Bandai America's 2003 lineup includes lots of anime-based entries including two new series of Gundam toys, plus toy lines for The Big O and Ultimate Muscle.  In addition to the previously announced SD Gundam series, Bandai is also introducing the Zeta Gundam toy line.  Although the series was not announced in today's Cartoon Network press conference, according to Bandai's Zeta Gundam toy line press release the 50-episode Zeta Gundam series will air '...in 2003 on the Cartoon Network during their Toonami and Adult Swim animation blocks.'  The Zeta Gundam series is 'old school' Gundam, with multi-layered plotlines and intense action involving a stunning variety of combat-worn hardware, plus lots of intrigue and conflict within the Earth Federation as a resistance force grows in opposition to the Federation's corrupt military force.

 

The Zeta Gundam toy line includes highly articulated 4.5' action figures, Deluxe 4.5' Battle Scarred figures, and 7.5' Mobile Fighters with extreme articulation and lots of action figures.  In addition to the action figure lines Bandai is providing five skill levels of snap-together models available in 1/144 and 1/100 scale and featuring 65 to 140 multi-colored parts.  Serious fans will definitely want the special Arch Enemy line of 7' action figures and the Mobile Suit Gundam Figure & Vehicle set, which features a highly detailed 4.5' figure that can combine with its accompanying vehicle into a variety of battle modes.

 

SD Gundam

The humorous and spunky SD Gundam series, which features a wide variety of vertically-challenged robots from three different worlds, is set to debut on the Cartoon Network in the fall of 2003 (see 'Cartoon Network Adds More Anime').  In July Bandai is bringing the SD Gundam toy line to the U.S. with 5' action figures ($5.99 MSRP), 1.5' action figures (5-pack, $4.99 MSRP), as well as deluxe vehicles (includes 5' figure, $12.99) and playsets.  The squat, super deformed figures are extremely popular in Japan, and it's likely that the pint-sized heroes will find favor here in the States.  The 'micro' 1.5' figures were typical of a major trend at this year's toy fair toward miniature figures.

 

Ultimate Muscle

Bandai is obviously hoping for big things from toys derived from this rib-tickling anime series, which is currently running on the Saturday morning Fox Box.  Bandai's Ultimate Muscle toy collection includes 100 collectible 1.5' Micro Wrestler Figures (15-pack MSRP $4.99), plus a line of 6.5' Super Wrestler Figures ($7.99 MSRP), as well as an Ultimate Muscle trading card game (10-card pack with micro figure, $2.99 MSRP), that will be continually refreshed throughout the year.  But if you really want to scare 'the gas' out of Kid Muscle's opponents, you will need the 12-inch Super Muscle Wrestler (MSRP $14.99) that can be posed in hundreds of wrestling positions and also speak humorous wrestling taunts and action phrases.

 

The Big O

The second season of the stylish Big O anime series is coming back to the Cartoon Network and Bandai is ready with its first 'freestanding' Big O toy collection.  The Big O was part of Bandai's Anime Collectors Sets in the past two years, but this July it comes out on its own.  The Megadeus Collection portion of the Big O line is actually a 'two-fer' with a 6' robot figure and a 4' character figure packaged together with an MSRP of $9.99.  But serious fans of The Big O will want the Talking Mega Size Big O, a fully articulated talking figure, which stands over 12 inches tall has light-up eyes, arms that transform into gatlings, and a miniature car stored in his foot (MSRP $29.99).