Remember when every Gunpla kit vanished from store shelves the instant it was stocked, and scalpers flipped $33 model kits for $66+ on resale apps? That era is finally fading. Bandai's new factory is churning out kits, discount pricing is back, and platforms are cracking down on resellers. But a new problem has emerged: customers behaving so badly that some stores want to stop selling Gunpla altogether.

The Scalper Bubble: How Gunpla Became a Speculative Asset

When COVID-19 lockdowns hit Japan in 2020, stay-at-home demand for hobbies surged, and scalpers took notice. Popular Gundam plastic model kits (known as "Gunpla") disappeared from stores almost instantly, reappearing on resale platforms like Mercari and Yahoo Auctions at two to three times their retail price.

The poster child for the crisis was the RG 1/144 Hi-ν Gundam. With a retail price of ¥4,950 (about $33), it regularly sold for over ¥10,000 ($66+) on secondary markets. The problem grew so extreme that paid seminars and info-products teaching "Gunpla scalping techniques" began circulating.

Retailers bore the brunt. Reports emerged of people storming into shops demanding staff hand over all Gunpla stock, attempting to break into back rooms, and even peering into delivery trucks parked outside. Some hobby shops announced on social media that they would stop carrying Gunpla entirely.

Bandai Strikes Back: A New Factory and 35% More Production

BANDAI SPIRITS responded with a massive infrastructure investment. In July 2025, the company opened a new production facility in Shizuoka City called the "BANDAI HOBBY CENTER PLAMO DESIGN INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE" (BHC PDII).

The facility spans approximately 159,000 square feet across three floors and consolidates the entire production process, from plastic injection molding to packaging and shipping, under one roof. This "all-in-one" approach eliminates the need to transport components between separate factories, cutting logistics costs and carbon emissions.

A standout feature is Bandai's proprietary multi-color molding technology, where a single machine can inject up to four different colored plastics into one runner (the frame that holds model parts). Each machine produces roughly 4,000 runners per day. When fully operational in 2026, the facility will house 10 multi-color and 84 single-color molding machines, achieving approximately 35% more output compared to 2023.

BANDAI SPIRITS president Hiroshi Sakakibara stated the company's goal is to resolve global Gunpla shortages while promoting plastic model culture from Shizuoka to the world.

Signs of Recovery: Discounts Return, Platforms Crack Down

The effects are showing. In early 2026, discounted Gunpla began reappearing at major electronics retailers, a sight that had been commonplace before COVID but vanished during the shortage years. Currently, the discounted kits are primarily from recent TV series like "The Witch from Mercury" and "GQuuuuuuX," but as these fill shelves, production capacity can shift to other popular lines.

Resale platforms are also tightening rules. In February 2026, LINE Yahoo banned listings on Yahoo Auctions and Yahoo Flea Market that price new Gunpla (HG, RG, MG, and PG series) above MSRP for three months after each kit's release date. Mercari has signaled similar measures following backlash over Nintendo Switch 2 scalping.

The New Problem: In-Store Chaos on Restock Days

Yet even as supply improves, a troubling new issue has surfaced. On days when popular kits are restocked, some customers sprint through stores, grab products from cardboard boxes before staff can shelve them, and generally create unsafe, chaotic environments.

Multiple retailers have reported that the situation has become so stressful that they are considering, or have already decided, to stop carrying Gunpla. Staff are exhausted by the constant tension. Some shops have adopted defensive measures like refusing to put restocked items on shelves at opening time, or declining all phone inquiries about Gunpla inventory.

The irony is painful: the supply is finally improving, but the behavior of some buyers is driving retailers away from the product.

What's Changing for International Fans

Overseas availability has been improving, too. Bandai has significantly increased Gunpla shipments to North America. In a notable move for the Gundam Wing 30th anniversary in 2025, four previously Japan-exclusive HGAC kits (Deathscythe Hell, Heavyarms Custom, Sandrock Custom, and Altron Gundam) were released as standard retail products in North America.

That said, global simultaneous releases remain rare. Kits typically reach overseas retailers one to two months after their Japanese launch, and prices tend to be higher due to shipping costs, tariffs, and currency exchange rates.

On the corporate side, Bandai Namco streamlined its licensing structure in April 2026, changing the Gundam copyright notice from "©Sotsu · Sunrise" to "©Sunrise." Since Sotsu was already a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings, this simplification is expected to accelerate international product rollouts, including Gunpla.

Risks on the Horizon: Oil Prices and Raw Materials

Not everything looks rosy. Instability in the Middle East has raised concerns about rising costs for petroleum-based plastics, the core material in every Gunpla kit. Polystyrene and ABS resin prices are sensitive to crude oil fluctuations, and Bandai has already implemented gradual price increases on recent kits. Further cost hikes could test fan loyalty, particularly in price-sensitive overseas markets.

Where Things Stand

The Gunpla ecosystem is in transition. Scalper profitability has cratered thanks to increased supply, platform restrictions, and consumer awareness. Production capacity is at historic highs. International distribution is expanding. But the culture surrounding how people buy Gunpla, the respect for store staff, fellow customers, and the hobby itself, still needs work.

For 45 years, Gunpla has thrived because of a passionate community that values craftsmanship and creativity. Protecting that culture is everyone's responsibility.

How has Gunpla availability changed in your country? Have you encountered scalping or in-store behavior issues? Share your experience, we'd love to hear from you.

References