Airsoft players around the world impressed by the Tokyo Marui M4 MWS Gas Blowback System longing to see it in an AK will have something to look forward to as the iconic Japanese airsoft company will be releasing one in the form of the AKM Gas Blowback Rifle next year. It was announced together with another upcoming gas blowback pistol, the Glock 17 Gen 4 Gas Blowback Pistol, at the 6th Tokyo Marui Festival over the weekend.

Airsoft players in Japan and the curious public thronged to the Bellsalle in Akihabara, where the Tokyo Marui Festival has been held since it started in 2014 and it is in this event that major product for 2020 are revealed. It is a good way for the company to end its year on a high by holding its own event wherein fans and those who want to know more about airsoft can get close to most, if not all, the airsoft products the company has to offer.

The Tokyo Marui AKM Gas Blowback Rifle that was on display is more of a mockup as some its parts such as the handguard and magazine are 3D printed. In such a stage, we expect it not to be released in the first part of 2020 and more likely it will be ready for commercial release in late 2020 or even early 2021 given how thorough the company works on its products to ensure they meet their high standards and expectations of airsoft players in Japan and around the world. We are expecting the wood parts to be faux wood when released just like the Marui AK AEGs. But since this is a gas blowback, the dimensions will be closer to a real AKM that wood furniture made for the real one can be fitted to it.

The metal parts such as the receiver, bolt carrier, trigger, front sight base, gas block, and magazine catch are made of die-cast zinc whilst the top cover is steel press. The outer barrel and muzzle cap are said to be made of aluminium. As for its magazine capacity, since it’s an AK-style gas magazine, we expect it to hold more BBs than the M4 gas magazine.

What can be expected to be released earlier than the AKM GBB rifle is the Tokyo Marui Glock 17 Gen 4 Gas Blowback Pistol. With the modular backstrap, you can change the backstrap to fit the shooter’s grip comfortably with four backstraps to choose from.  Just like the real Glock 17 Gen 4, the mag catch is enlarged and reversible making it ready for left and right handed shooters. The photos do not show the white sights which is white dot for the front sight and the white “U” for the rear sight.

For those who have been waiting for the release of the MK46 Mod0 NGRS, they better get ready to part with their hard-earned cash as it will be ready for players who have already placed their pre-orders at various airsoft shops in Japan on the 12th of December 2019, the rest of the world will follow afterwards. It will be the flagship AEG for the company as it gets released as it is the biggest AEG that they will be releasing with the NGRS system as well as it is the first support AEG from the company. Much has already been said about its features and we will soon find out if Tokyo Marui has a hot seller in their hands when it gets released next month. Visitors to the Festival queued to experience firing it at the “Shooting Experience Corner.”

Also on display apart from the airsoft guns that are still in production are the upcoming MTR16 Gold Edition, the Vorpal Bunny GBB Pistol, M45A1 Black, and the recently released Type 89 F Gas Blowback Rifle. All these were in display at the “New Product Corner.” For those who want to look at the full offerings of the company can check out “Exhibition & Experience Corner”.

Visitors, apart from getting to shoot the MK46 Mod0 NGRS, can go and fire at the “Gun Arena” where they get to shoot a virtual target shooting arcade developed by Natsume Atari and Taito with the Glock 18C AEP, though it is not limited to that AEP and other airsoft guns can be used with this game arcade.

Prominently displayed at the venue are the “Girls & Airsoft Guns” made by military illustrators showing the various products of the company and for those who want to buy the merchandise of the company that are usually ordered online via the Web Store can get them at the “Product Sales Corner.”

Airsoft Safety is emphasized throughout the whole festival and it will be a sustained company to inform the public and the airsoft community on the need to be conscious of safety precautions when playing with airsoft guns. For the campaign, Military Virtual YouTuber, Irodori Mayoi, made an appearance, virtually of course and where she talked about airsoft safety together with Deca, the prominent face and spokesperson of Tokyo Marui.

There are 5 episodes of the Airsoft Safety Story, and you can visit the Airsoft Safety Page at the Tokyo Marui website and there is a challenge as well to test how well-versed you are in Airsoft Safety. Whilst airsoft manufacturers do put airsoft safety material, this is the first time we see an airsoft company put out an airsoft safety campaign with a lot of thought put it to ensure players are aware of safety rules in airsoft. We sure hope the other airsoft manufacturers will follow suit and even make their airsoft safety campaigns worldwide.

It’s another successful event for Tokyo Marui at its own Festival and they will finally end the year on a high note by following up this event with the release of the much anticipated MK46 Mod0 AEG next month.