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Over 400 Barnes and Noble Stores to Sell Gundam Models

 

Beginning in April 2014, over 400 Barnes and Noble retail locations across the U.S. will begin selling a variety of Gundam Plastic Models, also known as "GunPla," of different scales and grades from numerous Gundam series like Gundam Wing, Gundam UC, Gundam Build Fighters and more.  The Gundam franchise, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year has been known for its famous line of snap together models that require no glue for assembly and minimal to zero paint application.  Barnes and Noble initially sold Gundam models in 2013 at a small number of select stores to test its viability and will now expand this offering across the U.S.  In addition, a number of stores will feature displays showcasing built samples of the Gundam models being sold.  Supplied by Bluefin Distribution, the official U.S. Distributor of Bandai Hobby products, these Gundam models are guaranteed and authentically licensed by Bandai and have been thoroughly tested for safety and meets U.S. consumer product safety regulations.  No packaging changes or alterations to the product have been made and consumers can be assured they are getting a product that is the same as the products sold in Japanese stores.

Certain Barnes and Noble stores will also feature products from the figure collector brandBandai Tamashii Nations and candy toy brand Bandai Shokugan.  Products will also be available online at www.barnesandnoble.com

On the web:

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Posted 11 March, 2014 - 11:04 by VF5SS

Comments

7 comments posted
One of my stores was a test

One of my stores was a test store for this. They stock the kits from mg-hg1/144, gundam converge and assault kingdom toys, d-arts megaman series figures, dbz, sailor moon, and power rangers Figuarts, Figuarts zero one piece, SRC Dino megazord, dbz candy toys, and the electronic dbz headset toys. Some gundam kits are old kits, like the 1/144 endless waltz kits.

netkid's picture
Posted by netkid on 11 March, 2014 - 13:18
This is exciting

If nothing else, it'll get me to re-enroll in their bonus rewards programs. That's $20 I'll make back in savings quickly enough.

EDIT: They've already started listing models on their website, including the MG Heavyarms, which is really tempting...

atom smasher's picture
Posted by atom smasher on 11 March, 2014 - 23:14
Are you the same atom smasher

Are you the same atom smasher from Hisstank?

Anyways yes, the mg heavy arms has been at my test store since the beginning of the test. The MGs they stock are the ones from the recent Endless Waltz redesigns. The HGs are from unicorn and endless waltz (old 2000's stock).

netkid's picture
Posted by netkid on 12 March, 2014 - 09:52
Actually I'm not; I post

Actually I'm not; I post there and on the other TFW2005 boards as Astrakhan. I just kept "atom smasher" here because I didn't feel like creating a new account. The name is more or less dead to me now that Atom Smasher and the JSA as a whole no longer exist in DC Comics.

Does the test store have the Byarlant Custom? I still need to get one of those.

atom smasher's picture
Posted by atom smasher on 12 March, 2014 - 10:11
For Unicorn HG they carry: HG

For Unicorn HG they carry:

HG 1/144
sinanju
unicron [destroy mode] w/ unicron head base
unicorn [unicorn mode] w/ destroy head base

They MIGHT also carry the master grades of sinanju and unicorn, since they had them in the display case (at least I THINK they were the MG's because they were also in there with the MG endless waltz redesign deathscythe hell and they were all the same size), but they did not have the actual kits out on the floor.

netkid's picture
Posted by netkid on 12 March, 2014 - 12:10
Same head base

Good news for Barnes and Nobile customers... bad news for the rest of us that don't have a store within the nearest two hour roadtrip. If they sell them for a fair price without the typical 'domestic' mark up, I think this would be a good test for a broader American audience. Although I doubt we'll see Bandai sell Gunpla through Toys R Us so readily again.

As for that head base, it's the same unit with both the Unicorn/Destroy mode models. It transforms.

Rob's picture
Posted by Rob on 12 March, 2014 - 15:03
Perhaps the online store's

Perhaps the online store's range will be broader? If nothing else, it'll be easier to navigate than some of the other, smaller online stores.

atom smasher's picture
Posted by atom smasher on 12 March, 2014 - 15:41