On February 22, the popular rock band SCANDAL will release the documentary MIRROR on Blu-ray and DVD. In April, the artists will embark on the SCANDAL TOUR 2023 – Unlimited UTOPIA, performing in seven cities across Japan.

The new song Line of Sight was written by the band to serve as the theme song for the arcade card game Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE, scheduled to release in late February. Read SCANDAL’s comment below!

Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE〈LINXTAGE SEASON:01〉PV

—
“We’re pleased to announce that we’ve been put in charge of the theme song for Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE.
This summer, SCANDAL will celebrate our 17th anniversary. What a great time to get this incredible offer!
We met with the team behind Arsenal Base and shared our thoughts and feelings before starting production on the song.
In the game, music is played during battle scenes, where players’ emotions are heightened. Considering that, we wrote a fast-paced, danceable track.
In the end, we combined our own thoughts and feelings with the world of Gundam. Be sure to listen to the lyrics closely!
Please enjoy our music as you play Arsenal Base!
—

Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base is a real-time strategy arcade card game in which players take on the role of a commander in control of five mobile suits and five pilots fighting to destroy a collection of enemy battleships. Found in many arcades across Japan, players place pilot cards on the terminal in dedicated boxes. The terminal then reads a QR code on each card. The series will soon introduce tons of new content including the LINXTAGE BATTLE system, in which two players can enter battle at the same time. Be sure to listen to a snippet of Line of Sight in the new PV!

Released in 1988, the film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack remains popular with fans of the series over 30 years later. A rerelease of the original soundtrack on vinyl has been announced, coming on February 18, 2023. The record will be cut by Bernie Grundman and will feature Shigeaki Saegusa’s magnificent score and the theme song BEYOND THE TIME ~Beyond the Mobius Universe~ by TM Network.

The three-sided panoramic jacket for the record was illustrated by Naoyuki Kato, and fans will love the red record itself reminiscent of Char’s personal emblem and Gundam.

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Emotions, one of the most iconic songs by MAN WITH A MISSION, recently appeared in a special promotional video for JBC 2022, known as the festival of dirt horse racing.

The video, produced by the National Association of Racing, has been posted on the NAR official YouTube channel and is being broadcast at horse racing facilities nationwide. It has also been shown on television.

JBC 2022 Special Promotional Video (60-second ver.): https://youtu.be/WSmgBrB-sdM

Emotions, the second single from MAN WITH A MISSION, was released in 2013 and became an instant hit, often played during concerts. At the time of its release, it was featured on Music Station and was used as the theme song for the film HK: Forbidden Super Hero.

Be sure to check out the video above and get ready for some serious horse racing!

Japanese lingerie brand PEACH JOHN has begun selling a new collaboration with the popular anime series Mobile Suit Gundam 00. These items are available at select PEACH JOHN stores and online, and consists of two lingerie sets, loungewear, and a reusable bag. Those wanting to buy these pieces in-store will need to go to the Shibuya, Shinjuku Sanchome, or Osaka locations.

Peasy001 / Peasy Panties

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Bra Set (No Wires)

Oversized PJ Set

Haro Reusable Bag

Many popular emblems and logos from the popular series appear on these pieces. The Peasy001 set features a non-wired bra top that is extremely comfortable, with fabric made of glossy stretch satin. 

The soft and warm pajamas are available in pastel tones matching the image colors of the main characters, and all are available in loose sizes to make them extra cozy. 

The reuseable bag is large enough to hold A3-sized items, and is made of a light and durable polyester fabric with the beloved character Haro printed all over it. It also includes a storage pouch which can be used as a coin purse or small accessory case.

Premium Bandai is now accepting orders for a new Earthware Pot resembling Char’s Z’Gok from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam. This is perfect for cooking up some stew this winter season!

