motor Corporation and Zeonic. Its establishment was announced January 9th at a press conference held at MEGAWEB in Odaiba, featuring Char Aznable's voice actor Shuichi Ikeda and Numacchi, an actor famous for his Char impersonation.
The event announced the mass-production of the Char Custom Auris, premiered three project trailers, and included a talk session between several guests deeply involved in Zeonic Toyota.
Now, we bring you a photo report.
The press, invited to something described only as a "new project announcement", were first shown a PV based on the Mobile Suit Gundam opening, as Ichiro Nagai's voice announced the founding of Zeonic Toyota. Gasps were heard as the mass-production of the Char Custom Auris was announced for this year.
A simulated video feed from the Principality of Zeon featuring Gihren Zabi, footage of Char personally test-driving the Auris, and the announcement of Zeonic Toyota's recruitment program served to further drive home the seriousness of the project.

Next, two "advisors" to Zeonic Toyota were introduced: Shuichi Ikeda, voice of Char Aznable, and Numacchi, famous Char impersonator. Masahiro Matsumoto of Toyota Modellista, designers of the Char Custom Auris Concept and participants in the mass-production of the char Custom Auris, and Sunrise producer Shigeru Horiguchi also participated in a public discussion.
Ikeda: "I know we joked about 'Zeonic Toyota' at Chara-Hobby last year, but I didn't really expect it to happen." "We can't let (the life-sized) Gundam beat us. Next year is the 25th anniversary of Gundam, so we should have a triumphal parade through Ginza!"
Next, Horiguchi spoke of the difficulty in developing the product—after all, if it was 'three times faster' like in Char's famous line, "Everyone who drove it that fast would be arrested. (laughs) As a Char Custom, it's certainly high-performance, but Char was just as likely to kick off his ship as use the catapult—it can be powerful or delicate, whichever the driver chooses. Of course, hopefully they'll choose to drive safely. (laughs)"
Then Matsumoto spoke of the differences between the Char Custom Auris Concept and the mass-production model, and his hoped to make it "customizable to the buyer's heart's content".
When asked what he'd like to see in the Char Custom Auris, Numacchi replied "Gundam fans love sounds. I'd love to hear the distinctive sound of the monoeye when switching the headlights on, or a navigation system with Mr. Ikeda's voice." He also looked forward to seeing the suggestions Zeonic Toyota employees will submit.
Finally, Shuichi Ikeda roused the crowd with a "Men of Zeonic Toyota, I have high hopes for you!"

The Char Custom Auris site is running several campaigns, including one where you can join Zeonic Toyota and suggest your own idea.
You can also test-drive an Auris at Netz dealerships nationwide beginning January 12th in the "Auris Red² Ride" event to receive an exclusive Char×Auris cushion. Supplies are limited, so test drive today!
For more details, visit the Char Custom Auris site.

Gunpla 2013 Gunpla Release Predictions [News via Gtoys Blog]

The following info were translated from Gtoys Blog. And all the information listed are just predictions, and are not official.  Comments below some release prediction that you might have.
Master Grade 1/100 Series:
More than 80% probability
MG 1/100 Sazabi Ver. Ka
MG 1/100 Gundam Delta Kai
With the big launch of the MG 1/100 Nu Gundam Ver. Ka.  We can only hope to see it's rival mobile suit, the Sazabi Ver. Ka to be released, perhaps a release later this year or in 2014.  MG 1/100 Gundam Delta Kai is also another high possibility using the part of the Delta Plus mold.

More than 60% probability
MG 1/100 Justice Gundam
MG 1/100 Providence Gundam
MG 1/100 Legend Gundam
MG 1/100 Perfect Strike Gundam
Following the release of the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Re-mastered Blu-ray box set and the televised remastered version this past year.  Not all the mobile suits has seen a Master Grade release yet.  Among the 4 listed above, 2 of them are likely to be released.  Withe the Re-mastered version of Mobile Suit Gundam Destiny this year, perhaps we will see some new Master Grade release from that series too.

