The Metal Structure Sazabi will be released this December in Japan.

Following the success of the Metal Structure Nu Gundam released back in 2019, Bandai Spirits is following up with its antagonist, the Sazabi. However, the price tag for this is not for the faint of heart.

The two main mecha featured in Gundam: Char’s Counterattack are the Nu Gundam piloted by Amuro Ray and the Sazabi piloted by the titular Char Aznable. While the Nu Gundam is somewhat unfinished in the movie, the Sazabi is pretty much the final form of Char’s red ride of choice.

Designed by Yutaka Izubuchi, the Nu Gundam has gone on to be a pop-cultural icon and was voted as the most popular mobile suit design in a recent Japanese poll. It even has a life-size version in Fukuoka in Kyushu.

The Sazabi, by contrast, is definitely a popular design but has a different fanbase, not least for its more curved Zeonic aesthetic. It’s also a much chunkier mobile suit and it’s here we get to this new Metal Structure toy.

The previous Nu Gundam was released in three instalments; the base mecha, its fin funnel set and then the hangar parts. The total price tag for the whole set was 151,800 yen (or around $1,120).

That was and still is a lot of money, but the Metal Structure Sazabi comes in at an eye watering 189,200 yen (or around $1,396). Admittedly, the Metal Structure Sazabi comes with all the trimmings from the off, but that is still a lot to ask for.

Released this December in Japan, pre-orders will begin on August 2. Like the Metal Structure Nu Gundam, I expect the Metal Structure Sazabi to sell out incredibly quickly. So if you want get one of these, you will need to be swift and probably sell a body part or two in the process.

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and do toy reviews over at hobbylink.tv.

Read my Forbes blog here.