Where to Shop

If you're looking for Gundam goods, here are some directions on finding the videos, models, toys, books, music, and games you're yearning for. While we don't necessarily endorse all the retailers listed here, we've tried pretty much all of them, with fully satisfactory results. If you have a favorite retailer you'd like to reccommend, drop us a line at webmaster@gundamproject.com.

Domestic Goods

Since Gundam Wing's U.S. debut, we've seen a growing flood of domestic merchandise for the Gundam devotee. The lineup includes action figures, model kits, and video games from Bandai America; DVD and VHS video titled from Bandai Entertainment; and assorted comics, books, magazines, clothing, and accessories from third-party publishers. The following retailers offer a good selection of these U.S. products.

GundamShop.com   This dedicated Gundam online store, brought to you by Outer Limits Stores, has a great selection of import model kits, the complete lineup of domestic videos and comics, and assorted other goodies like T-shirts and Gundam Marker paint pens. The site also offers message boards, modeling tips, galleries of reader-submitted model photos, and other fun features. Our favorite: The illustrated feature on Gundam bootlegs.   Home Page http://www.gundamshop.com/   Gundam Gallery http://www.gundamshop.com/gallery/   Message Boards http://www.gundamshop.com/cgi/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID1   Bootlegs http://www.gundamshop.com/bootleg.html AnimeNation   A popular anime specialty retailer, with a wide range of domestic and import merchandise. AnimeNation offers a good selection of import books, a large (albeit not totally up-to-date) assortment of import toys and models, and the full lineup of domestic video releases.   Home Page http://www.animenation.com/ Amazon.com   The would-be Walmart of the Web sells everything from teddy bears to lawn furniture, including just about every domestic Gundam product. Amazon has good prices on videos, DVDs, books, graphic novels, toys, and model kits, though we've found that they tend to run out of the rarer items.   Home Page http://www.amazon.com/

Import Goods

There are also numerous retailers who specialize in importing exotic Gundam merchandise from Japan and/or Hong Kong. These products include toys and model kits which have yet to see a domestic release; Japanese-language books and magazines; soundtrack CDs; Japanese-language DVDs, laser discs, and VHS videos; and import video games. Note that Japanese DVDs and video games are region-coded, and cannot be used with a standard U.S. DVD player or game console.

HobbyLink Japan   A popular alternative for hardcore import-model fans, this Japan-based online store offers all the latest toys and model kits at low, low prices, though remember you still need to pay for (and wait for) international shipping.   Home Page http://www.hlj.com/ Rainbow Ten   Another Japan-based model importer. The site's not nearly as user-friendly as HobbyLink Japan, but it has a good reputation for customer service.   Home Page http://www.rainbowten.co.jp/ Image Anime   New York's Image Anime specializes in import toys and model kits. While they tend to sell out of older products, they get new stuff in quickly and at nice prices.   Home Page http://matrixcollectibles.site.yahoo.net/   Gundam http://matrixcollectibles.site.yahoo.net/gundammodels.html Operation Gundam   A New York-based online store, which offers a good selection of newer import kits at decent prices.   Home Page http://www.operationgundam.com/ CD Japan   This Japan-based retailer specializes in round shiny things - in other words, import DVDs, laser discs, and CD soundtracks. Low low prices, plus the obligatory international shipping costs.   Home Page http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/   Anime DVDs http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/anime/anime/   Anime & Game CDs http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/anime/cd/   Gundam Galore http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/anime/topics/gundam/ National Console Support   This online video-game store great source for import PlayStation, Dreamcast, and Wonder Swan titles.   Home Page http://www.ncsx.com/ Tronix   This online video-game store has a somewhat smaller catalog of Gundam games, with a heavier emphasis on new releases, but is also a good bet for import PlayStation and Dreamcast titles.   Home Page http://www.tronixweb.com/ Amazon.co.jp   The Japanese branch of the ubiquitous online bookstore carries the full range of Gundam-related publications. You'll need to be able to read Japanese to navigate the signup and ordering process. Note also that shipping costs start at ¥3000 - about $30 - so you're better off ordering a bunch of items at once, rather than placing orders one or two at a time.   Home Page http://www.amazon.co.jp/ Kinokuniya BookWeb   Another online bookstore, operated by the well-known Japanese chain. Again, you'll need to be able to read Japanese in order to sign up and place orders. While its delivery process is a bit less predictable, Kinokuniya BookWeb's shipping costs are generally lower than those of Amazon.co.jp.   Home Page http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/