Mobile suit Gundam is popular worldwide, but in its home in Japan it is virtually a cultural institution. And although the original “Universal Century” Gundam institution tends to attract the most attention, like 2015’s Gundam mobile suit: iron-blooded orphans are popular on their own. This is perhaps why Bandai is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the series by releasing a new, custom-made clothing and accessories range, inspired by the show [Thanks, Famitsu!].
Thanks to the Bandai Apparel Division (the same people who Kamen rider clothing), the Iron-blooded orphans The 5th birthday collection will be sold via Bandai’s Gundam-centric clothing store, STRICT-G and the Premium Bandai online outlet.
The items include Iron-blooded orphansT-shirts, hoodies and other accessories, such as suitcases and pens, with a theme. Instead of embellishing the merchandise with images of mecha or characters, the designs evoke the display obliquely, through iconography and quotes. This can be a plus for a customer who prefers to keep their fandom a little more low.
Although most items in the line include the stylized fleur-de-lis-like logo of Tekkadan, the main group in Iron-blooded orphans, one hoodie design inspired by the character McGillis Fareed, contains nothing more than a candy-colored logo that says: ‘Chocolate Guy’.
The design is a reference to McGillis’ first personal encounter with Mikazuki Augus, the master of ceremonies. After carefully avoiding a traffic accident with Mikazuki’s friends, Fareed tries to make up the young teens with some candy. Mikazuki, who never remembered names, refers to Fareed as ‘The Chocolate Guy’ for much of the series.
The Mobile suit Gundam: Iron-blooded orphans 5th birthday clothing range is available to pre-order via the STRICT-G online store.