The Gekkabijin MX MB is a 5-piece light game rod released in Sep 2026. If unsure, take the 65L-S-5. Transport length is 45cm, weight 83g, and list price JPY 34,500 (excl. tax).
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The V-Joint, which wraps bias-woven carbon around each joint, goes after the bend steps that were the weak point of 5-piece rods. On top of that comes the first carbon monocoque rear grip in the Gekkabijin line. That is why I pick the 65L-S-5 as the one to put in a train or business-trip bag.
Key points
- Released Sep 2026. JPY 34,000–35,000 (excl. tax)
- 5 pieces, transport length 41–47cm
- If unsure, the 65L-S-5 handles both aji and mebaru
When is the Gekkabijin MX MB out, and what does it cost?
Released Sep 2026. MB stands for mobile: a light game rod that splits into 5 pieces to fit in a bag. There are 3 models, at a list price of JPY 34,000–35,000 (excl. tax).
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Length | Packed | Weight | Lure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 510UL-S-5·J | 1.78m | 41cm | 78g | 0.3–5g |
| 65L-S-5·J | 1.96m | 45cm | 83g | 0.5–8g |
| 610UL-S-5·J | 2.08m | 47cm | 83g | 0.3–5g |
How I judged it
With 30 years of fishing, including ajing and mebaring, the first thing I checked was how the joints are built. The more joints, the more steps appear in the bend and the less pleasant a light swing feels, a long-standing complaint with multi-piece rods.
The MX MB puts the V-Joint, which uses bias-structure carbon sheet, into every joint, and tightens twist across the whole rod with X45. It aims for a natural bend like a one-piece rod, and I like that. It is natural.
Of the three, only the 65L-S-5 has a wide lure range of 0.5–8g. It covers everything from jig heads to small plugs with one rod. Wide range. This is the pick. A buy.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Gekkabijin MX MB 65L-S-5·J
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 25,426 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumWhat is new? The grip and guide build
For the first time in the Gekkabijin line, it carries a carbon monocoque rear grip made entirely of carbon. Because it is carbon throughout, vibration reaches the hand easily, and the balance of the whole rod improves.
The reel seat is the Air Sensor Seat. Light. The top guide is a small-diameter LF guide. The tip is the Mega Top, a solid carbon with fiber and resin evenly blended. It is thin and soft yet hard to break, and it goes after both the bite you feel in your hand and the bite you see.
The testers are Choji Watanabe and Yoshiki Tanaka. Based on the series' standard models, the two and Daiwa refined the action of these three rods.
How small and how heavy are the 5-piece rods?
I calculated how small they pack and what that costs in weight. The formulas are "transport length ÷ total length" and "weight ÷ total length."
| Model | Packed ratio | Weight per meter |
|---|---|---|
| 510UL-S-5 | 41 ÷ 178 ＝ 23% | 78 ÷ 1.78 ＝ 43.8g |
| 65L-S-5 | 45 ÷ 196 ＝ 23% | 83 ÷ 1.96 ＝ 42.3g |
| 610UL-S-5 | 47 ÷ 208 ＝ 23% | 83 ÷ 2.08 ＝ 39.9g |
| (Comparison) MX Ajing 64UL-S | ― | 55 ÷ 1.93 ＝ 28.5g |
Small. All of them pack down to a quarter of total length or less. In exchange, they are 11–15g heavier per meter than the 2-piece MX Ajing 64UL-S. That is the weight of the extra joints. It can't be helped.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Gekkabijin MX Ajing 64UL-S·J
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 26,595 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 37,600. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanHow do the 3 rods differ? Which to choose?
- 510UL-S-5: the shortest, 41cm packed. For anglers working jig heads of about 1g finely around the light and dark of harbor lamps, at close to mid range
- 65L-S-5: 0.5–8g, for both aji and mebaru. If you want one rod to take anywhere, this is it
- 610UL-S-5: long at 2.08m, for sending light jig heads far. Suited to rocky shores and wide bays
The 510UL and 610UL share the same lure range and line rating. Only the length differs. Narrow footing or wide. That is all.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Gekkabijin MX MB 510UL-S-5·J
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 25,731 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumHow does it differ from the Gekkabijin 2-piece?
Compare it with the 2-piece Gekkabijin.
- MX Ajing 64UL-S·J: 6'4", 55g, lures 0.3–5g, JPY 38,500
- RX AJING 64UL-S: 6'4", 65g, lures 0.3–5g, JPY 24,000
- MX MB 65L-S-5·J: 1.96m, 83g, lures 0.5–8g, JPY 34,500
The 2-piece figures are as of Oct 14 (excl. tax). The MX MB is heavier than the 2-piece rods, but its lure limit of 8g is above the 5g of the other 2. It packs small, and the lure range comes along too. That is strong.
Things to watch
This part is so-so. If you compare only weight, the 2-piece wins. If you always drive to the fishing spot, the 2-piece MX Ajing is another way to choose.
On a night breakwater, check your footing and your life jacket first.
Who is the Gekkabijin MX MB for?
- Anglers who want a proper light game rod in a travel or business-trip bag
- Anglers who get to the fishing spot by train or bicycle
- Anglers who want one rod to handle both aji and mebaru (65L-S-5)
To compare with 2-piece ajing rods, see our ranking of ajing rods; for another new release this autumn, see the Soare Xtune review.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Gekkabijin MX MB 610UL-S-5·J
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 25,774 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumFAQ
When is the Gekkabijin MX MB released?
Sep 2026. There are 3 rods, at a list price of JPY 34,000–35,000 (excl. tax).
What is the transport length of the Gekkabijin MX MB?
The 510UL-S-5 is 41cm, the 65L-S-5 is 45cm and the 610UL-S-5 is 47cm.
Is the Gekkabijin MX MB for ajing or mebaring?
The 65L-S-5 handles both, with lures of 0.5–8g. If you mostly fish jig heads of about 1g, take the 510UL or 610UL; on a narrow footing, the shorter 510UL is easier to handle.