Char’s Z’Gok Earthenware Pot: ¥7,480 (Tax Included) *Shipping and Handling not included

The pot is large enough to make food for 1-2 people and is designed to look like Char’s Z’Gok from the “ascending from underwater” scene in the Battle of Jaburo. The pot’s steam vent is the Mobile Suit’s missile launch port!

This product is available to purchase at GUNDAM Cafe locations around Japan and online at the Premium Bandai store. Items ordered online will ship in December. 

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Nagoya PARCO will host the Gundam World Contrast event from December 24, 2021 until January 16, 2022. The event will feature a deep-dive of Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED from various perspectives and will show the contrasts between the two popular series. The event will then travel nationwide after finishing in Nagoya.

Plastic Model for Advanced Ticket Holders

Bonus: Gundam World Contrast Limited Design Special Promo Card

Story Wall

Special Photo Spot

Exhibition of Katsumi Kawaguchi’s Contrast Diorama

Conceptual Exhibitions

Limited-Edition Merchandise

Only at Gundam World Contrast

MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver 3.0 (Event Exclusive)

1/100 Aile Strike Gundam Ver.RM (Event Exclusive)

ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Strike Gundam (Event Presale)

Clear Folder (Set of 2, Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Pop Socket (Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Acrylic Stand (10 varieties, Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Choco Crunch (Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Mug (Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Visitors can enjoy the exhibition corner, which shows the history of both works including famous scenes and the emotional growth of the main characters. The merchandise corner will feature a number of goods only available at the event including Gunpla. Fans of the franchise shouldn’t miss this, as visitors will get a promo card to use for Bandai’s latest arcade card game Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base, scheduled to release in spring 2021.

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Japanese rock band MAN WITH A MISSION will release their new original album Break and Cross the Walls I on November 24, 2021. The group’s first new album in three and a half years, the tracklist and artwork have just been revealed to the delight of anxious fans. 

Break and Cross the Walls I Limited Edition

Break and Cross the Walls I Regular Edition

The album will be the band’s sixth original album. Originally conceived as a two-disc set, MAN WITH A MISSION decided to instead release two consecutive albums to give fans new music as soon as possible. With so much delayed or canceled due to the pandemic, it was the group’s way of giving back to those who have supported them through the continuing crisis. The sequel,  Break and Cross the Walls II, is scheduled to be released in spring 2022. 

Break and Cross the Walls I will include seven previously released tracks, including Merry-Go-Round, the opening theme song for the popular anime series My Hero Academia and INTO THE DEEP, the theme for the Japanese release of the film Godzilla vs.Kong. The newly-released jacket art shows five wolves standing symbolically atop a chessboard. The December 2021 issue of ROCKIN’ON JAPAN magazine will feature these five animals on the front cover, along with an exclusive interview with the band. 

MAN WITH A MISSION Presents Merry-Go-Round Tour 2021, the band’s first arena tour in two years, will start on November 30 at Yokohama Arena. The first day of the two-day event is titled ‘Day 1: Songs of Innocence,’ and will feature songs released between 2010 and 2013. The second day, ‘Day 2: Songs of Experience,’ will cover songs post-2013. 

After three and half years, rock band MAN WITH A MISSION is back! The group’s new album, Break and Cross the Walls I, is set to release on November 24, 2021. 

This will be the band’s sixth original album and is the first album since Chasing the Horizon was released on June 6, 2018. Fans have been anticipating a new drop from the group, and this ambitious work, conceived originally as a two-disc set, won’t disappoint. Instead of waiting until all tracks were complete, MAN WITH A MISSION has decided to release two consecutive albums instead. In an interview, the band stated that with people still suffering the effects of the pandemic, it was vital to provide fans with new music to raise their spirits as soon as possible. The second album, Break and Cross the Walls II, is scheduled to release next spring. 

Break and Cross the Walls I will include 14 songs, including the popular track Merry-Go-Round which serves as the theme song for the anime series My Hero Academia. Fans will also recognize INTO THE DEEP, the theme for the Japanese release of the film Godzilla vs.Kong. Those buying the new album at specific stores will receive special bonus goods while supplies last.  

