If you’ve tried buying Gundam Blu-rays lately, you’ve probably noticed something: they’re disappearing. Series after series has slipped quietly out of print, and prices on the secondhand market are already climbing.
I know this all too well—I’ve spent years building my Gundam Blu-ray collection. Most of mine are the North American releases from RightStuf and Sunrise, but I also imported some choice Japanese editions, like the Library UC sets and the Reconguista in G movies, because I really liked the editions.
There are still a few series and movies that I’m kicking myself for not grabbing when I had the chance, but Mobile Suit Gundam is one of the few franchises I go full completionist on. I’ve watched the availability dry up in real time, with once-common sets turning into hard to find collector’s items almost overnight.
In this guide, I’ll break down why Gundam Blu-rays are getting harder to find, where you can still pick them up, and what to keep in mind if you’re collecting. Whether you’re just starting your Gundam collection or trying to fill in those last few stubborn gaps, hopefully this gives you a clearer path — and maybe save you from a few mistakes I’ve made along the way.
I’ll also go over some solid alternatives, including exclusive Japanese editions that come with English subtitles and even some new 4K releases that are quietly hitting shelves in Japan.
Why Are Gundam Blu-rays Going Out of Print?
For years, nearly all North American Gundam releases were handled through a partnership between Sunrise and RightStuf. They produced collector’s boxes stacked with extras as well as Blu-ray sets for everything from Gundam Wing to Iron-Blooded Orphans. But many of these were essentially limited print runs — they pressed a batch, fulfilled demand, and didn’t guarantee long-term stock.
Then came the real shakeup. Sunrise folded deeper under Bandai, RightStuf merged into Crunchyroll, and within months most Gundam Blu-rays vanished from store listings. I’d been waiting for a sale to pick up a few releases like Gundam Narrative, Stardust Memory, and The Witch From Mercury and by the time I checked again, they were gone, with prices on eBay already spiking.
The truth is, physical anime just isn’t a priority anymore. Streaming dominates, and publishers aren’t going to keep shelves stocked for a niche slice of collectors like me. That’s why even big staples like Gundam Wing and Char’s Counterattack slip out of print.
It’s one of the main reasons why I started exploring Japanese editions years ago.
The Must-Have Gundam Blu-ray Sets (If You Can Still Find Them)
Truth is, with the exception of a few stragglers like Iron-Blooded Orphans Season 1 and Gundam AGE Collection 2, most Blu-ray sets are already gone from major retailers. You can still grab what’s left directly from Crunchyroll’s store — while it lasts.
From classics like 0079, Zeta, and Char’s Counterattack to newer series like The Witch From Mercury, they’re all out of stock on sites like Crunchyroll and Amazon, with eBay prices surging.
My biggest takeaway? If you spot a Gundam series you care about anywhere close to retail, just grab it. I’ve still got a handful of sets I’m hunting down that were sitting on Crunchyroll for what felt like forever — until suddenly, they weren’t.
Where to Still Find Gundam Blu-rays
Online Marketplaces like eBay and Mercari
You can find just about anything on eBay and Mercari — but you’ll usually pay the most here unless you get lucky. Once a set becomes expensive, you also have to watch out for sellers trying to offload bootlegs.
My best advice? Be patient. Watch listings for a while and always check recently sold prices to make sure the current asking prices aren’t just wishful thinking. And keep an eye out for sitewide coupons — both eBay and Mercari run them pretty regularly, which can shave off a nice chunk.
If you’re hunting for a specific set, here’s a direct eBay search for Gundam Blu-rays you can start with. Just remember to watch for fair sold prices and check for legit packaging.
Local Secondhand Stores
If you’ve got the patience (and like the thrill of the hunt), try local secondhand spots like Half Price Books. I’ve actually found a few great Gundam sets at my local HPB over the years, usually for way less than they’d cost online. Just make sure you quickly double-check online prices to confirm you’re paying a fair price before buying.
Alternatives to Out of Print English Releases
If your favorite Gundam series is already out of print in North America, don’t worry — you’re not completely out of options. Japanese Blu-rays are often a great alternative, and in some cases, they’re actually higher quality, with premium packaging and extras.
Sites like CD Japan and even Amazon Japan (which ships internationally) are great places to look. And here’s a small trick: you can often buy Japanese editions directly through your regular Amazon.com account by making sure the seller is listed as “Amazon Japan.”
A nice bonus: Japan and North America Blu-rays are both Region A, so most Gundam Blu-rays will play just fine on your standard U.S. Blu-ray player. In fact, many Gundam releases you’ll find on CD Japan are listed as region free, which means they will play on any blu-ray player.
Just make sure to always check the product description for two key things:
- That it’s either Region A or region free
- That it includes English subtitles (most do for major UC titles and newer releases, but it’s always worth double-checking)
That’s actually how I ended up with sets like the Library UC releases and the Reconguista in G compilation movies. Sometimes it takes a little more effort (and the shipping isn’t always cheap), but for a Gundam completionist, it’s absolutely worth it.
Quick tip: On CD Japan, always check that the item isn’t marked “proxy shipping only.” Some limited or store-exclusive items require you to use a proxy service that ships from Japan to you. It’s not too bad once you get it set up, but since it’s a bit more advanced (and outside the scope of this guide), I won’t dive into it here.
Japan Exclusive 4K Gundam Releases
For whatever reason, the 4K releases still haven’t made their way to North America. If that’s your thing, though, you can pick up quite a few directly from CD Japan. Below is a current list of available 4K Gundam releases with English subtitles — some of these aren’t even out on Blu-ray outside Japan yet.
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom
- Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt Bandit Flower
- Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt December Sky
- Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway’s Flash
- Mobile Suit Gundam Cucuruz Doan’s Island
- Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative
Unfortunately, there are also a few 4K releases that don’t include English subtitles, like:
- Mobile Suit Gundam Theatrical Trilogy
- Mobile Suit Gundam Char’s Counterattack
- Mobile Suit Gundam F91
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer
Tips for Collecting Safely & Smart
- Check sold listings, not just asking prices. Always look at the “sold” tab so you know what people are actually paying — not just what sellers hope to get.
- Watch for bootlegs. Blurry images, missing Bandai or Sunrise logos, or listings that just seem off? Always a red flag. Compare with multiple legit sold listings and ask for extra photos if something doesn’t look right.
- Wait for eBay and Mercari Coupons. Both platforms run sitewide promos pretty regularly. Holding out for one can save you a solid 10–15% on expensive sets.
- If you can, search locally. You’ll see the condition firsthand and often pay a lot less than online. I’ve found some of my best deals that way.
Ready to Start Your Gundam Collection?
If you’ve started your own collection, or there’s a set you’re still kicking yourself for missing, you’re definitely not alone. Hopefully this guide helps a bit. And if you’re still figuring out where to start, check out my Gundam Timeline Guide — it might give you a few ideas.
