Fans of Mobile Suit Gundam won’t want to miss out on a unique new release, as Bandai has revealed a faithful replica of Char Aznable’s sunglasses, along with some hilarious bonuses. Nearly half a century after the antagonist first appeared on the small screen, Char remains a fan-favorite personality from the legendary franchise, still ranking highly in Gundam popularity polls. Now, fans can inject some of his sophisticated charm into their daily life, with these sunglasses sure to fly off the shelves when they finally release in January 2027.
2026 has been a stacked year for the Gundam series. In May, a special livestream was held to announce a slew of new projects in the Gundam universe, leaving longtime fans in utter shock at the mountain of fresh content to come. Perhaps the biggest announcement was a remaster of the original 1979 anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, which is slated to be released in 2029 to coincide with the franchise’s 50th anniversary. Developed by Sunrise, the series remains notable for being the first to depict massive mechs as mass-produced weapons of war. Protagonist Amuro Ray is still a beloved figure, but a certain bad guy has often overshadowed his popularity.
Char Aznable’s Glasses Can Be Preordered Now
Premium Bandai has revealed a replica of Char’s iconic glasses, along with a cleaning cloth and case. Two versions are available for purchase, with one being particularly hilarious, showcasing a special print on the lenses that depicts Gihren Zabi delivering his speech as seen in Episode 12 of Mobile Suit Gundam. Preorders are open now and will close at 23:00 JST on December 31, 2026, with items slated to ship in January 2027. The standard replica will cost ¥15,400 (around $95), with the Girhen Zabi version priced a bit higher, at ¥16,500 (around $102). A stand featuring the villain himself is also available for purchase for ¥3,300 (around $21).
In the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, Char Aznable is one of the main antagonists working for the Principality of Zeon. Curiously, in the sequel Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, he fights alongside the series’ main characters against the elitist Titans, though in the 1988 film Char’s Counterattack, he once again returns to his villainous ways. As is so often the case with anime bad guys, fans find themselves attracted to Char due to his suave good looks, but also because of his backstory and his desire for revenge.
Mobile Suit Gundam isn’t the only anime series getting the royal treatment. Fans of Gundam Wing also have something to look forward to, as a new “visual project” has been announced to commemorate its 30th anniversary. While it’s unclear whether this will be a short clip, a film, or a new anime series, fans are encouraged to keep an eye out for updates in the very near future. Last year, Gundam Wing celebrated its 30th anniversary with various events, including the return of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz to theaters in the US for a brief run. Of note, it was the first Gundam series to air on American television in 2000.
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
To keep the hype train going, a ‘Gundam-Con’ event will take place at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, from January 9-11, 2027. The event will feature tournaments, exclusive merchandise, booths, and more, with additional details to be revealed this summer. After it takes place in Japan, the event will also travel to various global locations, though these have yet to be announced. The Japan Anniversary Association has also dubbed April 7 as Gundam Day, and in 2029, the Tokyo National Museum will host an exhibition dedicated to Gundam‘s creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino.
- Release Date
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1979 – 1980
- Network
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Nagoya TV
- Directors
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Yoshiyuki Tomino, Ryoji Fujiwara, Shinya Sadamitsu
- Writers
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Kenichi Matsuzaki
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Hirotaka Suzuoki
Gihren Zabi (voice)
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Tôru Furuya
Degwin Sodo Zabi (voice)
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Toshio Furukawa
M’Quve (voice)
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Kiyonobu Suzuki
Hayato Kobayashi (voice)
