On Saturday, March 1, fans of the iconic anime Mobile Suit Gundam queued outside TAMASHII NATIONS STORE New York in the heart of Times Square to celebrate the franchise’s 45th anniversary. The highly anticipated GUNDAM45FRGMT collection, a collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment design, was a centerpiece of the event, drawing much of the fanfare. The collection features figurines, apparel, accessories, and plushies, blending Fujiwara’s global fashion influence with Gundam’s timeless legacy. To mark the occasion, Hypebeast caught up with Fujiwara in Times Square to capture the collection’s debut and discuss what inspired him to put his stamp on one of Bandai Namco’s biggest IPs.
After its Japan-exclusive debut at Fujiwara’s concept store V.A. in Harajuku, Tokyo, the GUNDAM45FRGMT collection made its highly anticipated U.S. debut at TAMASHII NATIONS STORE New York. The event drew an impressive crowd of avid collectors eager to get their hands on the meticulously crafted Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite (GFFMC), also known as RX78FRGMT. The limited-edition variant features a grayscale theme, which departs from classic Gundam models — known for elaborate, multi-colored componentry. fragment design’s signature lighting bolt insignia appears on the figurine’s chest and left shoulder. The coveted collectible lived amongst store displays featuring Gunpla model kits — a fan favorite for building hobbyists — and adorable Banpresto plushies inspired by Gundam’s iconic mascot, Haro.
For streetwear enthusiasts, the collection offers a selection of custom T-shirts, an all-black hoodie marked with “RX78FRGMT” lettering and smaller lifestyle accessories, such as a cap, a Z.D.F.A-branded (Zeon Defense Forces Academy) tote bag and a fragment design x Gundam wallet with velcro closure.
When opening up about his initial design ideation, Fujiwara mentioned he took visual cues from punk rock music and retro band T-shirts. “There’s a band called Sigue Sigue Sputnik — a 1980s new wave band that used a robot character for [their album artwork]. So I drew inspiration as a way to showcase the ‘Gundam’ robots,” said Fujiwara. Highlights of the collection include a white cotton shirt depicting an iconic fight scene from Mobile Suit Gundam’s “Episode 43.” Fujiwara remixes this retro imagery with stylistic references inspired by the British band’s debut studio album cover, Flaunt It. “With fragment design, it’s not about replicating the taste [of something] or making it into something completely different from its origin. It’s not about upgrading the culture; it’s about [existing] in the culture within its community — I would like to be a part of the community.”
The world of action figures isn’t entirely new to Fujiwara. He told Hypebeast, growing up with two sisters, he often had to fight for control over the TV; instead of watching anime, he gravitated to Chogokin. The fictitious (Super Alloy) material first appeared in Go Nagai’s Mazinger Z manga and anime, and was later adopted by Bandai Namco’s Popy as a product line of robotic science fiction collectibles in 1972. “I was the only boy in the family, and I was too shy to ask my father for one, but now I have [the RX78FRGMT],” he joked during the discussion.
Mobile Suit Gundam’s everlasting influence in pop culture is unmistakable. The anime premiered in Japan in 1979, enrapturing global audiences and spawning numerous successful spin-offs throughout the late ’80s, ’90s and ’00s. Attendees who spoke with Hypebeast attested to harboring a nostalgic appreciation for the series’ continued success. One collector, in particular, mentioned his enthusiasm for the 2019 spin-off, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Advent of the Red Comet, describing the story arc of the formidable Char Aznable as a Machiavellian dance between good and evil. Gundam’s rich storytelling and world-building have amassed a diverse fanbase, connecting longtime and new-time anime fans, toy aficionados and building enthusiasts alike.
This cross-generational appeal initially sparked Fujiwara’s interest, who mentioned at one point that he enjoys exploring new ways to orbit within the pop-up space through his store V.A. “I love people who love [niche] things. I love independent, underground groups. I like being a part of [micro] movements.” Credited with reviving Ura-Harajuku’s fashion scene and popularizing hip-hop and punk rock in Japan in the early ’80s, Fujiwara has long maintained a penchant for spotlighting cultural touchstones, and with yet another co-sign from fragment design, he pays homage to the sci-fi universe of Gundam and a massive fanbase suiting up around the globe.
Fans of Mobile Suit Gundam can visit the flagship Times Square TAMASHII NATIONS STORE New York location to view the complete GUNDAM45FRGMT collection, which will be on view until March 17.
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