Another Strike Freedom? Gunpla Fans Question Bandai’s Latest MGEX
Bandai Spirits has officially revealed the MGEX 1/100 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam, but the announcement has received a surprisingly divided response from the Gunpla community.
Based on Kira Yamato’s final mobile suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, the kit will be released in March 2027 for 26,400 yen. Its “extreme” theme focuses on luminous effects and metallic finishes, using three types of mechanical plating to recreate the Mighty Strike Freedom’s gold frame and the pink glow of its wings. The Proud Defender can also separate from the mobile suit, while its wings feature a new layered deployment system.
However, much of the controversy is not about the quality of the kit, it is about the mobile suit Bandai selected.
The previous MGEX was already the Strike Freedom Gundam, released in 2022. Since MGEX releases are extremely rare, many fans hoped the third entry would introduce a completely different mobile suit and represent another part of the Gundam franchise. The price has added even more fuel to the discussion. The original MGEX Strike Freedom launched for 15,400 yen, while the new Mighty Strike Freedom will cost 26,400 yen. That is an 11,000-yen increase over the original launch price, leading fans to debate whether the new equipment and plating can justify the difference.
The disappointment is especially noticeable among Mobile Suit Gundam 00 fans. The series originally began broadcasting in 2007, making 2027 its 20th anniversary. Because the new MGEX is also scheduled for 2027, many collectors believed the announcement could be an MGEX Gundam Exia, 00 Raiser or 00 Qan[T] celebrating that milestone.
Bandai has not completely ignored the anniversary. An MGSD 00 Raiser was announced during the same presentation and is also scheduled for March 2027. However, while the MGSD looks impressive, it may not satisfy collectors who have spent years waiting for a modern, full-sized 1/100 Gundam 00 release.
Ultimately, the MGEX Mighty Strike Freedom does not appear to be a bad Gunpla. Its mechanical detailing, elaborate wings and metallic presentation could make it one of Bandai’s most visually impressive kits. The controversy comes from what fans believe the rare MGEX slot could have represented. For Mighty Strike Freedom fans, this may be the ultimate version of Kira Yamato’s final machine. For Gundam 00 fans, however, it feels like a major opportunity to celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary has passed them by, at least for now.
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