The Best Selling Gunpla of 2023 - The Year in Review.

Bandai's continued focus and push for its Witch From Mercury Series continued and the community responded positively. Builders raved about loving the innovative modern designs, attention to detail, and ease of assembly. It was no wonder in 2023 this series dominated the Top 12 Sellers Charts for model kits. In 2023 we did see the addition of 5 key new releases, the MG Zeta Gundam Ver Ka, RG Epyon, MGSD Freedom, MGSD Barbatos, and HG Guncannon (Cucuru Doan's Island Ver.). Only one of these made it into your top 12 in 2023 with the other 4 failing to create a significant impact on Gunpla builders here in Australia that Bandai might have been expecting. Of course, there were plenty of other new releases across the Gundam range and there's a list of how these faired against each other. 

Here are the top sellers that have captivated builders across Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

       Top 12 Selling Gunpla of 2023

       1. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Aerial Rebuild
       2. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Aerial 
       3. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Calibarn
       4. Bandai 1/144 HG Michaelis
       5. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Darilbalde
       6. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam LFrith
       7. Bandai 1/100 Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial
       8. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Pharact
       9. Bandai 1/144 HG Lfrith Ur
     10. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Schwarzette
     11. Bandai 1/100 MGSD Freedom Gundam
     12. Bandai 1/144 RG Hi Nu Gundam

Not surprisingly, The Witch from Mercury series of Gunpla filled all but 2 positions in the Top 12 Sellers for 2023. It demonstrated how hungry Gundam builders were for something new, well designed, and visually appealing. The first ever MGSD release managed to capture a lot of attention. Freedom Gundam has always been a perennial favourite and Bandai made a great choice here. The inclusion of RG Hi Nu Gundam in the top 12 was somewhat of a surprise, especially considering the recent high-quality releases of RG Epyon and MG Zeta Ver. Ka.

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Let's move on and take a look at the Master Grade Category. The Gunpla building community still showed their passion for the classics in Master Grade Gunpla Top 10. And for the first time in a few years, we were able to frequently restock a major portion of the MG Gundam catalogue. Resulting in what we believe is a more accurate picture of your favourite Master Grades. 

Top Selling Master Grade Gundam of 2023

1. Bandai 1/100 MG Barbatos 4th Form
2. Bandai 1/100 MG Neo Zeon MSN-04 Sazabi Ver.Ka
3. Bandai 1/100 MG Zeta Gundam Ver Ka
4. Bandai 1/100 MG Astray Red Frame Kai
5. Bandai 1/100 MG ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam Ver. 2.0
6. Bandai 1/100 MG XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero Ver.Ka
7. Bandai 1/100 MG RX-93 NU Gundam Ver. Ka
8. Bandai 1/100 MG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver 3.0
9. Bandai 1/100 MG GN-003 Gundam Kyrios
10. Bandai 1/100 MG MS-06R Zaku II High Mobility Type "Psycho Zaku Gundam Thunderbolt Ver Ka

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The Real Grade Gundam catalogue was bolstered by the addition of the RG Epyon from Gundam Seed in 2023. However, in somewhat of a surprise its overall popularity fell well short of expectations sales-wise despite plenty of availability.

      Top Selling Real Grade Gundam of 2023

1. Bandai 1/144 RG Hi Nu Gundam
2. Bandai 1/144 RG Gundam Astray Red Frame
3. Bandai 1/144 RG Sazabi
4. Bandai 1/144 RG RX-93 Nu Gundam
5. Bandai 1/144 RG Gundam Epyon
6. Bandai 1/144 RG God Gundam
7. Bandai 1/144 RG XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero Custom
8. Bandai 1/144 RG ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam 
9. Bandai 1/144 RG ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam
10. Bandai 1/144 RG Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn

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      Top Selling 1/100 Full Mechanics, MGSD, MGEX Gundam Kits of 2023

1. Bandai 1/100 Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial
2. Bandai 1/100 MGSD Freedom Gundam
3. Bandai 1/100 MGEX Strike Freedom Gundam
4. Bandai 1/100 Full Mechanics Forbidden Gundam
5. Bandai MGSD Gundam Barbatos

Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial dominated sales in this category, whilst the interest generated by the very first Master Grade Super Deformed Gundam (MGSD Gunpla) was commendable, however sales of the MGSD Barbatos has not been duplicated so far. There is still heaps of interest in acquiring the MGEX Strike Freedom, however limited supply still exists. 

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In 2023 we saw The Witch From Mercury series of Gunpla dominate the overall top 20 HG places. So we thought it would be fun to see what is next best in HG Gunpla for 2023.  

