Bandai Takes Criminal Action Against Xingdong Over Massive Gundam Model Counterfeiting Operation
Bandai Spirits is taking a major step against the counterfeit GunPla market in China, announcing criminal legal action against the factories and sellers behind the “Xingdong” brand.
In an announcement dated August 7, Bandai Hobby Site Inland China revealed that it had worked with Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Spirits to investigate Xingdong, a manufacturer accused of producing and selling infringing counterfeit Gundam plastic models.
The crackdown took place in June 2026, when Chinese public security authorities carried out raids on the suspected production facilities and sales locations connected to the operation. According to Bandai, more than 28,500 counterfeit Gundam plastic model products were seized during the investigation.
Among the seized items were counterfeit versions of Gundam plastic models, including a fake RG MSN-04 Sazabi product shown in Bandai's announcement. The company also released photos showing production equipment, packaging facilities, and large quantities of counterfeit products stored at the sites.
Bandai states that the seized counterfeit products had an equivalent value of more than 130 million yuan, or approximately US$18 million as of writing. However, this figure represents the equivalent value of legitimate products rather than necessarily the amount generated by the counterfeit operation.
The investigation also resulted in the factory's person in charge and others being placed under investigation, with the case continuing to move through the Chinese legal system. Bandai says the matter remains under further investigation.
This isn't simply a case of a few bootleg kits being sold online. The photos released by Bandai show what appears to be a full-scale manufacturing and distribution operation, with injection molding equipment, packaging areas and substantial stocks of finished products.
Bandai says counterfeit Gundam products have continued to increase in recent years and that Chinese authorities have been actively strengthening intellectual property enforcement. The company expressed its appreciation for the cooperation and stated that it will continue working with public security and investigative authorities to take stricter measures against infringement of Gundam's intellectual property rights.
The announcement is a pretty significant warning to counterfeit GunPla manufacturers and sellers. Bandai isn't just going after individual listings anymore. When an operation reaches the scale of a dedicated factory and tens of thousands of counterfeit products, the company is prepared to pursue criminal legal measures.
And judging from those factory photos, Xingdong was definitely not running a tiny garage operation. There were 28,500-plus reasons for Bandai to take this one seriously.
