Gunpla Expo Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Fun To Build! special panel report

▲ Yuki Kuwahara, Sayaka Senbongi

On the final day of Gunpla Expo World Tour Japan 2016 Summer at Ikebukuro Sunshine City, special guests Yuki Kuwahara and Sayaka Senbongi, voices of Cookie and Cracker Griffon in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, took to the Fun To Build! Gunpla stagr. Kaede Okutani MCed a discussion about Iron-Blooded Orphans Gunpla as the pair built their own.

As Ms. Kuwahara and Ms. Senbongi entered in matching fatigues printed with the Tekkadan’s emblem, the crowd erupted into applause. After introductions, the new trailer for season 2 was screened. Kuwahara hopes the audience “[follow] the difference in Cookie and Cracker’s personality”, while Senbongi hopes we’ll “follow the two as they adjust to life without their brother Biscuit”.
Then the talk turned to Gunpla. Both enjoyed running down the list of upcoming releases, starting with the HG Gundam Barbatos Lupus on October 1st. They were especially impressed with the just-announced 1/100 Full Mechanics Gundam Barbatos Lupus, and wanted to try it for themselves.

Next, they started work on a Gunpla they’s picked up earlier. Their choice: the HG Gundam Barbatos 6th Form. While there were a few slip-ups during the build, in the end, it was completed to audience applause. Kuwahara and Senbongi took their own pictures of the completed build, showing just how easy it is for anyone to enjoy Gunpla.

After this, Sunrise project lead Keijiro Taniguchi joined them on stage. They spoke about the upcoming Iron-Blooded Orphans season 2, taking questions from viewers on the Line Live stream.
First: “How many new characters will there be?” Mr. Taniguchi replied, “Lots, both on the Tekkadan and Gjallarhorn sides.” He then asked Kuwahara and Senbongi about the recording of episode 1, and both remarked that the studio was packed. Next: “Will there be more Gundams?” Taniguchi: “Of course.” A reveal of details on the characters and suits in the trailer was announced for August 27th.

Finally, Kuwahara and Senbongi each gave closing remarks:

Yuki Kuwahara
I hope I get to build another Gunpla in front of everyone! Recording is going smoothly, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for being here today!

Sayaka Senbongi
This reminded me of just how fun Gunpla is. I hope I’ll see you again at Gunpla Expo in November. Thank you all for coming today!


A recording of the panel can be seen on Gundam Fan Club. Whether you couldn’t make it or want to relive your time there, check it out!
Iron-Blooded Orphans also has an ongoing Twitter promotion and an official Instagram. Don't miss it!