Filipino Gunpla builders finally have a domestic Gundam Base to walk into. The first Gundam Base pop-up in the Philippines opens June 30, 2026 at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong, and it is carrying the same limited-edition lineup that fans used to fly to Singapore or Tokyo to buy.
Gundam Base is Bandai’s flagship retail concept for the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. The stores carry the full Gunpla range, plus event-only and Gundam Base-exclusive kits you cannot get through general hobby shops. Most locations are in Japan, with international outposts already open in South Korea, Singapore and the United States. The Manila pop-up is the brand’s first physical touchpoint in the Philippines.
What is on the shelves
Bandai has not published a full SKU list for the Manila run, but the confirmed lineup breaks down into three buckets, based on what the UnGeek announcement says is shipping to Shangri-La:
| Category | What it includes | Where else to get it in PH |
|---|---|---|
| Gundam Base limited edition | Color variants, clear parts and metallic finishes released only through official Gundam Base stores | Only via overseas Gundam Base trips or scalper resellers |
| Event limited edition | Special packaging and exclusive accessories tied to a specific run or anniversary | Same as above |
| Standard new releases | Latest MG, RG, PG, HG and SD kits landing on the same day as Japan | Toy stores and online hobby shops, usually 2-4 weeks later |
Pop-up displays and photo spots are also expected, in line with the format used at other Southeast Asia Gundam Base pop-ups. The brand has not yet confirmed whether the Manila run will get the life-size Gunpla display that Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have run in past events.
How long it runs, and whether it stays
Bandai has not announced an end date for the pop-up, and the UnGeek piece notes the brand is keeping the run length open. The Shangri-La Plaza mall is a familiar stop for Japanese-IP pop-ups in Metro Manila, and the venue has hosted longer-running retail concepts before.
That pop-up window matters. The Philippines is in the middle of a small but visible wave of Japanese retail brands opening permanent local stores: the first Nintendo Authorized Store in the country launched in May 2026, and Animate has confirmed its first PH retail outlet is on the way. The Gundam Base landing at the same mall, at the same time, fits the pattern of Japanese-IP retailers testing the Philippines through pop-ups before committing to a permanent footprint.
For now the practical takeaway is simpler: from June 30, the kits Filipino builders used to import or hunt for at overseas Gundam Base stores are on a mall shelf in Mandaluyong. Check the official Gundam Philippines Facebook page for store hours, restock alerts and any extension announcements.
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