About 40% probability
MG 1/100 Geara Zulu
MG 1/100 Geara Doga
MG 1/100 Jegan
MG 1/100 Loto
MG 1/100 GM II
MG 1/100 Methuss
MG 1/100 Hambrabi
MG 1/100 Asshimar
MG 1/100 Gaplant
Following the upcoming release of the MG 1/100 Jesta.  The next Master Grade release for the Gundam UC series could  be a Zeon type mobile suit.  And we could expect more Master Grade releases from the Mobile Suit Gundam Z series, the previous release from Z is the MG 1/100 Marasai

About 20% probability
MG 1/100 Hyaku Shiki Ver. 2.0
MG 1/100 GN-X IV
MG 1/100 Stargazer Gundam
MG 1/100 Akatsuki Gundam
MG 1/100 Savior Gundam
MG 1/100 Blast Impulse
MG 1/100 Gaia Gundam
MG 1/100 Zaku Warrior
MG 1/100 V2 Gundam
MG 1/100 Knight Gundam
MG 1/100 Altron EW 
MG 1/100 Tallgeese II
MG 1/100 Tallgeese III
MG 1/100 Leo
MG 1/100 Hyaku Shki Ver. 2.0 might or might not come out this year.  As a RG 1/144 Hyaku Shiki is a high possible release.  GN-X IV is on the prediction list before, but has not seen a release yet...

Real Grade 1/144 Series:
RG 1/144 Strike Noir
RG 1/144 Gundam Ground Type 
RG 1/144 Hyakushiki

RG 1/144 Impulse Gundam
RG 1/144 Strike Freedom Gundam
RG 1/144 Infinite Justice Gundam

RG Providence Gundam
RG 1/144 Legend Gundam
RG 1/144 Z'Gok Char's Custom
RG 1/144 GM
RG 1/144 Gouf

RG 1/144 Unicorn Gundam
RG 1/144 Gelgoog Char's Custom
RG 1/144 GunCannon
RG 1/144 Zaku I
RG 1/144 Dom

HGUC 1/144 Series
(Artwork above by Alphaleo14)
HGUC 1/144 Unicorn Gundam Full Armor
HGUC 1/144 Jegan Type A2
HGUC 1/144 Gouf Flight Type
HGUC 1/144 Sinanju Stein
HGUC 1/144 Johnny Ridden Zaku II
HGUC 1/144 Dreissen (ZZ Ver.)

HGUC 1/144 GM Ground Type
HGUC 1/144 Guntank Mass-Production Unit
HGUC 1/144 GM Sniper
HGUC 1/144 Ball Type K
HGUC 1/144 Zaku Cannon
HGUC 1/144 GM Sniper Custom
HGUC 1/144 GM Cannon

HGUC 1/144 Guncannon DT 
HGUC 1/144 Kapool
HGUC 1/144 Qubeley Production Model
HGUC 1/144 Silver Bullet
HGUC 1/144 Efreet Schneider 
HGUC 1/144 Garibaldi β
HGUC 1/144 Byarlant
HGUC 1/144 Borinok Sammahn
HGUC 1/144 Hound Dog
HGUC 1/144 Barzam
HGUC 1/144 Dijeh

HGUC 1/144 Aqua GM
HGUC 1/144 Galluss-J
HGUC 1/144 Galluss-K
HGUC 1/144 Gaza D
HGUC 1/144 Dowadge
HGUC 1/144 Desert Zaku
HGUC 1/144 Desert Gelgoog
HGUC 1/144 Gerbera Tetra
HGUC 1/144 Xamel

Perfect Grade 1/60 Series
(Image of the 1/35 Unicorn Gundam @ Shizouka Hobby Show 2009, image via Gundam Base)
PG 1/60 Unicorn Gundam
If the Unicorn Gundam is released in PG Form, it would be a pretty expensive.  But it is quite exciting if there ever would be a release for PG Unicorn Gundam or PG Sinanju.
Comments below your upcoming release predictions!!!

FW Gundam STANDart 16 - New Image [Updated 1/14/2013]

FW Gundam STANDart 16  (Release Date: Jan 2013, Price: 693 each)
Set Includes: Zeta Gundam, MS-06RW High Mobility Zaku II [Johnny Ridden Custom], Crossbone Gundam X-1, Crossbone Gundam X-2
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