      Top Selling Best of the Rest HG Gundam of 2023

1. Bandai 1/144 HGIBO Gundam Barbatos Lupus Rex
2. Bandai 1/144 HGIBO Gundam Barbatos
3. Bandai 1/144 HG ASW-G-56 Gundam Gremory
4. Bandai 1/144 HGUC RX-78-2 Gundam (REVIVE)
5. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Astaroth Rinascimento
6. Bandai 1/144 HGCE ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam (Revive)
7. Bandai 1/144 HGUC RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type
8. Bandai 1/144 HGIBO Barbatos Lupus
9. Bandai 1/144 HGIBO Gundam Hajiroboshi
10. Bandai 1/144 HGIBO Gundam Vidar

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Hobby tools are an essential part of model kit building and are often undervalued by less experienced builders. There was a definite trend towards premium quality single blade nippers, grinding and polishing files and the budget tool sets in 2023.     

Top Selling Hobby Tools of 2023

      1. Manwah Glass Nano Grinding and Polishing File
      2. Manwah 5 Piece Premium Modellers Tool Set
      3. Manwah Folding Spare Parts Holder/ Sprue Holder
      4. GodHand SPN-120 Ultimate Nipper 5.0
      5. Dspiae Ultra Thin Premium Single Blade Nipper
      6. Dspiae EN-A Premium Single Blade Nipper
      7. Bandai Spirits Entry Nipper
      8. Manwah 22 Piece Modellers Tool Kit
      9. Manwah Sanding Sponge Set 180g - 800g 
    10. Dspiae SF Series Siren Ultimate Irregular Precision Files

 

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Not surprisingly markers suitable for panel lining dominate the list including the GMS 122 panel lining set. Panel lining using markers is an extremely easy way for builders to add that extra special touch to their builds. If you haven't given panel lining a go have a read of our Blog article here.

      Top Selling Marker Pens or Sets

      1. Gundam Markers Ultra Fine Black
      2. Gundam Marker - Erasure Marker
      3. Gundam Markers Ultra Fine - Grey
      4. Gundam Marker - Sumi-ire Flowing Pen (Black)
      5. Gundam Markers Ultra Fine - Brown
      6. Gundam Marker - Brush Type Black
      7. Gundam Marker Extra Fine Type for Panel Lines Set GMS122
      8. Gundam Marker - Black
      9. Gundam Marker - Basic Set 6 pieces
    10. Gundam Marker - Sumi-ire Flowing Pen (Grey)

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 For the first time in a long time, there was a shortage of Bandai Action Bases across most of 2023. As with other years, Action Base No.1 was the most popular but only just beat the Witch From Mercury Action Base. 

      Top Selling Action Bases for 2023

      1. Bandai Action Base No.1.
      2. Bandai 1/144 HG Witch from Mercury Display Base
      3. Bandai Action Base No.2.
      4. Bandai Action Base No.4
      5. Bandai Action Base No.5
      6. Bandai Action Base No.6

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For the first time we've ranked how all the new releases have performed against each other in 2023. We even wrote a separate blog about it! Read it here.

      Top Selling New Release Gunpla of 2023

1. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Aerial Rebuild
2. Bandai 1/144 HG Witch from Mercury Display Base
3. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Calibarn
4. Bandai 1/144 HG Michaelis
5. Bandai 1/100 Full Mechanics Gundam Aerial
6. Bandai 1/144 HG Lfrith Ur
7. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Schwarzette
8. Bandai 1/100 MGSD Freedom Gundam
9. Bandai 1/144 HG Mirasoul Flight Unit
10. Bandai 1/144 HG Lfrith Thorn
11. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam Beguir-Pente
12. Bandai 1/144 HG Demi Barding
13. Bandai 1/100 MGEX Strike Freedom Gundam
14. Bandai 1/144 HG Zowort
15. Bandai Action Base No.6 Clear with Sticker Set
16. Bandai 1/100 MG Zeta Gundam Ver Ka
17. Bandai 1/144 EG Build Strike Exceed Galaxy
18. Bandai 1/100 Full Mechanics Forbidden Gundam
19. Bandai 1/144 HG Zowort Heavy
20. Bandai SDCS Unicorn Gundam 2 Banshee (Destroy Mode) & Banshee Norn Parts Set
21. Bandai 1/144 HG Tickbalang
22. Bandai 1/144 HG Dilanza Sol
23. Bandai 1/144 HG Heindree Sturm
24. Bandai 1/144 RG Gundam Epyon
25. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundvolva
26. Bandai 1/144 HG Heindree
27. Bandai 1/144 HG GM (Shoulder Cannon/ Missile Pod Equipment)
28. Bandai 1/144 HG Guncannon (Cucuru Doan's Island Ver)
29. Bandai 1/144 HG Shin Burning Gundam
30. Bandai 1/144 EG Lah Gundam
31. Bandai 1/144 HGBM Typhoeus Gundam Chimera
32. Bandai MGSD Gundam Barbatos
33. Bandai SDCS Tornado Gundam
34. Bandai 1/144 HG Gundam 00 Diver Arc
35. Bandai 1/144 HG Plutine Gundam
36. Bandai SD Gundam Cross Silhouette F-Kunoichi Kai

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The year 2023 has been a testament to the diverse tastes of Gunpla builders, and we anticipate that the coming year will bring even more innovative designs and building experiences. Let's gear up for another exciting year in the world of Gunpla!