Bandai Spirits is making waves with the release of Gunpla and figures of the Xi (Ksi) Gundam, which appears in the second chapter of the animated film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash (directed by Murase Shukou), Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash: The Witch of Circe. The key point is that both models can recreate the "Gundam Face."
◇It was supposed to be a "Gundam imitation"
There are various theories about what a "Gundam face" is, but in the case of the Ξ Gundam it refers to the "U-shaped slit." The Earth Federation Forces' MS (Mobile Suit) Penelope has a "Gundam face," but the Ξ Gundam, the MS of the anti-Earth Federation government organization Mufti, does not have a "Gundam face" even though it bears the name "Gundam."
Both the Ξ Gundam and Penelope are mobile suits manufactured by Anaheim Electronics, but from the Federation's perspective, the Mufti's Ξ Gundam is a fake, and Penelope is the officially adopted Gundam. For this reason, it is also called a "Gundam imitation." When interviewing the staff at the time of the release of Chapter 1, they also said that the Ξ Gundam "aimed to 'break away from Gundam'."
The hidden "true face" of the Ξ Gundam was revealed in Chapter 2. Gunpla and figures come with parts that can recreate this "Gundam Face."
◇Why do we have “real faces”?
"Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway" is based on a novel published in 1989-90 by director Yoshiyuki Tomino, known as the "father" of the "Gundam" series. In the 37 years since the original work was released, various designs of the Ξ Gundam have been released, including the original version and game version. The original version does not have a "Gundam face," but Ξ Gundams with slits have been released since then.
Why does the Ξ Gundam, also known as a "Gundam imitation," have a "true face"? Since they went to the trouble of hiding it, there must be some reason, and while the true intention is unknown, it will be interesting to see if it is revealed in Chapter 3.
The figure "ROBOT Spirits (Ka signature) <SIDE MS> RX-105 Ξ Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash Circe's Witch Ver.)" is available for preorder on Bandai Namco Group's shopping site, Premium Bandai, and is scheduled to ship in August. The Gunpla "HG 1/144 Ξ Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash Circe's Witch)" will be released in April. (Anima Mitsuru/MANTANWEB)
