First U.S. retail store for anime franchise Gundam opens Friday in Rosemont

Expected to be a draw for anime fans, the first official United States store for Gundam plastic models — the robot toy kits that grew in popularity in Japan in the 1980s — officially opens Friday morning in Rosemont.

The Gundam Base Chicago opens on the first level of the Fashion Outlets of Chicago following a 9 a.m. ribbon cutting with Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens, representatives from operator Bandai Namco and host/influencer Jacki Jing.

The 3,000-square-foot store — next to Timberland and across from Abercrombie Kids — will be a destination for both new builders and lifelong fans, officials say. It will feature kits and merchandise for sale, large model displays, and a dedicated play area for card games among fans.

“Fashion Outlets of Chicago is proud to be home to the first permanent The Gundam Base location in the United States,” Jim Hansen, the Rosemont mall’s senior property manager, said in an announcement. “This landmark opening underscores our position as a premier destination for global brands and we’re thrilled to offer shoppers this one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with the iconic Gundam franchise right here in Rosemont.”

The plastic models, also known as Gunpla, are an outgrowth of the Mobile Suit Gundam anime television series that debuted in 1979 in Japan. Toy manufacturer Bandai opened official Gunpla stores in Korea in 2003, Taiwan in 2005, Tokyo in 2017, Shanghai in 2018 and Thailand in 2021. Currently, there are 31 stores around the world.

The Rosemont location will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The store will stay open until 9 p.m. on opening day and most days until the holidays.

Fashion Outlets, the two-story, 530,000 square-foot indoor shopping center, is located at the Tri-State Tollway and Balmoral Avenue.