Thursday, January 30, 2025

The Gundam Base at Anime Frontier 2024

 

The signage for Anime Frontier's 2024 Gundam Base pop-up shop.

Anime Frontier in Fort Worth, TX has been lucky enough to be the host of Bandai-Namco's Gundam Base pop-up for several years now, and 2024 was no exception!  I wanted to share some photos I took at the event, as The Gundam Base is a rare treat for folks in the US to not only shop for some Gunpla and merch, but to see some pretty cool Gundam related displays!

A display featuring 3 of the same Gunpla model, the new GQuuuuuuX, in various poses to show off it's design. A tablet screen is next to them, highlighting more details of the model.
While waiting in line to enter Gundam Base, there were a lot of things to look at, making the wait seem a little less boring. Here, we have a display of the brand new GQuuuuuuX Gunpla, from the upcoming new anime from Sunrise & Studio Khara.

A large timeline explaining a little bit about Gundam and how the various anime fit into the franchise.
There was also a huge timeline next to the main entrance, which not only highlighted all the various Mobile Suit Gundam anime, but showed where they fit chronologically. 

A huge statue of the original Mobile Suit, the Gundam RX-78-2, which held a place of pride at the Gundam Base entrance.
Once inside Gundam Base, you're immediately greeted by a beautiful, large replica statue of the original Mobile Suit, the RX-78-2. 


A display showing off the classic RX-78-2 model kit, as well as a few of the tools and the plastic parts used to build it.

A display on the history of Gunpla, and where the name "Gunpla" came from.
Throughout Gundam Base, there were even more displays that not only highlighted products you could buy, but also the history of Gunpla, which was really great for folks who might be new to the hobby and the franchise! 

A model kit for sale of Wing Gundam Zero, from Gundam Wing
While there were plenty of Gunpla kits from the newer shows, I was happy to see that they also stocked some of the old favorites for fans of the older shows. Check out this beautiful Gundam Wing kit! 


A cosplayer dressed as the infamous Tequila Gundam, from Mobile Fighter G Gundam. Another cosplayer, this time dressed as The Red Comet himself, Char Aznable, from the original Mobile Suit Gundam.
And of course, there were no shortage of Gundam cosplayers who made their pilgrimage to Gundam Base! I was thrilled to see this amazing Tequila Gundam from Mobile Fighter G Gundam, as well as a classic Char Aznable from the original series! 


Bandai-Namco also had their own Gashapon Shop at Anime Frontier as well, so of course I had to stop by and check it out! 
Walls lined with Japanese Gashapon (aka capsule machines) at Bandai-Namco's Gashapon station at Anime Frontier 2024.
While I didn't get any Gundam related gashapon, I did get something extremely cool: tiny replicas of the Japanese Neon Genesis Evangelion VHS releases! 

Tiny gashapon keychains of miniature plastic replicas of the Japanese Evangelion VHS releases, complete with tiny fake tapes inside!
I love all the tiny details, right down to the VHS labels! 

Thank you so much to the folks at Bandai-Namco USA and The Gundam Base for letting me tour your booths and take photos! Be sure to listen to the Anime Frontier 2024 Podcast report to hear more about my experience there!



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