MAN WITH A MISSION Presents Merry-Go-Round Tour 2021, the band’s first arena tour in two years, will start on November 30. The first day of the two-day event is titled ‘Day 1: Songs of Innocence,’ and will feature songs released between 2010 and 2013. The second day, ‘Day 2: Songs of Experience,’ will cover songs post-2013. A guest artist will also be performing an opening act, so be sure to stay up-to-date with more tour news to come!

The music video for MAN WITH A MISSION’s new single Merry-Go-Round will be premiering on their official YouTube channel at 18:00 on August 21.

Premieres August 21, 18:00~

The song is being used as the opening theme for the second cour of anime My Hero Academia’s 5th season, which is currently airing on YTV and NTV.

Merry-Go-Round First Edition

My Hero Academia THE MOVIE: World Heroes was a huge hit, showing in 321 cinemas nationwide and overtaking all previous My Hero Academia box office records by exceeding ¥940 million in just four days.

Merry-Go-Round Regular Edition

The anime is extremely popular overseas, while MAN WITH A MISSION have been focusing both within Japan and abroad, adding to the excitement for the new single.

It has been announced that on the day of the premiere, the members will be chatting with the fans in real-time. You can set a reminder to watch the stream using the official URL. If you’re a fan then don’t miss this!

©堀越耕平／集英社・僕のヒーローアカデミア製作委員会

Japanese lifestyle brand CB JAPAN has released its new Gundam Coffee Bottle online at Village Vanguard.

Gundam Coffee Bottle | ¥3,850 Each (Tax Included)

Available in Zeon Green and Zeon Red, the bottles are designed specifically for coffee.

The bottles are marked with the Principality of Zeon emblem using a laser which gives it a high quality look and shimmer.

Keep your coffee freshly brewed with the new Gundam Coffee Bottle.

Premium Bandai released a Japanese nanbu tekki iron kettle last week which fuses traditional Japanese craftsmanship with the internationally-celebrated Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. Available via Bandai Nambo’s ecommerce site, the kettle can also be picked up in Japan at the Gundam Cafe and all GUNDAM SQUARE stores starting in late June.

Nanbu Tekki Zaku (Green)

This green model is one of several nanbu tekki kettles released in the Discovery-G line, a series of products that combines the world of Gundam with Japanese tradition. It’s an upgrade of the green Zaku kettle previously released in 2018.

Nanbu tekki is a form of metalwork from Japan with a long history dating back to 1088 where it originated in Oshu. The name ‘Nanbu’ originates from a feudal clan known as the Nanbu-han who established the cast iron industry in the northeastern part of Honshu. Since the region had easy access to the resources required to make ironware, the industry was quickly established. In 1975, the nanbu tekki made in Morioka and Oshu were officially registered as a Traditional Craft of Japan by the Minister of Trade and Industry in Japan. This technique was most prevalent in the ’30s as items such as iron pots and Buddhist altars and ornaments were in high demand.

These teapots are lauded for their high quality and last a lifetime. This Zaku version allows Gundam fans to enjoy the tradition of the nanbu tekki with a cup of tea alongside their love of the anime franchise.

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ASUS JAPAN release a collection of Mobile Suit Gundam items for gamers on Friday (March 26) including a PC case, gaming mouse, and more. There are also two t-shirts available exclusively online at ASUS Store.

Product Line-Up

ROG Strix Helios GUNDAM EDITION PC Case

TUF Gaming GT301 ZAKU II EDITION PC Case

ROG DELTA GUNDAM EDITION Headset

ROG Strix Scope TKL GUNDAM EDITION Keyboard

ROG STRIX IMPACT II GUNDAM EDITION Mouse

ROG Sheath GUNDAM EDITION Mousepad

ROG T-Shirt ZAKU II EDITION T-Shirt

ROG T-Shirt GUNDAM EDITION T-Shirt