{"id":3440,"date":"2026-06-11T19:46:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T11:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/metal-build-expo-tamashii-nations-store-tokyo\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T19:46:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T11:46:57","slug":"metal-build-expo-tamashii-nations-store-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/metal-build-expo-tamashii-nations-store-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"METAL BUILD EXPO: Inside Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you grew up wanting your Gundam to be made of actual metal, Bandai Spirits just built a whole event around that itch. The METAL BUILD EXPO<\/strong> is a single-brand showcase running at the Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo in Akihabara, and we dropped by to see every die-cast hero the line has to offer under one roof. Here’s our walkthrough \u2014 plus what it means for collectors back home in Singapore.<\/p>\n

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Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is the METAL BUILD EXPO?<\/h2>\n

METAL BUILD is Bandai Spirits’ premium line of pre-painted, fully-articulated figures that mix die-cast metal with plastic for real heft and a satisfying clink. This is the first time the brand has been given its own dedicated event, and it pulls together the latest releases across Mobile Suit Gundam<\/em>, Neon Genesis Evangelion<\/em>, the EX PROJECT line and more.<\/p>\n

The essentials:<\/p>\n

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  • Where:<\/strong> Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo, 1-1 Kandahanaokacho, Chiyoda-ku \u2014 a one-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station (Electric Town Exit).<\/li>\n
  • When:<\/strong> 27 March \u2013 6 July 2026, daily from 10:00 to 20:00.<\/li>\n
  • Admission:<\/strong> free \u2014 the storefront sign literally reads nyujo muryo<\/em> (free entry).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Gundam SEED takes centre stage<\/h2>\n

    The headline wall belongs to Gundam SEED<\/em>. The Strike Freedom Gundam anchors the display in full die-cast glory, wings of light fanned out the way every SEED fan remembers it.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Bandai is using the expo to relaunch the figure: the METAL BUILD Strike Freedom Gundam <Revival Ver.><\/strong> hits general retail in June 2026 with a refreshed package and an added support stand. Alongside it, the store is selling new store-limited Sword Striker<\/strong> and Launcher Striker<\/strong> packs that clip onto the Strike Gundam (Heliopolis Roll Out Ver.) to rebuild the Sword and Launcher loadouts.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    A glass cabinet near the back lines up the SEED roster side by side \u2014 Strike, Strike Freedom, Destiny and friends \u2014 so you can see how the sculpts have evolved over the line’s run. If you want a sense of scale and finish, this shelf is the one to study.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Tucked into the exclusives corner are the Astray<\/em> frames \u2014 the Gold Frame and Red Frame \u2014 wearing “ON SALE HERE NOW!” tags, the kind of store-only stock that makes the trip worth it for serious collectors.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The commemorative Hi-\u03bd Gundam<\/h2>\n

    Every Tamashii store event gets a commemorative piece, and this one is the METAL BUILD Hi-\u03bd Gundam [METAL BUILD EXPO]<\/strong>. It’s based on the 2022 Hi-\u03bd, but repainted from the novel’s purple-and-white into the official blue-and-white scheme, with a new fin funnel hanger so you can display the funnels stowed or deployed. It’s a Premium Bandai item that needs a CLUB TAMASHII MEMBERS registration to order.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    00, Evangelion and a Toho surprise<\/h2>\n

    The Gundam 00<\/em> corner shows off GN-001 Gundam Exia and the 00 Gundam, GN blades catching the spotlights. Staff had an Exia out of the case for a closer look \u2014 the inner-frame detail on these is genuinely absurd.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Beyond Gundam, EVANGELION Unit-01 represents the line’s wider reach, posed mid-lunge off its launch rail.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    And the one that stopped us in our tracks \u2014 a fully die-cast Toho mecha from the Godzilla universe, all spines and silver plating, licensed TM & © Toho Co., Ltd. Not what you expect at a Gundam-heavy show, and all the better for it.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Hatsune Miku gets the METAL BUILD treatment<\/h2>\n

    The most unexpected booth is a snow-globe diorama built for METAL BUILD Hatsune Miku<\/strong> \u2014 yes, the Vocaloid icon reimagined as a mecha-suited figure, posed across a starry, checkerboard stage. It’s a reminder that METAL BUILD isn’t only about war machines.<\/p>\n

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    Photo: GameTrader.SG at METAL BUILD EXPO, Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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