The Gundam Base London opened in Camden Market on 3 July 2026, the first permanent Gundam store in the UK. We covered the announcement and what to expect on a visit at the time. Bandai has now answered our questions on how a temporary pop up became a permanent shop, what UK builders actually buy, and what the run up to the 50th anniversary will look like.
Questions answered by Alvias Poon, Senior Brand Manager, Bandai
From World Tour pop up to permanent store
The London pop up was a stop on the Gundam Base Pop Up World Tour, ran from September 2025 and was extended beyond its original closing date into May 2026. What did that run show you, in sales patterns or fan behaviour, that made the case for a permanent store? Was there anything that surprised the team about UK builders?
When we first opened THE GUNDAM BASE POP-UP, we were delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response from both longstanding fans and people discovering Gundam and Gunpla for the first time.
Although Gundam already had a passionate UK fan base, we were still developing its presence among a wider audience. The strong sales, repeat visits and positive feedback from the community gave us confidence that there was demand for a permanent store.
What particularly impressed us was the passion and knowledge of UK builders. They are not only collectors, but also highly creative hobbyists who enjoy customising, painting and sharing their builds. We continue to enjoy meeting them at the Camden store, as well as through events and workshops across the UK.
Why Camden, and why the Stables Market specifically? Were other London locations or cities in the running, and what tipped the decision?
Camden is a very special location for us. It has a distinctive creative identity, attracts visitors from across the UK and overseas, and is already an established destination for Bandai Namco fans through the Bandai Namco Cross Store. We are always interested in how we can reach more fans in the future, so please stay tuned.
Bandai now has two permanent stores in Camden, with the Bandai Namco Cross Store and The Gundam Base a short walk apart. How do the two sit together, and what should a fan visit each one for?
While the Bandai Namco Cross Store offers a wider Bandai Namco experience, THE GUNDAM BASE LONDON is dedicated to Gundam. Fans can explore Gunpla, figures, hobby tools and G BASE limited items, as well as enjoy displays and dioramas created by the UK building community.
What did the London opening mean internally at Bandai?
The opening of the permanent G-Base was a very proud moment for all involved. From those that had worked at the Pop-Up store, to the team based in the head office, we loved bringing our version of the G-Base to the UK. The opening is testament to the support of everyone who has championed Gundam and our products over the last 5 years as we have expanded our business in this area.
The store itself
The large scale statues are often the first thing visitors mention. Which mobile suits are they, at what scale, who built them, and what did it take to get them into Camden Market?
The Gundam statues make a huge impact and create a great photo opportunity for fans! We place them at all our events and even have some featured in our key retailers to ensure that fans can have the same experience all over the UK. We have a talented team who design and make the statues, of which there are various designs and scales. We are now skilled at building and siting them after lots of practice! The Mobile Suit we use in the store is the RX78-2 but in an exclusive colourway that was created specifically for the G-Base.
Plenty of UK fans have made the trip to The Gundam Base Tokyo at DiverCity in Odaiba. For someone who has been, what will feel familiar in London, and what does London have that Tokyo does not?
We were aiming for our London G-Base to have a familiar feel to the other stores in the G-Base family. There are shared elements across all stores such as the G-Base branding which are replicated worldwide but each store has a nod to the local market. At the G-Base in London we have included some London themed Gunpla dioramas built by members of our community which adds another point of interest for fans.
Gunpla and what the UK builds
Where does UK taste differ from Japan? Which grades move here, from Entry Grade up to Perfect Grade, and which kits are hardest to keep on the shelves?
The UK has a diverse community, ranging from first-time builders to experienced collectors. High Grade is particularly popular because of its wide selection and accessible price, while Real Grade and Master Grade also perform strongly with more experienced builders. Entry Grade is a great introduction to the hobby, while Perfect Grade attracts a smaller but very dedicated audience. New releases, popular mobile suits and G BASE limited items are usually the hardest to keep on the shelves.
For someone who walks in never having built a kit before, what happens? What is the team’s honest first kit recommendation, and why that one?
No previous modelling experience is required, and our store team can help new builders choose a kit based on their favourite design, budget and preferred level of difficulty. We would usually recommend an Entry Grade kit for a first build, as it requires no glue or painting and is easy to assemble while still producing an impressive result. Most importantly, we encourage customers to choose a mobile suit they genuinely like, as that makes the first building experience even more enjoyable.
What comes next
Gundam turns 50 in 2029. What role will the London store play in the anniversary, and what would success in Camden need to look like for a second European store to follow?
The build up to the 50th anniversary begins next year and we are so excited about all the plans to come. We will be celebrating this milestone at the store but also at events and with our retailers. There will be lots of great opportunities for fans to get involved, too.
There will be plans in the future for more G-Base locations throughout Europe and the Pop Up World Tour continues with Dusseldorf being the latest to launch.
Read next: our pick of the best mecha anime, and the best 80s anime shows for anyone working back to where Gundam started.
