Witch from Mercury Saved My Love for Gunpla — And I'm Not Ashamed.

By KitReviewerApr 18, 2026⏱ 5 min read💬 58 comments0

My last build before the gap was an RG Zeta. I finished it in late 2020, put it on the shelf, and just... stopped. Life got busy. The hobby felt like one more thing on a long list of things. For almost two years, my nippers sat in a drawer.

Then in October 2022, I started watching The Witch from Mercury on a whim. By episode three I was on Gundam Planet putting an HG Aerial in my cart.

Why WFM Hit Different

I've watched a lot of Gundam. I grew up on SEED, went deep on the UC timeline in college, had my IBO era like everyone else. But something about WFM felt fresh in a way the franchise hadn't felt to me in years. The school setting, the relationships, the Aerial's weird organic design that looked unlike any Gundam before it — I was genuinely invested.

And when you're genuinely invested in a series, the kits mean something different. Building the Aerial wasn't just assembling plastic — it was building Suletta's partner. That connection matters.

The HG Aerial as a Return-to-Hobby Kit

I couldn't have picked a better kit to come back with. The Aerial is clean, elegant, not overwhelming. The GUND-bit wings are individually poseable translucent pieces that look incredible even with zero finishing work. It took me one evening and it was like I'd never stopped.

By the time season two aired I had the Aerial, the Aerial Rebuild, the Calibarn, and the Lfrith all built and displayed together. Two years of nothing to four kits in six months. That's what a good series does.

What WFM Gave the Gunpla World

Beyond my personal story — WFM genuinely pushed Bandai to produce some of their best modern HG designs. The Calibarn especially is a masterpiece of kit design. The fact that it looks completely unlike any previous Gundam and still works as plastic engineering is genuinely impressive.

If you've been away from the hobby and you're looking for a reason to come back — WFM is that reason. Start with the Aerial. You'll see.

The Witch from Mercury Has Become the New Standard

WFM (Witch from Mercury) released in 2022-2023 and immediately became one of Bandai's strongest kit lines. The Aerial, Calibarn, and Lfrith all delivered HG kits that rivaled premium MG quality from previous decades.

For new builders, the WFM line is the recommended entry point in 2026. Modern engineering, accessible pricing, strong story representation.

The Suletta Era Display

HG Aerial → HG Aerial Rebuild → HG Calibarn — three kits chronicling Suletta's three mobile suits across the show. Total cost: ~¥6,000 for the trio. Tells a complete narrative on a single shelf.

The Antagonist Line

For complete WFM display: HG Pharact (Lauda's mobile suit), HG Schwarzette (Guel's later mobile suit), HG Beguir-Beu (Earth House MS). Each adds variety to the WFM shelf without breaking the budget.

The MG Question

As of 2026, no WFM MG kits exist. Bandai has hinted at a possible MG Aerial for 2027, but no announcement is confirmed. For collectors who want WFM at MG scale: wait for the announcement.

The HG kits are excellent in the meantime; the MG (when it arrives) will be additive rather than replacement.

The Build Difficulty

WFM HG kits are mid-tier difficulty — more complex than basic HG (HGUC RX-78) but simpler than premium HG (HGCE Strike Freedom). Suitable for builders with at least one prior build.

The WFM aesthetic emphasizes clean panel breaks and minimal stickering. Most kits look 'finished' OOB without painting.

Why WFM Works So Well

Three reasons: modern engineering (post-2022 quality), accessible character designs (less mecha-heavy than UC), strong story (the show was well-received). The combination drove sales and motivated Bandai to invest in the line.

For builders new to Gunpla in 2026, the WFM line is the most welcoming entry point.