Amin Abbas 

The Japanese UAE-based bookstore Kinokuniya has opened the Gundam pop-up store at their Abu Dhabi branch in the Galleria Mall.

The pop-up features exclusive Strict-G and Gunpla products from Dubai Mall’s branch such as t-shirts, hoodies, handkerchiefs, Shirakawa Darumas, caps and Protex suitcases along with a human-sized STRICT-G: 1/12 MS-06 ZAKU II [MASTERMIND JAPAN VER.] statue.

A representative of Kinokuniya bookstore in Abu Dhabi told Arab News Japan that Strict-G products are being brought from their branch in the Dubai Mall in order to give the opportunity for those who couldn’t get them previously.

“These items are being sold in the Middle East region only through Kinokuniya bookstore and we hope that people especially Gundam fans will be interested in them,” the representative said.

The kit is based on the HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam released in 2015 and includes Japan-inspired marking stickers designed by Okawara.

The human-sized statue was created through a collaboration between Mastermind Japan and Strict G to produce a series of an all-black molded Gunpla while incorporating the signature Mastermind Japan skull and bones design. The statue was released in March 2018.

The original Gundam series mechanical designer, Kunio Okawara, illustrated a new rendition of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam for the Expo.

Kinokuniya also received the special Gundam Dubai Expo 2020 ver. HG 1/144 Gunpla model kit–the Japan-based retailer is the only place to sell the special kit in the UAE.

The kit is based on the HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam released in 2015 and includes Japan-inspired marking stickers designed by Okawara.

Kanji characters are used for the sticker design to create more of a Japanese feel. The packaging includes a special leaflet including an interview with Okawara about Gundam and its specifications.

Announced in 2019, the Mobile Suit Gundam series had the honor of being appointed as one of the Japan Pavilion ambassadors for the Dubai Expo 2020.