The HG 1/144 Messer Type-M01 (Gawman Use) is one of the most exciting new Gunpla releases in May 2026, and if you’re a fan of Gundam Hathaway’s Flash — or just love a mean-looking, heavily armed mobile suit — this kit is absolutely worth your attention. Released as part of the ongoing Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe Gunpla lineup, the Messer M01 brings Gawman’s personal machine to 1/144 scale with brand-new tooling, slick articulation, and a distinctive commander-type aesthetic that sets it apart from the already popular Messer Type-F. Whether you’re new to Hathaway’s universe or a hardcore Universal Century fan, this kit is a great addition to your shelf.
What Is the Messer Type-M01 — and Who Is Gawman?
If you’ve been following the Gundam Hathaway story, you’ll know that the Messer is the front-line mobile suit used by Mafty, the anti-Earth Federal Forces group led by Hathaway Noa. The standard unit is the Messer Type-F — but Gawman’s machine is a completely different beast. Designated the Me02R-M01 Messer Type-M01, it was manufactured on a separate factory line with a noticeably different exterior design, though its internal frame and basic specs match the Type-F standard.
What makes Gawman’s unit instantly recognisable is the iconic detail that Bandai has faithfully recreated in plastic: the left shoulder armour was never fully painted before deployment, leaving the raw base colour exposed. It’s a small detail that speaks volumes about the gritty, guerrilla nature of Mafty’s operations — and it looks absolutely stunning on the kit. Gawman received this unit as a replacement after losing his original Type-F during the Davao air raid, making it a machine with real narrative weight.
HG Messer Type-M01 Kit Features and Engineering
Bandai has gone all-in with new tooling for this release. Unlike recolours or minor variant kits, the Messer Type-M01 uses entirely new molds to capture the unique visual differences from the Type-F. Here’s what stands out from an engineering perspective:
- All-new armour sculpting — the exterior panels, chest unit, and limb armour are freshly designed to match Gawman’s specific unit.
- Dedicated left shoulder part — the unpainted shoulder armour is included as a separate piece in its base colour, instantly giving the kit that battle-ready, rushed-to-deployment look.
- Stress-free skirt structure — both the front and rear skirt armour use a redesigned joint system that lets you pose the legs dynamically without the skirts popping off. This is a significant quality-of-life improvement over older HG kits.
- Smooth elbow and knee joints — the articulation in the limbs is generous, letting you achieve wide stances and action poses without fighting the plastic.
All of this at 3,400 yen (before tax) — roughly RM105–110 here in Malaysia — makes it excellent value for the level of detail you get.
Accessories: Fully Armed and Battle Ready
The Messer Type-M01 comes with a solid accessories loadout that matches the mobile suit’s role as a front-line combat unit:
- Long Beam Rifle ×1 — the signature long-range weapon, designed for the ranged engagement style that the Messer excels at.
- Beam Sabers ×2 — for close-quarters combat display options.
- Spike Shoulder Armor ×1 — the distinctive spiky shoulder piece that gives the M01 its aggressive commander look.
- Small Shield ×1 — compact defensive equipment that balances out the heavy-weapon loadout.
- Sticker sheet ×1 — for adding markings and panel details if you’re doing a straight build.
For a straight-build out-of-box experience, the kit looks great on an action base with the long beam rifle levelled and the spiked shoulder raised. But for modellers who want to go further, this kit is a prime candidate for panel lining and a flat top coat — the angular armour surfaces take panel lining beautifully, and a matte finish will make the whole thing feel like it just stepped out of the film.
How Does It Compare to the HGUC Messer Type-F?
The HGUC Messer Type-F01 (#233) was one of the standout HG releases from the original Hathaway’s Flash trilogy, praised for its articulation and clean proportions. The Type-M01 builds on that foundation — but it isn’t just a head swap or a colour variant. The exterior redesign is substantial, with new chest armour, unique shoulder configurations, and arm/leg panels that give it a bulkier, more imposing silhouette than the sleeker Type-F.
If you already own the Type-F, the M01 is a fantastic companion piece. Displayed side-by-side, the two units really showcase how different the factory-line variants can look despite sharing an internal frame. For those who only have space for one: the Type-M01’s unpainted shoulder detail and commander-type presence make it arguably the more unique display piece of the two.
Is the HG Messer Type-M01 Worth Buying for Malaysian Gunpla Builders?
In a word: yes. Here’s the breakdown for Malaysian hobbyists specifically:
- Value — At its price point, the all-new tooling and articulation engineering offer strong value. You’re not paying a premium for a parts-reuse kit.
- Build time — Expect 3–5 hours for a clean straight build, making it ideal for a weekend afternoon project.
- Display value — The unpainted shoulder is a conversation-starter and a unique display feature you won’t find on most kits.
- Customs potential — For those who love custom Gunpla, the large flat armour surfaces are perfect for drybrushing, chipping, and battle-damage weathering that fits the character’s in-universe backstory.
- Collector’s appeal — As part of the Hathaway’s Flash Sorcery of Nymph Circe lineup alongside the Xi Gundam and Alyzeus kits available at Gundam.my, this is a natural pick if you’re building out a Hathaway-themed shelf display.
Where to Get the HG Messer Type-M01 in Malaysia
The HG 1/144 Messer Type-M01 (Gawman Use) officially launched in May 2026. You can browse the full lineup of Gundam Hathaway model kits — including the Messer M01, Xi Gundam, and Alyzeus — at Gundam.my, Malaysia’s dedicated Bandai Gunpla shop. Whether you’re picking this up as your first Hathaway kit or rounding out your collection, we stock a full range of HG, MG, and PG kits with fast local shipping.
Final Verdict: A May 2026 Must-Build
The HG 1/144 Messer Type-M01 (Gawman Use) earns its place as one of the best HG releases in the first half of 2026. The fresh tooling, commander-type aesthetics, clever skirt articulation, and that iconic unpainted shoulder combine to make this a genuinely interesting kit — not just another variant. If you’re a Hathaway’s Flash fan, this is a no-brainer. And if you’ve been looking for a reason to dive into the Hathaway universe, this is a great entry point alongside the Xi Gundam.