CYPRESS, Calif. (May 22, 2002) - Bandai America Inc. announced today plans to expand the U.S. Gundam toy franchise with a limited edition collector’s series of 7-inch action figures entitled the Gundam Arch Enemy Series. Each collection from the Gundam Arch Enemy Series will include the primary hero and the major villain from each Gundam saga released in the U.S to date.
The first set of toys from Gundam Arch Enemy will include Gundam Wing’s hero, Gundam Wing Zero Custom, and the evil Tallgeese III. Each 7-inch action figure is a highly detailed, fully articulated collector’s piece produced in limited edition and quantities. These supreme Gundams will include exclusive weapons from the saga and come in deluxe Gundam Arch Enemy Series packaging. The Gundam Arch Enemy Series collection will retail for $24.99 (SRP) and will be available at Toys ‘R’ Us,
TRU.com, Electronic Boutique, and Diamond Comics.
“The last three years have shown us that Gundam Mania has hit the U.S. market hard and is here to stay,” said Bill Beebe, senior vice president sales and marketing, Bandai America. “We are excited to bring these deluxe collectors edition Gundams to the fans who keep demanding more!”
Future sets in the Gundam Arch Enemy Series include the heroes and villains from other series such as Mobile Suit Gundam, 0080, 0083, 08th MS Team, Char’s Counterattack and G Gundam.
Bandai America’s line of Gundam products includes action figure model kits that can be fully assembled without glue and are recommended for ages 8-years and up. There are five skill levels providing increased stages of challenge by different piece size and count, height of action figure, customizing decals and accessories. Available in a 1/144 scale and 1/100 scale, once put together, the model kits become fully articulated 5-inch to 7.5-inch action figures, featuring between 65 to 140 multi-colored parts, depending on difficulty level. Ranging in price from $9.99 to $29.99, there is a Gundam action figure model kit for every budget. In addition to the action figure model kits, Bandai America produces Gundam action figures to accompany the line for ages 4-years and up. Gundam products are sold at all major retailers including Wal-Mart, Toys ‘R’ Us, Target, K-B Toys, and K-Mart.
This year marks Gundam’s third anniversary in the United States. The more than 20-year old Japanese phenomenon launched in the fall of 1999 in the form of detailed, fully articulated action figure model kits.
Since its U.S. debut, five Gundam series, including Gundam Wing and Original Mobile Suit Gundam, have aired on Cartoon Network and four video games have been released. This year, Bandai Entertainment will release a Gundam live action movie titled G-Saviour.
There have been more than 400 different styles of Gundam model kits produced and more than 300 million individual kits sold since 1979. The Gundam franchise has seen eight movies, seven television series (over 400 episodes have aired), novels, comic books, videos and toys totaling more than $5 billion in retail sales.
Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the world's third largest toy company, more than 20 subsidiaries in 10 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children’s entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel. Bandai America Inc. is the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties in children’s toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Digimon and Gundam product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at
bandai.com.
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