Bandai Char Aznable Sunglasses Guide: Jan 2027 Release

Mobile Suit Gundam fans have a new collectible to circle on their calendars: Bandai has announced a faithful replica of Char Aznable’s signature sunglasses, complete with some genuinely silly extras. Char first showed up on-screen nearly five decades ago, and he’s still one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters in Gundam popularity rankings. When these glasses finally arrive in January 2027, they’ll be a quick way to add a little of that polished Char swagger to everyday life.

2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for the Gundam franchise. Back in May, a special livestream laid out a stack of upcoming plans across the wider Gundam universe, leaving longtime viewers stunned by just how much is coming. One of the standout reveals was a remastered release of the original 1979 anime Mobile Suit Gundam, scheduled for 2029 as a lead-in to the series’ 50th anniversary. Produced by Sunrise, the original show is especially remembered for presenting giant mechs as mass-produced weapons of war. Amuro Ray remains a fan-favorite hero, but Char has repeatedly stolen the spotlight as the franchise’s most talked-about threat.

The Gundam franchise has introduced plenty of legendary mobile suits over the years, but these latest standouts are being positioned as top-tier options on the battlefield.

Char Aznable’s Glasses Can Be Preordered Now

Quick facts

A replica of Char Aznable’s iconic sunglasses is available through Premium Bandai.
Preorders are open now and end at 23:00 JST on December 31, 2026.
Ship timing is set for January 2027.
Two lens variants are offered: a standard replica and a Girhen Zabi print version.
The standard glasses cost ¥15,400 (about $95), while the Girhen Zabi version is ¥16,500 (about $102).
A villain stand is also listed for ¥3,300 (about $21).
The set includes a cleaning cloth and a case.

Premium Bandai is selling the Char sunglasses replica along with a cleaning cloth and a protective case. Buyers can choose between two styles, and one option leans hard into the joke: the lenses feature a special print showing Gihren Zabi giving his speech, matching the moment from Episode 12 of Mobile Suit Gundam. Preorders are already live, but they’ll stop at 23:00 JST on December 31, 2026, with shipments planned for January 2027.

Pricing is split by version. The standard replica is listed at ¥15,400 (roughly $95), while the Girhen Zabi print edition costs ¥16,500 (about $102). There’s also an additional purchase option—a stand featuring the villain—priced at ¥3,300 (around $21).

In the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, Char Aznable is a primary antagonist serving under the Principality of Zeon. Things shift in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, where he ends up fighting alongside the main cast against the elitist Titans. Then, in the 1988 film Char’s Counterattack, he fully returns to the role fans associate with him most. Like many anime villains, Char pulls in attention not only for his sharp looks, but also for the depth of his background and his intense drive for revenge.

Gundam Wing Gets a 30th Anniversary Visual Project

Char’s sunglasses aren’t the only Gundam-related treat on the way. Gundam Wing fans are also getting something new: a “visual project” has been announced to celebrate its 30th anniversary. It’s not yet clear what form the project will take—whether it’s a brief video, a full film, or a new anime production—but fans are being told to watch for updates soon.

Last year, Gundam Wing marked its 30th anniversary with multiple events, including Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz returning to theaters in the United States for a limited run. That screening was notable for a specific reason: it marked the first Gundam series to air on American television back in 2000.

Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.

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Results

To keep the momentum going, a Gundam-Con event is scheduled for Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, running from January 9 through January 11, 2027. The event will include tournaments, exclusive merchandise, vendor booths, and more, with further information promised to be revealed later this summer. After the Japan run, the convention will also travel to multiple locations worldwide, though the exact countries and cities haven’t been announced yet.

Outside the convention calendar, the Japan Anniversary Association has officially labeled April 7 as Gundam Day. Then, in 2029, the Tokyo National Museum is set to host an exhibition focused on Yoshiyuki Tomino, the creator behind Gundam.

Mobile Suit Gundam

Cast

Hirotaka Suzuoki — Gihren Zabi (voice)
Tôru Furuya — Degwin Sodo Zabi (voice)
Toshio Furukawa — M’Quve (voice)
Kiyonobu Suzuki — Hayato Kobayashi (voice)